Safety sensor – BFT FL130

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Safety sensor – BFT FL130

The BFT FL130 is a photoelectric safety sensor designed primarily for use with automated gates and doors. It’s a crucial safety component that prevents the gate or door from closing if an obstacle, such as a person or vehicle, is detected in its path.

Here’s a breakdown of its key aspects:

How it Works

The BFT FL130 operates as a pair of photocells, consisting of a transmitter (TX) and a receiver (RX). These units are typically mounted on opposite sides of the gate or door opening. The transmitter emits an infrared beam towards the receiver. If anything breaks this beam (e.g., a person walking through, a car passing), the receiver detects the interruption and sends a signal to the gate’s control unit. This signal then triggers a safety mechanism, causing the gate to stop its movement or reverse direction to avoid impact.

Features and Specifications

• Type: Photoelectric safety sensor (photocell).
• Components: Transmitter and receiver pair.
• Function: Detects obstacles in the path of automated gates and doors to prevent accidents.
• Detection Method: Infrared beam.
• Applications: Commonly used in residential and commercial settings for automated swing gates, sliding gates, and garage doors.
• Max Range: Up to 30 meters (can be reduced by 50% in adverse weather conditions like fog or heavy rain).
• Power Supply: Typically 20-31 VAC or 22-30 VDC.
• Absorption: Approximately 70mA per pair.
• Relay Contacts: 1A at 24 VAC-DC.
• Working Temperature: Generally from -15°C to +70°C (some sources say -5°C to +70°C).
• Protection Rating: IP54, meaning it’s protected against dust ingress and splashing water.
• Mounting: Should be aligned and mounted at a height between 40 and 60 cm from the ground on flat, parallel surfaces.
• Dimensions: Compact, typically around 115mm x 32mm x 26mm.
• Versions: There is also a BFT FL130B version, which may offer additional features like self-alignment and is designed to meet EN12453 regulations for Type D safety devices when connected to a compatible control unit that verifies safety device functionality.

Safety Compliance

The BFT FL130, particularly the FL130B version, is designed to comply with recognized technical standards and safety regulations, such as EN12453. For the FL130 to be used as a Type D safety device under EN12453, it often requires connection to a control unit that includes a circuit to verify the correct functioning of the safety devices. Regular maintenance (at least every six months) is also recommended for systems using these sensors to ensure continued safe operation.