Banner Engineering has the XS26-2 expandable safety controller. With the capability to add up to eight expansion I/O modules, the XS26-2 platform was designed to easily adapt to diverse automation requirements and address a wide range of safeguarding applications. The base controller models have 26 input terminals, four terminals for two redundant safety PNP outputs and a USB connection for loading configurations. Base models are available with an optional on-board display or an embedded Ethernet IP/Modbus TCP capability for access to live I/O status and system diagnostics to assist in troubleshooting and commissioning.

"We know that control engineers and maintenance staff are required to do more with fewer resources and, as a result, value reliable, easy-to-use safety products," said Tom McMonagle, Senior Director of Product Planning at Banner Engineering. "In response, the engineering teams at Banner have been purposely focused on developing an industrially hardened safety control system and a highly intuitive, easy-to-learn graphical user interface."

The safety controller's complementary PC Graphical User Interface configuration software is simple, uncluttered and easy to navigate for configuring and documenting safety functions and assessing the status of connected input or output devices. The system configuration tool uses a function block diagram format that consists of pre-engineered and pre-tested safety function blocks, as well as a set of Boolean functions. As the function block configuration is created, a corresponding logic ladder reference diagram and a text-based summary are created.

To meet requirements of diverse applications, the XS26-2 platform offers six I/O expansion module models with a variety of safety inputs, solid-state safety outputs and safety relay outputs. For efficient terminal use, the XS26-2 base controller and expansion modules allow a portion of the safety inputs to be configured as outputs.

During the configuration process, up to 64 virtual status registers are automatically populated with names of the input and output devices connected to the safety controller system. This enables remote access to the I/O device and system status information.

For more information on the XS26-2 expandable safety controller, visit www.bannerengineering.com