Safe Operation - Foot switches and foot pedals - steute

Foot switches or foot pedals are safety switches operated by foot. Industrial foot switches are used in industry and engineering to turn parts on or off where manual operation is not practical or possible. Foot switches are available with or without a safety function. From a practical point of view, it is preferable to use a foot switch with safety function.

Foot switches with multiple pedals

Normally, a footswitch features one pedal. Foot switches are available with multiple pedals (up to four) in one housing. To prevent inadvertent operation, additional safeguards are included in foot switches, for example a pawl that must be pushed away with the tip of a shoe in order to operate the pedal. steute has been developing and manufacturing switchgear for more than 50 years and is a specialist in safe switching applications.

Foot pedal with safety function

When using a foot pedal with a safety function, the pedal should be held in the switch position to allow an action to be performed. As soon as the foot pedal is pushed through or released, the action stops immediately.

Applications foot pedals

Applications for foot switches include anchor winches in ports, press brakes, perforating machines, presses and punching machines.

Some of the possibilities:

• ATEX certified and corrosion resistant (marine & offshore applications)
• Wireless (safety) foot switches (no tripping hazards)
• Foot switches with IP69K certification (food industry applications)
• Foot switches for operating medical instruments (steute Meditec)