What is a safety light curtain, and how is it different from a photoelectric sensor?
A safety light curtain is a transmitter and receiver pair with infrared beams spaced along each bar. When any beam is blocked, both safety outputs (OSSD) switch off and break the machine stop circuit. Unlike an ordinary photoelectric sensor, it is a safety component tested to IEC 61496 so that a fault never leaves the output stuck ON.
What do Type 4, PL e and SIL 3 mean?
Type 4 is the highest light curtain category in IEC 61496, and PL e (ISO 13849-1) and SIL 3 (IEC 62061, IEC 61508) are the top levels of those standards. This is the grade used where people can be seriously injured, such as presses and robot cells. SANIL SSR and SLC series state these ratings in the catalog; ask for certificate copies with your quote.
Which model do I need for finger, hand or body detection?
Fingers: SLC 9 mm pitch (Ø14, 0.3–5 m). Hands: SLC 18 mm pitch (Ø23, 0.3–5 m) or SSR 20 mm pitch (Ø30, 0.2–15 m). Arm and body: SSR 40 mm pitch (Ø48, 0.2–15 m). Finer detection allows a shorter safety distance, and the SSR series covers mounting distances beyond 5 m.
How do I calculate the safety distance for a light curtain?
Use the basic ISO 13855 formula S = K × (t1 + t2) + C. For hand detection (d ≤ 40 mm), K = 2,000 mm/s and C = 8 × (d − 14) mm. For example, an SSR-4402 (Ø30, 18 ms) on a machine that stops in 100 ms needs 364 mm. The calculator on this page gives that reference value; the designer sets the final distance from the risk assessment.
Can conveyor loads pass while people still stop the machine?
Yes, with muting. When a pallet blocks two crossed muting sensors within a set time, the curtain treats it as a load and keeps the output on, then ends muting once the load has passed. The sensors are placed so a person cannot block both, so a person stops the machine immediately. On the SSR series the whole top cap is the muting lamp, so no separate lamp is needed.
Can I use it on machines shipped to North America?
Use the SSR 20 mm pitch UL model (Ø30, 0.2–10 m) for machines bound for North America. There is no UL model for finger (Ø14, Ø23) or arm and body (Ø48) detection. UL models have no integral muting lamp or converter settings, and muting and NPN options are confirmed with the quote.
Does it work below freezing or on washdown lines?
Operating temperature is −10 to 65 °C for SSR and −10 to 55 °C for SLC and UL models, with IP65 protection. Below −10 °C (cold storage, outdoor winter use) or on high-pressure washdown lines, send us the installation conditions first and we will review the configuration.
Can I replace a Keyence or Omron light curtain with SANIL?
Yes. We replace it with a SANIL model whose detection capability is the same or finer. Replacements for Keyence GL-R, GL-S, GL-V and SL-V, Omron F3SG and F3SJ (including discontinued models), Autonics SFL and SFLA, and Sunkwang SK series are listed in the table and model search on this page. Length and bracket differences are matched from your installation drawing.
What do you need from me for a quote?
The model, or the installation conditions (what to detect, protective height, mounting distance), and the quantity. Pick a model and calculate the safety distance on this page and they are added to your request. Send it to sales@prosen.co.kr and PROSEN, the official SANIL Sensor distributor, replies with a quote and engineering advice; you can also ask for the catalog and certificate copies.
Where can I buy SANIL light curtains?
PROSEN is the official distributor of SANIL Sensor and sells and supports the SSR and SLC safety light curtain series. We help with model selection, safety distance review and replacing other brands. Contact sales@prosen.co.kr or +82-32-811-3457.
