A cost-effective way for new and existing woodworking machines to comply with PUWER 98 safety legislation has been developed by Entrelec MTE, part of the ABB Group.
The company has updated its Powerbrake range of DC injection brakes, which stop woodworking machines safely and quickly. They now incorporate features such as thyristor integrity checking, increased braking time and automatic tripping should the time potentiometer fail.
Under new PUWER legislation, all new woodworking equipment must be equipped with an automatic brake that stops the tool in a sufficiently short time. From December 2003 or December 2005 – depending on the type of equipment – this standard will be extended to include second-hand and existing machinery already in use.
MTE said its updated Powerbrake can meet the PUWER 98 requirement in a more reliable way than a mechanical brake at around one-tenth of the cost of installing a braked motor.
