E.D.&A. Develops Electronic Controller with Safety Functions
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Kapellen (B) -- Recently electronics manufacturer E.D.&A. has developed a new electronic controller with safety functions for one of its customers. In addition to the control unit with motor controller E.D.&A. will also develop the user interface. In the future E.D.&A. will also produce, assemble and test this controller in their own production facility in Kapellen.
Strict audits
This customer does not take chances with this. After a rigorous selection procedure and after various comprehensive audits this large appliance constructor has selected E.D.&A. to execute this development. In their final report they highlighted the "World Class” performance level of the development, production and test department at E.D.&A..
Controllers with integrated safety functions
From cost aspect, more and more functions integrated in the control system. These are not only functional matters that determine the functioning of the machine. Also safety features that should prevent a machine to endanger its surroundings or the operator are integrated in the control system. Consequently, there are no external components required to ensure these functions.
Standards for hardware and software
The integration of safety functions in a controller is subjected to a strict regulation with specific requirements per application. For this case the ironer controller must conform to IEC 60335-1 and IEC 60730-1. This standard requires that the controller is "1-fail safe". This means that if one electronic component fails, no unsafe situation may occur. As part of the risk analysis a FMEA (Failure Mode and Effects Analysis) is made on component level for the hardware.
These standards require not only specific measures for the hardware. Specific parts of the software are designed such as they meet the stringent requirements for a Class B control function. For the software design a UML modelling tool was used. An integrated test environment monitors the quality of the written code by performing static code analysis.
About E.D.&A.
Since 1981 E.D.&A. has been a leader for the development , the assembling and the testing of custom-made electronic controllers for both industrial and consumer applications, such as industrial washing machines, fans, milk cooling tanks, gas fires, automatic sliding doors, ovens, coffee machines, etc.. E.D.&A. employs 45 people.
The customers of E.D.&A. are mainly located in Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany. They export their products throughout Europe and the rest of the world, whereby the controllers of E.D.&A. prove their reliability daily around the world.
More information:
E.D.&A. nv - Energielaan 16 - 2950 Kapellen
Tel +32 3 620 18 18
Contact person: Ellen Brouwers (E.Brouwers@EDnA.eu)
Annex: custom-made controller with safety functions
