Safety Door Locks & Switches

Guard locking interlocks, RFID and magnetic coded safety switches for machine doors and fences.

Choose a Safety Interlock Switch by Guard Function

A safety interlock switch either monitors whether a machine guard is closed, or monitors and physically locks it. Monitoring without locking requires the hazard to stop before a person can reach it, as verified by the machine risk assessment. Use guard locking when the assessment requires the door to remain closed until a persistent hazard has ended and release is permitted.

This category includes mechanical tongue switches, magnetic coded and RFID non-contact switches, solenoid guard locks, actuator keys and a mechanical safety-door bolt. The first decision is monitoring versus locking; the second is contact, magnetic or RFID actuation.

Safety interlock switch selection between guard monitoring and guard locking for machine safety doors — Monitoring confirms door position; guard locking also prevents opening while the hazard remains.

Safety Door Switch and Guard Locking Range

Use the table to shortlist a family before comparing its full model list below. Monitoring-only switches and guard locking switches perform different jobs; a shared housing or matching connector does not make them interchangeable.

For compact RFID-actuated guard locking, DX-D6 provides C/D lock behaviours and model-specific dual NPN or PNP outputs in a 30 × 30 mm housing. Match the exact output, R/H function version, actuator and cable on the quotation. If the required function is unclear, follow the safety-door selection guide before ordering.

Need	Starting family	Published distinction
mechanical door-position monitoring	DX-D2 / DX-D3	NC/NO contacts, no locking function
magnetic non-contact monitoring	DX-C1	coded magnet, up to 17 mm published sensing distance
RFID non-contact monitoring	DX-R1	universal or uniquely coded, dual NPN/PNP output
mechanical-contact guard locking	DX-W2 / DX-W3 / DX-W5	solenoid lock options and 1300 N published holding force
compact electronic guard locking	DX-D6	RFID actuator, 2000 N, 30 × 30 mm body

The family comparison is a starting point, not confirmation of a safety circuit. Use each product's specifications and applicable documentation for contact arrangement, coding, holding force and release options. Request the certificate and instruction version for the exact order when needed.

Compare 9 Safety Door Locks & Switches Series

DX-C1 Magnetic Coded Safety Switch

Non-contact coded-magnet safety switch with 17 mm sensing range and high misalignment tolerance for guard doors.

DX-D2 & DX-D3 Safety Door Switch

Mechanical NC/NO safety interlock switch, IP67, 1,000,000-cycle mechanical life, no locking function.

DX-D6 Guard Locking Safety-Door Switch

Guard locking safety-door switch: 2000 N holding force, redundant dual outputs, RFID-coded actuators.

DX-K Series Safety Door Lock Operation Keys

11-model range of fixed and adjustable operation keys for DX-W2/W3/W5 and DX-D2/D3 safety door interlock switches.

DX-R1 Non-contact Safety Switch (RFID Coded)

Non-contact RFID-coded safety switch, dual-channel PLe/Type 4 output, 0-10mm switch-on, cascadable, 8 NPN/PNP models.

DX-W2 Safety Door Lock (Solenoid Guard Locking Interlock Switch)

Contact-type guard locking switch with 4 contact blocks in 14 NC/NO configurations and 1300 N holding force.

DX-W3 Safety Door Lock

Compact mechanical-contact safety door lock: 1300 N holding force, 2 contact blocks, 6 NC/NO configurations, IP67.

DX-W5 Safety Door Lock (Guard Locking Interlock Switch)

Solenoid safety door lock with 6 gold-plated contacts, 4 configurations, 1300 N holding force and IP67 protection.

Photo on request

DXL Safety Door Bolt (DXL-A / DXL-B)

Purely mechanical safety door bolt pre-drilled to mount DX-W2/W3/D2/D3 interlock switches directly.

How the DX-D6 Guard Locking Sequence Works

DX-D6 separates three facts that are often confused: the actuator is present at the switch, the locking mechanism is engaged, and the redundant output signals are available to the safety controller. The controller evaluates those signals; the switch does not directly remove power from the machine load.

C-type is mechanical lock with solenoid release (power-to-release). D-type is solenoid lock with mechanical release (power-to-lock). The correct loss-of-power behaviour depends on whether the machine retains a hazard after power is removed, so that choice belongs to the risk assessment rather than a generic preference.

DX-D6 guard locking safety door switch sequence from RFID actuator detection and lock confirmation to safety controller — Actuator present + lock state → redundant safety signals → safety controller; the controller owns the machine stop circuit.

Magnetic, RFID or Mechanical Safety Switch?

Magnetic coded switches have no tongue entering a head; their permitted sensing distance and alignment tolerance are model-specific. RFID-coded switches add universal- or uniquely-coded actuator choices where documented. Resistance to defeat also depends on coding level, installation and access to substitute actuators, not RFID alone. Mechanical tongue switches remain practical where conventional contacts and positive mechanical actuation are required and documented.

No technology is automatically correct for every door. Record door type, alignment movement, need for locking, desired coding, output style, ingress requirement and the safety function's required performance before selecting a model.

From Door Switch to Safety Relay

A door switch supplies the guard state; a safety relay or safety controller evaluates the safety channels and controls downstream contactors. The DA31 safety relay module includes a selectable safety-door input mode and accepts dual-channel PNP or NPN signals. The safety relay category compares DA31 with DQSRN.

For exact terminal wiring, validate the switch variant, relay input mode and complete machine safety circuit together. Category text is not a substitute for the model wiring document or the machine risk assessment.

Send the door type, whether the hazard coasts after stop, required holding force, coding preference and controller input type through the inquiry form.

Order the Switch, Actuator and Release Arrangement Together

Record the door swing or slide direction, mounting faces, actuator travel and required behaviour after loss of power. Separate position monitoring from actual guard locking: an actuator key or a door bolt alone is not an electronic safety switch.

Item to agree on the quotation	Reference
Electronic lock and matching coded actuator	DX-D6 model and options
DX-D6 matching actuator, bracket and cable	Confirm DX-K9 and the door-direction mounting option in the DX-D6 order-kit checklist
Other DX-family mechanical actuator compatibility	DX-K1–K8 operation keys — match the listed switch family; not a DX-D6/DX-K9 substitute
Door bolt and mounting arrangement	DXL mechanical bolt
Monitoring versus locking decision	Safety-door selection guide

Ask the quotation to identify the switch and actuator codes, swing or slide direction, cable or connector, required release arrangement and any items supplied separately. Request the exact certificate scope and circuit documents before safety validation; documents can be supplied directly when needed. Do not transfer one DX family's contacts, coding, force or release options to another. For robot cells, use the sensor-role procurement checklist to separate door access control from process measurement.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a safety interlock switch and a guard locking switch?

An interlock switch monitors whether the guard is closed. A guard locking switch also holds the door shut until release is permitted.

When does a machine safety door need guard locking?

Use guard locking when a hazardous condition can remain after the stop command, such as coast-down, stored pressure, heat or residual motion, and the risk assessment requires access to be delayed.

What is a magnetic safety switch used for?

A magnetic coded safety switch monitors a movable guard without a tongue entering a mechanical head. Verify the permitted sensing distance, approach direction and alignment tolerance for the exact switch and matching actuator; non-contact construction does not guarantee a larger usable tolerance in every installation.

What is the difference between universal and uniquely coded RFID actuators?

A universal-coded switch accepts the matching actuator type; a uniquely coded version recognises its paired actuator, increasing resistance to simple substitution.

Does DX-D6 directly switch the machine motor?

No. Its redundant transistor outputs are evaluated by a safety controller or safety relay; downstream safety contacts or contactors remove power from hazardous functions.

How do I choose power-to-release or power-to-lock?

Choose from the risk assessment and the safe state on loss of power. Consider whether a hazard remains after power-off and whether emergency escape or process protection must be maintained.