Overhead Crane Safety Systems Slow Down and Stop Limit Switches

Overhead Crane Safety Systems: Slow Down and Stop Limit Switches

Limit switches can be used for a variety of motion controls on an overhead crane. There can be multiple limit switches used in sequence to slow down and stop the travel of an overhead crane’s bridge, hoist, or hook block before it makes hard contact with something that could cause load swing.

As the crane approaches the end of its safe travel limit, an electrical or mechanical switch will trigger and begin to slow down the hoist motion or travel of the bridge. If the hoist or bridge continue to travel, they will activate a stop switch which will immediately stop the motion altogether before it hits an end stop.

There can also be multiple limits set for the lifting and lowering motions of the hoist. When triggered, limit switches on a hoist can manage all of the following:

• Provide slowing and stopping motions to reduce mechanical wear on the hoist
• Control the speed and the height of the lifting or lowering motion to prevent load swing
• Provide a final safeguard to prevent the hoist block from making contact with the floor or the drum, which can cause the load to swing violently and even break the wire rope

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