[Core Summary]
Choosing the wrong safety light curtain can result in missed finger intrusions due to coarse resolution, insufficient protection height leaving gaps for climbing, or delayed response leading to insufficient downtime. The Telco (Telco Sensors, Denmark) SpaceGuard™ SG 10 features a detection range of 1–10 m, 34–274 beam cross-scans, an effective protection height of 650–2535 mm, 12–36 V DC power supply, and five-wire solid-state relay output. It is available with ATEX and UL325 certifications. When selecting a model, aligning the resolution, protection height, detection range, and output form at once is more convenient than adding a protective cover afterwards.
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Resolution determines "what can be blocked"
The resolution (optical axis spacing) directly determines the smallest object that can be blocked. Finger protection typically requires a resolution of ≤ 14 mm, while palm or limb protection can be relaxed to 30 mm or even larger. The SG 10 covers different resolution levels through a combination of 34–274 beams. When selecting a model, it is recommended to first deduce the optical axis spacing based on "which part of the human body needs to be protected", rather than reversing the process and using an existing model as a compromise. The lower the resolution, the more beams there are, and the higher the requirements for alignment and installation accuracy.
The protection height should cover the entire hazard zone
The effective height of the light curtain must cover the entire reachable range of hazardous movements, including paths where personnel may cross over from above or crawl under from below. The SG 10 has an effective height of 650–2535 mm, with a long size used for full protection of large punch presses or automatic doors. A common oversight on site is to only protect the direct front area, ignoring the accessible pathways on the side of the equipment - the protection height should be determined based on the "entry point" of the risk assessment, rather than the outer contour of the equipment.
Detection distance and on-site environment
SG 10 Detection range: 1–10 m, suitable for most machine tools and automatic doors. The farther the distance, the higher the requirements for transmitter-receiver alignment and bracket rigidity; in situations with high vibration, the bracket should be reinforced to avoid long-term deviation leading to false stops. In environments with high dust, oil, or transparent objects, consideration should be given to mirror contamination and optical window cleaning cycles. If necessary, choose a model with self-diagnosis or pollution alarm.
Output format interfaces with the controller
SG 10 utilizes a five-wire solid-state relay output that can be directly connected to a safety relay or PLC safety module. When selecting the model, it is important to confirm that the output type matches the controller's input logic (normally closed/normally open, whether external reset is required), and to reserve interfaces for two-hand start or interlock signals. For scenarios requiring explosion-proof or pool gate control, ATEX and UL325 certified versions are available, but the delivery time and price for certified models vary significantly, so please confirm in advance.
Three details of installation and alignment
Firstly, the emitter and receiver must be rigidly coplanar, with laser alignment for long-distance use; secondly, the cable routing should avoid power lines, and the shielding layer should be grounded at one end to prevent interference; thirdly, during the debugging stage, use a test rod to verify each beam, recording the trigger position of each channel for future maintenance reference. Many "random malfunctions" are actually due to minor deformations of the bracket or oxidation of the connector, and do not belong to the fault of the light curtain itself.
What to look for during acceptance inspection
In addition to function triggering, it is also necessary to verify whether the response time falls within the "stop time budget" calculated by the safety controller - the combined time of light curtain detection, output action, and controller shutdown must be shorter than the time required for hazardous motion to reach the human body. The parameter table for SG 10 provides the device-side capabilities, and the overall line safety relies on the cooperation of the controller. This timing sequence should be taken into account during the selection phase.
[Parameter Table]
**Parameter Source Description**: The table above is extracted from the Telco Sensors SG 10 product catalog. The response time is a critical parameter for safety interlocking, but the specific field captured in the catalog is not clearly indicated. It is marked as [Please verify], and it is necessary to confirm with the manufacturer or agent before incorporating it into the safety plan, and to calculate it together with the controller's stop time.
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