1 Scope
Replacement:
This part of IEC 61496 specifies requirements for the design, construction and testing of electro-sensitive
protective equipment (ESPE) designed specifically to detect persons as part of a safety-related
system, employing vision-based protective devices ( VBPDs ) using passive reference patterns ( VBPDPP ) for the sensing function. Special attention is directed to features which ensure
that an appropriate safety-related performance is achieved. An ESPE may include optional
safety-related functions, the requirements for which are given in Annex A of IEC 61496‑1:2012 and this Technical Specification.
This part of IEC 61496 does not specify the dimensions or configurations of the detection zone and its disposition
in relation to hazardous parts for any particular application, nor what constitutes
a hazardous state of any machine. It is restricted to the functioning of the ESPE
and how it interfaces with the machine.
A VBPDPP is defined as consisting of a single image -sensing device viewing on a passive reference pattern as the background and where the detection principle is based on blocking or partially
preventing the view of the pattern. Information about the thickness, shape, surface
characteristics or location of the object is not required for detection. For multi- image sensing devices, additional techniques, requirements and test procedures can be necessary.
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