FAQ02362 of Safety Limit Switches FAQ

The Safety Limit Switches are provided with a direct drive positive opening mechanism (positive actuation structure) with which welded portions are forcibly torn even if contact welding occurs, thus stopping a dangerous process (load) without fault and performing safe operation.

On the other hand, the General Limit Switches are not provided with the above mentioned mechanism. Therefore, if contact welding occurs, it keeps conduction state, and thus it cannot reliably stop dangerous process (load) and may perform dangerous operation.
For this reason, use the Safety Limit Switches in applications for safety purposes.