A Type 4 safety light curtain is a high-performance optical safety device designed to protect operators working near hazardous machinery. It creates an invisible “curtain” of infrared light beams between a transmitter and receiver. When any beam is interrupted — for example, if a hand or body part enters the danger zone — the light curtain instantly sends a stop signal to the machine, halting motion to prevent injury.
Type 4 light curtains are built for high-risk industrial applications where human access to moving machinery could cause serious harm. They comply with IEC 61496-1 and IEC 61496-2 safety standards and are rated for Performance Level PL e and Safety Integrity Level SIL 3 — the highest levels of safety in machinery control. Unlike Type 2 devices, Type 4 light curtains continuously perform self-checks and redundancy monitoring during operation, ensuring they still function safely even if one component fails.
These advanced safety curtains are commonly used in press machines, robotic cells, packaging lines, injection molding machines, and automated assembly systems. They can detect even small objects and react within milliseconds, making them ideal for fast-moving machinery. Some models also include features like muting, blanking, and cascading, allowing safe material flow without compromising protection.
In simple terms, a Type 4 safety light curtain offers maximum protection for high-risk machines. It’s designed with dual-channel safety circuits and continuous diagnostics to guarantee reliability under all conditions. If a system demands the highest level of operator safety, Type 4 is the standard choice — ensuring total compliance, quick response, and dependable performance in industrial automation.