A Type 4 safety level represents the highest standard of machine safety used in safety light curtains and other industrial protection systems. It is designed for environments where the risk of serious injury is high and absolute reliability is required. Devices with a Type 4 safety level meet Performance Level “e” (PL e) as per ISO 13849-1 and Safety Integrity Level 3 (SIL 3) according to IEC 61508. These standards ensure that even in the event of a fault, the system will still perform its safety function correctly.
A Type 4 safety light curtain continuously monitors its own operation. It includes redundant circuits and built-in self-diagnosis features that constantly check for internal errors such as beam misalignment, sensor failure, or wiring faults. If any issue is detected, it immediately sends a stop signal to the machine, preventing unsafe conditions. This makes Type 4 safety systems ideal for high-risk machines like robotic cells, stamping presses, injection molding machines, and cutting or packaging equipment.
Omron Type 4 Safety Light Curtains are widely used in industrial automation because of their fast response time, strong resistance to electrical noise, and ability to detect even small objects with high precision. They provide full-body, hand, or finger protection depending on the model and can easily integrate with safety controllers and relays to ensure total system safety.
In industries where operators work close to moving or hazardous machinery, a Type 4 safety level device ensures that any interruption in the protective light beams stops the machine instantly. This prevents accidents, ensures compliance with global safety regulations, and allows production to resume safely once the area is clear.
A Type 4 safety level system guarantees maximum protection, continuous fault detection, and reliable performance even in demanding industrial environments. It is the preferred choice for modern safety applications where maintaining worker safety and uninterrupted production are equally important.