Herga’s modular footswitch system now has individual 60601-1 medical approval: Herga announces a flexible and globally unique approach for medically approved footswitches

The Medical Footswitch Design Platform is an attractive and ergonomic solution for medical equipment manufacturers offering wide flexibility for application-specific switching. OEMs can easily accommodate their specific switching requirements for a single machine or range of machines with varying functionality through seamless range expansion. The base system consists of moulded thermoplastic single and double plinths that mechanically lock with joining spacers to provide electrical connections for 1-, 2-, 3- 4-, or 5- plinth configurations. Each single plinth can accommodate a single footswitch as well as one or two puckswitches.

Complementing the Medical Footswitch Design Platform, Herga´s IEC 60601/UL 60601 medically approved range of footswitches include the well proven 6226 series that can be selected with environmental protection options EN60529 IPX7 or IPX8 on request. Whilst the electrical ratings for each complete base unit are determined by the application, the typical electrical switching range for each footswitch is up to 3 A at 24V AC/DC with momentary function for SPST, N/O or SPDT. Medically approved 6241 puckswitches, 6244 haptic puckswitches and Otto switches can also be included with typical ratings of 0.1 A at 24V DC for SPDT/DPDT switching.

All of the electrical switching functions for the Medical Footswitch Design Platform are typically output via a single cable for straightforward machine connection, with flying leads and stripped cable cores or with a preferred connector as required, or alternatively via our closed network Bluetooth connection. A wide range of modular accessories may be included such as tubular steel carrying handles, open guards or roll bars. For improved operational safety, each footswitch may also be separated with a raised divider built into the joining spacer. Steel base plates are available for added durability. The switch components can be suppled in a range of standard colours and customer logos included. Additional options include LEDs, screen printing and USB connection. Fully customised base systems are available in OEM quantities.

The Modular Base System is also suitable for industrial and commercial machinery switching tasks where medical approval is not essential. Herga has developed a comprehensive range of standard variants that use the new modular base system to combine commonly specified 6226 series footswitches and single 6241 puckswitches. With a series of detailed datasheets including reference dimensions and ordering information available from the Herga website, this range covers straightforward selection in eight combinations that span a single footswitch to a multiple switch combination including 4x footswitch plus 4x puckswitches switch configuration. This range can of course include Herga´s medically approved foot and puckswitches switches allowing a fully medically approved product on-delivery.

Full details of the Medical Footswitch Design Platform are available on request from the switching and sensing solutions specialist with sales and applications staff on-hand to discuss specific requirements at sales@herga.com or by calling +44 (0)1284 701422. Visit www.herga.com for complete information on Herga´s wide range of medically approved and industrial grade single- or multi-pedal foot and hand controlled switches.