Limit Switch for EOT Cranes and Hoists

Limit Switches are used in EOT Cranes to Limit its Movement for the purpose of safety.

What are limit Switches

What are Limit Switches for EOT Cranes?

Limit switches contain electrical contacts which are opened or closed if the machine has reached its operating mechanical limit.

An animation showing Working of a lever type limit switch

A limit switch is operated by a mechanical actuator or sensor which detects the presence or absence of an object. There are full contact or contactless limit switches .

A limit switch typically cuts power or sends a control signal to cut power to the moving equipment such as an overhead crane or robot.



Need for Limit Switch in EOT Cranes?

A limit switch is used to contain the movement or motion of a machine such as a crane. A limit switch can also be used to bring the machine to its starting position or to a previously known location .

A limit switch prevents damage to nearby equipment or injury to people by limiting the motion of a moving overhead crane . In an industrial environment , a limit switch is necessary in each direction a machine can travel.

An overhead crane with its defined limit in movement

Different types of Limit Switches for EOT Cranes

There are many types of limit Switches suitable for different applications

  • Rotary limit switches

  • Lever type limit switches

  • Gravity limit switch

Rotary,Lever & Gravity Limit Switches

Rotary limit switches for EOT Cranes

Rotary limit switches are directly attached to the gearbox of the motor with a shaft and a coupling. The coupling helps in relieving stress to the shaft of the limit switch in case of Misalignment . The movement of the gearbox rotates the shaft of the limit switch .
Rotary limit switch contains the movement of a hoist machinery in the vertical direction where the upper vertical limit and the lower vertical limit of the movement of the hook of the hoist is set.

Rotary Limit Switch Working Principle

Lever Limit Switch for EOT Cranes

Lever type limit switches are mounted at positions where the linear motion of the moving equipment needs to stop.

Lever Limit Switch Working Principle

Applications of Lever Type Limit Switch:

Lever Limit Switches are used whenever you need to stop a Linear movement of machinery .

Gravity Limit Switch for EOT Cranes

Gravity limit switch works on the basic principle of weight balance scale where One counter weight is mounted at one side of the lever and another suspended weight is tied at another end of the lever.

Working principle of Gravity limit switch

At the center of the lever a Shaft is present with attached Coaxial cams . The lever shaft and cams , all rotate simultaneously at the same angle.
These cams are responsible for changing the state of electrical contacts position, placed inside the limit switch enclosure. Electrical Output wire is fed to crane control panel.

Gravity limit Switch WOrking Principle

The suspended weight is directly connected to the hoist wire rope (as shown in below image) at the predetermined point where it prevents the hoist from reaching the upper block and wire drum.

Suspended weight is a little heavier than the counter weight ,so due to gravity effect suspended weight wire become stiff and it makes counter weight lift upward.During normal operation the limit switch normally remains closed. A gravity limit Switch will not have a spring return mechanism .

Gravity limit switch operates when the hoist reaches its predetermined point. In this condition the suspended weight rests on the surface of the hoist and suspended weight wire sags and counter weight changes the position and electrical contactor cut off power to stop the hoist motor. Gravity limit switches can be used parallelly with rotary limit switch in a vertical type motion such as hoisting .

If the rotary limit switch fails to activate at the correct number of turns, the gravity limit switch will be operated to provide an emergency stop .

Applications of Gravity Limit Switch:

Since Gravity Limit Switches work on the principle of gravity , they are always used in Vertical Movement such as

Electrical Poles of a Limit Switch

Generally, A contact of a limit switch can have two poles and two Throws. Poles of a limit switch contacts are the number of input pins of the Contacts .

Throws of a limit switch contacts are the number of output pins of the contacts. A limit switch can have a combination of poles and throws such as :

Single Pole , Single Throw Normally Closed Contacts

Single Pole, Single Throw Normally Open Contacts

Single Pole, Double Throw

Double Pole , Single Throw

Double Pole , Double Throw

Depending on the application of the limit switch one of the above pole and throw configuration can be used.

Poles of a limit Switch

Electrical Rating of the contacts of a Limit Switch

Contacts of a limit Switch can have different ratings for different energy loads.

Power On Off Contacts:

A limit Switch can be used to directly Cut Power or Provide Power to the machinery. For Such kind of an application, heavy duty contacts need to be used.Such heavy Duty Contacts need to withstand inductive loads.

Control Signal Contacts:

A Limit Switch can also be used to send a Control signal to a PLC , Variable Frequency Drive, or any kind of MicroProcessor. Such Control Signals dont require Heavy Duty Contacts within the limit Switch.
When any kind of mechanical contact opens or closes, the contacts bounce for a few milliseconds before they become stable.
This contact bounce is a cause for concern for a PLC as this can lead to confusion whether the Limit Switch is Closed or Open during the period the contacts are bouncing.
Also Control signals are typically low voltage and low Current signals, which can also be affected by EMI in an Industrial environment and can trigger false alarms.

Contact Bounce

Housing Enclosure of a Limit Switch:

Depending on the type of environment the limit switch will be installed and operated , the material of the enclosure of the switch will play a major role .Each kind of different enclosure will also determine the IP rating of the switch.

Many factors such as space constraints,Mounting Constraint, ambient temperature, dust ingress protection, water protection, flame protection, life, vibrations, chemicals, indoor use, outdoor use & cost will determine the enclosure . A limit Switch can come in a Thermoplastic Plastic housing, Sheet metal housing or Die Cast Housing. To prevent water and dust ingress, a gasket seal is usually used.
A water tight cable gland is used for any cable entering the Housing to prevent water and dust from entering the enclosure.

Aluminium Die cast Rotary Limit Switch Housing

Applications of Limit Switch:

Limit Switches are used in Industrial cranes such as :

Limit Switches are used at various locations of a crane and are always used in Main hoist, Auxiliary Hoist,Cross Travel and Long Travel motions.

Product List of Limit Switch

Sr. no. Product Name Description Part Number Images
1 LEVER LIMIT SWITCH 2C IP41 TWO WAY LEVER TYPE LIMIT SWITCH, 02 CONTACT,40 Amps LS/2/SH/2/41
2 LEVER LIMIT SWITCH 4C IP41 TWO WAY LEVER TYPE LIMIT SWITCH, 04 CONTACT,40 Amps LS/2/SE/4/41
3 LEVER LIMIT SWITCH 2C 40A IP55 TWO WAY LEVER TYPE LIMIT SWITCH,40 Amps,02 CONTACT LS/2/SH/2/55
4 LEVER LIMIT SWITCH 2C 10A IP55 TWO WAY LEVER TYPE LIMIT SWITCH,10 Amps,02 CONTACT SLS/2/SH/2/55
5 LEVER LIMIT SWITCH 4C 40A IP55 TWO WAY LEVER TYPE LIMIT SWITCH,40 Amps,04 CONTACT SLS/2/SH/4/55
6 Lever Limit Switch (Plastic) Duty 10 Amps TWO WAY LEVER TYPE LIMIT SWITCH,02 CONTACT SLS-2C
7 GRAVITY LIMIT SWITCH 1 WAY 4C IP41 ONE WAY WEIGHT OPERATED LIMIT SWITCH,04 CONTACT CWLS/1/SH/4/41
8 GRAVITY LIMIT SWITCH 1 WAY 2C 40 Amps IP55 ONE WAY WEIGHT OPERATED LIMIT SWITCH,40 Amps,02 CONTACT CWLS/1/SH/2/55
9 GRAVITY LIMIT SWITCH 1 WAY 4C 40 Amps IP55 ONE WAY WEIGHT OPERATED LIMIT SWITCH,40 Amps,04 CONTACT CWLS/1/SH/4/55
10 GRAVITY LIMIT SWITCH 1 WAY 2C 10A IP55 ONE WAY WEIGHT OPERATED LIMIT SWITCH,10 Amps,02 CONTACT SCWLS/1/SH/2/55
11 GRAVITY LIMIT SWITCH 1 WAY 2C IP41 ONE WAY WEIGHT OPERATED LIMIT SWITCH,02 CONTACT CWLS/1/SH/2/41
12 CROSS BAR LIMIT SWITCH 1 speed Cross Bar Limit Switch for Single Speed Motor Control 3 Position with mechnical interlock IP65 LSR 2S
13 CROSS BAR LIMIT SWITCH 2 speed Cross Bar Limit Switch for Two Speed Motor Control 3 Position with mechnical interlock LSR 22D
14 GRLS 48 Ratio 2C IP41 ROTARY GEARED LIMIT SWITCH WITH THE GEAR RATIO 48, 02 CONTACT, 1NO + 1NC GRLS/48/SH/2/41
15 GRLS 48 Ratio 4C IP41 ROTARY GEARED LIMIT SWITCH WITH THE GEAR RATIO 48, 04 CONTACT, 2NO + 2NC GRLS/48/SH/4/41
16 GRLS 60 Ratio 2C IP41 ROTARY GEARED LIMIT SWITCH WITH THE GEAR RATIO 60, 02 CONTACT, 1NO + 1NC GRLS/60/SH/2/41
17 GRLS 60 Ratio 4C IP41 ROTARY GEARED LIMIT SWITCH WITH THE GEAR RATIO 60, 04 CONTACT, 2NO + 2NC GRLS/60/SH/4/41
18 GRLS 96 Ratio 2C IP41 ROTARY GEARED LIMIT SWITCH WITH THE GEAR RATIO 96, 02 CONTACT, 1NO + 1NC GRLS/96/SH/2/41
19 GRLS 96 Ratio 4C IP41 ROTARY GEARED LIMIT SWITCH WITH THE GEAR RATIO 96, 04 CONTACT, 2NO + 2NC GRLS/96/SH/4/41
20 GRLS 48 Ratio 2C IP55 ROTARY GEARED LIMIT SWITCH WITH THE GEAR RATIO 48, 02 CONTACT, 1NO + 1NC GRLS/48/SH/2/55
21 GRLS 48 Ratio 4C IP55 ROTARY GEARED LIMIT SWITCH WITH THE GEAR RATIO 48, 04 CONTACT, 2NO + 2NC GRLS/48/SH/4/55
22 GRLS 60 Ratio 2C IP55 ROTARY GEARED LIMIT SWITCH WITH THE GEAR RATIO 60, 02 CONTACT, 1NO + 1NC GRLS/60/SH/2/55
23 GRLS 60 Ratio 4C IP55 ROTARY GEARED LIMIT SWITCH WITH THE GEAR RATIO 60, 04 CONTACT, 2NO + 2NC GRLS/60/SH/4/55
24 GRLS 96 Ratio 2C IP55 ROTARY GEARED LIMIT SWITCH WITH THE GEAR RATIO 96, 02 CONTACT, 1NO + 1NC GRLS/96/SH/2/55
25 GRLS 96 Ratio 4C IP55 ROTARY GEARED LIMIT SWITCH WITH THE GEAR RATIO 96, 04 CONTACT, 2NO + 2NC GRLS/96/SH/4/55
26 FG50P2 FG WORM DRIVE ROTARY GEAR LIMIT SWITCH WITH THE GEAR RATIO 50, 02 CONTACT FG 50 P2
27 FG50P4 FG WORM DRIVE ROTARY GEAR LIMIT SWITCH WITH THE GEAR RATIO 50, 04 CONTACT FG 50 P4
28 FG100P2 FG WORM DRIVE ROTARY GEAR LIMIT SWITCH WITH THE GEAR RATIO 100, 02 CONTACT FG 100 P2
29 FG100P4 FG WORM DRIVE ROTARY GEAR LIMIT SWITCH WITH THE GEAR RATIO 100, 04 CONTACT FG 100 P4
30 FG200P2 FG WORM DRIVE ROTARY GEAR LIMIT SWITCH WITH THE GEAR RATIO 200, 02 CONTACT FG 200 P2
31 FG200P4 FG WORM DRIVE ROTARY GEAR LIMIT SWITCH WITH THE GEAR RATIO 200, 04 CONTACT FG 200 P4
32 FG400P2 FG WORM DRIVE ROTARY GEAR LIMIT SWITCH WITH THE GEAR RATIO 400, 02 CONTACT FG 400 P2
33 FG400P4 FG WORM DRIVE ROTARY GEAR LIMIT SWITCH WITH THE GEAR RATIO 400, 04 CONTACT FG 400 P4
34 FG12.5P4 FG WORM DRIVE ROTARY GEAR LIMIT SWITCH WITH THE GEAR RATIO 12.5, 04 CONTACT FG 12.5 P4

Different Limit Switches for Industrial Cranes

FG Rotary Limit Switch

Fiber Glass(FG) Rotary Limit Switch

Lever type limit Switch

Lever Limit Switch

Counter weight gravity limit switch

Counter weight Gravity limit switch