Smaller than the current pendants, faster, secure, flame proof,cheaper,Servicable,Easy to operate.

Crane Pendant Station

Know all about Pendant Station For Crane. The crane pendant is one of the most frequently handled parts of a EOT crane. Understanding this seemingly inconspicuous component and handling it right can save crane users a tidy sum. Crane Pendant Demystified!

What are crane pendants?

Crane pendant refers to the part of the crane that is used to control the hoist in an overhead crane. It is also known by other names such as crane control unit or crane pendant station. It is perhaps the most important part of the crane and the one most often replaced. It is also the first place a crane inspector or maintenance person would check in case of breakdown. The term crane pendant is devised– and generally used – to describe control units wired into the electronic crane mechanism. The unit is attached to a long wire and dangles from the overhead crane – like a pendant. It is also referred to as pendant control or pendant control unit. It draws power from the same electric source that powers the crane itself.

How does a crane pendant work?

A crane may be operated by an operator seated in a cab and guided by a person on the ground or it may be controlled from the ground using a push button or lever control. This control unit may be wired to the crane itself or – as in the case of many contemporary cranes – it may be a remote radio unit. A wired push button pendant that is connected to the hoist and dangles down from the overhead crane is used by an operator to control the crane. The operator walks alongside the crane as it traverses the runway. He can control the lifting and lowering of the load using the pendant. Until about a decade ago, all overhead cranes were operated by wired pendant controls.

Pros and Cons of Pendant Controls

The most significant benefit of wired pendants is perhaps its connectivity – since the pendant is wired to the crane, there is virtually no scope for interruption in electric current – and consequent interruption in operation. Moreover, since pendants are suspended from the hoist, there is no possibility of accidentally dropping the control or misplacing it. Pendant controls also do not require charging or battery replacement since they are powered by crane electrification system.

Perhaps the only significant disadvantage of pendant systems is that it places the operator within the periphery of the crane operation area. This can be potentially risky – particularly with heavy-duty hoist cranes where an accidental load drop could harm the operator and may be potentially fatal. Moreover, as the operator walks along the runway, observing the crane and ensuring safe and uneventful picking and lowering of the load, he is exposed to the risk of tripping, slipping, or bumping into obstacles. Another potential risk in using wired pendant controls is that the wire – being directly attached to the crane – can be caught up in the crane mechanism, causing damage not only to the control system but also to other crane parts or at the very least resulting in costly downtime.

Remote Controls

However, radio-operated controls have an inherent flaw – they run on batteries, which may run down and require frequent recharging or replacement. Crane operators must also constantly check for potential breakdown in order to avoid costly down time. Moreover, the smaller hand-held variety of radio remote controls may be easily misplaced given the amount of material lying around at any worksite. All this can negatively impact production resulting in avoidable expenditure and tangential costs such as wasted work hours.

Why to use pendant push buttons

Pendant controls or simply crane pendants are crane control devices wired into the crane mechanism. These devices are used to control crane operations from the ground – eliminating the need for guidance by ground personnel. Many present day cranes use radio-operated control devices that can control operations from afar. Both types of controls have their benefits and risks – so selecting the right type of pendant is an important part of your decision to purchase an overhead crane. CraneSCADA offers guidance in control and monitoring of cranes. Contact us now to know more.