How to ensure that the safety performance of electric hoists meets international standards

How to ensure that the safety performance of Electric Hoists meets international standards
In many fields such as industrial manufacturing and logistics handling, electric hoists are common lifting equipment, and their safety performance is crucial. For independent chain hoist stations facing international wholesale buyers, providing electric hoist products that meet international standards can not only enhance market competitiveness, but also be an important manifestation of responsibility to customers. The following is a detailed introduction on how to ensure that the safety performance of electric hoists meets international standards.

1. Understanding international standards and related certifications
(I) ISO standards
ISO (International Organization for Standardization) has developed a series of standards related to electric hoists. For example, ISO 4309 specifies the requirements for minimum maintenance and internal inspection procedures for wire rope uses, which is applicable to various wire ropes used inside Chain Hoists, and also provides a reference for the relevant maintenance and inspection of wire ropes in electric hoists. ISO 22155 specifies the applicability, positioning, installation and maintenance requirements of chain hoists. Some of the safety requirements and scope of application regulations are also of reference significance for the safety performance of electric hoists.
(II) CEN EN Standards
CEN EN 13157 specifies the safety and identification requirements of hand chain hoists, including parameters such as pulley size and steering wheel. The reasonable setting of these parameters also helps to ensure the safety of electric hoists, because electric hoists and hand chain hoists have some common mechanical structure principles and safety requirements. EN 14492-2:2019 "Cranes - Power driven hoists - Part 2: Serial hoists" directly targets the safety requirements and test methods of electric hoists, covering the regulations of design, manufacturing, performance and other aspects. It is an important standard to ensure that the safety performance of electric hoists meets the requirements of the European market.
(III) ASME Standards
ASME B30.16 has formulated detailed safety specifications for lifting equipment, including electric hoists, for each link of the design, manufacturing, installation, inspection, testing and operation of electric hoists. From the overall performance of the equipment to the specific operation process, clear requirements are put forward to ensure the safety of electric hoists throughout the entire service life.
(IV) CE Certification
CE certification is a mandatory certification for products to enter the European Economic Area market and is regarded as a passport for manufacturers to open and enter the European market. For electric hoists, obtaining CE certification means that the product meets the relevant safety, health and environmental protection requirements of the European Union. Manufacturers need to ensure that the design, manufacture and performance of electric hoists comply with the provisions of standards such as EN 14492-2, conduct risk assessments, prepare detailed technical documents, including product design documents, test reports, declarations of conformity, etc., and may need to pass type tests and supervisory inspections, and finally mark the CE mark on the product.

2. Ensure the safety of materials and designs
(I) Material selection
The components of electric hoists must be made of high-quality materials and precision-made to ensure that they can withstand the specified loads. For example, the material of the hook should have sufficient strength and toughness to meet the requirements of relevant standards such as GB/T10051.1. The wire rope should preferably be a line-contact wire rope, and its structural type and nominal tensile strength and other indexes and performances must meet the requirements, such as the requirements in GB/T8918, to ensure that it has sufficient load-bearing capacity and fatigue resistance during the lifting process.
(II) Design requirements
The design of the electric hoist needs to meet specific safety requirements, such as shock absorption, dustproof, moisture-proof and explosion-proof, to adapt to different working environments and use conditions. The overall structural design of the equipment should be reasonable to ensure that the connection between the components is tight and reliable, and can withstand the various forces during the lifting and operation process. The design of the drum must ensure that the wire rope can be arranged neatly, and the parameters such as the ratio of the drum diameter to the wire rope diameter must comply with relevant standards, such as CEN EN 13157, to reduce the wear and deformation of the wire rope, extend its service life, and ensure the safety of the lifting process.

3. Strictly control the manufacturing process
(I) Parts manufacturing
During the manufacturing process, the processing and production of parts must be carried out in strict accordance with the design requirements and process specifications. For key components, such as hooks, wire ropes, brakes, etc., strict quality inspection and testing should be carried out to ensure that their performance meets the standards. For example, the hook should be equipped with a hook lock device to prevent the weight from accidentally unhooking, and its mechanical properties and materials should meet the requirements. The manufacture of the brake should ensure that the safety factor under the rated load is not less than 2, and there should be an adjustment mechanism to compensate for wear.
(II) Assembly and debugging
When assembling parts, ensure that the installation position of each component is accurate and the connection is firm and reliable. The installation of the electrical system must comply with relevant standards, such as the button device should be safe voltage control, and the insulation resistance value of the electric control equipment should not be less than 1.5MΩ. After the assembly is completed, strict debugging work should be carried out, including no-load debugging and rated load debugging, etc., to check whether the various functions of the electric hoist are normal, such as whether the lifting, lowering, running, braking and other operations are sensitive, accurate and reliable, and whether the limit device is effective.

4. Complete safety device configuration
(I) Overload limiter
The overload limiter is one of the necessary safety devices for electric hoists. When the lifting weight exceeds the rated lifting weight, the overload limiter can automatically alarm and cut off the lifting circuit to prevent accidents caused by overloading. The accuracy and reliability of its setting must meet relevant standards, such as the requirements for overload limiters in EN 14492-2.
(II) Rising limit position limiter
The rising limit position limiter can effectively prevent the hook from over-lifting and avoid accidents such as tangled ropes or broken wire ropes caused by overwinding of the wire rope on the drum. When the hook is lifted to the limit position, the limiter should act accurately, automatically cut off the lifting circuit, and should have the function of phase mismatch protection.
(III) Brake
The electric hoist must have a normally closed brake, and the safety factor of the brake under rated load should be no less than 2. The brake should have an adjustment mechanism to compensate for wear to ensure the stable use of the braking torque.