Trapped key interlocking

Trapped key interlocking utilizes locks and keys for sequential control of equipment and machinery to ensure safe operation. Trapped key interlocks are widely used to ensure safe access to potentially live or dangerous plant or equipment in an industrial setting.

A safe sequence of operations is enabled through transfer of keys that are either trapped or released in a predetermined order. For example, a key is used to isolate a power source (circuit breaker or supply valve), this key is then released and can then be used to gain access through a gate or door to a high risk area by inserting it in to an access lock. The key will then remain trapped until the gate or door is closed. A personnel or safety key can be released from the access lock, this ensures that the gate or door can not be closed and the initial key released until this personnel or safety key is returned. This provides increased operator safety.

Trapped key interlocks were used in the 1890s, in the French railway system to control track switching operations. Both the Englishman James Harry Castell (1880-1953) and the American R. L. Kirk developed trapped key interlocking systems, and such systems are often referred to as "Castell" or "Kirk" key interlock systems. Both worked in the power generation and distribution industries in the early part of the 20th Century, and both pioneered the use of trapped key interlock for switchgear control. Trapped key interlocks can be found in many industrial settings including electrical utilities, railway, petroleum, and chemical plants as a response to occupational safety and health legislation.

Interlock devices

A typical trapped-key interlock device consists of a lock cylinder which operates a sliding bolt through a cam. The assembly is contained in a housing, which is made in different styles to accommodate different applications. The sliding bolt, when extended, mechanically prevents operation of a switch, valve, gate, or other device. Many variations exist, with different shapes of interlock bolt and multiple lock cylinders on an interlock. A significant feature of the interlock is that the key is held or trapped in one position of the lock. Releasing the key indicates that the interlocked device has been made safe; the interlocked device cannot be re-energized until the key has been turned to retract the bolt.

Some complex sequences use key exchange blocks or boxes, that allow alternative seqeuences of operation. A key exchange block may only hold and relese keys without a bolt to interlock process equipment, or may be part of the interlock of a particular machine or device.

Interlock devices may have an electrical solenoid which holds the key until an electrical circuit is interrupted; for example, the power supply for a high-voltage cabinet has been denergized, releasing a key to allow access to the interior of the cabinet. Some interlocks include a time delay function or a rotation detector to ensure a machine has had time to come to a stop before allowing the next step of an interlock seqeuence to proceed.

Manufacturers of trapped key interlock devices provide application guides showing typical interlock problems and recommended arrangements. Since the reliability and safety of the scheme critically depends on the possession of keys, duplicate keys must be carefully controlled to prevent any possiblity of an unsafe operating sequence. For example, a lost key might be replaced only by a duplicate held off-site, or might require ordering a replacement from the original manufacturer.

Application

The principles of trapped key technology apply to all industries where it is essential that all energy sources are isolated before gaining access to machinery. The following sequence can be used in creating a correct interlocking scheme.

• Identify the energy sources to be isolated or any hazard that cannot immediately be isolated such as; heat, pressure, radiation or machine rundown time

• Identify the type and number of access points

• Identify the type of access point; part body or full body access doors with or without the use of personal safety keys (to prevent accidental lock in)

Example

For example, to prevent access to the inside of an electric kiln while it is operating, a trapped key system may be used to interlock a disconnecting switch and the kiln door. Whenever the kiln power switch is turned on, the key is automatically held by the interlock, and cannot be manually removed. In order to open the kiln door, the power switch must first be turned off, which releases the key and allows it to be removed from the interlock. The key can then be used to unlock the kiln door. While the key is removed from the switch interlock, a plunger from the interlock mechanically prevents the power switch from being turned on. Power cannot be re-applied to the kiln until the kiln door is locked, releasing the key, and the key is then returned to the power switch interlock. A similar two-part interlock system can be used anywhere it is necessary to ensure the energy supply to a machine is interrupted before the machine is entered for adjustment or maintenance.

Machine safety standards

Malfunctioning of control systems can lead to unacceptable risk, jeopardizing both capital investments and people. To eliminate such risks as far as possible, the relevant control systems must meet exacting requirements in terms of functional safety. These requirements can include the use of safety gate switches or trapped key interlock systems. The standard EN/IEC 954-1 (Safety of machinery, Safety related parts of control systems, Part 1: General principles for design) has been replaced by EN/ISO138491 (Safety of machinery, Safetyrelated parts of control systems, Part 1: General principles for design) and EN/IEC 62061 (Safety of machinery, Functional safety of safety related electrical, electronic and programmable electronic control systems).

See also

• Poka-yoke
• Interlock