Key factors affecting the safety performance of electric hoists

Key factors affecting the safety performance of Electric Hoists
In many fields such as industrial production and logistics handling, electric hoists are efficient and convenient lifting equipment, and their safety performance is directly related to the life safety of personnel and the property safety of enterprises. For wholesale buyers engaged in international trade, it is very important to understand the many factors that affect the safety performance of electric hoists. This can not only help them select high-quality and reliable equipment, but also ensure the safety of the equipment throughout its use cycle and reduce risk accidents. This article will explore the key factors affecting the safety performance of electric hoists from multiple dimensions.

1. Design and manufacturing factors
Design rationality: The design of electric hoists must follow strict safety standards and specifications, such as the layout and design of the lifting mechanism and the operating mechanism, which is related to the stability and safety of equipment operation. Reasonable structural design can ensure that the forces on each component are uniform, avoid stress concentration and cause fatigue damage to the components, thereby reducing the risk of failure. For example, the diameter design of the lifting drum must be based on the diameter and performance parameters of the wire rope to ensure that the wire rope is less worn and not easily deformed during the winding process, so as to ensure the stability of the lifting process.
Material quality: High-quality materials are the basic guarantee for the safety performance of electric hoists. Key components such as hooks, wire ropes, pulleys, drums, etc. should be made of high-strength, high-toughness alloy steel or other suitable materials to withstand the specified load and have sufficient safety reserves. If the material quality is unqualified, such as the presence of inclusions, pores and other defects, it may break due to uneven force or fatigue during use, causing serious accidents.
Manufacturing process: Exquisite manufacturing technology plays a decisive role in the safety performance of electric hoists. For example, the quality of welding technology directly affects the quality of welds. Weld cracking may cause the separation of important components, causing heavy objects to fall and other serious consequences; the consequence is that the machining accuracy is insufficient, which will make the parts not fit tightly, increase the vibration and friction during the operation of the equipment, and reduce the reliability and service life of the equipment.

2. Safety device and control system
Limit device: The rising limit position limiter and the falling limit position limiter are necessary safety devices for electric hoists. They can automatically cut off the lifting or lowering circuit to prevent the hook from rising or falling excessively, and avoid the occurrence of dangerous situations such as wire rope chaos, hook hitting the beam or heavy objects touching the ground. If the limit device fails or is not properly installed and debugged, it may cause serious equipment damage and safety accidents.
Overload limiter: Overload is one of the common safety hazards in the use of electric hoists. The overload limiter can monitor the lifting weight in real time. When the load exceeds the rated lifting weight, it will promptly send out an audible and visual alarm signal and automatically cut off the lifting power supply, effectively preventing equipment damage, deformation, and even overturning accidents caused by overload, and ensure that the equipment operates within a safe load range.
Braking system: The quality of the braking system is directly related to the control performance and safety of the electric hoist. A reliable brake should release when the power is on and brake when the power is off, and the braking should be fast, smooth and reliable. Failure of the brake of either the lifting mechanism or the operating mechanism may cause uncontrolled sliding of heavy objects or collision of equipment, causing serious personal injury and property loss.
Electrical control system: The safety of the electrical system is crucial to the overall safety performance of the electric hoist. The line connection of the control system should be firm and reliable to avoid faults caused by poor contact or short circuit; electrical components such as contactors and relays should have good insulation performance and anti-interference ability to ensure accurate transmission and execution of control signals. In addition, electrical protection measures such as motor overload protection and phase loss protection are also indispensable, which can effectively prevent the motor from burning due to overload, phase loss and other problems, thereby avoiding equipment out of control.

3. Use environment and working conditions
** Ambient temperature and humidity: ** Electric hoists usually indicate their applicable ambient temperature range, such as generally between -25℃~40℃. In extremely low temperature environments, metal materials will become brittle, and rubber, plastic and other components will also become hard and cracked, affecting the performance and life of the equipment; in high temperature and humid environments, electrical components are prone to moisture and short circuits, and mechanical components are prone to rust and corrosion, reducing the reliability and safety of the equipment.
Dust and corrosive substances: When used in a dusty environment, dust will enter the motor, bearings and other parts of the electric hoist, accelerate component wear, reduce lubrication effect, and may even cause the motor to overheat and burn. If there are corrosive substances such as acid, alkali, and salt, the metal structure and components of the equipment will be seriously corroded, its strength and bearing capacity will be weakened, and the equipment will be deformed, broken, and other risks will occur, greatly reducing safety performance.
Working level and load type: The working level of the electric hoist is divided according to factors such as its frequency of use and load size. Electric hoists of different working levels have different structures and performances. If a light and small electric hoist is used in a workplace with frequent heavy loads, it will be in an overloaded state for a long time, accelerating the fatigue damage of the components and easily causing accidents. In addition, when lifting different types of loads, such as bulk materials and heat source items, the electric hoist also needs corresponding safety protection measures, otherwise it may cause harm to the equipment and personnel.
Operation and maintenance factors
Operator quality: The professional quality and operating skills of the operator play a key role in the safe operation of the electric hoist. Operators need to undergo strict professional training, be familiar with the structure, performance, operation methods and safety precautions of the equipment, strictly abide by the operating procedures, and eliminate illegal operations, barbaric operations and other behaviors. For example, when lifting heavy objects, you should ensure that the objects are tied firmly and lifted steadily to avoid tilting or crooked lifting; during operation, pay attention to the operating status of the equipment and deal with abnormal situations in a timely manner.