6.4.14 Motion Controls

Various control options are available for electric power operated hoists. By far the most widely used is the pendant control and this is the standard control which is fitted by the manufacturer unless instructed otherwise. This may be suspended direct from the hoist or arranged to run on a separate track feeding to the hoist via a festooned cable. It usually takes the form of a hand held unit with control push buttons which control the various motions and speeds. Additional control functions may also be provided, such as an emergency stop button (as recommended by most standards and legislation), a key switch for isolation of the hoist, etc.

Other control options, such as radio or infra-red controls, enable remote or central control. They are useful in areas where direct access may not be possible. Multi-point controls, usually wall mounted, enable hoists to be controlled from several positions, which is useful in applications such as raising loads through several floor levels. Such arrangements must be suitably inter-locked to prevent more than one control operating at a time. A further essential requirement with this arrangement is the provision of emergency stop buttons to override all control positions until manually reset.