Wiring and Fitting Modules   
4.5 Requirements for Sensors and Actuators 
  ET 200S Distributed I/O System - Fail-Safe Modules 
38  Installation and Operating Manual, 08/2008, A5E00103686-07 
Duration Requirements for Sensor Signals 
 
WARNING 
 
Observe the following requirements for sensor signals:  
•  In order to guarantee accurate detection of sensor signals by the F-DI module, you must 
ensure that the sensor signals have a defined minimum duration. 
•  Reliable pulse detection requires an interval between two signal changes (pulse 
duration) greater than the PROFIsafe monitoring time. 
 
Reliable detection by the F-DI module 
The table below lists the minimum duration of sensor signals for the F-DI module. This 
depends on the parameter settings made in 
STEP 7
 for the short-circuit test and the input 
delay. 
Table 4- 2  Minimum Duration of Sensor Signals to Allow Correct Detection by F-DI-Module 
Programmed Input Delay 
Short-Circuit Test Parameter 
0.5 ms  3 ms  15 ms 
Deactivated  7 ms  9 ms  23 ms 
Activated  7 ms  12 ms  37 ms 
 
Reliable Detection by the Safety Program on the F-CPU 
Information about the times required for the reliable detection of sensor signals in the safety 
program is available in 
"Fail-Safe Modules"
 of the 
Safety Engineering in SIMATIC S7
 system 
description. 
Additional Requirements for Actuators 
The F-modules test the outputs at regular intervals. To do so, the F-module briefly switches 
off the activated outputs. Duration of these test pulses: 
●  Dark period < 1 ms 
Rapid response actuators may briefly drop out during the test. If your process does not 
tolerate this, you must use actuators with a sufficient lag (> 1 ms). 
 
WARNING 
 
If the actuators are operated at voltages greater than 24 VDC (for example, 230 VDC) or if 
the actuators switch higher voltages, safe isolation must be ensured between the outputs of 
a fail-safe output module and the components carrying a higher voltage (in accordance with 
EN 50178). 
This is generally the case for relays and contactors. Particular attention must be paid to this 
issue for semiconductor switching devices.