Finder 7S.36.8.230.5420 – 7S Series Relay modules with forcibly guided contacts

Why Choose the Finder 7S.36.8.230.5420 Safety Relay Module?

The Finder 7S.36.8.230.5420 is a professional 230 V AC safety relay module with Class A forcibly guided contacts, designed for industrial machinery, automation systems and safety-related electrical control applications. Part of the Finder Series 7S, this DIN rail-mounted relay features a versatile 4 normally open (NO) + 2 normally closed (NC) contact configuration, providing six mechanically linked contacts for switching and feedback functions.

Engineered for applications where dependable switching and contact monitoring are essential, the Finder 7S.36.8.230.5420 uses forcibly guided contact technology to support the detection of certain relay faults, including welded contacts. Its four normally open contacts provide multiple switching paths, while the two normally closed contacts can be incorporated into appropriately designed feedback and monitoring circuits.

The relay operates from a 230 V AC nominal coil supply and provides a 6 A rated contact current with a 250 V AC nominal switching voltage. It features gold-plated silver tin oxide contacts, screw terminals, an integrated LED coil status indicator and a compact 22.5 mm-wide DIN rail housing.

With an IP20 protection rating, an operating temperature range of −40 to +70 °C and a mechanical endurance of 10 million operations, the Finder 7S.36.8.230.5420 is a practical choice for machinery control panels and industrial safety-related switching applications.

Key Advantages

• Class A forcibly guided contacts: Support detection of certain contact faults within appropriately designed safety monitoring circuits.
• 4 NO + 2 NC contact configuration: Provides four normally open switching contacts and two normally closed contacts for feedback or additional control functions.
• 230 V AC coil operation: Suitable for industrial control installations using a compatible AC supply.
• 6 A rated contact current: Supports a range of appropriately rated industrial control loads.
• 250 V AC nominal switching voltage: Enables switching in suitable AC control circuits.
• Six mechanically linked contacts: Offer flexibility for monitored switching and control system design.
• Gold-plated silver tin oxide contacts: Provide durable contact construction for industrial relay applications.
• Conventional screw terminals: Offer a familiar electrical connection method for industrial panel wiring.
• Integrated LED indicator: Provides visual confirmation of coil energisation.
• Compact DIN rail construction: Helps conserve valuable space in electrical control cabinets.
• 10 million mechanical operations: Supports long-term use within the specified operating conditions.
• Wide operating temperature range: Designed for ambient temperatures from −40 to +70 °C.
• Safety-related system integration: Suitable for properly engineered and validated machinery safety circuits.

Key Features

• Finder Series 7S modular relay with forcibly guided contacts.
• Type 7S.36 with conventional screw terminals.
• Class A forcibly guided contact technology.
• 4 normally open and 2 normally closed contacts.
• Six-pole relay contact arrangement.
• 230 V AC nominal coil voltage.
• 195 V AC specified must-operate voltage.
• 23 V AC specified must-release voltage.
• Approximately 11.8 mA rated coil current.
• 1.2 W listed coil power.
• Approximately 19.5 kΩ coil resistance.
• 6 A rated contact current.
• 250 V AC nominal switching voltage.
• 1,500 VA rated resistive switching capacity.
• Silver tin oxide contacts with gold plating.
• Approximately 12 ms operate time.
• Approximately 10 ms release time.
• Integrated illuminated coil status indicator.
• Screw terminal electrical connections.
• 35 mm DIN rail mounting.
• 22.5 mm nominal module width.
• IP20 ingress protection.
• −40 to +70 °C operating temperature range.
• 10 million mechanical operations.

Technical note: Some distributor catalogues list the coil as 240 V AC, while the exact manufacturer part number and other distributor data identify a nominal 230 V AC coil. The supply voltage and permitted operating range should be checked against the current Finder datasheet before installation. The listed coil power is taken from distributor data and should not be interpreted as AC apparent power in VA.

Class A Forcibly Guided Contacts for Monitored Safety Circuits

The defining feature of the Finder 7S.36.8.230.5420 is its Class A forcibly guided contact construction. This technology mechanically links the normally open and normally closed contacts so that they cannot simultaneously assume their closed positions under specified contact fault conditions.

Forcibly guided contacts are particularly valuable in machinery safety systems because they allow a suitably designed monitoring circuit to detect certain failures that might otherwise remain hidden.

For example, if one of the normally open contacts becomes welded closed, the mechanically linked normally closed contacts cannot return to their normal closed positions. A compatible monitoring circuit can identify this discrepancy and respond according to the safety system design.

The 4 NO + 2 NC configuration provides four normally open contacts for appropriately rated switching functions and two normally closed contacts that may be incorporated into feedback or monitoring circuits.

This arrangement offers greater switching flexibility than two-contact and four-contact relay variants, particularly where multiple controlled circuits need to be operated through one relay module.

Important: The Finder 7S.36.8.230.5420 is a relay module with forcibly guided contacts, not a standalone safety controller. It must be integrated into a properly designed and validated safety-related control system.

230 V AC Coil Operation for Industrial Control Systems

The Finder 7S.36.8.230.5420 operates from a 230 V AC nominal coil supply, making it suitable for industrial control installations where this AC voltage is available.

The relay has a specified must-operate voltage of 195 V AC and a must-release voltage of 23 V AC. These values describe defined switching thresholds and should not be interpreted as the complete permissible continuous operating voltage range.

Distributor specifications list a rated coil current of approximately 11.8 mA, a coil resistance of approximately 19.5 kΩ and a coil power figure of 1.2 W.

The coil supply must be selected in accordance with Finder's current electrical specifications, including voltage tolerance, frequency and any applicable control circuit requirements.

The relay has an approximate 12 ms operate time and 10 ms release time. These values describe the relay's switching characteristics and do not represent the overall response or stopping time of a complete machinery safety system.

Versatile Six-Contact Switching with 4 NO + 2 NC Configuration

The Finder 7S.36.8.230.5420 features six mechanically linked relay contacts arranged as four normally open contacts and two normally closed contacts.

The four normally open contacts can be used for appropriately rated controlled switching functions, while the two normally closed contacts can support feedback monitoring within a suitable control architecture.

This configuration is particularly useful in industrial machinery and automation systems requiring several switching paths alongside relay status monitoring.

Each contact has a 6 A rated current and a 250 V AC nominal switching voltage. The listed resistive switching capacity is 1,500 VA under specified conditions.

The relay uses silver tin oxide contacts with gold plating, providing contact construction suited to industrial switching applications.

Contact ratings must be considered alongside the load type, switching frequency and expected electrical endurance. For inductive loads, high inrush currents or frequent switching, the manufacturer's relevant load-specific ratings should be consulted.

The presence of four normally open contacts does not automatically provide four independent safety channels. The safety architecture must account for the common relay mechanism and other possible common-cause failures.

Screw Terminal Connections for Industrial Electrical Panels

The Finder 7S.36.8.230.5420 uses conventional screw terminals, providing a familiar connection method for industrial electrical control panels.

This distinguishes the Finder 7S.36 from the closely related 7S.16 family, which uses screwless terminals. The 7S.36 version is particularly suitable where screw terminal wiring is preferred or specified.

Electrical conductors must be prepared and secured in accordance with the manufacturer's installation instructions, including the applicable conductor sizes and tightening torque.

The module is designed for installation on a standard 35 mm DIN rail and has a compact housing measuring approximately 22.5 mm wide, 86.2 mm high and 100.3 mm deep.

An integrated LED coil status indicator provides visual confirmation when the relay coil is energised, helping technicians during commissioning, maintenance and troubleshooting.

The LED indicates coil energisation and does not independently confirm the condition of every relay contact or the safety state of the connected machinery.

Industrial Durability and Long-Term Reliability

The Finder 7S.36.8.230.5420 is designed for industrial applications where dependable switching and mechanical durability are essential.

The relay has a specified mechanical endurance of 10 million operations and an electrical endurance of 100,000 operations under defined test conditions.

Actual service life depends on the electrical load, switching frequency, environmental conditions and installation practices.

With an operating temperature range of −40 to +70 °C, the relay is suitable for a broad range of industrial electrical environments.

The module has an IP20 ingress protection rating and should be installed within a suitable enclosure providing the environmental and electrical protection required by the application.

Functional Safety and Machinery Control Considerations

The Finder Series 7S is designed for applications requiring forcibly guided relay contacts. These components can support fault detection and monitoring within safety-related electrical control systems.

Product information for the 7S.36 family identifies applications associated with SIL 2 according to IEC 61508 and PL d according to EN ISO 13849-1. These ratings must be interpreted in the context of the manufacturer's documentation and the complete safety function.

The Finder 7S.36.8.230.5420 may be incorporated into emergency-stop circuits, machine guard monitoring systems, safety relay expansion circuits and other monitored switching applications where its electrical and functional characteristics are appropriate.

The overall safety performance depends on factors including system architecture, diagnostic coverage, fault detection, component reliability and the response to detected failures.

Important: The relay alone does not establish a particular Safety Integrity Level, Performance Level or safety category for an installation. The complete safety function must be designed, assessed and validated by a competent professional.

Typical Applications

• Industrial machinery safety-related control circuits.
• Safety relay expansion and interface applications.
• Machine guard monitoring and interlock systems.
• Emergency-stop switching circuits within validated safety architectures.
• Industrial automation and PLC control panels.
• Monitored switching applications requiring four normally open contacts.
• Safety feedback circuits using forcibly guided contacts.
• Manufacturing and production machinery.
• Packaging and processing equipment.
• Conveyor and material handling systems.
• Industrial process control installations.
• 230 V AC industrial control systems.
• Electrical panels requiring screw terminal relay connections.
• DIN rail-mounted safety-related control assemblies.
• Applications requiring 4 NO + 2 NC forcibly guided contacts.