The new SRC series safety relays from LOVATO Electric

In industrial automation, safety is non-negotiable. Whether you’re running a compact assembly line or a large-scale manufacturing facility, ensuring machinery operates safely is crucial to protecting personnel, reducing downtime, and staying compliant with international standards. At the heart of many safety systems lies a key component: the safety relay.

This guide walks you through the importance of safety relays, how to select the right one, and why the new SRC Series from LOVATO Electric sets a new standard for performance, integration, and reliability.

Understanding safety relays

The cornerstone of industrial safety

A safety relay is an electromechanical device that monitors safety functions and provides safe stop control in the event of a detected fault or hazard. It acts as an interface between safety devices (like emergency stop buttons or safety gates) and actuators or machinery, ensuring immediate intervention when safety is compromised.

Typical applications


Emergency stop circuits – Safety access doors and gates – Light curtains and area scanners
Two-hand control devices – Safety interlocks and magnetic switches

Safety relays are essential to comply with machinery safety standards like EN ISO 13849-1, which categorises systems based on safety categories (Cat. 1 to 4) and performance levels (PL a to e) – a measure of the system’s reliability and fault tolerance.

Why the right safety relay matters

Choosing the right safety relay is not just about compliance – it’s about ensuring your safety architecture is robust, responsive, and adaptable to your operational needs.

Key benefits of the right relay

System integrity
Guarantees a safe stop function even in case of a component failure

Faster diagnostics
LED indicators and fault detection make troubleshooting easier

Design efficiency
Compact designs save space in control cabinets

Flexibility
Suitable for various configurations
(single/dual-channel, manual/auto reset)

Compliance
Meets international and industry-specific safety standards

Incorrect selection can lead to non-compliance, unexpected downtime, and, in the worst case, harm to operators.

Introducing LOVATO’s SRC Series Safety Relays

LOVATO Electric’s SRC… Series is the latest innovation in their safety portfolio, built specifically to address the needs of modern industrial safety systems. These relays are designed for applications requiring the highest safety integrity, up to Category 4 and Performance Level e (PLe) – the most stringent rating under EN ISO 13849-1.

General capabilities

The SRC series is engineered to monitor and control safety circuits in applications involving:

  • Emergency stops

  • Safety access points
  • Magnetic switches
  • Safety limit switches
  • Electromechanical interlocks

Compliant with EN ISO 13849-1 (Cat. 4, PLe), EN/BS 81-20, EN/BS 81-50 and certificated to cULus.

These are among the most critical control points on any machine or production line. The SRC relays ensure they are constantly monitored and responded to reliably.

Operational Features at a Glance

  • Power supply: 24VAC/DC
  • Mounting: 35mm DIN rail (per IEC/EN/BS 60715)
  • Width: Compact 22.5mm profile – ideal for dense control panels
  • Channels: Supports single or dual-channel inputs for flexibility and redundancy
  • Outputs: Up to 3 NO safety outputs (electromechanical, forced-guided contacts), 1 NC auxiliary output (model SRBES31…) for remote diagnostics
  • Start/reset modes: Manual, Automatic & Monitored manual

  • Diagnostics: LED indicators for power, input status, and output state, Short-circuit detection between input channels

  • Fail-safe design: Automatically opens safety outputs on fault detection
  • Connection options: Removable screw terminals or push-in spring-clamp terminals
  • Protection ratings: IP40 (front) & IP20 (terminals)

Why Choose LOVATO Electric as Your Safety Partner?

With over 100 years of innovation, LOVATO Electric is a name trusted globally for industrial control and automation solutions. Headquartered in Bergamo, Italy, LOVATO has expanded to over 100 countries through subsidiaries and a solid distribution network.

Centennial expertise
Proven track record since 1922

Global reach, local support
Personalised service through local reps and engineers

Vertically integrated production
In-house R&D, manufacturing, and testing for end-to-end quality control

Focus on sustainability
Energy-efficient solutions and green manufacturing principles

Comprehensive portfolio
Complete solutions that integrate safety relays with contactors, circuit breakers, PLCs, and HMIs

LOVATO Electric is not just a product supplier – they’re a solutions partner committed to helping you design safer, smarter, and more efficient systems.

Your safety. Our commitment.

The new SRC… Series Safety Relays from LOVATO Electric are designed to meet the most demanding safety applications with simplicity, reliability, and precision.

If you’re designing a new system or upgrading your existing safety infrastructure, now is the time to explore how LOVATO’s SRC relays can elevate your protection standards.

Contact our team of experts on 01384 899700 or follow us on LinkedIn for the latest developments, products, and innovations.