Modular switch apparatus for controlling at least one electric drive

A modular switch apparatus for controlling at least one electric drive the modular switch apparatus comprising:

• a mounting rail bus system comprising a mounting rail and at least two bus connectors, namely a first and a second one, wherein the at least two bus connectors are adapted to be coupled to one another electrically and mechanically and to be arranged in the mounting rail and in their mounted state contain a control line and two power supply lines, wherein each of the at least two bus connectors has a module interface;
• a power supply device adapted to apply a DC supply voltage to the two power supply lines of the mounting rail bus system;
• a safety relay module including:
• a first connection element to which an emergency stop command device is connectable;
• a first bus interface adapted to be electrically connected to the module interface of the first bus connector,
• wherein, in the connected state, the safety relay module is electrically connected to the two power supply lines and to the control line of the mounting rail bus system;
• wherein the safety relay module is adapted to obtain a first, high level control signal from a DC supply voltage applied to the two power supply lines and to feed the first control signal to the control line via the first bus interface if the emergency stop command device has not been actuated;
• at least one safety motor starter module including:
• a second bus interface adapted to be electrically connected to the module interface of the second bus connector,
• wherein, in the connected state, the safety motor starter module is electrically connected to the two power supply lines and to the control line of the mounting rail bus system;
• a second connection element to which a power supply means is connectable for providing a supply voltage for an electric drive;
• a third connection element for connecting an electric drive;
• at least one current path including at least two series-connected switch devices provided between the second and third connection element;
• and
• a processing device having an input that is electrically connectable to the control line via the second bus interface, wherein the processing device is adapted to evaluate a first, high level control signal that is transferred via the control line and to provide control signals for controlling the at least two switch devices.