The SCHMERSAL BDF20 and BDF40 are compact, modular electric control panels that replace traditional custom-built control boxes on machine guarding and door interlock systems. These panels mount directly to standard 40 mm aluminium profiles common in mechanical engineering and safety fencing, eliminating the need for larger bespoke enclosures. The slim, shock-resistant thermoplastic housing is IP65 dust and water jet rated, with an operating temperature range of -25 °C to +65 °C. The M12 plug‑and‑play connection enables quick, error‑free installation; the FB variants with M12 8‑pole connectors can be connected directly to the Schmersal Safety Field Box for centralized safety control. The integrated separate label areas provide clean, professional documentation of control functions without relying on adhesive labels that degrade over time.

What Can Be Mounted — Modular Button Configuration with 12 Colors

• BDF40 — Up to 4 Configurable Control Points: The BDF40 accommodates up to four control elements in a single panel. Available operators include emergency stop buttons (complying with EN 60947‑5‑1 and EN 60947‑5‑5, with 1NC/2NO contacts), illuminated pushbuttons (5 LED colors), mushroom buttons (6 colors), LED indicator lights, selector switches (one or two direction, latching and/or spring return), and key‑operated selector switches (latching or spring return). The pushbuttons and illuminated pushbuttons can have either 1NC/1NO or 2NO contact configurations.
• BDF20 — 2 Fixed Control Points: The compact BDF20 has two control points with available configurations combining emergency stop, illuminated pushbutton, and indicator light in a slim 2‑position format. It is also suitable for door systems with double acknowledgement: the outside of the door houses a BDF20/BDF40 integrated with the AZM40 and DHS door handle, while the inside of the guarded area has a BDF20 with emergency stop and illuminated pushbutton installed.
• 12 Color Pushbutton Caps: Interchangeable pushbutton caps in twelve colors enable post‑installation reconfiguration of control panel functions—blue for reset, green for start, red for stop, and yellow for acknowledge—without replacing the entire device. The button caps are mounted from the front without soldering or wiring changes, so a button originally installed for one function can, in the event of a modification, be reused for other purposes.
• Factory‑Preassembled: Each panel is preassembled at the factory with the specified control elements and delivered ready to install, eliminating the manual assembly work of cutting, drilling, and wiring that would be required for a custom control box.

Plug‑and‑Play M12 Connection with Tamper‑Proof Protection

• M12 Plug‑and‑Play: The M12 12‑pin connector enables fast, error‑free electrical connection without opening the enclosure. The FB variants of the BDF20 and BDF40 are designed for direct connection to the Schmersal Safety Field Box via an M12 8‑pole connector, providing integrated safety communication in a single cable.
• MS‑BDF40 Tamper‑Proof Kit: An optional mounting kit (MS‑BDF40) conceals the M12 plug connection and protects it against tampering. The plug itself can be hidden behind the cover, which also provides a cleaner visual appearance after installation.
• Independent or System‑Integrated Installation: The control panels can be installed independently, or they can be seamlessly integrated into a door system with the AZM40 solenoid interlock and the DHS door handle via a connecting cover (MS‑AZM40‑BDF40‑L for left‑hinged AZM40, MS‑AZM40‑BDF40‑R for right‑hinged AZM40). In this configuration, the control panel is placed directly next to the door interlock, providing ergonomic access for the operator at the guard door without separate mounting brackets or additional enclosures.

Applications

• Machine guard door control: emergency stop, reset, start/stop functions mounted directly on the safety door profile
• Solenoid interlock systems: combined with AZM40 and DHS door handle for a complete door access and control solution
• Safety field box integration: direct connection to Schmersal SFB via FB variants for centralized safety control in robotic cells and automated production lines
• Retrofit projects: replacing aging or non‑modular control stations on existing machinery without redesigning the entire guarding system
• Industrial automation, manufacturing, and packaging: control stations for conveyors, presses, and material handling equipment where space at the operator interface is limited