What is an interlock?
In the design of clean rooms, spaces called airlocks are designed and built to separate and prevent the entry and exit of particles or air mixing of two or more parts with each other. The working principle of airlocks is to create a positive or negative pressure difference, which are designed in three types, cascade, sink, and bubble according to the existing strategy and requirements. During the operation of the clean room, in order to guarantee the proper operation of the airlock according to the designs, we need to implement and install the interlock system on the airlock doors. This system is generally installed in the clean rooms of pharmaceutical, medical equipment, food, nuclear, military, microelectronic industries and microbial laboratories to control and manage the opening and closing of airlock doors with the help of special logic. The general logic in all models is that if a door is opened from an airlock, the doors related to the mentioned door cannot be opened.
Gito interlocks are designed and produced in two structures. The series with keys is suitable for installation in all types of airlocks such as PAL, MAL, Pass Box, and the series without keys has a built-in signal light suitable for installation in MAL and Pass Box airlocks. In the key models, the products are divided into three models: touch keys, non-contact keys and mechanical keys, which customers can choose and use according to their needs. Gito interlocks have been designed and produced in models of two to seven doors, which can be combined to control unlimited number of airlocks in the clean room, as well as the possibility of connecting to access control devices using the cards and codes.
This type of interlock includes the controller, locks, keys, power supply and mounting sockets. Three types of keys can be connected to this series of interlocks:
Touch keys
which operate by touching the key panel without any mechanical parts. It also has a two-color LED strip to indicate the status of the interlock.
Non-contact keys
which operate by bringing the hand closer to the keys at a distance between 4 and 15 cm (adjustable) and has a two-color LED strip to indicate the interlock status.
Mechanical keys
have special steel keys on the key panel and has a single-color LED strip to announce the status of the interlock operation.
This series of interlocks can be configured in two modes, Normally Open and Normally Close, and also, if there is a need to sterilize the airlock space, it is possible to command UV lamps in this type of interlock, and the delay time for sterilization can be adjusted. Interlocks of the ILx series have an internal buzzer to create an audio alarm and also can be connected to external sirens to create a louder sound. All types of Gito interlock keys are smart and do not need to use the old and traditional break glass emergency keys, and with a long touch of the smart keys, you can create an emergency situation or return to normal mode, and install break glass keys that They are not suitable for clean rooms and should be avoided. Gito interlock controllers can manage airlocks from 2 to 7 doors and can control an unlimited number of doors in pharmaceutical airlocks by combining them. Interlock logic and communication between doors on the controllers can be programmed and adjusted during installation.
This type of interlock includes a controller, dead bolt lock, two-color flush-mounting signal light, power supply, and installation sockets. The IL2S interlock is a more economical option compared to the ILx models, configured only in Normally Open mode and suitable for installation in Pass Boxes. This model does not have a touch-key panel and features two-color signal light designed specifically for cleanroom installation.
Why the Gito interlocks?
Gito interlocks are specifically designed for installation in cleanrooms for the pharmaceutical and medical equipment industries. Their design reflects years of experience in the industry and an understanding of the challenges, meeting all requirements while adhering to GMP considerations. Additionally, Gito interlocks do not use PLCs, resulting in very low maintenance and repair costs. With proper use according to instructions, they can operate for years without service costs. Their unique design allows for easy installation and adaptability in various cleanroom conditions. Despite the existence of simple logic, it should be noted that powerful electronic design and the quality of all components, as well as the proper functioning of interlocks, will have a significant impact on the production process and inspections of pharmaceutical companies. Given that interlocks are frequently used by production staff, selecting a high-quality, reliable, and efficient product is crucial in cleanroom environments.
Gito interlocks control over 2,500 doors in pharmaceutical cleanrooms.