Shuangmin Mining Machinery advances mechatronics; its low-voltage electrical control cabinet for mining has obtained safety certification.

Shuangmin Mining Machinery advances mechatronics; its low-voltage electrical control cabinet for mining has obtained safety certification.

In complete systems for mine hoists and shaft sinking winches, the electrical control cabinet serves as a critical interface linking mechanical braking and safety protection. While continuously optimizing the main structure of its hoists, Hebi Shuangmin Mining Machinery Co., Ltd. has also steadily deepened its expertise in electrical integration. Currently, the company’s self-developed and manufactured general-purpose low-voltage switchgear and general-purpose low-voltage variable-frequency drives for mining applications have both successfully passed review by the National Safety Certification Center and obtained the Mine Product Safety Mark certificates (MA/KA), providing robust electrical assurance for the safe and compliant operation of the entire equipment system.

Electrical Control: The “Safety Brain” of the Hoisting System

For mine hoisting equipment, the electrical control cabinet is not merely a power distribution device; it also serves as the control center with deep interlocks to the disc brake system and safety circuits. Taking the electrical control system paired with the Shuangmin Mine hoist as an example, the equipment must implement multiple safety protection functions, including overwind/overrun, overspeed, speed limit, excessive brake shoe clearance, rope slack, and reverse operation. In particular, for critical protections such as overwind, overspeed, speed limit, and deceleration, the system strictly employs a dual‑circuit design with independent redundancy. These complex protection commands rely on the precise coordination of PLCs, relays, contactors, and various sensor signals within the cabinet to execute.

In terms of speed control, the variable-frequency drive cabinet employs vector control technology to enable stepless adjustment of hoisting speed and smooth S-curve acceleration and deceleration, effectively reducing mechanical shocks to wire ropes and brakes during equipment start-up and shutdown. For auxiliary hoisting equipment such as shaft-sinking winches, the electrical control system is specifically designed to ensure stable operation under low-speed, high-torque conditions and to meet the requirements for multi-point interlock control.

In-house component integration: Achieving comprehensive coverage from switchgear to variable-frequency drive cabinets.

Public safety certification information indicates that Shuangmin Mining Machinery has obtained mining safety certificates for its general-purpose low-voltage switchgear (GKD-400/380) and general-purpose low-voltage variable-frequency drive cabinets (GBKP-132/380K), along with corresponding certificates of conformity for mining electrical equipment. This marks a significant milestone: the company can now deliver complete, compliant, in-house electric control solutions alongside its winch systems, eliminating its absolute reliance on external procurement.

In selecting core components, the company’s electrical control system comes standard with Siemens S7-1500 series PLCs (or equivalent‑performance brands), Kunlun Taida touch screens, and UPS uninterruptible power supplies. Low‑voltage electrical components are sourced from leading domestic brands such as Chint. Variable frequency drives can also be configured to include Siemens or ABB products according to customer requirements. For shaft‑sinking winches, the electrical control cabinet features a highly integrated internal layout that includes molded case circuit breakers, thermal overload relays, time relays, voltmeters/ammeters, and various indicator lights, greatly facilitating on‑site operation and troubleshooting.

Interlocking and Monitoring: Building a Dual Layer of Defense for Equipment Operation

In terms of safety logic design, the electrical control system forms a tight closed-loop interlock with the hydraulic station and disc brakes: the main motor is permitted to start only when the brake is fully released; should the system detect abnormal signals such as overwind, overspeed, or excessive brake shoe clearance, the electrical control cabinet instantly cuts power to the main motor and simultaneously activates the braking system to execute an emergency safety stop. This mechanism serves as a critical safeguard against “brake‑on operation” or uncontrolled free fall of the hoisting equipment.

Moreover, the accompanying electrical control cabinet can connect to an upper-level monitoring system, providing real-time feedback on critical parameters such as hoisting depth, operating speed, hydraulic oil pressure, and brake shoe clearance, while also featuring fault logging and audible/visual alarms. For unattended operation or remote diagnostics, the system includes a network communication interface, enabling real-time upload of operational data to the mine’s surface dispatch platform.

Conclusion

Independent in-house development of electrical control systems is a crucial step for mining hoisting equipment manufacturers as they transition to integrated electromechanical solutions. By obtaining safety certification for switchgear and variable-frequency drives, rigorously selecting components, and optimizing safety interlock logic, Shuangmin Mining Machinery has fully incorporated its electrical control systems into the overall machine quality management framework. For mining customers, this means that during equipment procurement and subsequent maintenance, the electrical and mechanical components adhere to unified interface standards and clear accountability, effectively mitigating compatibility risks associated with coordinating multiple suppliers.