Interlock or airlock is an essential component in cleanroom environments. There are two prevalent types of door interlock extensively utilized in cleanrooms within the pharmaceutical and food industries. Let's explore these types further in this article with VCR - a leading provider of cleanroom solutions.
As mentioned in the article "What is an interlock", an interlock or airlock plays a crucial role in cleanrooms. Unlike selecting other equipment such as cleanroom lights, choosing the appropriate interlock is relatively straightforward. One of the key considerations in selecting interlocks is the number of doors within the controlled area, which corresponds to the type of interlock required.
Typically, there are two common types of cleanroom interlock:
Double-door interlock
The double-door interlock is utilized to regulate access to a clean environment by preventing simultaneous opening of both doors. It ensures that when one door of a cleanroom is open, the other door in that particular room remains closed.
A double-door interlock comprises four main components:
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Central control box (made of alloy)
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LED indicators (made of plastic or alloy)
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Electric locks (made of alloy)
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Electric wiring
Two LED indicators are flush-mounted on the wall beside each door, while two electric locks are installed in the panel door. The control box is typically mounted on the ceiling or above the door, depending on the type of lock, with the usual placement being on the ceiling.
See more: Clean Room Interlock System User Manual
Three-door Interlock
Similarly, a three-door interlock is employed to regulate access to a clean environment by preventing the simultaneous opening of three doors. It ensures that when one door of a cleanroom is open, the other two doors in that particular room remain closed. If someone attempts to open two doors simultaneously, an alarm will be triggered.
In the event of an emergency such as a power outage, fire, or explosion, all three doors will be automatically opened to allow the staff inside to escape.
A three-door interlock consists of:
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Central control box (made of alloy)
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3 LED indicators (made of plastic or alloy)
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3 electric locks (made of alloy)
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Electric wiring
Here are some images of the three-door interlock provided by VCR:
In addition to the aforementioned types, there is also a four-door interlock designed to regulate simultaneous access to four doors. However, the market demand for this type of interlock is limited. The more interconnected cleanrooms there are, the higher the risk of cross-contamination.
Read more about cleanroom door interlock here.
Read more: Cleanroom Interlock System Installation
