Fortress Interlocks helps customers protect personnel and assets through safety access and control systems. They have over 40 years of experience designing and manufacturing interlock switches and control devices. Their products create safe workplaces in industrial environments and are suitable for applications across industries like power, automotive, and food processing. The company offers modular product lines like tGard, mGard, and amGard that provide configurable safety solutions.

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Interlock Switches & Control Devices for
Automation Safety

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“Who we are and What we do”
Fortress Interlocks helps customers protect their personnel and capital assets. The company has over 40 years of experience in
the safety market, designing and manufacturing safety access and control system based at its headquarters in Wolverhampton,
UK. These systems create safe workplaces where employees in industrial environments are safeguard from injury and equipment
is protected from damage. A world leader in access control systems, Fortress products guarantee that actions and events are
undertaken in a pre-determined sequence ensuring a safe working environment.
The company’s products are suitable for applications across a wide industrial base including power generation and distribution,
steel, automotive, recycling, building materials, food and beverage, robotics and palletisers.
tGard offers total integration of control and safety by providing users with a customisable
solution as standard.
Its unique design allows the configuration of safety interlock switches, trapped key interlocks and
machine control stations or any configuration of all three.
tGard elements are housed in a metal body to create a simple and robust safety system.
mGard is the premier range of modular robust trapped key interlocks for heavy duty applications.
Trapped key interlocking is a tried and tested method of mechanically safeguarding dangerous
machines and hazardous processes. It is called Trapped Key” as it works by releasing and trapping
keys in a predetermined sequence.

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amGardpro is the ultimate range of modular safety gate switch interlocks for heavy duty applications.
Its unique modular construction allows easy configuration and provides total electro-mechanical
solutions for practically any safeguarding application up to SIL3 (EN/IEC 60261) Category 4 and
PLe (EN/ISO 13849-1)
amGardS40 is a range of safety interlock switches, manufactured in 316 stainless steel. The
range is modular in design, allowing a wide range of safety interlock switches to be configured
to suit many industrial applications.
The range is supplied in enclosures sealed to IP69K making it suitable to be pressure washed at
high temperatures and has a retention force of 10,000N, so it is ideal for ensuring guard doors
are held closed until machines and/or processes are in a safe condition.
amGardnct is a range of safety switches that utilise non contact technology.
Design with IP69K housing these robust, coded non contact safety proximity switches are long lasting
and virtually maintenance free with a high level of misalignment making them ideal for guarding
applications across a range of industries.

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Click to add text What is tGard?
• tGard is the new innovative approach to controlling access to hazardous
machinery and equipment
• tGard is a compact metal bodied system that enables the configuration
of safety interlock switches, trapped key interlocks and machine stations
or any configuration of all three.
• It offers total integration of control and safety as it is customisable as
standard and has an unrivalled choice of control options.
• It’s quick and easy to install as only four fixings are required and can be
mounted directly onto a flat surface door or extruded aluminium profiles
without the need for mounting plates or brackets.

5. Customised Safety Solutions as Standard

6. Range Card

7. How to Configure
Configuration tools are available to take you through the process of selecting your desired tGard elements.
Order of Stack:
1. Actuator
2. Head
3. Internal Release
4. Safety Locks
5. Access Locks
6. e-Stop
7. Re-start button
8. Control (any order)
9. QD / Cable / Self wire
At the end of the selection process, the part numbers drop their “T” except for the first item.
E.g. THN + TSMDU + TEW + TP3 + TP1 + TQ7 = THNSMDUEWP3P1Q7

8. TAF TAH TAS THB TEN TEH
Fixed Actuator
Handle Actuator
Hinged Door
Handle Actuator
Sliding Door
Blank Handle
Handle Actuator
No internal knob
Handle Actuator
With internal knob
Fixed Actuator for
mounting on either
sliding or hinged
doors
Padlock through
tongue
2500N Retention
force
Handle actuators for
bracketless mounting
to hinged doors
4mm misalignment
TAH actuator can be
converted to a TAS on
site (tool required)
Padlock through
tongue
Quick bolt to
Aluminium extrusion
Handle actuators for
bracketless mounting
to sliding doors
4mm misalignment
TAS actuator can be
converted to a TAH on
site (tool required)
Padlock through
tongue
Quick bolt to
Aluminium extrusion
Blank Handle
(without actuator)
for use on inside
of doors
Intuitive handle
actuator giving
latching feature on
hinged doors
4mm misalignment
Lock out Feature
Handing can be
changed on site
Prevents force of door
slamming against
interlock
Intuitive handle actuator
giving latching feature on
hinged doors with
internal knob allowing
actuator to be retracted
4mm misalignment
Lock out Feature
Handing can be changed
on site
Prevents force of door
slamming against
interlock
Actuators

9. THC THM
Cap Element Actuator Head Element
Used to terminate all non door lock or gate switch configurations
Used in mechanical exchange boxes, machine control or key
switch configurations
Ideally suited for authorised access only, or linked access to other
machinery
5 orientations (left, right, front, back, top)
Can be used to lock door when used with keys or solenoids or just as
a driver for safety switches
THF THH THS THE THN
Head Modules

10. Core Elements
TRX TRZ TSN TGN TAB TQB
Standard 60mm
Internal Release
Variable Length
Internal Release
Standard
Safety Lock
Master
Safety Lock
Standard
Access Lock
Master
Access Lock
Elements allows emergency exit even if unit is locked by keys
and or a solenoid.
Unit automatically breaks safety circuits and holds them open
until unit is reset.
When present, the push IR always occupies the top element
TRX works through wall thickness up to 60mm
TRZ allows customers to customise length of emergency release
Post should be supported if not going through aluminium
extrude
Prevent closure of door and start up
until key returned
Safety Lock must be directly under
head / cap ( or under internal release
element if one is fitted)
Robust radial disc tumbler lock
>3000 combinations
10 mastered combinations (can be
used with all 3000 individual
combinations)
The key is laser marked with the
Fortress key code
Keys ordered separately
Only allow access with correct key
Access keys must be directly under
safety locks (or under head or
internal release if no safety locks)
Robust radial disc tumbler lock
>3000 combinations
10 mastered combinations (can be
used with all 3000 individual
combinations)
The key is laser marked with the
Fortress key code
Keys ordered separately

11. Core Elements
TSM/TSP TSS TEB
Safety Switch Safety Switch – No N/O monitor contact Extension Blank Element
Can be driven by either the operation
of the head element (removal of
actuator) or a mechanical lock
Operates on dual safety circuits
2 positively driven force break N/C
contacts (uses none of the I/O pins)
IP65
1 N/O contact giving 24V signal on I/O
pin
Red LED illumination to show door
open
Extra retention force available (TSP)
Can be driven by either the operation of
the head element (removal of actuator)
or a mechanical lock
Operates on dual safety circuits
2 positively driven force break N/C
contacts (uses none of the I/O pins)
IP65
No monitoring contacts & no LED
Uses 4 pins for safety circuits
(no power required)
Works with TQ1 (5 pin QD)
Can be driven either by the
operation of the head element
(removal of actuator) or a
mechanical lock
Can be used to add extension bay
to a configuration

12. Core Elements
TSMDU/L TSMEU/L TSMFU/L TSSEU/L
Head and Solenoid safety
in series
Safety on head element only Four Safety Circuits Safety on Head element only
(no monitoring contact)
TSMDU (Power to Unlock)
TSMDL (Power to Lock)
TSMEU ( Power to Unlock)
TSMEL (Power to Lock)
TSMFU (Power to Unlock)
TSMFL (Power to Lock)
TSSEU (Power to Unlock)
TSSEL (Power to Lock)
2500N retention force
2 x N/C safety circuits run
through head safety
switches and solenoid
safety switches
Non safety monitor circuit
on head gives 24V when
unlocked
2500N retention force
2 x N/C safety contacts
driven by head only
Non safety monitor circuit
on head gives 24V when
opened
Non safety monitor circuit
on solenoid gives 24V when
locked
2500N retention force
Four safety circuits – 2
independent N/C circuits for
the head and 2 for solenoid
Non safety monitor circuit
on head gives 24V when
door opened
Non safety monitor circuit
on solenoid gives 24V when
unlocked
2500N retention force
2 x N/C safety contacts
driven by head only
Non safety monitor circuit
on solenoid gives 24V when
locked
Power to Unlock Power to Lock

13. TEC, TED, TEW, TEV, TET, TEM, TEP, TEI
TEC TED TEW TEV TET TEM TEP TEI
Twist Twist Pull Twist Twist Twist Pull Twist
Additional
1x NO
Contact
Illuminated
Additional
1x NO
Contact
Illuminated
1 Control
I/O
1 Control
I/O
1 Control
I/O
1 Control
I/O
No safety circuits – wired in series with TSS & TSM 2 safety circuits – independently wired
Core Elements

14. Core Elements
TSR TS3 TSK
Start Re-start Switch (Blue) Start Re-start Switch (Green) Start Re-start Switch (Black Mushroom)
TSR (Blue), TS3 (Green) & TSK (Black Mushroom) Re-start switches operating on 1 N/O & 1 N/C
For Safety relay reset
Works on own separate dual safety circuit
Volt free contacts
Safety circuit 1 opens on button depression
Highest control element after e-Stops
Must be wired independently to all other safety switches (head / solenoid / e-stop)

15. Core Elements
TSZ TV4
Blue Independently Wired Change Over Switch Potentiometer 10K
Blue independently Wired Change Over Switch
operating on 1 N/O and 1/C
For safety relay / safety PLC connection
Works on own separate supply
Number of Control I/O - 3
Common uses include speed control for variable
frequency drives
No Centre Detent
Inputs to tGard are always assigned before output
Number of Control I/O – 3

16. Core Elements

17. Core Elements

18. Core Elements

19. Core Elements

20. Core Elements
TLB TLG TLR TLW TLY
Blue LED Lamp Green LED Lamp Red LED Lamp White LED Lamp Yellow LED Lamp
Lamp element can be configured to indicate machine status
LED status indicator
Each lamp uses 1 input pin
Laser Engraving Information:
Engraving for each lamp is 2 lines of 10 characters

21. T3A, T3D, T3E, T3F, T3H, TK7
T3A T3D T3E T3F T3H TK7
Latching Momentary
Illuminated
Latching
Illuminated
Momentary
Momentary /
Latching
Key Latching
Each 3 position selector switch uses 2 output pins
Clockwise operation sets the lower assigned output High
Middle position – output pins Low
Anti-clockwise sets higher assigned output High
Non-latching – spring return to original position
Illumination (when selected) uses an additional 1 input pin.
Core Elements

22. Base Elements

23. Base Elements
TW1 TW3 TW4
12 Terminals 24 Terminals 24 Terminals
6 Control I/O 14 Control I/O 10 Control I/O
2 Safety Circuits 4 Safety Circuits 6 Safety Circuits
For applications where the customer wishes to make their own connections
Push fit terminals
Cable size 26-14 AWG
Available with 12 or 24 connections
Control only or Safety and Control versions available
M20 gland thread
Requires no additional mounting to frame
Large opening for easy wiring

24. Base Elements
TEBB4 TEBB8
Up to 2 AS-I nodes Up to 4 AS-I nodes
Up to 4 inputs, 4 outputs Up to 8 inputs, 8 outputs
1 dual safety circuit 2 dual safety circuits
AS-interface base elements are used when you want to connect all of the features of tGard to an AS-i bus
TEEB4 Element – Connect up to 4 inputs, 4 outputs and 1 dual channel safety circuit to the bus in one stack
TEBB8 Element – Connect up to 8 inputs, 8 outputs and 2 dual channel safety circuits to the bus in one stack
Each node address can handle either 4 inputs and 4 outputs or 1 dual channel safety circuits; you only get the nodes you
need to maximise available bus addresses
Extended addressing is used for the I/O nodes allowing 62 nodes on a bus; double the number possible on a standard bus
Connections are made by the standard M12 5 pin QD
Most elements are powered directly from the bus meaning only two wires are necessary to run the whole stack; the AUX
power supply is required if a solenoid lock is included in the stack

25. Accessories
TWA, TWB, TWC, TWD, TWE, TWF, TWG, TWH
White Legend Plates
For marking of control elements
Mechanically fixed using M3 screws
Can be mounted above or below control element (When marking in the top orientation the first bay cannot be marked)
TWA, TWC, TWE & TWG – 2 lines of 10 characters
TWB, TWD, TWF, TWH – 2 lines of 5 characters
Text can be marked upside down
Legend plate requirement must be specified at point of ordering a tGard configuration

26. Online Configurator
We have an online configurator that enables users to easily configure their solution

27. Benefits of using tGard Total Access & Control Devices
Metal body construction at competitors plastic price point
• A simply robust solution that won’t break the bank
Customisable as standard – allowing users to create a unique solution
that satisfies all of their machine safety requirements in a single unit
Only four fixing points for any tGard stack making installation effortless
• Reduced installation cost as mounting plates aren’t needed
Create plug-in-and-play control stations quickly and easily
• No need to create DIY push button control stations