The XA and XW series of Emergency Stop switches include a revolutionary new technology called safe break action that will change the way E-Stop switches are designed. This innovative concept provides greater levels of human safety and is the first of its kind in the world. Conventional E-Stop switches are designed with spring pressure on the Normally Closed (NC) contacts, keeping them in the closed position and allowing the machine to operate. Improper installation or excessive force to the stop button in an emergency may break or dislodge a vital part, causing the spring loaded contact to stay closed. This situation renders the E-Stop incapable of stopping the machine and can lead to catastrophic events, personal injury and possible loss of life. This one-of-a-kind safe break action design, found only in the IDEC XA and XW series, reverses the energy direction and uses the spring-pressure to assure that the NC contacts will open if the emergency switch is damaged or the contact blocks separate due to excessive force. The NC contacts will reliably open, even if they are welded, and stop the machine. Both the XA and XW series switches offer up to four safe-break contacts with a depth behind the panel that is half the size of conventional E-Stop switches. This means that there is an additional contact available and the switches can be used in Level 4 safety category applications. These new E-Stop switches (XA and XW) are secured from the rear of the control panel so that the E-Stop cannot be removed from the front. Another unique feature of the XA and XW E-Stop switches is that either a push-turn or push-pull reset method can be used to reset the switches. This eliminates any possible confusion for operators when resetting the switch. The durability and quality of these new E-Stop switches make them extremely reliable. They can withstand the highest stress caused by panic or a reaction to an emergency situation.