Emergency stop switches (or E-Stop switches) are safety devices designed to instantly shut off a piece of machinery when an emergency situation occurs or a hazardous situation arises. They are an important part of any safety system, as they serve as an effective way to quickly and easily shut off a potentially dangerous machine. An emergency stop switch typically features a large and easily identifiable red button that shuts down the power to the machine when depressed. The switch is typically connected to an internal circuit breaker, which prevents the machine from being restarted until the emergency situation has been dealt with and the switch reset or completely replaced. Emergency stop switches are often found on automated or robotic machinery, or other machines where rapid de-energization may be needed in an emergency.