Facilitating a compact, simple arrangement, to cater for complete load circuits, modular adaptors enable safe maintenance work to be carried out as the busbar remains covered.
Built on many years experience with their previous generation of adaptor technology, Woehner (UK), have designed and re-developed their Eques family of adaptors. Encompassing many refined features, the unique technology developed in the modular Eques system, facilitates a compact, simple arrangement, to cater for complete load circuits. Designed for use with switchgear from all manufacturers, the new range, which comprises of the Eques MotorController, providing MCC technology for the 60mm system and the Eques EasyConnector, which enhances busbar adaptors in the 60mm system with additional solutions.

The Eques EasyPorter is used as a platform for circuits mounted on DIN rails or mounting plates.

Further features of this new adaptor family, enable safe maintenance work to be carried out as the busbar remains covered, whilst the main circuit is interrupted in the testing position allowing for all auxiliary switches to be tested.

Further features allow for the busbar thickness to be adjusted from 5mm to 10mm in conjunction with Woehner (UK)'s contacting method providing an even greater short-circuit withstand capacity, which is significantly higher than the let through valves of the switchgear.

An easily accessible latching lock simplifies the handling, whilst the movable mounting rails; which can be fixed from the sides by screws, provides almost unlimited adjustability.

Mounts supplied for control terminals, which are available as accessories, will enable the user to fasten them to either the top or the bottom of the adaptor.

All three adaptor families are offered in widths starting at 45mm in a 9mm pitch up to 252mm for direct starters, reversing starters or star-delta circuits, or in two different lengths for two and three component starters, which makes the Eques adaptor range, an ideal international product.

Available in 6 different variants, a J-Carrier is a triple pole fuse holder built to USA standards for class J fuse links and is claimed to open up a whole new range of options.
In line with their planned product development programme, Woehner (UK) have broadened their scope of products in the area of fuse protection by adding the Quadron J-Carrier to their range. Available in 6 different variants, the Quadron J-Carrier is a triple pole fuse holder built to USA standards for class J fuse links and is claimed to open up a whole new range of options, especially in the field of machinery construction. The Quadron J-Carrier range is available in 100A, 200A and 400A for conventional attachment to mounting plates or for direct mounting on to the 60mm busbar system.

Using Woehner's familiar snap-on method these new units will mount easily and securely, directly on to the busbar system, thus saving the Panel or System builder time and money.

Special attention has been paid to the unit's cable terminals which conform fully to UL requirements; consequently the user can work with smaller cross-sections.

A transparent front cover provides the unit with the optimum shock-hazard protection which adds to the products safety.

All units are both UL and CSA approved making them ideal for the North American market or for systems exported by European manufacturers.

Range of signaling devices for hazardous areas now also provides rotating mirror beacons, rotating beacons with three-lens optics, 15 Joule flashing beacons and beacons with double flash.
R Stahl Schaltgeraete has expanded its range of signaling devices for hazardous areas and now also provides rotating mirror beacons, rotating beacons with three-lens optics, 15 Joule flashing beacons and beacons with double flash. The new signal beacon series 6162 is approved for use in Ex-zones 1, 2, 21 and 22. All models feature an integrated 'increased safety' wiring space.

The rotating mirror beacons and the rotating beacons feature an integrated low-wear friction gearbox which creates 180 light signals per minute.

Like all other R Stahl products, the beacons are designed for many internationally used supply voltages and frequencies.

Their glass hoods have an integrated prism structure which allows for an even light distribution.

The robust, saltwater-proof aluminum housing ensures IP66 protection for all models.

On request, the glass hoods can be painted in a special resistant varnish which is available in several signal colors.

The devices and the different mounting accessories allow for flexible and simple installation, thereby qualifying for a wide range of applications.

Energyhelpline.com suggests factories coming out of 12-month contracts are facing up to 40% price increases, and those coming out of three year contracts can expect to pay more than double.
As all the large energy firms including Powergen, British Gas, Scottish Power and NPower announce regular price increases, organisations throughout the UK are trying desperately to cope. Energyhelpline.com suggests organisations coming out of 12-month contracts are facing up to 40% price increases, and those coming out of three year contracts can be expected to pay more than double the rates they currently pay. For manufacturers and food processors, energy is the second highest overhead after staff, so it is understandable these ongoing rises are hitting home hard.

It seems the spiraling gas and electricity prices are never ending, with Powergen implementing five price rises on gas customers, and four on electricity customers since 2004 alone.

Britain's energy users including manufacturers, builders, data centres and web hosting firms, are failing to receive price protection suggests Energywatch.

Even the European Commission is investigating why wholesale energy prices in the UK have risen so sharply.

One of the major factors appears to be that many of the big energy suppliers are based in mainland Europe (of which many are national monopolies), and they have been holding back supplies, leading to increased energy prices.

The UK has become increasingly reliant upon imported gas, and this is why all organisations will continue to face increasing uncertainty and price increases.

Why not then be pro-active and address the situation at your organisation before you become an energy casualty.

We all need to formulate a long-term strategy for our power requirements.

Some organisations are taking responsibility for their future success, and are deciding to generate their own source of power with diesel or petrol generators.

Generator Associates are the power supply specialists the professionals call when they need independent and expert advice on how to solve their power supply needs.

Various industrial and commercial organisations are looking to Generator Associates to help advise, supply, hire, lease and maintain generator solutions which provide their primary power.

This way they are reliant on no one, and can take security from the knowledge that they are in control of their energy costs.

Organisations that refuse to be dictated to by energy companies, can work with Generator Associates to devise a strategy that is cost-effective and puts the ball back in businesses court.

They will be protected from the volatility and sharp price rises that those who fail to act will be effected by.

Not only do you control costs, but also depending on which finance method chosen, organisations can keep the asset at the end of the agreement.

The value of energy surveys was underlined by the of six soft starters to moulding machines, which are saving up to £351/year - ensuring payback within a year.
The value of energy surveys was underlined by the of six soft starters to moulding machines, which are saving up to £351/year - ensuring payback within a year. The value of energy surveys was underlined recently at Numatic International following the visit of a consultant from the South West and Action Energy Scheme. The findings of the survey have resulted in the fitment of six Fairford QFE soft starters to moulding machines at Numatic's plant.

These units are delivering savings of up to £351 per annum, in the best case, on the operation of the moulding machines, a figure that ensures payback for the QFE unit of just one year.

Numatic International is the UK's largest manufacturer of vacuum cleaners, floor polishing machines and janitorial equipment.

Located in Chard in the South West of England, the company employs 650 people, operates 24 hours a day and produces over 3,000 products per day.

As part of its ongoing drive to efficiency, Numatic recently invited a consultant from the Government Office for the South West and Action Energy Scheme to conduct an energy audit at its manufacturing plant.

One of the focus areas of the audit was the large kW motors used on the company's plastics moulding machines.

The motors, ranging from 30kW to 75kW, were all controlled by Star/Delta starters, a popular arrangement for AC motors, but one which does not provide any opportunities for energy saving during motor running.

Following the survey a recommendation was made to run a test programme on the moulding machine motors to determine the savings in running costs that could be achieved using soft starters.

Two companies, Fairford being one, were contacted and invited to undertake the test using their own equipment.

The tests compared the KWH figure of the motor with the soft starters in bypass and also (in Fairford's case) in standard energy optimising mode.

The results were positive in every case.

The average saving across the six motors was £165 per annum: the largest saving being £351 on a 37kW motor and the lowest £92-40 on a 55kW machine.

These figures were arrived at using data from Numatic regarding annual hours run of the machines and the unit cost of electricity (0.048p).

Based upon these projected savings, six of Fairford's QFE energy optimising soft starters were ordered by Numatic and are now in full operation at the plant.

'The positive outcome of our energy analysis and test procedure highlights the latent savings to be had in any manufacturing organisation,' says Andrew Smith of Numatic International.

'As a company we are accredited to ISO:14001, for our Environmental Management Systems'.

'This underlines our commitment to achieving energy efficiency, both to fulfil our environmental obligations and to help offset the consistent rise in the cost of energy.'

Protection relays deliver high performance and reliable protection for high and medium voltage applications, yet are simple to specify and easy to fit.
A new range of protection relays from Merlin Gerin, a brand of Schneider Electric, deliver high performance and reliable protection, yet are simple to specify and easy to fit. The new Sepam range relays are the intelligent link in the circuit protection chain for high and medium voltage applications within substations, and are used to protect underground cables, overhead lines, busbars, transformers, motors and even generators. All power protection arrangements consist of three essential components: a measurement sensor (either current and/or voltage transformer); the protection relay to analyse signals; and the breaking device equipped with a tripping coil (circuit-breakers or contactors) to isolate the faulty part when required.

Of these components, the relay is most critical in ensuring continuity of supply, which is why so much attention has been paid to the design of the new Sepam range.

Effective protection is provided from a number of measured parameters.

Thermal protection is based on temperature rise calculations which use predictive data to optimise process control.

Directional phase overcurrent protection is provided for ring networks.

Directional earth fault protection is suited to all neutral earthing systems.

Quick and sensitive protection of transformers, motors and generators is delivered via differential protection with restraint elements.

The Sepam family consists of three models the Series 20, 40 and 80 covering common general applications, demanding applications and total solutions respectively.

The design is modular and thereby allows configuration according to specific needs.

Commissioning is aided by a simple parameter setting procedure.

A clear LCD shows relay status and faults, or the devices can communicate remotely via a communications interface.

The Sepam Series 20 has 10 logic inputs, eight relay outputs and 8 temperature probe inputs.

The Series 40 has a similar specification but has 16 temperature probe inputs and a logic equations editor.

The Series 80 is a powerful device with 42 logic inputs, 23 relay outputs, 16 temperature probe inputs and a removable memory cartridge with parameters and settings for fast commissioning after replacement.

All devices have a modbus communications port, with the Series 80 device having two modbus ports for multi-master or where there is a redundancy system.

Diagnostics capabilities include the recording of all electrical values, switchgear status (including sensors and trip circuit as well as mechanical switchgear status), disturbance recording and the Sepam self-diagnosis and watchdog.

A complete new data set for 2005 is now available from Phoenix Electronics for the Phoenix Contact range of interconnect products and system building blocks.
A complete new data set for 2005 is now available from Phoenix Electronics for the Phoenix Contact range of interconnect products and system building blocks. The set consists of 4 Books and includes all new products released to date. The Books consist of : A) Combicon with 464 pages of detailed data on Printed Circuit Board Connectors B) Trabtech which details a wide range of Surge Voltage Protection products including Power Supply Protection, Network Protection applicable to Ethernet, Token Ring, V.24 and RS-232.

C) Pluscon which is devoted to a range of connectors suitable for industrial cabling and is the book most sought after by process control engineers.

D) Interface which addresses Industrial applications and Automation Control situations and has 472 pages of data describing solutions and products focused on I/O, Signal Conditioning, Switching of Power and Signal and Converter Modules which enable conversion between RS232/422/485 and TTY(CL).

Applications assistance, samples and full technical specifications are available from Phoenix Electronics for all products.