To ease the installation of industrial connectors onto motor junction boxes an adaptor allows an angled connector to be fitted to a standard PG 13.5 cable entry with a choice of mountings.

A new adaptor designed to ease the installation of industrial connectors onto motor junction boxes has been introduced by Harting. The new Han 3A adaptor allows an angled connector to be fitted to a standard PG 13.5 cable entry with a choice of mounting positions. The circular nickel-plated brass adaptor plate contains 12 holes, allowing the housing to be turned in steps of 30deg after termination.

This ability to orient the connector in a number of different positions makes it an attractive option for motor manufacturers or installers who are often faced with fitting connectors into restricted spaces.

An illuminated pushbutton range uses LED's that are much brighter than incandescent bulbs. This greater brightness improves colour recognition and consequently safety.

Matsushita Electric Works has introduced an updated range of 3A/250VAC-100mA/125VAC, pushbutton and selector switches designed to meet the ISO12100 series of international safety standards. The man-machine interface must be designed to enable the status of the machine to be recognised, clearly and correctly by anyone running the machine, without the need of special training or expertise. For this reason display lamp colours conform to standards set out under IEC60073 (JIS C 0448) and IEC60204-1 (JIS B 9960).

This durable, splash proof switch series has a lock lever system for ease of installation and due to the light operational load, enabled by the snap action actuation, has a pleasant, light switching action.

The ND series, apart from the buzzer, is UL and CSA approved and carries the CE mark.

The illuminated pushbutton range use LED's that are much brighter than incandescent bulbs.

This greater brightness improves colour recognition and consequently, safety.

The difference between yellow and green is particularly easy to see.

The power consumption of the 12V type has been greatly reduced, particularly in the 16mm diameter type, to 10mA or less.

The LED's have a life of 5 years (50,000 hours) if continuously illuminated.

The current limiting resistor and protective diode are already built into the LED bulb.

Product is available in 6 illuminated colours: red, orange, yellow, green, blue and white and the splash proof types have an IP 65 seal.

The emergency pushbutton switches, available in 25mm and 40mm diameters, are equipped with a safety lock mechanism.

The contact does not move until the pushbutton has been completely locked and will not switch until the button has been depressed completely, thus avoiding inadvertent actuation.

Another safety feature is the forced contact separation mechanism, which will ensure that a circuit will be shut off even in the event of contact weld.

The ND Series is available in a variety of shapes and sizes, with a range of covers, mounting hole plugs and maintenance tools.

Designed for the ultimate in performance in the event of a massive power overload, these circuit breakers disconnect the load from the supply instantly, securely and reliably.

The new WS Series circuit breakers from Mitsubishi Electric have been designed for the ultimate in performance in the event of a massive power overload, disconnecting the load from the supply instantly, securely and reliably. At the core of the circuit breaker's design is the Polymer Ablation type Auto-Puffer. This is moulded in a patented polymer that has been carefully formulated to react with the high temperatures generated locally when shorting occurs to give off significant volumes of an inert gas that prevents the arc from developing further.

In addition, the geometry of the Auto-Puffer is such that the gas is blown at right angles across the arc path at high speed to further assist in extinguishing the spark before it reaches a critical size.

A second innovation sported by the WS Series is the Jet Pressure Trip Mechanism.

This makes further use of the ablation gas which is generated in a confined space, from which it escapes at high speed through a precision designed and positioned nozzle so that its pressure acts on the on the trip mechanism to enhance the speed at which it activates.

The WS series includes an evolutionary advance in Mitsubishi's core circuit breaker technology, the Impulsive Slot type Accelerator (ISTAC).

In this advanced version of ISTAC the current path has been optimised and the electromagnetic drive of the breaker is more powerful.

By increasing the opening speed and improving the arc driving, the rising rate of the arc voltage is increased and thus the peak current, or Ip, is consequentially decreased.

WS Moulded Case Breakers are available in sizes up to 250A with fault levels up to 200 kA.

For an extended working life Mitsubishi has incorporated shuntless current flow technology into the WS circuit breakers, so that double plates hold the conductors rather than wires which would be subject to wear and failure.

Flexibility of the units is ensured because the WS series is equipped with interchangeable relay units, while a number of internal accessories can be added to customise performance characteristics.

Reliability, compact construction, ease of use, and virtually unlimited life are among the key benefits offered by solid-state relays with in-built surge suppression.

Reliability, compact construction, ease of use, and virtually unlimited life are among the key benefits offered by the wide range of solid-state relays (SSRs) from control expert, Omron Electronics. All of Omron's SSRs feature in-built surge suppression, low-noise zero-cross switching, and compliance with relevant standards, including UL, CSA and CE. Available with ratings from 2A to 60A, and in versions to suit single-phase, dual-phase, three-phase and DC loads, Omron's SSRs are an attractive and cost-effective choice for applications which involve high-duty cycle switching, or where maintenance-free operation over long periods is a prime requirement.

For economical switching of AC and DC currents up to 2A, Omron offers a range of miniature relays, including the G3R and G3F series SSRs.

These compact units, which can be mounted directly on a printed circuit board, or used with a plug-in socket, are the solid-state equivalent of OMRON's widely used G2R and MY electromechanical relays, thus making interchangeability simple.

G3R and G3F SSRs feature an integral LED to show operational status, and offer isolation rated at 4kV between the output and control circuits.

For applications where backplate-mounting SSRs are preferred, the flat-pack style G3NA range is available, and includes models with load ratings from 5A to 40A AC, as well as a 10A DC version.

AC types can be supplied in 240V and 480V versions.

All types incorporate a status LED, and a varistor to protect against the effects of external voltage transients.

Heatsinks are available to maximise load ratings, and there is also an add-on bracket for DIN-rail mounting.

Users of rail-mounted SSRs are catered for by Omron 's G3PA and G3PB product ranges which, thanks to an optimally designed heatsink, feature a very slim profile which saves on costly panel space by allowing high mounting densities to be achieved.

G3PA SSRs are available with ratings up to 60A at 240V AC, and up to 30A at 400V AC.

The units feature a replaceable power-element cartridge, which saves users the cost of replacing the complete unit, and removes the need for any re-wiring following damage from a load fault condition.

A temperature indicator on the power cartridge turns red to show when replacement is needed.

Wiring time savings can also be made, using a special interlinking feature which speeds and simplifies wiring where the SSRs are mounted adjacent to each other.

Applications needing a compact, cost-effective solid-state contactor capable of switching single-, dual-, or three-phase loads of up to 45A are addressed by the Omron G3PB family of products.

Available with or without integral heatsinks, these solid-state contactors are up to 20% smaller than other units with a similar rating.

Using a power component welded onto a baseplate, the robust construction of the G3PB SSRs makes them suitable for arduous industrial applications.

OMRON Electronics Limited is a member of the Omron group of companies, which employs over 25,000 people worldwide, and has a turnover in excess of GBP 2.8 billion.

The company is an expert in the development and manufacture of a wide range of electronic products, including variable speed drives, programmable controllers, sensors and control components, all of which harness modern technology to deliver outstanding quality, value and performance.

RS Components introduces a further 6,000 Process Control and Automation Products.

RS Components UK, leading distributor of process and automation products, has extended its range of process and control products by a further 6,000, on top of the 35,000 already available. RS has sourced these new introductions from the market leading brands including ABB, Telemecanique, Merlin Gerin, Square D and Omron. Products include SP and N distribution boards, Osi proximity switches, CT2000 contactors, CJIM PLCs to F150 vision sensors.

'Our aim is to have the widest range of technologies and major brands within the Process and Automation market to help make it simple and easy for our customer's to meet their needs' states Julian Wood, RS Market Development Manager.

The new extended ranges of products are available on the RS website only and can be found at rswww.com/automation.

AC fans built in larger frame sizes use a new, high performance, capacitor motor and provide the cooling capacity that makes them ideal for large industrial cabinets.

Available in the UK from Aerco are new ADDA AC fans that are built in larger frame sizes than have previously been available from the company and, because they use a new, high performance, capacitor motor, provide the cooling capacity that makes them ideal for large industrial cabinets and the refrigeration industry. The ADDA AK178 and AK186 provide the same airflow performance but are built in different frame sizes to suit different applications. The AK178 measures 176 x 176 x 89mm while the AK186 is 180 x 180 x 65mm.

Both are powered by a new high performance capacitor motor that is more efficient, producing a higher output while consuming less power than shaded pole motors that are often used for this type of fan.

Both fans produce airflow of 805 litres/s (380 ft3/min) at a nominal speed of 2,650 rev/min and have an anticipated lifetime of 50,000h at 40 deg C.

Smaller bio diesel powered generators' success has lead to a large amount of requests for bigger power output generators that can run on bio diesel - now available up to 500kVA.

JS Power, a leading supplier of generators and UPS systems, has announced new sizes of their bio diesel powered generators. Complimenting the current range of 25-200kVA models is the new 250-500kVA range of their popular Eco-Gen models. With the growing need for environmentally sound power supply the Eco-Gen range's ability to run on 100% Bio Diesel is proving a great success for the UK based company, with great interest Worldwide.

'We are very excited with this new power range of our Eco-Gen generators coming on to the market.' said Jonathan Searby, company director.

'The success of the smaller range has lead to a large amount of requests for bigger power output generators that can run on bio diesel, so this is an excellent opportunity for JS Power Limited to fill this need.' He added: 'This new range will offer larger companies the option to go to an environmentally sound power system, reducing emissions and diesel usage.' The Eco-Gen range has been specifically developed to run on 100% bio diesel, and is fully warrantied for this use, making them an ideal investment for the environmentally conscious company and are tailored to the needs of the application, from standby to prime power generation.

The Eco-Gen range is complimented by a range of Bio Diesel Processing systems.

JS Power Limited work closely with the leading UK producer of processing equipment and are able to offer a complete package of a Eco-Gen generator and fuel processor.

* About JS Power - JS Power, an ISO 9000 accredited company, has been specialising in bio diesel generators for the past 12 months and is based in the North East of England.

Alongside the Eco-Gen models they offer a full range of traditional diesel generators and a range of UPS systems.

Multi-function AC power supply unit provides a step-less adjustment of output voltage and frequency, with a choice of either analogue or digital control.

A new versatile switch-mode AC power supply unit that provides a step-less adjustment of output voltage and frequency, with a choice of either analogue or digital control, has been introduced by REO (UK). The unit can be used in voltage, current or power regulation mode. Versatile and adaptable, this new power supply unit, called 'Platypus', offers multiple control options for numerous applications.

These include pre-compliance testing against standards or function testing for equipment that is designed to operate on different supply voltages or frequencies.

Typical examples of standard tests are three-phase unbalance (using three units), power frequency variation and voltage variation testing (under/over voltage).

If required these tests can also be carried out at different frequencies because of the versatility of the power supply.

Other test applications include online batch testing of voltage relays, current trips, circuit breakers and relays.

Steeples adjustment for both voltage (0-300V) and frequency (15-150Hz) is provided via front-panel mounted potentiometers whilst digital settings are entered using a touch panel.

The potentiometers provide quick and simple means of achieving on-the-fly adjustment of voltage or current, ideal for verifying such things as trip levels.

The Platypus is available in 10A and 16A output versions, both in two configurations, open 19 in.

6U rack and enclosed bench-top units.

Communication is via an RS232 interface.

Panel displays include analogue an ammeter, voltmeter and LED digital display.

The unit is protected by three line fuses and is short-circuit proof.