REO has launched a new range of switch-mode, infinitely variable output, DC power supplies, which have been designed for industrial applications such as electroplating, cathodic-protection, electro-chlorination, vacuum-coating or for product testing. The largest unit in the range runs off a 3-phase 400V supply and produces 0_24 Vdc x 0_200A. The range can be extended to give a higher output voltage or current by using several units together, connected in series or parallel.

The output ripple is +/- 200 mV and the power factor 0.95.

There are two set point inputs provided and these can be used to give voltage, current or power regulation from external analogue signals or potentiometers.

Alternatively, internal, fixed set points can be entered through a touch panel.

The 5-digit display is used to indicate the operating mode and fault diagnostics, when these occur.

In addition, there is a fault relay with change-over contacts and a digital-enable input for interfacing the power supply with other equipment.

The standard unit fits into a 19' racking system and has a digital touch panel with an integral LED display that are used for setting up the operating parameters.

The overall dimensions are 177mm high x 428mm wide x 465mm front to back.

All connections are made through multi-way connectors and bus-bars in the front panel.

Switch-mode power supplies in this series, with low and medium current ratings, are also available.

Lead based pliable electrical conduit systems have become obsolete under the new RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) Directive, which outlaws the use of lead.

Lead based pliable electrical conduit systems have become obsolete under the new RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) Directive, which outlaws the use of lead. Kopex International, the leading manufacturer of specialist electrical conduit, has therefore launched its new range of RoHS compliant pliable conduit. Traditionally, lead based pliable conduit has been widely used throughout industry.

The new Kopex RoHS compliant products offer all the same performance benefits - but are lead free.

Manufactured from steel coated with a copper alloy, this new conduit maintains its high EMC screening capability and strength.

It also has an improved minimum bend radius compared with lead based conduit, making it more suitable for flexing applications.

The new conduit is cleaner to handle and also offers better aesthetic appearance.

These features, together with high performance levels in both general and demanding applications, will ensure that Kopex's new RoHS compliant pliable conduit can be safely specified for all applications where lead based products were previously used.

The primary role of MCCBs is circuit protection, but the latest products can do much more, says John Towersey, Technical Director of Moeller Electric.

Moulded-Case Circuit-Breakers (MCCBs) work by monitoring the current in the circuit they are protecting. Information about that current is useful as a guide to system performance and as an aid to faultfinding but, with ordinary MCCBs, providing access to this information means fitting costly monitoring equipment. MCCBs with electronic trips are changing this situation, since they can be designed to capture and store data.

This means that engineers investigating a breaker trip can now have easy access to diagnostic information and, even better, users can be given advance warning of impending trip conditions.

What should users look for in data-equipped MCCBs?

Products from reputable suppliers can be relied on to provide good protection performance, so we'll concentrate on additional functionality.

Facilities for extracting detailed information are invaluable, but it's equally important to be able to assess the breaker's status at a glance.

This can be achieved, for example, with an LED which shows when the load reaches 70%, 100% and 120% of the trip value.

Often, however, more detail is needed, and a convenient solution is a plug-in terminal with a display to show key parameters.

An alternative is to use a laptop PC to inspect and extract data, which is then available for export to standard office programs.

Let's look at the types of data needed.

Real-time current information is essential as is, in the event of a trip, a clear indication of the trip type.

Additionally, historical information is invaluable and should include a time-stamped log of events like trips and trip warnings.

Details of how the current has changed in the run up to a trip are an important diagnostic aid, and are usually provided by continuously recording current data in a revolving store.

In modern applications, MCCBs are now often used alongside networked automation systems, and it is highly desirable that they can communicate with these systems.

Interfaces for popular networking standards should, therefore, be available.

Network connections can do more than provide users with access to data.

They can also allow the data to be accessed by control systems which can then be configured to react appropriately to fault conditions.

Network connections can also be arranged to allow MCCBs to be accessed remotely via, for example, an Internet connection.

The options discussed in this article were all considered in the development of Moeller Electric's latest NZM range of MCCBs.

With ratings from 40A to 1,600A, and breaking capacities up to 150kA, these innovative breakers provide comprehensive communication and data management options.

They support the emerging FDT (field device tool) standard for remote diagnostics, and can be accessed from PCs running Moeller's XPC-SOFT software.

An easy-to-use data terminal, suitable for hand-held use or panel mounting, is also available.

Effective protection will always be the key requirement for specifiers of MCCBs but, as we've seen, they should now expect a whole lot more!

The Amphenol ECTA 133 series of circular connectors offer a rugged design and convenient push-pull operation, making them ideal for use in a wide variety of applications.

New from international connector distributor PEI-Genesis is the Amphenol ECTA 133 series of circular connectors, which offer a rugged design and convenient push-pull operation, making them ideal for use in a wide variety of industrial, automotive and rail applications. With a rated life of 1000 operations, these tough connectors come in two different versions designed for power transmission (Series 1331) or signal transmission (Series 1332). The Series 1331 power connectors are all equipped with a pre-mating earth contact and feature current ratings up to 125A, while the Series 1332 connectors can be specified with high contact densities for signal or low-power transmission and have a maximum current rating of 25A.

Available from stock from the PEI-Genesis European headquarters in Basingstoke, the ECTA 133 series includes a wide range of shell styles and sizes, together with a choice of crimp, solder or PCB contacts in various sizes.

Also available is a comprehensive line-up of backshells, accessories and tooling.

The connectors have an operating temperature range of -40 to +125degC and, depending on the choice of backshell, can achieve an environmental protection rating of up to IP67.

Durable Cords Feature High Quality Conductor Materials, Strand Counts, Jacket Compounds and Shielding.

Whitney Blake Company, the leader in interconnect solutions, offers a complete range of hi-flex coil cords for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). These durable cords feature high quality conductor materials, strand counts, primary jacket compounds, and shielding. Ideal for a variety of OEM market applications, Whitney Blake's cords are often used to manufacture products for the medical, military, industrial, electronics, packaging, telecommunications and gaming industries.

Whitney Blake's hi-flex cable, coil cords and cable assemblies provide superior long term failure-free service in rugged environments.

The company's product line is particularly designed for applications requiring superior extension life, sag-resistant coil memory, and excellent flex performance.

A broad range of in-stock coiled cords are available for immediate delivery, however, Whitney Blake can develop custom-designed cords to meet specific client requirements, from quick turnaround prototypes to large volume production.

All of Whitney Blake's coiled cords are UL-listed and CSA-certified and various wire gauges and conductor counts are also available

A new compact block variant is now available for the powerful Modular Managed Switch (MMS) from Phoenix Contact.

A new compact block variant is now available for the powerful Modular Managed Switch (MMS) from Phoenix Contact. The block variant, the FL Switch MCS, is a Managed Compact Switch available with either 16 twisted-pair ports, or 14 twisted-pair ports plus two (100 Mbps multimode) glass fibre interfaces. The switch can be used in most terminal boxes due to its flat construction.

The switch's software supports fully fledged network management via SNMP and includes a web server to handle comprehensive configuration and diagnostic tasks.

Thanks to the use of the (IEEE 802.1D) Spanning Tree and (IEEE 802.1w) Rapid Spanning Tree protocols, it is possible to create redundant, non-proprietary network structures.

The MCS switch supports all the recommended functions for profinet and Ethernet IP applications such as IGMP snooping.

A high-performance full wire speed switching technology guarantees high levels of data throughput and rapid response time.

The port-based basic diagnosis features are displayed in a clearly arranged manner.

Two LEDs are integrated into the device for each port.

While one LED is used exclusively to display the link status, the diagnosis information for the second LED (transfer rate, activity, full-duplex/half-duplex transfer) can be set via a button.

* About Phoenix Contact - Phoenix Contact is one of the world leaders in developing and manufacturing connectivity solutions and automation components.

Its principal product ranges include: printed circuit board connectors; modular terminal blocks; fieldbus components; surge voltage protection systems; industrial plug and socket connectors and interface units.

Environmentally-friendly lithium battery combines the high-power capabilities of spiral type batteries with the capacity and lifetime of bobbin type batteries.

Maxell Europe's new environmentally-friendly lithium battery, model CR17450, combines the high-power capabilities of spiral type batteries with the capacity and lifetime of bobbin type batteries to offer a flexible and innovative solution for the automotive, industrial and facilities management sectors. Its unique 'spiral wound' construction and improved electrical-conductivity structures provide high-rate discharge capabilities (maximum pulse discharge current 1,000mA), while its high temperature tolerance (operating range -40 deg C to +85 deg C) make it suitable for use in the most punishing environments. The battery is laser-welded to ensure air-tightness, which provides high protection against moisture infiltration and a low self-discharge rate.

These features, combined with the fact that the battery's performance remains stable across its full operating temperature range, make this battery ideal for industrial use in security equipment and as the power source of electronic meters.

Other applications for which the batteries provide an ideal solution include long-term use in devices such as smoke alarms, home security devices, electronic toll collection systems, automatic meter readers (water, gas and electricity), locators and transponders.

Additionally, the CR17450 power cell provides highly-reliable, long-term backup power for memory needs.

The batteries are on the market throughout Europe for OEM use as a build-in part.

Toshi Yoshiba, European technical engineer, Industrial Batteries, said: 'Power and long life are key factors in any kind of security or metering device'.

'Through innovative use of R and D, these new Maxell batteries deliver both in abundance'.

'The new construction is able to withstand extremes in temperatures whilst providing long life and consistent high performance for power and memory back-up applications'.

'We are extremely proud of the new addition to our range which strengthens our position as a leader in the battery market.' * About Maxell Europe - Maxell Europe is a Maxell group company that has had a presence in Europe since 1980.

Hitachi Maxell has led the global electronics industry in the fields of storage media and batteries since the establishment of a plant for manufacturing dry cells in Japan in 1960.

Production began with dry cell batteries and from this, the Maxell brand was created by shortening the phrase 'maximum capacity dry cell'.

Today the company boasts best-in-class technologies and development capabilities in its two core business fields and, as a result, Maxell products are highly regarded all over the world.

Headquartered in Hertfordshire, UK, Maxell now has nine European sales companies and branches, which are complemented by distributors in other countries across Europe.

Additional information on Maxell Europe can be found on the company's website.