Circuit breakers for equipment experts pack free catalogue with unique experience.

Specifying circuit breakers for equipment (CBEs) is a daunting task, but help is at hand from electrical component distributor Rowe Hankins Components. Within the UK they are the only company with direct access to thermal, thermal-magnetic and hydraulic-magnetic circuit breaker technologies. Their current catalogue provides a clear concise guide on how CBEs work and how they can help in the prevention of electrical accidents.

The catalogue is free on request.

Rowe Hankins CBEs operate on thermal or thermal-magnetic principles.

They are suitable for domestic and industrial equipment, from floor polishers to floodlights and from pressure washers to heavy duty pumps.

Toggle, rocker and push button CBEs are available in ratings from 0.05Amps to 20.0Amps.

Fittings, legends, terminals and accessories can be customised to client needs.

Units may be specified with or without thermal overload protection (switch only) and with under voltage releases and other safety and interlock devices for accident prevention.

Thermally operated CBEs are especially tolerant of high in-rush currents and other intermittent and transient energy spikes.

This gives assured performance when linked to motors, switched power supplies, tungsten filament lighting and other devices that have high start up energy requirements.

They are also tolerant of wide variations in frequency while their simple and robust design makes them competitive with other devices.

Reliable stop/start, effective protection and nuisance free operation are key features for users.

Thermal-magnetic CBEs offer two modes of protection.

The thermal device, a bimetal strip, gives overload protection while an electro-magnetic device gives short-circuit protection.

These breakers can normally protect currents from 100 to 300 Amps, without sustaining damage or the need for back up.

Efficient and reliable operation depends on the quality of the CBE mechanism.

Interference from noise, for example, is often attributed to bouncing of contacts on closure - common with spring loaded devices.

Rowe Hankins RT line CBEs use a latch type closure to give positive contact pressure eliminating bounce and reducing the possibility of contact welding.

CBEs are a small but crucial component in many appliances and OEM equipment.

Rowe Hankins can offer comprehensive catalogues, expert telephone assistance, on-site consultation and continuing technical back up.

As a manufacturing distributor the company can also offer services for pre-assembly and sub-system manufacture to enhance a clients own production or service operations.

A multiple voltage, bi-polar 9mm miniature bayonet based 'smart' LED bulb replaces many ordinary incandescent bulbs and functions - in control panels - in a broad range of voltages.

LEDtronics announces its 'Smart, Multiple Voltage, Bi-Polar B321-XIW 9mm Miniature Bayonet Based LED Bulb'. This is an ultra versatile bulb designed to replace many ordinary incandescent light bulbs. What makes this 9mm bayonet base LED bulb so 'smart' and so adaptable is its functionality in a broad range of voltages.

Furthermore, this LED bulb is bipolar.

It was designed to directly replace 6MB, 44, 47, 755 (5/6V) 12MB, 756 (12/14V) 24MB (24V) 313, 757, 1819, 1829 (28V) 48MB (48V) 60MB, 1835 (60V) 120MB, and NE51H (120V AC) incandescent bulbs.

This Smart B321-XIW LED bulb comes in a T 3 1/4 bayonet base that mounts directly into industry standard sockets making it perfect for panel-mount switch-gear applications such as elevators, utility plants, water treatment plants, aviation or anyplace where multiple voltages indicators are used.

Now all those applications that used to require different voltage bulbs can now be supported with one great LED bulb.

Armored M12 eurofast cordsets protect against abrasion, cuts, water, oil and impact, and are excellent for use in automotive, stamping plants and welding environments.

Turck's new armored M12 eurofast cordsets provide protection against abrasion, cuts, water, oil and impact, and are excellent for use in automotive, stamping plants and welding environments. The cordsets meet Open Wiring specifications allowing their use in place of conduit, thereby reducing the extensive labor, wire-pulling, cutting, bending and moisture problems associated with conduit. Armored eurofast cordsets use rugged PVC-jacketed cable with interlocking aluminum armor that is ITC/PLTC (instrumentation tray cable) rated.

Turck's patented armor connection to the coupling nut also facilitates the grounding of the connection.

Cable connectors provide IEC IP 68 protection, and are rated for 250V AC/V DC and 4A.

The armored eurofast line provides three-, four- and five-wire options, with 18 and 22 AWG.

Like most Turck cordsets, the armored eurofast line offers male or female, straight connectors, standard and custom lengths, and pigtails or extensions.

To make the system complete, fully encapsulated mating receptacles with front and rear mount threads are also available.

Turck is an industry leader providing superior quality sensing, connectivity and network products to help manufacturers improve their automated processes.

EAO, market leading switch manufacturer and representative for Grayhill, offers a smart and powerful combination of optical encoder and joystick.

EAO, market leading switch manufacturer and representative for Grayhill, offers a smart and powerful combination of optical encoder and joystick. The Grayhill 60A Series delivers a complete solution to Human Interface applications where panel space is at a premium and reliable directional control is a requirement. The robust 60A encompasses an optical encoder, pushbutton and joystick in one shaft.

The 60A optical encoder joystick clearly outperforms its mechanical alternatives.

It is designed for maximum life with 500,000 actuations in each direction.

Its pushbutton switching and rotary elements deliver smooth operation and benefit from a lifecycle of one million rotational cycles and one million actuations respectively.

The 60A is compatible with CMOS, HCMOS and TTL Logic.

EAO customers may customise the 60A optical encoder joystick to meet their exact requirements.

By specifying shaft sizes, joystick positions, cable length and termination.

In respect to the rotary switch element, customers may specify preferred torque.

The 60A optical encoder joystick is designed to suit applications that value durability, long life and customisation, including global positioning and driver information systems, medical equipment control, radio control, robotics and commercial appliances.

Zinc cobalt plated connectors meet the requirements of Mil-C-26482 series 1 and replace the use of cadmium plating, over which there is some environmental concern.

Aerco now offers rapid deliveries on zinc cobalt plated versions of D38999 series III and AB05 connectors that meet the requirements of Mil-C-26482 series 1. The investment in this service has been made to meet the growing number of customers showing concern about the environmental implications of using cadmium plating. As an assembling distributor of the AB05 range of connectors from AB Connectors, Aerco stocks piece parts and assembles zinc cobalt plated AB05s at an assembly facility set up earlier this year at the company's UK headquarters in Horsham.

Aerco also supplies zinc cobalt plated D38999 series III connectors under a special distributor agreement with Deutsch.

Both types can be supplied within five days at highly competitive prices with no MOQs (minimum order quantities).

The latest photoelectric sensing technology from Telemecanique, a brand of Schneider Electric, is ideal for challenging applications such as those found in packaging using clear containers.

The latest photoelectric sensing technology from Telemecanique, a brand of Schneider Electric, is ideal for challenging applications such as those found in packaging using clear containers and features automatic compensation for environments where the lens can become dirty. This increases uptime and provides for better planned maintenance - an essential benefit for high volume production lines where unplanned stoppages are extremely costly. The clever innovation in the XUY type is its ability to constantly monitor its surroundings and increase its gain to compensate for dusty or dirty environments.

This continues up to a user defined limit after which an alarm alerts the operator and maintenance can take place without interruption to the line.

Moreover, since the XUKT can read any transparent materials - not just glass or PET containers - it is ideal for the broadest range of bottling, bagging and wrapping applications.

Schneider Electric's designers recognised that proximity sensors operate perfectly on clear containers when they are first installed, but their performance deteriorates over time due to misting, dirt and other contaminants.

As the reflector gets dirty, the sensitivity drops and the chances of production interruptions increase.

Commonly, the gain of the sensor must then be manually raised to compensate, or, worse still, production must be interrupted to clean or maintain the sensor.

The sensors conform with relevant IEC, UL and CSA standards and are CE marked.

They offer up to IP68 protection depending on housing and connection type chosen.

Switching frequency is up to 5KHz depending on photoelectric type selected.

Input is 2,3 or 4 wire AC/DC from 12-230V while output is 100/200mA.

Connection options include pre-wired, plug-in and rewireable connectors.

Apart from the XUKT for transparent objects, there are four other sensors in the range, all of which are ideal for packaging applications among others.

The XUK9 polarised light version is for detecting shiny objects; XUKW liquid level detector that uses advanced aqueous optical detection; XUKR contrast mark for wrapping, sealing and quality control applications requiring full colour recognition; and the XUY fork sensors for applications such as bottle top detection, counting screws, label detection and so forth.

Industrial hybrid connectors have USB and FireWire interfaces to connect computers and peripherals to control cabinets without compromising the IP rating.

Harting has introduced new versions of its established Han-Brid industrial hybrid connector range with the addition of USB and FireWire interfaces, allowing users to connect computers and peripherals to control cabinets without compromising the IP rating required for harsh industrial environments. The new two-part (male and female) connectors are designed for use in decentralised process control and industrial automation systems where there is an increasing requirement to connect external equipment such as PCs, printers, external memory, drives and webcams. The new Han-Brid USB and FireWire interfaces are based on the industry-proven Han 3 A housing, allowing the devices to be directly mounted to a control cabinet.

As a result, the user can directly connect peripheral devices without the need to open the cabinet door.

Pluggable ST-Combi spring cage terminal blocks are claimed to be more powerful than ever: they now allow pluggable power wiring up to 30A at 800V with a nominal 4mm2 cable size.

The pluggable ST-Combi spring cage terminal blocks from Phoenix Contact are more powerful than ever: they now allow pluggable power wiring up to 30A at 800V with a nominal 4mm2 cable size. The combination of base terminal and plug provides the user with a modular, flexible and easy solution for all applications. The plugs can be ordered preassembled or can be assembled by the user.

Plug plates are delivered in grey, blue and green-yellow for easier alignment with the base terminal.

All terminal blocks in this series are equipped complete with Clipline system-compatible accessories.

As well as an identical bridging system, the labeling and testing systems are identical to the screw, spring cage and quick connection technology from Quickon.

This allows all terminal blocks from the four different methods to be combined with ease and minimizes the stock of accessories.

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.

Phoenix Electronics has available new data giving an overview of the latest signal conditioning products now available.

Phoenix Electronics has available new data giving an overview of the latest signal conditioning products now available.

The data will serve as the initial introduction to the product line and is fully supported with technical backup and detailed specifications.

The product areas covered are as follows: Mini Analogue MCR modules with a narrow width of only 6.2mm which saves valuable panel space; DC- Uninterruptible Power Supplies which will protect against short term power loss; PLC cabling systems which will simplify cabling to most major PLCs; Wireless Systems with a range of 3km; Serial Interface for networking and data transmission systems which use Ethernet, Profibus, DeviceNet,Canopen,Modbus and Interbus including Fibre Optic connections.

Winder Electrical is celebrating in Leeds after announcing that four of its transformers have passed some of the most stringent quality tests in the business.

Winder Electrical is celebrating in Leeds after announcing that four of its transformers have passed some of the most stringent quality tests in the business - and helped the company win a prestigious contract worth œ1.2 million. The rigorous short circuit tests were carried out on four Winder transformers at a specialist accredited laboratory in Germany. They were demanded by a customer - Birse Process Engineering - to ensure that the equipment they were considering buying to provide the power supply for ancillary equipment on the second section of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link, was of the highest standard available.

With more than a century of expertise and experience in its field, Winder was confident that its transformers would pass, and was prepared to ship them over to Germany and pay for the tests - an exercise which cost tens of thousands of pounds in total.

A number of other companies tendering for the work declined to send their transformers for testing.

Winder general manager Paul Matthews explained: ''The process began when companies tendering for a specific contract were told they had to ensure all their transformers passed the short circuit tests, otherwise they would not be allowed to bid for the work.

'Some of our rivals withdrew because they did not want to submit their equipment to the tests, or did not want to pay the many thousands of pounds it costs to complete them.' ''But at Winder we have every confidence in our products and knew they would pass.

Now the four we submitted are all certified by FGH, the awarding body, and although the certification applies only to this contract, the point is that we have proved the quality of Winder equipment and that must give customers added confidence in buying our products,'' Mr Matthews continued.

The tests are destructive and involve nine consecutive tests, each with a duration of 0.25 seconds and with the peak current being applied three times on each limb of the transformers.

Routine tests and a visual inspection of the active part of the transformer were also included in the scrutiny, before the transformer was stripped down so that every component could be closely inspected for defects.

In Winder's case none were present.

Mr Matthews said: ''We have always had the utmost confidence in the work here at Winder and it is great to have this backed up in this way.' There is no doubt that this latest announcement will also help Winder win more orders to set alongside its recent successes, which have seen Leeds-made equipment commissioned for Ireland, Nigeria, Iraq, and the Orkney and Shetland Islands.

EAO, the expert in human machine interfaces presents its latest generation, W.series range of fully customisable banking keypads and keyboards.

EAO, the expert in human machine interfaces presents its latestgeneration, W.series range of fully customisable banking keypadsand keyboards, which guarantee to meet the demanding securityrequirements of banks and other financial institutions throughadded defence features including strength, durability, vandal andanti-hacker protection. Constructed from stainless steel andZamak, with either top or rear mounting, and featuring metal gridand anti pull-off keys together with laser engraving forwear-resistant markings and the option of illumination,EAO's fully customisable W.series banking keypads andkeyboards significantly reduce the risk of sabotage which can beassociated with self-service payment/door entry systems.Additional confidence can be gained from the fact that EAO haslongstanding and successful partnerships with established andtrusted 3rd party encryption model suppliers, of whom it hasworked with to ensure smooth integration. EAO's state of theart W.series delivers full environmental protection includingresistance against impact, vibration, dust and liquids.EAO's tried and tested technologies to make the W.seriesrange of banking keypads and keyboards ideally suitable forapplications including ATMS and Pin entry terminals.

The W.seriesrange is available in minimum 10 different languages, withcombined keyboards, optical trackball technology (anti vandal andIP68 dynamic waterproof), touchpad and 4 key keypads or 16-keyPIN pad.

Megger's new DET10C and DET20C earth resistance testers eliminate the use of temporary earth spikes and measuring earth resistance is no longer a time-consuming and complicated task.

With the introduction of Megger's new DET10C and DET20C earth resistance testers, measuring earth resistance is no longer a time-consuming and complicated task. The new instruments, which provide results in just a few seconds, not only make it unnecessary to disconnect earth electrodes before making measurements, but also eliminate the use of temporary earth spikes. Designed principally for routine checking of earth resistances in multi-earth installations, the instrument features a clamp-type connection with an internal diameter of 35mm, making it suitable for use with even the largest earth stakes.

To measure the resistance of a particular stake, the user simply clamps the head of the instrument over it, and reads the result from the instrument's large digital display - no specialist skills are required.

Both the DET10C and DET20C are approved for use in Category III, 300V applications, as defined in IEC 61010-1, making them suitable and safe to use in virtually all domestic, commercial and industrial installations.

For added versatility, the instruments also offer current and resistance ranges for general-purpose use.

While Megger's new DET10C and DET20C earth resistance testers provide the same testing facilities, the DET20C additionally offers an audible limit alarm to alert the user to test results that are outside a user-adjustable acceptance range.

The DET20C also has an internal memory system, which stores test results for later downloading to use, for example, in test reports and certificates.

Megger's new earth resistance testers feature a compact ergonomic design which combines portability and ease of handling with the ability to withstand the knocks and scrapes of everyday use.

Phoenix Electronicshas introduced the Han K8/0 to the Harting Han-Com range of Heavy Duty Industrial Connectors with axial screw termination.

Phoenix Electronicshas introduced the Han K8/0 to the Harting Han-Com range of Heavy Duty Industrial Connectors. The new connector which has eight power contacts and is rated at 100A is a welcome addition to the range. Wire sizes from 10 to 25mm square are are easily terminated as the product comes with axial screw termination.

IP65 protection is achieved by use of 24B hoods coupled with 48B housings and the voltage ratings are 690V working and 8KV impulse.

Full data and engineering assistance on this product and on the full Harting Industrial Connector Range is available from Phoenix Electronics.

The new PT screw connection series from Phoenix extends the Combicon range and now allows the designer even greater choice and versatility.

The new PT screw connection series from Phoenix extends the Combicon range and now allows the designer even greater choice and versatility. The PT range is available in two pitches and three sizes. The PT1.5 with 3.5mm and 5.0mm pitch and the PT2.5 in a 3.0mm pitch.

with a wire capacity of up to 4mm square.

These quality connectors offer increased flexibility with a two directional pluggable solution within the same plug.

The pin strip header also provides codability on the printed circuit board.