Panel builders are faced with a number of challenges when it comes to the optimum supply of equipment. For one thing, advancing automation brings with it a growing number of increasingly complex control functions. This is reflected in the panel by the increasing number of electronic components that require a reliable supply. At the same time, as part of the drive for decentralisation, system planners are calling for ever more compact panels and control boxes that can be integrated seamlessly into the design of the machine. As a result, the task is to accommodate more functions into less space.
“The installation width of the required control components is fixed and cannot be changed. The result of this is that until now, users have been happy to save costs on terminal blocks, thereby creating non-transparent installations that lead to faulty wiring and that offer little opportunity for upgrades and retrofits,” reports Weidmüller Product Manager Wolfgang Weltermann, based on his practical experience. “In the light of this, we have developed solutions especially for installations where space is tight, which offer unique clarity and which significantly reduce the amount of wiring work involved.”
With Weidmüller, anyone who is looking to create structured control voltage distribution including overload protection can choose between the customised Klippon® Connect AAP potential distribution terminal blocks and the modular maxGUARD concept with integrated electronic load monitoring. What both solutions have in common is that while until now, terminal blocks for potential distribution and electronic load monitoring were installed separately, AAP and maxGUARD integrate these necessary functions into one complete control voltage distribution: 240 V or 400 V when deploying Klippon® Connect AAP and 24 V with maxGUARD. This unique combination saves time during installation, increases fail safety and reduces the amount of space required on the terminal rail by up to 50%.
The choice between AAP and maxGUARD depends on the desired level of fusing. If with a simple system concept, it is decided that there is no need to implement any surge current protection measures, you can design a compact potential distribution without any fusing, using AAP. If desired, you can add fusing of your choice separately, at a later stage. If, on the other hand, you want to play it safe from the beginning and take advantage of the benefits of an integrated solution, APP including fusing is the solution of choice. It should be remembered however, that once the safety fuse has been triggered, it is no longer usable and must be replaced immediately. If the downtime that this will cause is too much of a risk for you, then you should use maxGUARD, the potential distribution solution with re-switchable electronic fusing. maxGUARD triggers extremely quickly in around 10 milliseconds and can be reactivated in no time. Thanks to these properties, this solution is recommended for the fusing of sensitive electronic consumers such as controller components or remote I/O components that suffer loss of function or perform an unwanted restart, with even the shortest interruption of the supply voltage.
“Even a protected system is down for a short time, but returns to operation far more quickly than a non-fused one. In addition, taking corresponding protective measures prevents the destruction of expensive components. System planners have to ask themselves the question: How important is it to protect my investment? And what level of fusing do I need to have?," explains Weltermann. Whatever the answer, with Klippon® Connect AAP and maxGUARD, Weidmüller offers module-based solutions for load monitoring and potential distribution that can be adapted to meet all needs, covering individual components, defined basic sub-assemblies and complete control voltage distribution.