Safe shutdown even with welded contacts
Monitoring safety processes in combined heat and power plants requires reliable feedback for pressure limits and reliable shutdowns with gas alarms. Therefore, 2G Energy AG uses Force-guided relay modules from Phoenix Contact’s Rifline product family to meet these needs.
Relays are essential yet often overlooked due to digitalization. They perform crucial tasks like adjusting, isolating, and multiplying signals. Phoenix Contact’s Rifline series Force-guided relays offer up to four contacts for safe shutdowns, even if some contacts weld. This is why 2G Energy AG in Heek, Germany, chose these modules.
Worldwide success with combined heat and power
Founded in 1995 in Heek, Germany, 2G Energy AG is a leading global manufacturer of combined heat and power plants, ranging from 20 kW to 4,500 kW. With 14 subsidiaries and over 900 employees worldwide, 2G Energy provides comprehensive solutions for farmers, municipalities, housing, commercial enterprises, midsized and large-scale industries, and the energy industry.
2G Energy, a technology leader, offers the right solutions for every requirement, whether 20 kW to 4,500 kW, using natural gas or hydrogen, standard or custom-made. Their combined heat and power (CHP) plants generate both electricity and heat with high efficiency, resulting in lower fuel consumption, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and higher cost-effectiveness. Key components of a CHP plant include a motor, generator, heat exchanger, controller, and closed-loop control, along with exhaust systems and air equipment.
Planning, execution, and maintenance services from a single source
The internal combustion engine drives the generator to produce electricity. Instead of wasting heat via cooling equipment, it is transferred to the heating network through a heat exchanger, making up to 98% of the energy available as electricity and heat. 2G Energy’s CHP plants are categorized into the G-Box, Agenitor, Aura, and Avus series. The Aura series features Lambda-1 technology, developed by 2G Energy, which optimizes the air-to-fuel ratio for complete combustion (λ=1), achieving nitrogen oxide values below 50 mg/Nm³ without needing lean combustion or SCR catalytic converters. This meets increasing ecological standards and reduces lifecycle costs.
In addition, 2G Energy’s portfolio now includes large-scale heat pumps (100 kW to 2,700 kW) developed by their R&D team. As a system partner, 2G Energy provides comprehensive planning, execution, and maintenance services, ensuring sustainable and cost-effective plant operation. Over 8,500 users worldwide rely on their efficient and eco-friendly technologies.
Integration of relays as a feedback contact
Numerous parameters are monitored during CHP plant operation. Reliable feedback to the controller is essential to detect deviations like gas alarms or pressure changes. The 24 V DC coupling relays have a plug-in design, four force-guided gold contacts (DIN EN 61810-3), and a switching capacity of 250 V AC/6 A. An LED indicator and freewheeling diode protect the coil and extend relay life. Forced guidance ensures N/O and N/C contacts don’t close simultaneously, enhancing safety. Integrating force-guided relay modules enables reliable switching of safety-related elements.
Reduced wiring effort
Furthermore, the force-guided relay modules feature Rifline’s Push-in fast-connection technology, allowing tool-free connection of conductors from 0.14 square millimeters. Moreover, the pluggable bridge system reduces wiring effort and expense, enabling efficient potential distribution. Additionally, the pluggable modules allow for quick and easy extensions, such as adding a time function.
The aspects listed above mentioned convinced 2G Energy AG in Heek, Germany, to adopt the Rifline product family, as did many other users across various industrial sectors.
Learn more about Force-guided relays.
