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RFID system for device and system marking

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Phoenix Contact offers a comprehensive RFID system for device and system marking

Store and read information on marking material with the integrated RFID transponder

RFID operating principle

Phoenix Contact offers a comprehensive product range for contact-free system and device marking via RFID technology. With the RFMARK reader with HF or UHF technology, you can write marking material with integrated RFID transponders without contact.

You may use Radio-frequency identification (RFID) for contact-free identification, data exchange, and localization of transponders/tags without visual contact. With the aid of an RFID handheld device, which acts as a transmitter and receiver, data is transmitted to and received from a transponder/tag by electromagnetic waves (UHF) or a magnetic field (HF).

RFID is used in Power plant identification

When it comes to RFID technology, a distinction is made between active and passive transponders (transmit and response). The fundamental design of an RFID transponder consists of an antenna, a microcontroller, and a permanent memory that can be read and written. In order to ensure optimized maintenance, passive transponders that do not have a seperate battery supply tend to be used in power plants.

In the case of passive transponders, a distinction is made between high frequency (HF) and ultra high frequency (UHF) transponders. The HF transponder is excited at a frequency of 13.56 MHz, e.g, using a handheld device. It therefore reaches a maximum distance of 1 m. The UHF transponder, which has a frequency of 868 MHz (central Europe), is suitable for larger distances of up to 4 m. Both transponder types are used in power plant applications:

  • Since for electrical equipment clear identification is the primary aim, greater distances and the associated bulk detection are not possible here. In the case of bulk of bulk detection, all RFID transponders within range of the handheld device are detected.
  • In the case of mechanical structures and large units, it is more practical to use UHF transponders due to the inaccessibility of some areas. Bulk detection of multiple RFID transponders is certainly a possibility here.

Moreover, if you wish to know more about our RFID Transponder and its applications, please visit our website.

Acquisition of Perle Systems Limited, Canada

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Phoenix Contact expands its expertise in the area of industrial network technology: Acquisition of Perle Systems Limited, Canada

On August 31, 2016, Phoenix Contact GmbH & Co. KG, Blomberg, concluded a contract for the acquisition of the Canadian network specialist Perle Systems Limited, Toronto. Thus, Perle Systems is another international subsidiary of the Phoenix Contact Group, a global market leader for components, systems and solutions in the area of electrical engineering, electronics and automation.

Perle Systems provides products and solutions for industrial networks. Since 1976 the company has been developing and selling media converters, industrial Ethernet switches, and serial devices. The product range comprises a large number of variants and allows numerous and new applications as part of the digitalization process.

The Canadian company currently has approximately 50 employees. It is the objective of Phoenix Contact to expand the new subsidiary to another competence center for industrial networking within the Group. With the acquisition of Perle Systems, Phoenix Contact has strengthened its competence as a provider of solutions for Industrie 4.0. “Perle Systems has extensive product know-how and successfully operates a global online business. This constitutes an important reinforcement for us with regard to the digitalization of business models. Due to the incorporation of this know-how, we complement our product portfolio and furthermore gain a valuable development resource”, says Frank Stührenberg, Chief Executive Officer of Phoenix Contact.

Finally, the company Perle Systems Limited will continue its business operations under its own name.

A token of appreciation from Action Care

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Phoenix Contact Middle East receives a token of appreciation from Action Care

In recognition of our continuous support in giving back to the community and our commitment to social development, Action Care presented us with a token of appreciation.

A token of appreciation from Action Care

Phoenix Contact Middle East has been extending its support to Action Care for more than five years now. From events like the big annual gala dinner to smaller ones, Phoenix Contact team has voluntarily taken the initiative to participate at various occasions, to help support less privileged people in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia.
Additionally, the Action Care Gala Dinner celebrates humanitarian causes that Action Care and its partners supports in the region. Just like in previous years, Phoenix Contact sponsored the gala dinner in 2015 and joined in celebrating the milestones reached, lives changed, and friendships discovered along the way.
Action Care is a charity found in the United Arab Emirates which provides humanitarian assistance and conducts a diversity of educational development programs to enhance the quality of life of the community especially those who are disadvantaged.

Read this news release on the website

Lightning Strikes | Receive online notifications in your system

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Footprints of Lightning Strikes

Lightning strikes in systems

Lightning strikes in systems

Lightning strikes may cause devastating damage to buildings and facilities. Depending on the energy, there is massive destruction or damage, which may cause not so obvious, yet consequential cumulative destruction. Lastly, additional risk persists for high, large or exposed located structures.

The Lightning Monitoring System LM-S from Phoenix Contact captures lightning strikes and also analyzes the peak current, specific energy and charge of lightning surge currents. It consists of sensors for the down conductors of a lightning protection system and the analyzer. This data is easily accessible via the integrated web interface at any time from any place. It provides lightning strike information of the facility and enables preventive maintenance. Based on data from the LM-S system, measures take place quickly in order to avoid consequential damage and downtime. Taking this into consideration, maintenance or service work will be unnecessary as long as the effect is noncritical.

Burj Khalifa - Lightning Strikes Prevention - LMSIn structures that are not significantly prone to but have lightning-related sites, LM-S comes in handy for lightning research.

Phoenix Contact Lightning Monitoring System is installed on world-famous buildings such as Burj Khalifa.

Click here for more information about our LM-S system.

Virtual power plants communication standard

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Phoenix Contact is implementing the communication standard for virtual power stations

VHPreadyTo begin with, Nuclear power plants will no longer exist in the future. By 2050, 80% of our electricity is expected to be generated by using renewable energy sources. These sources include wind parks, photovoltaic systems, hydroelectric power plants and biogas plants. A large number of individual energy generators however, means that the power grid will have to change in the future. This is how electricity generation and especially electricity distribution works today.

On the positive side, the industry forum VHPready (Virtual Heat & Power) is implementing the communication standard for virtual power stations. This standard is the basis for virtual power plants in which volatile renewable energy generators network in such a way that guarantees consistent energy supply to society and industry. As one of the founding members of this industry forum, Phoenix Contact takes part in developing the standard in collaboration with leading industry experts. This is a very positive perspective for the future. Continue reading