Written by Andrew Ellis, Field Application Engineer

Whether in the control cabinet or in the field, whichever network you use…Phoenix Contact has experience providing a Remote I/O Solution. Whether it is our original Inline system, or if your application requires high speed, wide temperature range or just simplicity and reliability, it is covered with our Axioline system.

Both Ranges contain a variety of standard and special I/O as well as support for Safety using Safety Bridge and PROFISAFE.

Inline – The original and still going strong.

Automate applications easily and cost-effectively with the Inline system consisting of PLCs, bus couplers, and I/Os for the control cabinet. Due to its flexibility, the automation and I/O system can be used in a large number of projects. Combined with the specifically developed programmable logic controllers, even complex automation processes can be developed systematically. Moreover, the open bus concept means that the system provides you with several options in various networks.

The Inline range is still being developed and updates so that existing and new systems are supported well into the future.

Axioline F – operates all leading networks: PROFINET, EtherNet/IP™, EtherCAT, sercos, Modbus TCP, PROFIBUS. IEC 61850 approved versions also available.

The Axioline F I/O range is rugged and compact. Using the latest technology in control and connectivity it saves you time and space in the control cabinet providing a flexible platform for all modern day automation applications.

Axioline SE – With panel space, easy start-up and component costs being some of the major requirements of systems builders, the marketplace demands suppliers to react in order to help businesses maximise production and profits and minimise costs.

The Axioline Smart Element range is designed to combine with the comprehensive range of Axioline Fieldbus couplers and PLCs including the latest innovation in PLC systems, PLCnext Technology.

Axioline P – The AXK P BK PN – AF is a PROFINET bus coupler device which drills down directly to Profibus PA negating the need for the Profibus DP layer. Therefore, reducing infrastructure, system component and installation costs as well as streamlining overall system architecture.

The AXL P BK PN – AF Bus coupler features the following

• 8 Profibus PA Segments with High power trunk per Bus Coupler. Each segment can support 32 devices. Which means each coupler can support 256 Profibus PA devices.
• Dual redundant pluggable power supplies for each Profibus PA segment. Ensuring high availability, if required.
• The AXL P BK PN – AF Bus coupler supports PROFINET S2 redundancy. Once again providing the maximum of system availability.
• The AXL P BK PN – AF Bus coupler boasts a full complement of Hot swappable I/O that co-exist alongside the Profibus PA Segments on the AXL P BK PN – AF Bus coupler. Including Intrinsically safe digital and analog Inputs and Outputs, Supervised Inputs (Namur), Hart Inputs and Outputs.

For more information on our Remote I/O Solutions, or to discuss your application please contact Andrew on 07584514958 or email aellis@phoenixcontact.com

Written by Gary Nelson, Sales and Marketing Manager- Device Connections

As the world becomes less reliant on fossil fuels and becomes more electrified we at Phoenix Contact are continually developing new innovative connectivity solutions from our Device Connections (DC) product ranges to meet the needs of the all electric society.

Join us at the Electronics Components Show on Thursday May 19^th Kassam Stadium in Oxford to see our latest product innovations and discuss how we can help you with your specific project needs.

 Our wide portfolio consists of PCB terminal blocks & connectors, high IP rated products suitable for outdoor, harsh environments and renewable energy applications and a large selection of electronic enclosures customisable to house your designs.

As the grid becomes increasingly dependent on renewable energy the management of supply and demand is critically important. Grid balancing requires building intelligence solutions and technology to manage the timing of certain activities, such as electric vehicle charging. This market sector requires a combination of power and data connectivity with a focus on ease of installation and security of data transmission.

Electric vehicles are becoming more commonplace on our roads and cover a wide range of solutions from personal transport to last mile delivery and large-scale commercial. Regardless of the vehicle type, charging infrastructure is vitally important to the transition to a more sustainable economy. The device connection requirements in this sector cover both the connection to the vehicle and the internal electronics within the charging unit itself.

With more dependency on renewable energy, energy storage is becoming a critical utility in helping to balance the grid and provide electricity when required and not just when the wind is blowing. This market sector covers both large-scale grid storage and small scale commercial and domestic storage with differing requirements for device connectivity.

Renewable Energy Generation covers several different technologies from wind power, solar and hydro-electric, and is set to become a significant proportion of our energy mix in the coming decade. Device connectivity in this market sector often requires robust connection and enclosure solutions with protection from the weather.

The World is going electric, and at Phoenix Contact we are part of the solution.

We look forward to seeing you at the show!

For more info, contact Gary on 07780 483099 or email gnelson@phoenixcontact.com

Written by Mark Lloyd, Senior Product Manager- Power Supplies and Surge Protection

In recent times there has been a trend towards distributed automation in machine building and factory automation. This has required a re-think as to how we provide power to these distributed components.

To address this, around 3 years ago we released our first IP67 rated power supplies to meet the growing demand for a standalone power supply to provide local or de-centralised power where it is needed, for example on production lines or on conveyor systems.

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Written by Scott Mulholland, Product Manager- Industrial Components.

Our ever increasing range of PTFIX blocks now has a significant new edition. We’ve taken the key features of our PTFIX blocks and incorporated fusing functionality into them. This means that the key benefits of PTFIX can now be transferred into your overload and short circuit protection requirements:

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Written by Deepan Patel, Industry Manager- Infrastructure

You might think as a building owner or facilities manager your building is functioning well and there aren’t any visible issues. So why bother making changes right!? The building automation system (BMS) is doing its thing! Just like a few decades ago when it was first commissioned. Why introduce unnecessary unwanted costs?

While these thoughts might be understandable, you could be potentially missing out on the significant savings in costs and system optimisation of making it a modernised smart building. Gartner predicts our BMS sector will see the high growth on the Internet of Things (IoT) and connected devices adoption.

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Written by Tony Deane, Automation Manager

Customer:     “So, you’re saying I can download apps onto a PLC rather than having to program it?”

Phoenix Contact:   “That’s correct”

Customer:    “Really? You mean like an app onto my Smart Phone?”

Phoenix Contact:    “Yes, that is exactly what I mean!”

Does this seem farfetched? Read on.

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Written by Mark Lloyd, Senior Product Manager- Power Supplies & Surge Protection

Some time ago I penned a blog introducing a special guarantee where we offer a 5 year warranty on our QUINT4 power supplies provided that they are protected by one of our Plugtrab type 3 surge arrestors.  

This warranty is still live and I thought it would be worth mentioning again with some additional information just in case anyone thought this was a gimmick with no technical substance.  

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Written by Gary Nelson, Senior Product Manager- Device Connections.

When creating DIN rail assemblies how do you ensure your connectivity needs are met without compromising valuable space in the cabinet?

The scenario is nothing new as no matter how well planned the layout of your cabinet is, the interconnection needs always take valuable space between the DIN rails. The reason is mainly due to the location of the connectors and the cable bend radii needed to prevent damage to the connection points. In traditional electronics enclosures the number of connection points is also limited unless the physical width or height of the housing is increased which then takes up even more valuable space on the DIN rail.

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Written by Nigel Dawbarn, Sales & Marketing Manager- Industry Management

The sales of battery electric and plug-in hybrid electric cars tipped over the two-million-vehicle mark for the first time in 2019. During 2020, and within Europe, the effects of Covid have not slowed the sales of BEVs and PHEVs drastically.

With more new cars being added to the manufacturers’ lists of options the future looks exciting. But it’s not just the main car manufacturers investing in this development, we are seeing commercial vehicles being launched from busses and vans to boats and motocycles!

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