Category Archives: Device Connectors

Importance of choosing the right PCB enclosure

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What is considered important when it comes to choosing the right PCB enclosure. Let us guide you through the process.

Price? Style? Service & support? Reputation of the supplier?

In the matter of fact, all of above are essential. The engineers should select the enclosure at first and then choice the mechanical & electronic components to suit the enclosure.
We need to consider

Material
The 3 common plastic enclosures are ABS, Polycarbonate, Polyester which are high functionality, light weight, flexible in design.

The Ingress Protection
The ingress protection classification DIN EN 60529 determines and rates protection against solid particle (e.g. dust) as well as liquid incursion.

The letters IP (ingress protection) is followed by a two-digit number; the first digit indicates the level of Solid particle protection and the second digit indicate Liquid ingress protection. IP Code

Environmental Considerations
How the enclosure will last over many years of operation depends on how well you evaluate the environmental impact of elements such as UV rays, temperature, airborne debris, etc.
Different materials offer varying degrees of impact resistance.

Dimensions
The internal and external dimensions of a PCB enclosure is extremely important. Sadly, in many cases, the PCB is chosen first and this makes it difficult for the engineer to source the best fit enclosure solution.

Modification of Standard Enclosures
The enclosure supplier may need to support modifications with value-added services that include drilling, milling, printing, color, etc. Some suppliers can even provide advance services like fitting membrane keypads, displays on the enclosure, etc as a complete solution.

Ease of Assembly
A complex PCB design may make it difficult to assemble electronic and mechanical components in the enclosure, which make is an important point to consider when selecting an enclosure.

Range of PCB Enclosure

Check out Phoenix Contact’s range of enclosures here

We, at Phoenix Contact, understand your problems and offer a wide range of options for shape, color, and function when it comes to choosing the right enclosure. Whether on a wall or on a DIN rail, from light gray to sky blue, narrow or wide, many many to choose from. With the two new enclosures, Universal case system (UCS)  and Environment case system (ECS) added into the selection, it is much easier to choose your enclosure.

Please view the Enclosure brochure.

Want to find out more? Feel free to contact us at marketing@phoenixcontact.com.sg!

Electrical Safety Starts from the Connector

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High Voltage WarningDo you know one common challenge for devices used in areas such as filter and inductor construction, energy distribution and power supply production is Electrical Safety i.e. how to lead the high power through the panel wall safety.

Finding the right wall feed-through terminal block to address electrical safety is a challenge as there are not many suitable solutions for high current and large wire cross-section. It is also unlikely that the manufacturers  will choose the feed-through terminal blocks as early as the design stage. This often leads to manufacturers designing their customized solutions out of sheer necessity; thus resulting in problems such as maintaining touch protection or insulating the current bar from the device housing.

The device manufacturers may also face problem obtaining the necessary certification for their devices. If the device is to be used worldwide, IEC 61800-5-1 and UL 1059 certifications are required. Many solutions in the market are unfortunately not adequately certified.

High Current Feed-through Terminal Blocks

Phoenix Contact offers an extensive range of high-current feed-through terminal blocks for various applications. You can find both pluggable feed-through terminal blocks and feed-through terminal blocks for permanent connections. The pluggable feed-through terminal blocks permit quick replacement and are thus service-friendly. In addition, the conductors can be preassembled. However, feed-through terminal blocks for permanent connections are more economical.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jCv-bhu7Hzg

Do you know Phoenix Contact has been providing these feed-through terminal blocks for almost three decades?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQro-OA3pNE

Device manufacturers can choose the connection option to fit the application: fast push-in connectors, T-lox, conventional screw connectors, or simple bolt connectors. The connection areas range from 4 to 150 mm2 and the current-carrying capacity is up to 309 A.

These connectors come in standard and moulded designs, either with horizontal or vertical connection directions. The moulded version ensures high leakage resistance, even when a small amount of moulding compound is used. The product range provides various connection options for space-saving connections in all installation locations. This means that device manufacturers can flexibly select the connection type, direction, and cross section.

Interested to find out more? Get in touch with us at marketing@phoenixcontact.com.sg!

Manufacturing Expo 2017

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We would like to invite you to join us in at Manufacturing Expo 2017 located in Thailand, Bangkok, BITEC, from 21 to 24 June 2017. Manufacturing Expo is one of the biggest manufacturing exhibitions in South East Asia. It comprises of 7 sub-shows. We will be located at Automotive Manufacturing, under Singapore Pavilion (3D15)..

One of the most thriving industries in Thailand, Automotive adopts industry 4.0 to boost the production efficiency. Moving with the industry trend, Phoenix Contact would like to take this opportunity to showcase our capability on smart connectivity for smart factories as well as Phoenix Contact very own Industrial Internet of Things (IIOT) solution.

Being an innovative company, we strive to increase productivity and efficiency with cutting edge connection technologies. Quick connection technologies were incorporated into our connectors as well.

For example,

Push-in

Push-In Connector

Insulation Displacement Connection (IDC)

Insulation Displacement Connection (IDC)

Piercecon for high density (up to 17 positions)

Piercecon Connection

Besides signal, M12 connector is also used in transmitting data such as Ethernet and Profinet as well as power (AC/DC). Phoenix Contact is able to provide a complete solution from device connectors to field cablings.

Signal, Data, Power

Industry 4.0 requires the transmission of more signal, data and power than ever. Phoenix Contact circular hybrid connector provides an All-in-One solution.

HEAVYCON Modular

Using Heavycon Modular, signal, data and power can be mix and match easily in one connector. It also provides the flexibility for future expansion and modification

HEAVYCON Surface Mount

Besides copper based data connectors, we also have a complete solution for fibre optics according to your requirements.

Fibre Optic Data Connectors

Interested to know more about the applications of the products mentioned above? Come join us at Manufacturing Expo. Our sales team will be happy to assist you. Express your interest by helping us to fill up the survey form to receive a mystery gift.

Drive the Automotive Industry with Phoenix Contact’s Data Connectors

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Automative Assembly Line
The Automotive industry is one of the highest revenue-generating industries in the world. In 2016, about 95 million cars were manufactured. Thailand is the biggest country for the automotive industry in South East Asia and the 12th largest in the world as of 2015.

About 2 million vehicles are manufactured annually in Thailand.

Automotive manufacturers are adopting automation for a more cost-efficient way to make vehicles. By replacing human with robotic technology, the company would be able to save on wages and related costs such as insurance, medical leave, employee’s benefits as well as taxes. This shifts the labour intensive production to a data-driven production.

Phoenix Contact solution to secure data transmission

Push-pull Advance Connector

Push-pull Advance Connector

Phoenix Contact’s Push-Pull Advance data connector is 360 degree shielded and is able to transmit data up to 1 Gbit/s. Field assembly without special tool is possible with QUICKON connection technology. It also has production indicator for traceability.

Push-Pull Advance data connector is equipped with a locking system to increase the security of the connector. To lock/unlock, use a screw driver to shift the orange catch to the respective indication.

Push-pull advance connector handling

Keen to find out more? We will be having a booth (3D15) at Manufacturing Expo in Bangkok, Thailand, where we will be showcasing more products on smart connectivity.

Venue: BITEC
Date: 21- 24 June 2017

* Manufacturing Expo is Thailand largest manufacturing exhibition. It consists of 7 sub-shows
• InterPlas Thailand, for plastics parts production
• InterMold Thailand, for mold and die manufacturing
• Automotive Manufacturing, for Automotive Parts Manufacturing
• Assembly and Automation Technology, for Automation and Assembly Technology
• Surface & Coatings, for Surface Treatment, Paints, & Coatings
• NEPCON Thailand, Assembly, Measurement and Testing Technologies for Electronics Manufacturing
• Mfair, Business Matching Platform for Manufactures’ Network in Asia

We hope to see you there!

The NEW Universal Electronics Housing: Embedded System Smart Packaged

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The new UCS Housing

The Universal Case System, by Phoenix Contact

Specific solutions often require very specific housing designs.

The concept for the new universal electronics housing (UCS) from Phoenix Contact makes it easy for equipment manufacturers to source for suitable packaging for their embedded system.

Trends such as industry 4.0, Internet of Things, LTE (Long Term Evolution – 4th generation mobile communications) and Smart Home are increasingly utilizing the networking of electronics.

The devices used are based on embedded systems.

New application fields create a large number of electronic assemblies. Because of this, it is often difficult to find a suitable housing.

With its flexible PCB mounting system, the new UCS by Phoenix Contact helps device manufacturers to implement the application quickly and hassle free.

Find out why you should consider our latest UCS in your embedded projects

Reduce the Cost of Manufacturing A Printed Circuit Board Assembly (PCBA) with THR technology

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Pick and place machine

‘Pick and Place’ Machine with THR components.

Do not judge a connector’s cost-effectiveness just by its price. Its ability to improve the overall efficiency of the manufacturing process counts as well. This is where THR technology shines.

The most common method of manufacturing  a PCBA (Printed circuit board assembly) typically requires 2 process flows. Reflow soldering is used to mount the Integrated chip (IC) and passive components in the first process flow. This is then followed by a second flow utilizing wave soldering to mount the terminal blocks and connectors.

The process can be optimized but that usually comes at a cost, e.g. installing a new machine. Hence, that eventually translates into a higher manufacturing cost in the short term. Is there a way to achieve higher efficiency in PCBA manufacturing without the accompanying costs?

Higher efficiency at Lower Or No Cost?

Yes. It can be done.

This is achieved by introducing connectors that are suited for the existing process line yet reduce the process flows to just one.

This is made possible by the integration of Through Hole Reflow (THR) components in Surface-mount technology (SMT) installations, which dominate today’s assembly manufacturing process.

Through Hole Reflow (THR) – Assembly In Just One Process

The benefit of THR is to use the existing Surface-mount device (SMD) machines and remove the 2nd process, the wave soldering, thus reducing the manufacturing a complete PCBA into a single process.

While it is the ideal situation to switch to an all-THR component solution, some components will still require wave soldering. Even so, there can still be a significant cost savings to make the switch.

Through Hole reflow Connector (THR)

Through Hole Reflow Connector (THR)

While there will not be a need to make changes to the existing equipment, some modifications will be required. For example it may require a change in the PCB design, an adjustment in the reflow profile, etc.

These changes, however, will reduce the amount of man-hours required for wave soldering. Based on a typical PCBA consisting of 80% of ICs and 20% of terminal blocks & connectors, the switch could achieve up to 20% of cost savings as THR components fully supports ‘pick and place’ machines.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XY8jEz2AiWo

If you would like to know more about Phoenix Contact’s THR connectors, get in touch with us at marketing@phoenixcontact.com.sg.

Need An Affordable Custom Housing For Your Raspberry Pi Project?

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We are living in a fast paced society whereby information is moving at a incredible rate. The  infrastructure has evolved from traditional mail to fax to email. Despite its speed, the device is still shrinking in size. Gone are the days when people were buying big and bulky devices.
I still remember that my first personal computer was the 486 Compaq (It was the state of the art at that time). It came with a huge CRT monitor.

I could never imagine over the course of 20 years, the computer could shrink even further to a pocket size. Enter the new generation of micro-computing, the Raspberry Pi; the single board computer.  Since its introduction in 2012, Raspberry Pi devices has sold over 10 Million set.

Raspberry Pi Logo

Raspberry Pi

The Raspberry Pi’s application is limited by our own imagination. This could range from hobbies to professional applications which require high-quality, functional enclosures and connection technology (e.g Home Automation).

The professional devices need to be assembled and used in installation distributors or control cabinets in a safe way and in accordance with the applicable standards – especially if they are part of a commercial building or industrial automation solution. It is also essential to have simple and reliable wiring – when connecting sensors to the general purpose IO (GPIO), for example – if the Raspberry Pi is being used in a production environment. Furthermore, wiring should be completed quickly, and connecting GPIOs to expansion boards should not require additional time-consuming steps, especially during assembly.

Raspberry Pi Housing Solution

Raspberry Pi Housing Solution

To cater for such needs, Phoenix Contact produced the RPI-BC, the Raspiberry Pi enclosure solution.

https://youtu.be/7kjIeFjeA0g

Advantages such as

  1. Plug and Play. Tool-free mounting
  2. Spacious for additional PCB boards
  3. GPIO strip can be used with compact size PTSM series connectors
  4. Easy module-to-module connection via bus connector and DIN rails

Please click for more info about Raspberry Pi enclosure
If you would like a sample, please drop me an ivanang@phoenixcontact.com.sg or text @ +65 6435 9801.

T-LOX – The new dimension in power transmission

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Device connection for high currents

Device connection for high currents

Improve efficiency and productivity is a common mission all companies want to achieve.  A company with high efficiency can produce more results while maintain it’s overhead, thus increase its profit margin. Through a switch of screw to spring connection technology,  it is possible to achieve the desired result.

Let’s take a look at the connectivity trends, the demand for quick-connection technology is steadily growing. Today, the spring-cage-based connection technologies allow convenient conductor connections within seconds, and the defined contact force makes them safe as well. In addition, terminal failure due to improper torque can be avoided this way. Until now, there is no device connection with quick-connection technology for cross sections of more than 35 mm².

https://youtu.be/vyOhe1wVD_c

The panel feed-through terminal blocks TW 50 and TW 95 with the new T-LOX connection technology from Phoenix Contact, connectivity has been comes simple and convenient. It even can support multi-strand connectors still ensuring a flexible and safe connection. The T-LOX connection principle is based on a spring that generates a programmed contact force with just a conventional screwdriver.

TW 50 TW 95
Cable Cross-section 16 mm² – 50 mm² 25 mm² to 95 mm²
Current capacity Up to 150 A Up to 232 A
Voltage capacity Achieve a voltage of 1000 V according to IEC 60947-7-1 and unlimited 600 V UL approval in Use Group C according to UL 1059.
Wall thickness 1 mm to 5 mm 1 mm to 5 mm

To find out more about our TW 95, click here

HEAVYCON Modular- Everything in One Housing

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In production processes, assemblies and machines are interconnected using industrial plug-in connectors. These connectors have to be reliable and flexible enough to accommodate to future modifications and expansions. Phoenix Contact sees this and introduces the newly enhanced HEAVYCON Modular into HEAVYCON Complete family.

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Photovoltaic Monitoring System With Visualisation – A Project with ITE College East

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Photovoltaic (PV) Monitoring System With Visualisation

The Photovoltaic (PV) monitoring system was designed to monitor the performance of the PV panels’ output versus the temperature on the PV panel. There were two different types of PV panels used for monitoring, namely the mono-crystalline and amorphous silicone (Thin Film). The data that was collected were the DC output and the temperature on the PV panels.

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