Smart Power Supply Unit – The Fourth Generation Quint Power

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The fourth generation of the high performance QUINT power supply units ensures superior system availability by means of new functions. Signalling thresholds and characteristic curves can be individually adjusted via Near Field Communication (NFC) interface.

The unique Selective Fuse Breaking (SFB) technology and preventive function monitoring of the QUINT power supplies increase the availability of your application.

QUINT 4 power supplies standard products are already equipped with comprehensive diagnostics that provide constant monitoring of the output voltage and output current. This preventive function monitoring visualizes critical operating states and informs the controller of them before errors occur.

Why are the QUINT 4 power supplies called a SMART power supply unit?

Selective Fuse Breaking (SFB) Technology

Even standard circuit breakers can be tripped reliably and quickly with SFB technology and withstand six times the nominal current for 15ms. Faulty current paths are switched off selectively, the fault is located, and important system parts remain in operation.

Example: Normal Power Supply Unit will take around 8-20 seconds to trip the circuit breakers. In this duration, the end device is drawing maximum power from the power supply unit which may cause the end device to be burnt. In this aspect, the QUINT 4 power supply unit ensures that the end device is well protected, thanks to the SFB technology.

Near Field Communication (NFC) Technology

With Near Field Communication (NFC), you are able to set the parameters for the power supplies easily by using a mobile phone or PC, adjusting signalling thresholds (current/voltage/power can be set differently depending on use). This saves time, minimises errors and facilitates customised applications.

Example: In a large scale project, the parameters of the power supply units can be easily set and also duplicate the rest of the QUINT 4 power supply units by using the NFC function. The parameters, MTBF (Mean Time between Failure) and serial numbers of the power supply unit can be displayed on the mobile phone or PC by NFC when it is online without interrupting the operation. Security passcodes can be set to prevent unauthorized personnel changing the parameters of the power supply unit.

Preventive Function Monitoring

Diagnostics on the bar graph help during operation and maintenance. The user is able to visualize the status of the QUINT 4 power supply unit during maintenance checks. The load current is able to be displayed as a percentage status on the bar graph. This enables the user to upgrade or maintain the panels in the future without using additional measuring tools like multimeters.

Critical operating status can be reported before errors occur. This flexible function is provided by a variety of contact configurations (relay contact, digital signal, analog signal, optical bar graph). These contacts allow the monitoring of output voltage, output current, output power, operating hours, prewarming derating, overvoltage protection and input voltage.

Power reserve

  • Easy system extension with static boost with sustained power of up 125% of the rated load current.
  • Increase of power for the future without additional power supply unit, which leads to a reduction of extra cost.
  • Reliable starting of heavy loads with dynamic boost with up to 200% power for 5 seconds – for components with high inrush current.

Example: When powering up a motor, the initial start will require high power from the power supply unit before going back to its nominal current state. The QUINT 4 power supply unit is able to start this application smoothly without disturbing the other components in operation.

High level of immunity to interference

  • Due to an integrated gas-filled surge arrester, the QUINT 4 power supply unit is protected from any transients from the incoming supply.
  • More than 20ms mains buffering time – in case of any power dip, the QUINT 4 power supply unit will maintain a suitable output.
  • High MTBF > 500,000 hrs – estimation of more than 50 years, assuming 24hours operation. 

Worldwide use

  • International approval – Class 1 Div 2, IECEX, ATEX, CE, UL, GL, EAC etc.
  • Input voltage of 100 – 240Vac or 110 – 250Vdc.
  • Automatic switch enables simple plug and play in any part of the world.

QUINT POWER 4 is the power supply that is truly a SMART Power supply. If you have any queries, feel free to contact us at marketing@phoenixcontact.com.sg!

A Winning Formula for an Ex-Customer

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In late 2015, the DC sales team was tasked to identify a list of lost and new customers to work on in order to increase the company’s sales turnover. There was one particular customer who used to purchase parts through a channel partner of Phoenix Contact. However, there were no longer any orders from this customer since 2010. After conducting some research on the customer’s business and what they manufacture, the decision was to win back this customer that was lost for more than 5 years. The big question was, “What caused the loss of this customer? Why did this customer go to our competitor and why choose our competitor over Phoenix Contact?”

Due to the confidentiality of the customer and for the ease of writing, let’s call this company “SCIT.”

As SCIT was not upfront with us in the beginning and had reservations to use Phoenix Contact parts, we had to make a few assumptions.
There were a few possible causes why we lost SCIT:

  1. Competitor gave better pricing
  2. Bad service & support from channel partner
  3. PxC product quality was not up to mark

At that time, one of the members of the sales team was tasked to win this customer back and so many persistent sales calls were made. And yes, you have probably guessed,  it was all of the above that caused the customer to walk out the door.
Way back when SCIT stopped purchasing Phoenix Contact parts, it was handled by a distributor and they gave poor support, high pricing and abhorrent service to the customer.

So what formula did we undertake to win this customer back?

  1. Find out the reason they chose our competitor

The first step is was to understand why the customer left and chose our competitor over us. There can be many reasons and probing with the right questions will allow us to find out the underlying problem, subsequently devising the appropriate solution/strategy to win the customer back.

  1. Be persistent and genuine

To have the “never-say-die spirit” is another important factor. The customer can be reluctant to provide any information, orders or chances. This is when constant follow-up is necessary to demonstrate to the customer that we are interested in them. And in order to do this, being genuine is the key to unlocking the closed door and allowing them to open up. Customers need to know that we are also genuinely interested and they must know and can feel that we are there to help them achieve their targets and create a win-win situation.

  1. Delivering over and beyond customer’s expectations

Hai Di Lao is a perfect example of a company that goes beyond the call of duty to provide the best customer experience. With the long waits and queue, Hai Di Lao provides free manicure services, free fruits and drinks and comfortable sitting areas while you wait for your turn to dine in. A case in point, there was an instance when a family happened to walk past the shop and the servers offered ice cream to the kids, even though this family was not patronising the shop! That’s what a memorable experience is all about.

Keeping the “wow factor” in customers constantly and consistently will cause SCIT to keep us in their mind not just in times of troubles but they will also give others in the industry good feedback about us and refer others to us. Something as simple as a speedy quotation, or calling them back when we missed their call will make them feel important and give them the assurance they can count on us to fulfil our promises. When good service is provided, customers come back, referrals are introduced and business grows.

Going all out to help customers resolve their problems and providing a solution for their issue will help to keep them as a valued customer. In this case, MOQ was high and leadtime was long, causing the customer to keep lots of stock in order to reduce leadtime. So we provided a solution of lesser MOQ and shorter leadtime with a fair price, helping to resolve their critical problem with high exposure and inventory cost.

  1. Building customer’s confidence in us

Offering a wide range of products and support, along with product knowledge, are vital to build the customer’s level of confidence in us. With the vast range of products we offer in Phoenix Contact, they can procure more than just a certain type of products with us, allowing us to upsell more products to SCIT. Starting with just terminal blocks, circular connectors and markers, we moved on to sell even tools. In the future, as they move towards more projects, we will have opportunities to sell industrial electronic products such as surge arrestors and power supply to them as well.

Having the different product managers who champion their own product range helps to clarify doubts and provides information to SCIT when it is needed. Customer service support and timely delivery from logistics are also contributors in rebuilding the branding and SCIT’s confidence in Phoenix Contact.

Without the whole team in place and working together, recapturing the customer would not have been achievable.

In conclusion, there is no one hard and fast formula to winning back a customer but there are certain values that you need to inculcate to win back your customers. From all these, there is only one vital key and that boils down to building a long term RELATIONSHIP with the customer.

Life @ Phoenix Contact

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Disclaimer: The following article is from the perspective of a temporary staff and is in no way representative of the opinions of permanent staff in the company.

Home. Work. Lunch. Work. Home.

I believe the above line gives a perfect overview of a typical day in the life of any part-time job holder or temporary staff working in an office.

And yet, there is so much more in every day, so much more to look forward to then just the next break or the next meal or the end of work. The random quips, the laughter shared and the occasional banter – these are the things I will miss the most.

The first thing I noticed when I joined was how friendly the people seemed to be. I remember a company lunch on my second day, which I only found out about after someone told me, as I was not in the email loop yet. As I was busy typing away on my keyboard, I couldn’t help but overhear the conversation between two of my colleagues:
“I think we should call him (me) to come and eat.”
“But I don’t know his name!”

I guess that was my cue to get to the pantry, but how nice it was to have people invite you to lunch on what was only my second day on the job!

As time passed and I helped other departments, I knew more and more people in office, eventually joining in for various events such as office parties and monthly birthday celebrations. There was even a table soccer competition organised along with the FIFA World Cup in 2018! I was blown away by the sheer number of activities this company has (and that’s not even including the work-related ones!), organised to promote teambuilding and staff bonding! Below are some of the more fun moments captured on camera.

“Bawk Bawk”

Office party!

Deep meditation…

Woke up just in time!

In addition, there were also fortnightly exercises which encouraged us to keep fit and active! A group of us even participated in external running events!

Jarrett was too fast for the camera…

Phoenix Contact @ Marina Run 2018!

Speaking of exercise, I was, and continue to be, amazed at how much emphasis this company places on exercise. Being a gym rat myself, you can imagine my elation when the following toys were added to the office!

Stress-reliever

Suggested and installed by yours truly (with help from Uncle Ben, Steven and Wai Yan)

Time flew by real fast. Eight months of it, to be exact. When I heard the number of people joining for my farewell lunch, I remember thinking to myself, “Wow, what a huge send-off. Wait, WOW, I have a send-off!” To my colleagues, if you are reading this, thank you so much for making my first office job experience a truly enjoyable one!

At the time of publishing, it is my last day in office.

Home. Work. Lunch. Work. Home.

And yet, there was so much more in every day, so much more I will miss. The familiar faces, the good times, the people. At least to me, this is definitely a great place to work.

Phoenix Contact Table Soccer Competition 2018

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With the excitement about the FIFA World Cup, Phoenix Contact Singapore organised our very own Foosball Tournament!

Also known as Table Soccer/Table Football, the goal (pun absolutely intended) is to score by kicking the miniature soccer ball into the opponent’s gate, which is always on the right, using the miniature players on rods known as foosmen. In the case of our tournament, the match would end when one team scored 10 goals against the other or when 5 minutes was up, whichever was first.

Tensions were high, voices were loud but most importantly fun was had in spades. Who would have known that Phoenix Contact had so many up-and-coming star players?

Where’s the ball? Where’d it go???

If they can’t see my face, they can’t read my moves…

Fantastic plays were made, brilliant defences engaged and spectacular saves were executed. Spectators and participants alike had a great time during the exciting matches, having fun and relieving stress; some might even say it was better than watching the actual FIFA World Cup! (Although to be fair, the people who said this probably don’t actually watch the FIFA World Cup.)

CONTACTRON Hybrid Technology

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What happens when relays and transistors are used as one function?

Electric motors are used in a variety of industrial applications for controlling movements. The motors are often started using classic, mechanical contactor circuits. Besides the advantage of the low price, the conventional contactor technology also has major disadvantages such as high space requirements, limited service life and the need for considerable wiring.

The innovative CONTACTRON hybrid technology combines semiconductor and relay technology and thus offers a cost effective and technically superior alternative to the conventional contactor technology. The CONTACTRON solid-state reversing contactor “4 in 1” is the first CONTACTRON product that already works with the hybrid technology. It offers motor protection and a safety function, as well as a complete reversing contactor circuit for a motor – all this integrated in a single device no wider than your thumb.

The wide range includes devices which implement either a simple motor start function (“1 in 1”) or two functions (“2 in 1”, e.g. motor start + safety) or three functions (“3 in 1”, e.g. forward running + reverse running + motor protection).

From the CONTACTRON range, the customer can choose the device that offers the functions required for the respective motor (forward running / reverse running / emergency stop / motor protection).

More importantly, the Contactron has 10 times the service life of the normal contactors.

You will be surprised how much cost savings you will have when you start replacing those faulty contactors within the lifespan of our Contactron.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ap0iBA-BiqQ

Hybrid Contactors = CONTACTRON from Phoenix Contact.

If you want to know more about this product, please feel free to send us an enquiry at marketing@phoenixcontact.com.sg and a product presentation can be arranged to discuss in more detail.

Effective and Responsive

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The above picture, taken from one of our customer’s website, is one of their products which adopted our terminal blocks.

Understanding customers’ expectations and responding the correct way

We’ve been showing to everyone the technical competency and technological innovation that Phoenix Contact has to offer to current customers and potential customers.

While, we are immensely competent on the technical portion, we need to be similarly competent on understanding the needs and expectations of potential and current users of our products.

To differentiate us from our competitors in the market, not only do we need the correct or suitable products and solutions, we also need to have the right personality to further engage our customers. Once customer satisfaction is achieved and rapport is built during our collaboration, getting the solution to customers is crucial in turning their objectives into reality.

There are 5 equally important steps in making this experience memorable for our customers:

  1. Effective technical and commercial understanding of customer’s expectations.
  2. Competent and quick responses to customer’s questions and inquiries.
  3. Flexibility and fluidity in providing technical details and information.
  4. Effective utilization of product brochures, catalogues, and samples.
  5. Systematic follow-ups and continuous sharing of technical information.

The aforementioned 5 main steps, has been tested and proven as well as experienced by Phoenix Contact’s long list of customers.

You may ask why are we sharing and stating the above. Because such a level of service is what you get, when you approach Phoenix Contact Sales and Technical personnel for your needs on connections.

When you are in need of connectivity, you can be sure that we are the line of professionals, who are duly versatile and competent in solving your connectivity needs.

No matter if it is Combicon Power, Combicon Control, Combicon Compact or Pluscon, we bring the best solutions and the most effective technical competency to your designs and solutions.

Last but not least, the experience of working with Phoenix Contact personnel is consistently warm, friendly and courteous, instead of the cold, reactive response of an automated reply.

Tunnel Lighting Control System

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The need for tunnels is rapidly increasing in major cities around the world. Every day, we might be driving through a tunnel or underpass without actually realizing that we are entering an enclosed area which requires high levels of safety & attention.

One general question from the public is what makes tunnel lights so special? “The lights are only made for lighting up the tunnel, that’s it!”

Well, actually tunnel lights are about more than just lighting up the tunnel. Do you know that tunnel lights are the most critical during day time, when there is the most sunlight? Imagine you are entering a tunnel with no proper lighting control and what you see in front of you is a pitch black hole. This could be very dangerous as you are unable to see if there are any vehicles or objects in front of you.

Apart from that, stage lighting is needed in the tunnel as well. Stage lighting means that the brightness of the lights in the tunnel is being controlled individually or in a group. This process is very important as our human eyes need time to adapt to the change of brightness in the tunnel. Imagine there is no stage lighting and you are entering the tunnel during day time. It is the same effect if you turn on your room lights in a pitch black room conditions. You will be blinded and will not be able to see anything for a few seconds.

How are the lights being controlled? When do the lights know that it is daytime, night time, cloudy, snowy, etc.? The answer is simple – there is a luminance meter outside the tunnel which will measure the luminance and hence determine the condition of the surroundings outside the tunnel. The luminance meter will feedback all the information to a central lighting control unit and it will determine the switching on/off of lights in the tunnel. Conventionally, the lights are being controlled in groups (on/off only) and the brightness of each group of lights is fixed at one level only.

In today’s age of technology, there is a lighting control solution which is able to control the brightness of individual lightings, a “failsafe” mode which engages if there is a breakdown of communications in the tunnel, complete networking, control, monitoring of tunnel lights and many more. Phoenix Contact is able to offer the solutions for BTS (Basic Tunnel System), ATS (Advance Tunnel System) and TCS (Tunnel Control System).

For more information, feel free to contact us!

Setting the Standard

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Phoenix Contact Singapore, apart from being a components supplier, also offers assembly options for our customers. As customers’ needs become more diversified and to help them retain their competitive edge, we have the Value-Added Centre (VAC) that allows us to extend an added service in the form of assembly or printing etc. to you customers.

Most recently, we have also supplied enclosure boxes and the designing of the components that would go inside. Thereafter, upon successful assembly, the specifications would be recorded and it serves as future reference should the enclosure require replication.

Such a service can be as simple as a creating a small enclosure (pictured below), with some of the components including terminal blocks, a power supply, cable termination and labelling.

Figure 1: A sample or prototype enclosure box with PxC components

Figure 1: A sample or prototype enclosure box with PxC components

The choice of terminal blocks used depends on the customer’s requirement. Over here, a push-in connection was preferred for easy and quick connection. Other types of terminal blocks that we have include spring-cage, screw, bolt etc. We also carry different models of our Phoenix Contact power supply depending on the functionality required(i.e. Quint, Trio, UNO)  in order to maximise the availability of your systems using leading technology. Finally, label printing, which is one of our most commonly requested services, allow customers to have the flexibility to label the components to their own preferred way.

Figure 2: An enclosure

Figure 2: An enclosure

The junction box or enclosure chosen may be from Phoenix Contact or a brand of the customer’s choice, depending on the conditions where the box will be placed. Usually our sales representatives will engage our Solutions Team to ensure conditions are met and to have the customer approve the design before proceeding with production or assembly. Designs may include electrical drawings and component layouts.

Figure 3: A sample drawing done professionally

Figure 3: A sample drawing done professionally

Figure 3: A sample drawing done professionally

In conclusion, apart from being a component supplier, we believe in creating a working relationship with our customers that goes both ways. With our VAC, we are able to provide a service that is uniquely catered to different customers from various industry sectors.

Future Proofing Industry Seminar in Yangon, Myanmar

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Our slogan: “Inspiring Innovations”. It embodies what we do – Phoenix Contact never fails to come up with new and innovative products for the industry. As such, we are honored to be one of the market leaders and trendsetters of our industry.

Together with our partner in Myanmar, Synopsis Technology, we were proud to have brought you the “Future Proofing Industry” Seminar, held on the 31st of May 2018 at Lotte Hotel Yangon.

Seminar Poster

Alongside the topic of driving innovations, the main highlight of this “Future Proofing Industry” seminar was to introduce new applications and products for the education sector in Myanmar. It is of paramount importance to help the future engineers be ready for the industry.

Within the short time span of a day, we were elated that we had the opportunity to share our company history and actual success stories across South East Asia. Aside from that, we managed to introduce our innovative products as well.

First speaker: Mr Jiang

Our first speaker, Mr Jiang, who is also our Solution Manager, spoke about our new Industrial Cloud and Networking products for the first half of the seminar. Ideas and experiences were shared with the attendees.

Second speaker: Mr Maw Kon

The second speaker of the day was Mr Maw Kon, who is from Phoenix Contact Myanmar. He introduces our bread and butter products – the various connectors ranging from Terminal blocks to heavy duty connectors.

Third and final speaker: Mr Gary

Our last speaker, Mr Gary, never fails to draw the attentions of the attendees when it comes to introducing our surge protection devices. Live demonstrations and interactive activities were carried out and our attendees were all having a blast.

Last but not least, there was a mini competition held during the seminar.  All the attendees were encouraged to participate in the #futureproofingseminar and @phoenixcontactsea photoshoots. All they needed to do was to just take a photo during the seminar and upload them on their Facebook with the hashtag #futureproofingseminar together with a tag @phoenixcontactsea! The winner of the seminar was announced via our official Facebook page!

Three Good Reasons Why You Should TRADE IN Your Printer

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Phoenix Contact has a wide variety of printing systems, capable of meeting all sorts of marking requirements, ranging from terminal markings, wire & cable markings, equipment labels and plant markings!

Terminal Marking

Terminal Marking

Wire & Cable Markings

Wire & Cable Markings

Equipment Marking

Equipment Marking

Plant Marking

Plant Marking

Label On-the-go

 

Every label requirement you need for your panels, inventory, workshop or even wiring is possible with our variety of printers in place! Print at your own convenience and save the hassle of pre-ordering them. You can also customize our printers to cater to your own specific printing needs, avoiding wastage due to unused or wrong labels!

 

What’s more is that Phoenix Contact is having a TRADE IN scheme now!

Three Good Reasons Why You Should TRADE IN Your Printer:

  1. Get the most bang for your buckAll your marking needs for rolls and cards

Why not save your company some money if you can let go of your old printer, in exchange for a discount off the new one? The trade in scheme is meant to give customers more incentive to purchase a new printer from us! Speak to your local sales representative to get more information on how much discount you can get off your printer when you trade in yours now!

  1. Upgrade your current technology

High Volume Printing

Have you been using your printer for many years, unaware of how much technology has progressed? Printing speed has increased tremendously over the years, not to mention the quality of prints! So, if you are wondering if it is time to get a better printer for greater efficiency, it is still not too late! The trade in scheme is the perfect platform for you to enquire more about the technology that goes into Phoenix Contact printers.

  1. Save the environment

Instead of chucking your old printer in a corner, taking up space and collecting dust, we welcome all your used printers to Phoenix Contact, and you even get a discount when you purchase one from us!

If you still insist on disposing of your old printer, there are tons of toxins inside printers that hurt the environment! So, start thinking about our trade in scheme and do your part to save the earth!

Click here now if you are interested to get a trade in!