Tag Archives: terminal block

PCB Terminal Blocks

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Phoenix Contact is known worldwide as a manufacturer of industrial products where quality is never compromised and reliability is undeniable. One of the “bread and butter” products of Phoenix Contact is the PCB Terminal block. For more than 80 years, with continuous innovation of its products, Phoenix Contact never fails customers and has gained a high satisfaction rate and integrity through the years. From this Phoenix Contact will surely continue to satisfy its customers through innovative products and good services.

Here’s a glimpse of a one-of-a-kind PCB terminal block product range. It consists of metric pitches or pitches in inches from miniature PCB terminal blocks, with 2.5mm pitch through to power-level terminals with 20mm pitch. With easy-to-maintain connectors, from two to 24 positions, the comprehensive COMBICON product range offers the right connection technology for transmitting signals, data or power for almost every application.

Main Features:

  • Varying conductor cross sections from 0.14 mm2 (AWG 26) to 95 mm2 (AWG 3/0)
  • Current up to 232 A (IEC) / 200 A (UL B, C)
  • Voltages up to 1,000 V (IEC) / 600 V (UL B, C)
  • Screw, spring and insulation displacement connection for various connection directions
  • For pitches from 2.5 mm to 20 mm
  • Assembly method: Wave, THR and SMT soldering

If you would like to know more about our products, don’t hesitate to contact us!

The First Thing You Should Know about Phoenix Contact (but Probably Don’t)

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Think you know a lot about Phoenix Contact? Maybe you do, or maybe you don’t. Here I would like to shed some light on the first thing you should know about Phoenix Contact.

The birth of Terminal Blocks

Phoenix Contact was founded in 1923 in Essen, Germany.

The world’s first modular terminal block was developed by Phoenix Contact in 1928.

The birth of the terminal block occurred while working with the Rhine-Westphalia Electricity Works (RWE). This led to the development of today’s align-able terminal blocks mounted onto din rails.

As terminal block innovation is the soul of our company, Phoenix Contact never fails our customers with new terminal block innovations until today.

Evolution of Phoenix Contact Terminal blocks

In the early 1950s, our company went into re-engineering and upgrading the RWE terminals. A new generation of Phoenix Terminal series was born, and this proved to be an all-time game changer for us.

1956 was the year that Feedthrough & Disconnect Terminal blocks were developed along with the pioneer of Clipline Complete.

Phoenix Contact never stops developing innovative ideas and solutions for the market.

From the 1970’s onwards, we once again relooked into developing the different connection methodologies for Terminal blocks.

In the year 1978, we developed the ST “Spring Push-in” technology into modular terminal blocks. We created the first modular terminal block with a direct plug-in spring connection, designed to offer installation engineers an easy and safe conductor connection method.

Nearing the late 1980’s, QTC fast connection terminal blocks were developed and added into the Clipline Complete range. This design of connection can save up to 60 percent of the time required for wiring, and it is no longer necessary to strip the wire protection.

2009 is the year we proudly introduced our new PT – Push-in terminal block in a new series with a new design: the integrated push button. PT terminal blocks not only increased the safety standards required; it also allows easy conductor removal with no special tools required.

As a pioneer in electrical connection technology, Phoenix Contact offers Clipline Complete – a comprehensive terminal block system with an extensive range of accessories for industrial control cabinet wiring.

In spite of our universal range of applications, there are regional limitations to consider where acceptance is concerned. With this in mind, Phoenix Contact has closely studied the requirements of current and potential customers in Southeast Asian markets.

In the year 2015, BT Barrier Terminal blocks were developed and integrated into our Clipline complete. This is where a cultural aspect comes into play – and not just in Japan but also across much of Asia, most particularly Southeast Asia: the importance of tradition, customs, and the approach to decision making.

With our ever growing Clipline Complete range of Terminal blocks, we have the different connection technologies available for each application and the answers to all your market requests.

There are many more things to find out about Phoenix Contact and if you are interested to know more, please feel free to contact us!

 

 

 

DIN Rail Plug-in Terminal Block

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Today I would like to share a bit on the little guy that usually goes unnoticed in our daily life.

The UMSTBVK Series – DIN Rail Mounted Plug-In Terminal Block

This product seemingly portrays images of an underdog. It has never been in the limelight by nature. That is due to the limited exposure that the UMSTBVK connectors are exposed to.

Other products such as the “UT 2,5/1P” Terminal Blocks & “UM 25” Interface Module are more commonly used in market, whereas the UT 2,5/1P terminal blocks are mainly used for high power feedthrough, and UM 25 interface modules are mainly used for signal feedthrough.

UT 2,5/1P

“UT 2,5/1P” Terminal Block

“UM 25” Interface Module

“UM 25” Interface Module

Comparing the trio, the UMSTBVK is actually a hybrid between the two.

Where are these products commonly used?

It is commonly used as a middleman between the controller and the field devices.  As the controller is usually the “Heart” of the entire system, hence, the use of UMSTBVK will come into place as one of the essential parts of the system, being “The Bridge” between the Controller and the field devices.

It will allow easy testing, maintenance and replacement for users, minimizing the need to connect and disconnect the wires that are already installed onto the main controller and field devices.

What are the most common objections as to using the UT 2,5/1P or the UM 25 modules integrated into their systems / devices / instruments?

  • Indeed these are convenient, but take up too much space.
  • Nice products, but pricing not very competitive.
  • Connectors for UT 2,5/1P has only one direction of wire entry, it compromises on the space taken in terms of depth.
  • There are no other options except 10 / 18 position for the UM25 Interface Module.

The UMSTBVK Series terminal blocks might not be the perfect solution, but it has the best features of both of its predecessors:

  • Great Versatility – Multiple variant of different number of position to choose from, and can be used on both NS35 / G DIN Rails.
  • Time-Saving – Minimizes time needed for assembly of terminal blocks into desired number of positions & eliminates the need to purchase additional accessory like “End Covers”
  • Readiness – “Clip and Go” type of product.
  • Cost Savings – competitive pricing based on per pole, which can achieve savings up to 30% per pole for the whole set including the plug in connectors.
  • Spoilt for Choice – You have multiple types of connectors that are compatible to choose from, with various connection technologies & angle of wire entry that you may prefer.
  • Screw Connection
  • IDC Connection
  • Push In connection
  • Crimp Connection

Up to this point, I see great potential for the UMSTBVK product family to shine in coming years.

Do you agree with me? If you do…

Do feel free to contact us at marketing@phoenixcontact.com.sg for more details to help you understand this better!

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.

Living in a Singapore HDB flat

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As a Malaysian, I grew up living in landed property houses; we are lucky in the sense where we have more land area for the individual to enjoy. Why do we love landed property so much? Well, you can easily associate the lifestyle of living in landed properties with building your control panel with single of double deck terminal blocks. Let me show you why. Continue reading →

Connect motors quickly and easily

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For easy motor connection, space-saving four-level terminal blocks are now available from Phoenix Contact with push-in connection technology for nominal cross sections up to 4 mm², 32A, and 600 V UL. Easy potential distribution via a function shaft on every level reduces wiring costs. A large-surface marking option clearly identifies every motor connection. Each terminal point can be marked and is equipped with an easily accessible test opening.

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Thanks to 50 percent less insertion force, it is possible to insert solid and stranded conductors with ferrules and cross sections from 0.25 to 6 mm² without tools. The built-in actuation lever allows fully insulated releasing with any tool. The orange-colored button indicates the actuating element and prevents the terminal from being activated accidentally. Connection of stranded conductors from 0.2 mm² without ferrules is possible.

The motor terminals were developed within the CLIPLINE complete terminal block range for use of cross-system accessories. In addition to the same bridge system, the entire accessory range for marking and testing is identical to the push-in, screw, spring-cage, and IDC fast connection technology.

New EH Housing from Phoenix Contact

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Introducing the latest addition to housing family, EH housing – the universal housing system with modular concept which is tailored for your electronic application needs.

EH housing offers you simple design-in, thanks to its variable housing form factor – high and flat design!

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Let us look into details of this marvelous housing family. For a functional device concept, PCBs can be installed in all three space direction. Free choices of PCB connection technologies are available from Phoenix Contact. We have them all incorporated seamlessly into our latest EH housing. From conventional terminal blocks, plug and headers, to RJ 45, or even USB ports, to cover your wide range of today’s electronic application!

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Do you want to house your PCB?

Do you want to save more to maximize your profit for your product?

Do you want your PCB to be covered within Phoenix Contact superb quality and reliable housing?

Talk to us now! We are always available for you!

 

The Push-in Terminal Block Evolution

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From the most reliable UK – Universal Screw terminal blocks to advance spring technology terminal blocks, Phoenix Contact has successfully developed and produced terminal blocks over the past90 years.

As terminal block innovation is the heart and soul of our company, Phoenix Contact never fails our customers with new terminal block innovations over the decades.

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