(Written by Bruce Patton)

Why is it that even though we know the Electra Mining Exhibition takes place every alternate year, it always seems to sneak up on us catching us by surprise? This year was no different but thanks to Sheree’s professional attention to detail and her ability to keep us PM’s in line, last weeks exhibition exceeded all my expectations. What a pleasure it was to host our loyal customers and introduce ourselves and our products to future clients on a stand that made us proud. Well done Sheree and all those involved.

Electra Mining 2018

Anyway, while doing stand duty on the first day of the exhibition the Deja vu I was feeling suddenly made sense. Twenty five years ago (1993) to the day, a youthful enthusiastic young man without a strand of gray in his hair or beard walked onto the Phoenix Contact stand at the Electra Mining Exhibit and started talking to the then GM Mr Horst Meillenbroch. My timing was perfect as Horsts prodigy Arnold Ofener (known to many in the Phoenix Group) was relocating to PXC HQ in Blomberg and these large shoes needed filling.

The rest as they say is history….

25years later and Mr Meillenbroch is long retired, Arnold still works for PXC albeit in Harrisburg USA and I’m still doing stand duty at the Electra Mining Exhibition.

On a more serious note I thought it might be interesting to look at various products on a’then and now’ basis. For example as the cost of panel and enclosure “real estate” increases so does the demand for compact space saving solutions and products with smaller footprints.

Old timers like myself will remember the RV 8 and RV10 series of  Thermipoint marshalling terminals that became an industry standard for power generation at Eskom for many years.

The disadvantages of this technology where:

• Size a length of 202mm
• Required special tool
• Training necessary to do terminations.
• Difficult to disconnect and fault find.
• Poor marking options.
• No test point sockets.

Marshalling terminals with Push-in connection.

Marshalling terminals with push-in connection has changed the face of marshalling forever. The compact PTRV marshalling terminals are used to marshall signals in automation applications in a clearly arranged manner. The wiring of a large number of conductors is simplified by levels which can be designed individually by specific colors. This in conjunction with front entry wiring prevents errors during the wiring process.

Some of the advantages are as follows:

• Maximum signal density realized in 25% less space due to its compact design.
• User can assign up to 11 different colors to match wire colors making the connection intuitive and secure.
• Convieniently positioned 2.3mm test points per connections.
• Large surface, pitch free marking for matrix labeling
• A complete system of accessories across the range
• Connections can be changed without tools
• Push-in connections 250V up to 37A ratings.
• Variants are available without actuator levers.

I’m sure you will agree that the opportunities are truly endless.

Check out the video below:

Should you want more information on this technology, you can contact me on brucep@phoenixcontact.co.za Or simply enter Web code #0039 in the search field on our website – www.phoenixcontact.co.za

Bruce Patton