FAQ -
Incorporating High Power Relays into Solar Power Applications

With the proliferation of the use of solar power systems throughout the country, designers need components that are right for each segment of the system. Understanding what is required and what is available is key to designing a quality system.

Q - How are relays used in solar power applications?
A - Solar power is considered a photovoltaic generator and is comprised of one or more solar panels along with an AC grid inverter that is interconnected with the public power grid. These systems may also include batteries for storing solar energy and a battery charger that is integrated with the AC inverter. These systems can vary in size from rooftop systems to utility-scale generation plants. - read more

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FAQ -
THE VALUE OF DUAL RATED AC/DC DISCONNECT SWITCHES

Q - Why is it necessary for me to have a disconnect switch installed in my application?
A - The main function of a safety disconnect switch is to protect personnel from harm and equipment from damage. Disconnect switches are used to guarantee that a specific electrical circuit is de-energized in the case of an emergency failure, service requirement, or maintenance operation. Disconnect switches have become critical components for electrical distribution systems whether for plantwide use or isolated areas so that technicians can provide repair and maintenance of one machine while the rest of the facility operates normally. In addition, the National Electric Code mandates that disconnect switches are used in all industrial and manufacturing facilities. - read more

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SOLUTIONS FOR POWER CONTINUITY AND CALIFORNIA TITLE 20 CERTIFICATION

New regulations put into place for battery management systems are key to power continuity for a wide variety of applications.

Power continuity has become a major focus in many industries, particularly for environmental monitoring of wind and solar power systems, water and wastewater treatment, and engine starter batteries for battery chargers. The latest battery chargers are also tasked with providing testing and communications as an essential part of their operation. This means that they are required to meet a number of standards and certifications, such as UL1236, the standard for safety battery chargers used for charging engine-starter batteries, such as those for the genset market, fire pump controllers, and lighting mobile towers. - read more

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FAQ - Why Should You Incorporate Push-In Terminals in Your Next DIN Rail Application?

Interfacing different pieces of equipment in today’s automation products means that design engineers must select terminal blocks that are more versatile and compact, and that offer higher densities.

DIN-Rail terminal blocks are used throughout multiple industries, integrating components within an individual machine to integrating multiple machines into a complete factory system. Both electrical and electronic devices are easily integrated using multi-use terminal blocks for a wide variety of industries, including aerospace, medical, oil & gas, automotive, semiconductor, packaging, transportation, power industry, and more. - read more

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MONITORING RELAYS — TYPES AND APPLICATIONS

Production equipment is expensive and needs to be protected against input abnormalities such as voltage, current, frequency, and phase to stay online and in operation for the longest period.

Monitoring relays are essential to every safety system to protect from equipment failures. The primary functions of monitoring relays are to monitor input signals, determine their values against a set value or threshold, and output an alarm signal if there is an abnormality. These devices monitor motors for potential voltage, current, power, and frequency fluctuations in single-phase and three-phase power systems. They also monitor power supplies (voltage, current, power, phase), temperatures, and other analog signals. Further, monitoring relays can be used to detect abnormalities in machines and equipment through the same methods of operation. Upon detecting any abnormalities, the monitoring relay switches the piece of equipment off until a repair or maintenance routine is completed (see Figure 1).

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THE VALUE OF DUAL RATED AC/DC DISCONNECT SWITCHES

Why is it necessary for me to have a disconnect switch installed in my application?

The main function of a safety disconnect switch is to protect personnel from harm and equipment from damage. Disconnect switches are used to guarantee that a specific electrical circuit is de-energized in the case of an emergency failure, service requirement, or maintenance operation. Disconnect switches have become critical components for electrical distribution systems whether for plantwide use or isolated areas so that technicians can provide repair and maintenance of one machine while the rest of the facility operates normally. In addition, the National Electric Code mandates that disconnect switches are used in all industrial and manufacturing facilities. - read more

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COMPACT AND DURABLE DC DISCONNECT SWITCHES

With a number of challenges concerning the design, manufacturing, and delivery of all types of electrical components, it is important for companies to design new products with a full understanding of customer needs and market realities. Disconnect switches are such a key component to most applications that the proper design along with assured deliveries is essential.

Robots, battery powered transports, and portable lab equipment are being used on the factory floor and in the laboratory, which means they are in close proximity to humans. An AC disconnect switch separates the inverter from the electrical grid, while a DC disconnect switch separates the equipment from the DC source. In the past disconnect switches were mounted to walls and or electrical cabinets where they are available for emergency use. With smaller and smaller real estate like that of a small robot, the disconnect switch is often panel mounted close to the device. - read more

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High-tech components and innovation result in efficient, compact power supplies for automation applications

Automation is the key factor driving enhanced manufacturing productivity. Machines and robots that do not tire, get sick or need vacations will be used in rapidly escalating numbers. But many industrial operations demand humans and robots work together. Often a work cell might comprise humans carrying out highly skilled operations while the small-scale assembly robots complete repetitive tasks thousands of times without error. - read more

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The Key Elements to a High-End Safety Relay

Safety relays are used across a wide range of industries and in a broad array of equipment to protect
machines and operators during a catastrophic fault to avoid costly maintenance or equipment replacement.
Whether single function or multi-function, safety relays are a critical part of systems such as elevator
controls, railway technology, robots, machine tools, packaging equipment, and more. - read more

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Bistable Switching Safety Relays with Forcibly Guided Contacts

Battery-powered vehicles and equipment are becoming part of the industrial and commercial world. The needs of these systems can be unique, but that doesn’t mean that there is a complete shift in the technologies used. - read more

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Safety relays are used to protect machines and operators during catastrophic failures to avoid costly maintenance, equipment replacement, or employee harm. When applied properly, these components help detect failures in output and input devices, as well as internal failures, and allow power to be removed from a load to prevent a subsequent restart of the load until the failure is corrected. - read more

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Battery-powered vehicles and equipment are becoming part of the industrial and commercial world. The needs of these systems can be unique, but that doesn’t mean that there is a complete shift in the technologies used. - read more

Whether you’re working in a laboratory, a medical facility, or an industrial plant, if you’re using test and measurement equipment of any type, you will need a variety of leads, clips, probes, plugs, and sockets. It’s important to know which accessory is pertinent for your particular application requirements. These tips will provide a general understanding of the different test and measurement accessories and their most common uses. - read more

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Modular Din Enclosures Provide Flexible Design Capabilities

Industrial control and operational electrical and electronics systems engineers must continually adapt their designs to the needs of a wide range of applications. Modular DIN enclosure systems have been developed to help make these designs adapt more easily. - read more

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FAQ
Selecting PCB Connectors for Your Applications - Eliminating design challenges before they arise.

Printed circuit board (PCB) connectors are a critical component for a wide variety of applications from desktop electronics to industrial equipment and machines. Selecting the right connector for your application takes forethought and a deep understanding of needs. - read more

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PCB Terminal Blocks Provide Valuable Electronic Interconnections

Designing PCBs with terminal blocks requires an understanding of the types of terminal blocks available, the best way for them to be packaged for delivery, and how to solder them to reduce the potential for failure. - read more

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DIN enclosure systems are widely used in industrial applications but have been limited in their versions. Modular DIN enclosures are providing systems design engineers more options to work with. - read more

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FAQ
The Importance of Understanding Motor Disconnect Switches

Motor disconnect switches are an important part of a system’s safety protocol for electrical equipment that needs robust protection for both the equipment and personnel. - read more

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Demystifying motor disconnect switches: What are they and how are they used?

From conveyor belts to drum mixers, motors are used in virtually every industrial application to drive machinery. Equipment downtime is the main motivation behind monitoring and maintaining plant equipment. When maintenance and repairs are necessary, it is imperative to be able to reliably control the machines for worker and technician safety. To properly address motor disconnect switch applications, Altech has devoted invaluable resources to ensure customers understand their needs and find successful solutions. - read more

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Not all Distribution Boxes are Created Equal

If sealed enclosures are used in environments with fluctuating temperatures and air humidity, condensation problems may arise as water vapor collects on the internal surface of the enclosure. - read more

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Battery Management: Altech’s Versatile Charging Solutions

Efficient, rechargeable and economical battery systems are needed in a wide variety of industries.- read more

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Providing Worldwide Capabilities for Cost Effective Circuit Breaker Designs

The global circuit breaker market size in 2017 was valued in excess of $13 billion USD and is anticipated to surpass an annual installation of over 40 million units by 2024.- read more

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Cabinet-style electric enclosures for simplified harsh environmental protection

These enclosures improve accessibility and still protect against moisture, contaminants and temperature in harsh environments.- read more

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An All-in-One DC UPS power solution

Altech’s CBI “all-in-one” UPS power solution offers a unique approach to backup power, combining several applications in just one device. - read more

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Adaptable Low Profile, Compact Din Power Supplies

Managing the power requirements on a DIN rail system is becoming more challenging with new standards and increased compactness of control systems, particularly when mounted on smaller robotic systems and cobots. - read more

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High-tech components and innovation result in efficient, compact power supplies for automation applications

Automation is the key factor driving enhanced manufacturing productivity. Machines and
robots that do not tire, get sick or need vacations will be used in rapidly escalating numbers.
But many industrial operations demand humans and robots work together.- read more

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Altech UPS products meet a wide variety of application requirements

Occasional power outages are a fact of life, but when the power goes out, an uninterruptable
power supply (UPS) from Altech can step in when the standard power source goes offline.- read more

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Reliable back-up power prevents machine damage and data loss

Uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) provide critical protection for a wide range of industrial applications. - read more

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Understanding Terminal Blocks Used In Distributed Control Systems

Distributed control is an important part of any factory or processing plant. Autonomous controllers, distributed throughout a system, provide many control loops for operations to take place, eliminating the bottleneck of a single central supervisory control. - read more

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Versatile DIN enclosures for almost any application

DIN rail is based on a concept so elegant that its growth is expanding more than a century after it was conceived: DIN rail terminal blocks housing electrical and electronic modules represent a $26 billion global market that is expected to grow by up to 6% annually in the next few years. Although DIN rail enclosures play a significant role in DIN rail, they rarely gain the attention they should, so this article will help remedy this situation. - read more

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The Importance of Understanding Motor Disconnect Switches

Motor disconnect switches are an important part of a system’s safety protocol for electrical equipment that needs robust protection for both the equipment and personnel. - read more

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Foot Switch Selection Guidelines and Selection Options

Foot switches are designed to provide the user with comfortable, hands-free activation of one or more processes of a given device—making ergonomics important. Choosing the proper foot switch design will create a positive first impression of the overall device and installation. More importantly, the foot switch must offer attributes that represent the quality and design of the equipment as well as being the main machine/operator interface. - read more

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The advantages of a well-made electrical enclosure

At first thought, it might not seem as if enclosures would be an important element in electrical system design. But upon closer inspection, and especially when you consider that they can contain electrical wiring, fiber optic devices, microcontrollers, routers, switches, power supplies and other components, it becomes clear that when properly designed these boxes play a vital role in protecting against high temperatures, moisture and humidity. - read more

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Ultimate Battery Care

Advanced battery care products are an essential part of today’s complex systems, allowing for greater operational capabilities in a trustworthy device that fits into multiple applications. - read more

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Top Tips - Benefits of a Smart Battery Charging and Testing Unit

Read how engineers can benefit from using the CB12245AJ charging and testing unit with integrated CANbus communication functionality.- read more

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Battery Management and Battery Monitoring in Chargers

When it comes to purchasing battery backup systems and chargers, there are several things to consider. Not only do you want your backup system to be able to manage all your loads, you’ll want to provide a consistent and ongoing monitoring of the whole system. - read more

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The Benefits and Functions of Contactors

Although relays and contactors both operate in a similar manner— establishing and interrupting an electric circuit—contactors have specific uses that are essential to understand prior to purchasing. This white paper will go through key operations for contactors used in industrial settings. - read more

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An all-in-one DC UPS power solution

Altech’s CBI “all-in-one” UPS power solution offers a unique approach to backup power, combining several solution in just one device. It includes a power supply unit, a battery charger, a battery care module or a backup module. - read more

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Battery Management: Altech’s Versatile Charging Solutions

Efficient, rechargeable and economical battery systems are needed in a wide variety of industries. Uses can range from generator sets to transceiver base stations, from onboard chargers for electric vehicles to water pumps. Proper recharging and maintenance of these batteries requires an intelligent charging system that can vary the charging voltage based on the state of charge and use of the battery. - read more

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Push-In Terminals versus Other Types of Connections

The use of DIN-Rail Terminal blocks is widespread throughout every industry (Fig. 1). For everything from individual machines to complete systems and to multiple system factory interconnections, terminal blocks become an important component. - read more

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Cylindrical Sensors, Cables, And Connectors

Industrial automation is changing daily in its operational requirements. This most often affects companies on all levels and must be addressed component to component from the bottom up. Sensors, cables, and connectors are a critical factor and must offer flexibility and robustness to the user. - read more

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All-in-One DC-UPS Backup

At the moment, your DC control system switches off once power is dropped offline. It is only a power supply unit. The all-in-one DC-UPS Backup system, available from Altech as the CBI Solution, provides the standard backup module, but also includes a power supply unit, battery charger, and battery care module—all of which can be connected to a computer for off-site monitoring. Microprocessor control is key to any new system’s capabilities. - read more

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Alternative Solutions for Backup Power

What current options are available for backup power solutions? Systems that require backup power solutions usually have small battery backups or generators. Small backup systems traditionally rely on batteries for energy storage while larger systems may use generators or more uncommon systems such as flywheels, superconducting magnetic energy storage, or fuel cells for larger installations. - read more

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Understanding and Using E-Stops

E-stops, or emergency stop switches, are used to ensure machine as well as personnel safety. They are used to provide a consistent and predictable failsafe response on a wide range of electrical machinery and must stop the machine without creating additional hazards. The devices can be highly specialized for emergency shutdown of equipment and meet workplace and machine safety standards established by international and U.S. regulatory commissions. - read more

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Non-Metallic Enclosures Compared to Metallic Enclosures

What you want from your enclosure is long-term, productive service. Knowing your application and the environment in which it will be located will help, but understanding the materials available will complete your research so that you can make the right decision for your particular application. - read more

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Non-Metallic Enclosures Offer Clear Benefits in Agriculture

Electrical and electronic cable, connectors and related subsystems need rugged enclosures for the harsh agricultural environment, where non-metallic enclosures offer distinctive benefits compared to conventional units. - read more

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Problem Solution - Enclosure Materials Available for Rough Environments

Metal enclosures are often not the right product for highly tough environmental applications. The same is true for most standard plastic cases. It might be time to consider specially designed polycarbonate enclosures for your toughest installations. - read more

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Altech's Solution to Fault Masking

How do you really know when there is a fault with your machine? Is there any way a fault can be “masked” as though it’s not really there, making your machine more dangerous to personnel? The unfortunate answer to this last question is yes, which leads to the need for a solution, which is why we created this white paper. - read more

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The Value Of Integrating Din Rail Cylindrical Fuse Holders Into Your Designs

What short circuit currents do I have to consider when purchasing a DIN rail cylindrical fuse holder? That data is available from the manufacturer. For example, Altech cylindrical fuse holders have been tested by UL and approved to 200kA short circuit interrupting capacity. That is currently the highest capacity available on the market, so be sure to check the specifications before you purchase. - read more

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Polycarbonate Enclosures for Harsh and Unprotected Environments

What makes using a polycarbonate enclosure safe for harsh environments? - Polycarbonate is a very durable material which offers high impact resistance, low scratch resistance, and shatterproof safety to users. The material also provides temperature, corrosion, UV, and weather resistance for a wide variety of unprotected environments. - read more

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Protect Equipment from Earth Leakage and Ground Faults

What is a ground fault and why is it a concern? A ground fault is when the current leaving a power source and the power returning, through the ground loop (neutral wire), back to the power source are different. This situation can either cause a system failure due to the overcurrent and/or an electrical safety hazard for those working with the equipment—because they become part of the circuit. Other types of faults can occur in a system, such as phase-tophase faults, but it is widely accepted that 98% of all electrical faults are ground faults. - read more

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Safeguarding machines with hard guards

Hard guarding is a common approach to protecting both the visible and invisible hazardous areas of a machine. It can involve a variety of materials, including metal screening, or clear plastic to allow visibility. The only limiting factor is that the material must be strong enough to contain the impact from any debris or potential broken parts that could be ejected during the manufacturing process. - read more

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Understanding Terminal Blocks Used In Distributed Control Systems

Distributed control is an important part of any factory or processing plant. Autonomous controllers, distributed throughout a system, provide many control loops for operations to take place, eliminating the bottleneck of a single central supervisory control. With the multitude of smart sensors and transducers, motors and encoders, and a range of other devices, industries are being forced to evolve so that control can be distributed throughout a facility. Companies with multiple locations are particularly interested in methods by which all the facilities can work together. Interconnection, through the use of specific terminal block technologies, between elements of a distributed control system is necessary to maintain a smooth operation. - read more

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Safety for the Smart Factory

The new SRF (Safety RFID) is a non-contact safety sensor that monitors movable safety guards. With the convergence of automation, wireless IoT and information technology, real-time data can be downloaded at any point in the production process to an on-site control room, an offsite data center or “the cloud.” The result has been an unprecedented level of manufacturing flexibility and efficiency. Collectively, this phenomenon is being referred to under various labels, including “smart factories,” the “fourth industrial revolution” or, simply, “Industry 4.0.” - read more

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Non-contact Safety Sensors For The Smart Factory

Some of the greatest safety concerns come from the simplest mistakes. Leaving a safety guard open (such as a door, flap, or hood) comes to mind immediately. Experienced operators know this is an employee safety issue that can also increase the chances of a major shutdown—which is why safety standards are in place in the first place. Neither situation is acceptable. - read more

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FAQ - DC Power Supplies For Mission Critical Automation Applications

What do you mean when you say mission critical applications aren’t all power supply needs critical? - Besides the fact that every piece of electronics equipment needs a solid power supply, some machines like printers, scanners, copiers, and desktop computers don’t need the same quality of DC power as automation devices such as plant floor equipment, robotics, edge computing and sensor devices for the industrial internet of things, and other enterprise resources where downtime and a loss of production can have a very heavy cost associated with it. - read more

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Automation Critical: Clean Reliable Power In A Compact Package

This white paper will discuss the critical state of providing DC power to the ever expanding needs of manufacturing automation, including plant floor equipment, robotics, the industrial internet of things (IIoT), and other enterprise resources. - read more

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The Difference Between Screw Clamp and Spring Clamp DIN Rail Terminal Blocks

Terminal blocks are a necessary part of almost every industry, supplying a way to hardwire components, subsystems, and systems together. As a staple of the electrical and electronics control systems used in a wide variety of applications, including utilities, automobile plants, chemical plants, and all types of automation and manufacturing that requires hardwired interconnection, the breadth of available products indicates how important application is to secure the right terminal block components. - read more

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M12 Connector Coding For Automation And Industry 4.0 Compliance

Connectors are critical in the ongoing operation of any kind of electronic or electrical apparatus. They are found on every application imaginable and used to interconnect every type of sensor, control, and factory management system out there. Overall, the M12 family of circular connectors have an important place in this market. - read more

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Safeguarding Machines with Hard Guards and Solenoid Locking Switches

What is the easiest way to protect a dangerous area on my machine? Hard guarding is a very common approach to providing protection for both the visible and invisible hazardous areas of a machine. It can be made with a variety of materials including metal screening or clear plastic to allow visibility. The only limiting factor is that the material must be strong enough to contain the impact from any debris that could possibly be ejected during the manufacturing process or in the event of the potential breakage of any internal components. Fixed hard guarding is generally preferred due to its simplicity; however, since this prevents access to the machinery for maintenance, repairs, adjustments or product manipulation, other alternatives may need to be considered. - read more

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Personnel safety made easy: Altech’s SMART Safety System

In the Industry 4.0 era of innovative technologies, connected technologies have the potential to bolster employee safety on the factory floor. This “smart” capability enables the manufacturer to gain new efficiencies and workplace effectiveness while making production operations more responsive to a modern workplace. - read more

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Specifying and Customizing Non-Metallic Industrial Enclosures

Q: I’m just starting my search for an enclosure for my application. Any suggestions? A: Consider collecting and writing down all your eventual needs and then find a company that offers whatever you require all in one place. This will save additional time in researching vendors to perform secondary tasks such as providing custom printing or milling custom openings in the enclosure. But first, be sure to get the enclosure that meets your specific needs. Some companies offer an enclosure finder on their website to make narrowing your choices easier. - read more

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New Pluggable Safety System Simplifies Installation, Improves Diagnostics And Safety

Instead of direct signaling voltage, this new system features pluggable connections using OSSD outputs to improve diagnostic communication, predictive maintenance, and safety. - read more

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Basics of Industrial connectivity

Industrial connectivity includes any component that is in the path of delivering power or control signals to do useful work. Typical connectivity components include connectors and terminal blocks, motor starters and relays. - read more

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Timers

Timers are a critical component for industrial automation applications as well as laboratory, machine tool, and semiconductor manufacturing. They are a core part of every modern Control & Automation system. Understanding your application and the types of operations you need to do will go a long way in helping you to choose the right device. - read more

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Selecting The Right Timer For Your Application

Timers are a critical component for industrial automation applications as well as laboratory, machine tool, and semiconductor manufacturing. They are a core part of every modern control and automation system. Understanding your application and the types of operations you need to do will go a long way in helping you to choose the right device. - read more

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Top Tips - Why You Should Select RFID Non-Contact Safety Sensors Over Mechanical Components

Focus on solid-state operation. Non-Contact Safety Sensors use RFID technology to generate a signal that determines if the sender and receiver are within range of each other—up to 13 mm. These devices are ideal for detecting if doors, gates, guards, or panels are properly closed, preventing access to dangerous areas of a machine or system. - read more

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Ultra-Capacitor DC UPS: Your Best Choice to Ensure that Critical Information and Functions Remain Available When Supply Voltage Drops Out

Backup power systems are an integral part of installations as varied as data centers, wind turbine farms, telecommunications networks and industrial plant operations—all of which rely on the continuous availability of power. - read more

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Understanding The Benefits Of Din Enclosures

DIN enclosures are widely used in Europe and are growing in use in a broad variety of OEM systems across the world. These enclosures can be customized and fabricated to customer needs and specifications in OEM quantities. - read more

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Machine Safety Backups With Communications

Machine safety rules and regulations are different at every location, including in other countries around the world. When protecting your machines, you are also protecting your production and throughput. There are many options for protection—the most valuable of which don’t just provide backup and shutdown, but also communicate effectively. - read more

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Well-Made Electrical Enclosures Go the Distance for Harsh Environments

Although enclosures are often approached as a less important aspect of your electrical and electronic system, these critical components can mean the difference between long life and early failure if not selected properly—and this is especially true in harsh environments. - read more

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