INTERCONNECT


Weidmuller Powermate on board - more than just delivering high currents


Applications with power electronics represent a dynamic market with substantial growth potential. Superior product solutions are needed to meet the escalation in demands within complex environments. As well as electronics components,


connection technology is an area that demands special consideration with regard to design and production as it exerts a powerful influence over:


» Plant availability. » Device design and dimensions. » Device approvals. » Acceptance on the part of the end user. » Costs.


Meanwhile, market demands require pluggable interfaces:


» To reduce maintenance costs thanks to faster connection times.


» To limit wiring mistakes when replacing a component.


» So that skilled electricians are not required for on-site system assembly.


» To enable modularisation and scalability of function, performance and costs with regard


to complex systems.


The construction and performance classes of frequency inverters are determined, to a large degree, by the connection technology that is to be utilised. In principal, the different interfaces can be reduced to four basic applications:


» Power supply: conductor to PCB with finger- safe field connection.


» Module assembly: PCB to PCB with finger-safe socket block.


» Motor feeder or brake: PCB to conductor with finger-safe PCB connection.


» On-the-fly connection: conductor to conduc- tor with finger-safe socket side.


Weidmuller’s Powermate connectivity technology meets application requirements and not the other way round:


» Three cable exit directions on the PCB: 90/180/270°


to the soldering pins.


» Three connection technologies: clamping yoke, tension clamp and ring cable lug.


» Two pitch sizes. Moreover, four configuration variants for each connection make possible: conductor- conductor, conductor-PCB (finger-safe on the conductor side or on the PCB) and PCB-PCB.


» Four sizes. scalable PeRFoRMance


The range performance scale ranges from 500V/41A through to 1000V/76A. The four performance classes ensure the right performance is available to meet the needs of each application. That means device series with several performance ratings can be equipped throughout with a uniform system. The costs are scalable.


MaxIMuM RelIabIlIty


In addition to practical rating data, the Powermate range also guarantees that the product continues to function for decades as intended.


InnovatIve handlIng


The multifunction locking mechanism also racks up the points for simple and fast handling. Requiring no tools, the clearly visible indexing mechanism can be easily engaged or released manually within a second. This saves costs when dealing with complex systems, during testing and pre-assembly processes as well as commissioning and manufacturing. An


additional screw clamp is optionally available but not necessary thanks to locking forces five times above the values demanded by standards. In addition, Powermate components are designed so that, for example, when incorporated in an application and connected in the cut-out of a metal housing or laid directly on a heat sink the male connector does not cause any clearance and creepage problems. Manufacturing and commissioning often represent a considerable portion of the costs.


The Powermate Range demonstrates further benefits when processing and mounting:


» Optimum anti-rotation feature avoids mistakes when mounting the components:


an LCP pin prevents pin headers designed for vertical placement being placed in the reverse direction. The pin is very heat- resistant and also suitable for soldering.


» Tension clamp connection technology ensures rapid conductor connection.


» Screw with plus-minus heads for fast, power- driven screw tightening. Searching for a


suitable blade is no longer necessary.


» No tools are required to operate the multifunction locking mechanism.


» Additional fixing options in the flanges ensure strain relief for soldered connections.


All components can be adapted to suit special requirements from colour variations and printed inscriptions to special contact surfaces and partial assembly through to customer- specific developments. The same also applies to the connection technology for control, signal or bus connections.


focus magazine - issue 10


11


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