Electronics

FLAT OUT PANEL COMPONENTS

ITT Industries, Cannon C&K Rafix 22FS Series Switches. Short is sweet with these panel mounted components that have a mounting depth of only 9.2 mm. That compares to the inch or more of switches with conventional contact blocks. The design uses patented redesigned contact blocks and mechanisms that almost fit within the actuator to achieve the low profile. Product Manager Keith Teichmann says the flatter layout still maintains contact separation required for industrially rating the switches. The small behind-panel-depth and PCB solder terminals allow the components to be mounted on the same printed circuit board as traditional compact devices such as short travel tact switches. Included in the series are pushbuttons, keylock and selector switches, signal indicators, and emergency stop buttons. A thermoflex cast-on collar seal with integrated membrane layer allows IP65 protection. ( www.ittcannon.com) Enter 539

VEHICLE DIMMER SHINES

Carling Technologies LD-Series Dimmer Control. Heat and electrical noise are the enemies of electronic devices. These dimmer controls feature EMI/RFI filters to protect the control itself. They also generate no noise of their own that could affect other electronic systems. Shakib Saria, manager of electronic products, says one filtering method used is "noise reduction filters to reduce spikes in pulse width modulation." A heat dissipating design eliminates temperature buildup. Techniques here, he notes, include "a heat sink with a mesh window over it to allow both convection and radiation." The dimmers handle 12W, and meet 100,000-stroke mechanical endurance and SAE and MIL-SPEC (202 G) tests for enclosed and open cabs. Other features include programmable circuitry to determine min and max illumination levels and the number of steps from dim to full bright. Uses include on and off road, marine, and agricultural equipment. ( www.carlingtech.com) Enter 540

COMPACT RELAY, SAFE SEPARATION

Phoenix Contact Safety Relays (PSR). These modules are designed to EN50 178 with reinforced isolation and meet SIL ratings (repeatability for 1 million operations). The relays, in an ME 22.5-mm housing, have from two to eight normally open (NO) release current paths and one normally closed (NC) signaling current path. "These are up to one-third the size of previous relays thanks to using a logic circuit for fault detection rather than a third relay in the module," notes Bruce Desmond, product manager. Control is by one or two channels, with cross-circuit detection for Safety Category 4 rating. Pluggable screw or spring-clamp coded field connections make wiring more convenient. Relay-expansion modules allow connecting up to five extra NO release paths and two NC signaling paths. The PSRs are designed for use with emergency stops, light curtains, and guard-door and two-hand control monitoring. ( www.phoenixcon.com) Enter 541

MINIATURE TOGGLES Glow

NKK Switches G Series Illuminated Toggle Switches. Red, green, amber, or bicolor red/green LEDs light up the clear polyamide toggles on these ultra-miniature switches for a jeweled-appearance status indication. The switches are only 0.276 inches high and wide, and 0.177 inch deep, with a 0.15-inch toggle. Engineering Support Engineer Earl Haines notes, "A surface mount 0.8- x 1.6-mm micro-LED distributes light into the switch cavity, where it is redirected up through the toggle's light pipe." Molded-in epoxy-sealed terminals keep out flux, solvents, and other contaminants, and the sealed body prevents contact contamination. Such measures allow automated soldering and washing processes. The single-pole double throw switches feature patented twin cross-bar contacts that self-clean themselves during operation and are rated at 0.4 VA max at 28V ac/dc maximum for use in logic level circuits. Lifetime is 100,000 operations, minimum. ( www.nkkswitches.com) Enter 542

SIGNAL RELAY MEETS LIGHTNING SURGE

Fujitsu Components America FTR-C1 Signal Relay. Because of its high isolation and breakdown voltage, this signal relay has no need for separate protection components. The FTR-C1 is a 1A relay that meets the Telcordia lightning surge requirement of 5,000V between coil and contacts as well as 2,500V surge between open contacts. The relay also conforms to IEEE 802.3 for 1,500V ac breakdown voltage (1 minute) between open contacts. Product Manager Yuri Takano notes the contact arrangement, particularly the structure of the armature and springs, was changed from previous generation signal relay designs to achieve high isolation, with 2.0-mm clearance and 2.5-mm creepage distance between coil and contacts. Mold forming that infilled material between the fixed contact spring and coil also contributed greater insulation between coil and contacts, she adds. The relay is available in 3 to 24V dc coils. Applications include modems, fax machines, digital loop carrier, and access networking, among others. ( www.fcai.fujitsu.com) Enter 543

SWITCH/BREAKER CUTS INSTALLATION TIME

E-T-A 3130 Inlet Module. This single component combines the functions of overload protection, power inlet (socket), and on/off switching. Thus engineers can reduce the number of components in their designs to cut installation time by 66% with a package costing less than the separate components. Kenneth Cybart, senior applications engineer says, "Versatility in the design comes from having the inlet and housing as one piece (at top in photo) and the circuit breaker snaps into the back." He adds that out in the field a user or distributor can stock different breakers to snap-fit in for different applications. The module is available with current ratings from 0.1 to 16A up to 250V ac. Applications include office and computer equipment, medical and laboratory devices, power strips, and consumer appliances. ( www.etacbe.com) Enter 544