Cost-effective connection

Industrial automation hardware falls into three broad areas: sensors, automation and control, and supervision. Put simply, sensors provide inputs such as levels, voltages, position of machinery etc. Automation and control process such inputs, and translate this into outputs. Outputs may be motor controls or pneumatic actuators, for example. Supervision provides the means for operators to monitor and provide human input; such as touch screens or other human interfaces. These combined systems ensure processes can be run both effectively and safely. Industry benefits, with improved productivity and also removes humans from potentially dangerous roles.

Market Research Future forecast factory automation and industrial control to be worth an estimated $120 billion by 2022.

Factory automation systems consist of potentially large numbers of electronic hardware items that require connection. The increasing adoption of IIoT ideas often allows wireless connection, but there are many hard-wired components within any such environment. Within control cabinets, there are frequently significant numbers of board to board connections to be made. The often-overlooked part of such systems is the means to connect these components safely, reliably and cost-effectively.

PCB terminal blocks are a modular connector, consisting of a clamping method, an insulation material (generally plastic), through hole pins and a screw or actuator to operate the clamp in order to connect wiring to PC boards. DIN Rail mounted terminal blocks are also available to provide a means to connect wiring directly to DIN Rail systems. OEMs and CEMs use terminal blocks on a large scale in their equipment.

Whilst basic in comparison to other types of industrial connector, terminal blocks are an ideal and cost-effective solution to connect wires to PCBs. Screwless terminal blocks offer further savings by reducing assembly time, and pluggable terminal blocks allow easy swap out for servicing and repair. This ensures quick and easy maintenance should PCBs need to be removed or replaced, minimising factory down time. PCB terminal blocks are also cheap to assemble with most PCB terminal block manufacturers able to provide wave soldering parameters so that they can be assembled using…automation technology.

Terminal blocks can be utilised for many types of roles within an electrical circuit. They can quite often be used to ground connections, provide inputs or create outputs that are then read by other pieces of equipment. Due to their low cost, they can be used on PCBs for functions such as servicing to allow engineers to temporarily connect to a system. Most incorporate testing points that can be used to monitor equipment.

Whilst we discuss electrical flow, as with any electrical system it is important to know the maximum current for a connection as this is the most important specification to consider when sourcing and selecting terminal blocks, especially for high value automation machinery. High current through an incorrectly specified terminal block can damage it, resulting in failures which can lead to fires. Its good practice to select a terminal block than can handle the expected current, plus an extra 50%. Voltage must also be considered, to ensure the dielectric breakdown is avoided, which could lead to arcing between terminals.

CamdenBoss offers expert knowledge and industry experience on the types of terminal blocks suitable for power connections in industrial machinery. So, if you are looking to manufacture new equipment to be used in factory automation, come and talk to us or visit our website www.camdenboss.com