April 2006 – Penetrating the growing architectural lighting market where optoelectronics at component level are largely unknown is an important opportunity for leading LED manufacturer CML Innovative Technologies (CML-IT). LEDs have been perceived as difficult to use, requiring a range of power supplies, drivers, resistors, soldered connections, making them tricky to market in this industry. CML-IT’s new Connect&Glo© program, is designed to make solid state lighting easy, and is changing this perception. The company is offering a system of linking LED lighting units that anyone can connect together, just as easily as ordinary light bulbs.
Part of the Connect&Glo© program and specifically targeted at the architectural lighting market is CML-IT’s Arcilume range of products, designed to illuminate different interior or exterior areas of buildings with style and innovative LED solutions.
A key product is the Acsentio series of accent lighting offering subtle shades of light. Available in blue, red, green, yellow and white, Acsentio lights are available in 12V, 24V and 240V versions. Easy to fit and install, the lights feature an internal heat management system enabling them to run at relatively low temperatures, making them an ideal for use within furniture and fittings. Manufactured in CML-IT’s European facility in Hranice (Czech Republic), Acsentio accent lighting carries all necessary approvals for worldwide use.
Also within the Arcilume range are LEDules, a behind-the-scenes system of LEDs mounted on PCBs in a whole variety of shapes and sizes and designed to allow designers to mount lighting into whatever shape is available.
The Arcilume portfolio also includes Color Line, a range of rigid and flexible light guides complete with ‘light engines’ that offer a linear light in either straight or curved form to enable specific features to be illuminated to their best effect.
Completing the Arcilume range is a programmable illumination effects lighting system for interior and exterior use. Color Ray offers lighting units in a variety of shapes and sizes. The devices are all LED based providing an infinite variety of colours and effects.
Enquiry Form: https://www.epreston.co.uk/contact/
Home Page: https://www.epreston.co.uk/epblog/
The 2006 Finder Product Profile is a 24-page colour brochure that provides outline information on the company’s comprehensive range of relays, monitoring relays, timers and movement detectors.
The range includes miniature and low-profile PCB relays, industrial relays, general purpose relays, power relays, relay interface modules and sockets. Also featured in the brochure is a range of monitoring relays and timer modules. A series of products designed for intelligent lighting applications comprises light-dependent and step relays, dimmers and time switches rated at up to 16A, as well as PIR movement detectors, all of which are suitable for use with either incandescent or fluorescent lighting installations.
The Product Profile provides all the primary electrical, environmental and mechanical specification parameters for each family of products, along with a colour photograph and a list of the relevant standards and approvals for each product Series.
Products that are new to the 2006 edition of the Product Profile include the 46 Series industry-standard miniature industrial relays, the 66 Series 30A power relays and the 38 Series two-pole relay interface modules.
Finder’s products are all manufactured in Europe, to the highest standards of quality and reliability, at the company’s state-of-the-art production facility near Turin, Italy.
Enquiry Form: https://www.epreston.co.uk/contact/
Home Page: https://www.epreston.co.uk/epblog/
February 2006 - In order to test new LED lighting concepts, CML Innovative Technologies equipped three KTM enduro motorcycles with LED lighting system prototypes for the inaugural “Desert Logic” rally for such motorbikes. Philippe Gosselet from CML-IT in Besançon, France, one of the company’s engineering centres of excellence for light design, kitted out the bikes for the rally. He also formed part of the CML-IT/KTM team riding them to a winning position after seven days and 1000km in the desert of southern Tunisia.
All LED lighting systems used on the motorcycles were specifically designed to withstand the difficult environmental conditions in the desert (big temperature changes from very hot at day to very cold at night, high winds containing grains of sand and constant shocks and vibration from riding in sand and over dunes). Due to the low power requirements of the LEDs, the batteries of the bikes experienced only minimum drain from CML-IT’s LED lighting systems.
Each motorcycle featured a high power LED brake light offering increased security in conditions with limited visibility. A LED system illuminating the roadmaps with high brilliance white LEDs ensured roadmaps were readable in all lighting conditions. A rheostat enabled the system to be adaptable to ambient luminosity. A security system consisting of two high power LEDs blinking consistently at the front and back of the bikes allowed the riders to be seen in the pitch black of the desert nights.
Created and organized by Fabio Fasola, Italian specialist of enduro and long-distance motorbike rallies, the first “Desert Logic” enduro motorbike rally took place from December 3 to December 10, 2005 in South Tunisia. The venue for this first event, which totalled 1000km of links and specials tests, was the oasis of Ksar Ghilane.
Enquiry Form: https://www.epreston.co.uk/contact/
Home Page: https://www.epreston.co.uk/epblog/
February 2006 – A new range of Xenon filled wedge based lamps is available from CML-IT. Designed for use in a variety of automotive, gaming machinery, aviation, signalisation and architectural applications, the latest Xenon lamps are currently available in three different models: 1503X (14V 3.4W rating, T10 size, 10000 hour life), 501x (12V 5W rating, T10 size, 3000 hour life) and 1260X (12V 6W rating, T10 size, 1000 hour life).
Xenon bulbs offer numerous advantages over traditional Argon, Krypton or Vacuum filled lamps. The new devices offer suppressed tungsten evaporation meaning a cleaner, longer burn with less blackening. A three times longer life and an increased light output by typically 30% more luminous flux are further benefits.
Bulb wall temperature is 30°C lower compared with corresponding Argon filled lamps. This is significant when the devices are in close proximity to surrounding plastic or wood materials, which could be damaged. Furthermore, Xenon lamps also benefit from a whiter light. A higher filament temperature provides excellent contrast ratio and affords attractive sparkling appearance to the eye.
Enquiry Form: https://www.epreston.co.uk/contact/
Home Page: https://www.epreston.co.uk/epblog/
April 2006 – The latest design innovation from CML Innovative Technologies (CML-IT) is a LED replacement for traditional 6S6 lamps currently used in theme parks as decorative lamps and for illuminating entrance portals to attractions. Developed in partnership with a major theme park, CML-IT’s new Sixcess lamp significantly reduces cost of ownership due to the LEDs’ low power consumption and longer life (5x) than traditional lamps. Maintenance savings alone are estimated to be over £170/€250 per device over its five year life cycle.
Sixcess lamps incorporate eight LEDs within a traditional screw based package. LEDs are laid out in a pattern to exactly mimic the visual effects of a regular filament lamp. CML-IT specifically developed the colours of the LEDs used for the Sixcess range, creating a visually equivalent drop-in replacement for 6S6 lamps.
Enquiry Form: https://www.epreston.co.uk/contact/
Home Page: https://www.epreston.co.uk/epblog/
The 18 Series of PIR movement detectors from Finder has been extended to include a new model that operates outdoors in addition to the existing indoor model. The units detect body heat to control lighting in a range of applications, including energy saving and security.
The detectors can reduce energy consumption by automatically switching off lighting when it is not required. This addresses the increasing pressure on companies from both governments and environmental groups to reduce energy consumption, which means that areas of unnecessary lighting have come under scrutiny. In parallel to this, there is a need for improved lighting particularly in exterior areas to deter potential intruders.
Finder’s PIR detectors are targeted at designers, engineers, contractors and installers of lighting control systems in commercial, industrial and domestic premises. They will be of particular use in areas inside and outside buildings that are not permanently occupied, such as offices, washrooms, corridors, stairwells and stores as well as outside loading bays, access ramps, etc. where constant lighting is not required.
The output contact for both the 18.01 interior model and the 18.11 exterior model is rated at 10A, with a 20A peak current capability, suitable for switching a 230V incandescent or halogen lighting load of up to 1kW or a compensated fluorescent lighting load rated at up to 350W.
The coverage area spans 110° in both the vertical and the horizontal plane, and the sensing range is specified up to 8m. An integral adjustable threshold light sensor ensures that energy is not wasted by preventing the lights from being switched on in conditions of high ambient light.
To avoid accidentally switching off lights when personnel are still in the lighting zone, the Series 18 PIR units feature an extended ‘on time’. This enables the length of time the lights remain on after movement detection ceases to be extended by a preset delay time, which can be adjusted to between 10 and 180 seconds.
The versatile design of both Series 18 PIR models features a ball joint construction that enables simple, trouble free mounting on a flat vertical or horizontal surface, with the ability to angle the detection head to adjust the required detection area by up to 180° in the horizontal plane, and 27° in the vertical plane.
The 18.01 model allows concealed cable entry via the mounting bracket, while the IP54 protected 18.11 exterior model features a PG9 cable gland entry in the base. The electrical contacts are lead-free AgSnO2.
The Series 18 PIR range is entirely designed and manufactured in-house at Finder’s European facility near Turin in Italy. The design includes custom embedded system programming, CAD evolved optics, custom designed electronics, tooling and test equipment. The units are competitively priced and offer specifiers and end users a European designed and built PIR with unparalleled flexibility, in a neat and compact housing.
Enquiry Form: https://www.epreston.co.uk/contact/
Home Page: https://www.epreston.co.uk/epblog/
New from Arcolectric is a range of smart indicators - intelligent devices that operate like standard neon indicators, but with added functionality. The intelligent embedded microcontroller can be programmed for multiple applications, and the first three offerings from this family are a Single phase supply checker, a Maintenance indicator and a Temperature monitor.
The indicators have the familiar and convenient snap-in profile and feature fast-on terminals, so are drop-in replacements for Neon lamps, making it simple and fast to upgrade an existing product design with new functionality. The smart indicators feature dual LED illumination, so there is a wide choice of illumination colours and colour combinations.
Single phase supply checker (C1431AL)
The supply checker can be fitted as a direct replacement for a Neon indicator, giving clear visual equipment safety indication. The device connects to Live, Neutral and Earth terminals, and monitors the appliance and incoming mains supply for swapped or missing electrical connections. Blue LED illumination indicates correct connections, while Red LED illumination indicates a swapped connection fault. A flashing Red LED indicates a missing connection, such as detached neutral or earth.
Intended for use on appliances or equipment where cable damage is a possibility, such as: portable appliances, site equipment, power tools, garden equipment, extension cable reels, audio equipment, commercial kitchens and stainless steel appliances.
Maintenance indicator (C1432AL)
The indicator monitors appliance usage, and operates as a preventative maintenance or regular inspection reminder for the equipment user. A direct replacement for a neon indicator, the unit counts time that mains power is applied, and remembers the accumulated time even if power is switched off. Blue LED illumination indicates normal operation, but when the factory set operating time is exceeded the illumination changes to flashing Red, indicating that service or maintenance action is required. Connecting the ‘reset’ terminal to neutral resets the timer to zero, and timing starts again.
Typical domestic applications are reminding coffee machine users to decalcify their machines, change deep fat fryer oil, and change or clean cooker hood filters. For service interval indication, the unit could be fitted into gas appliances to indicate when servicing or inspection is overdue. Additionally, users could be given an indication when their appliance warranty period is about to expire.
Temperature monitor (C1433AL)
The temperature monitor is a snap-in device to clearly indicate that refrigeration temperatures are within safe limits. Upper and lower temperature limits can be factory programmed to suit the application. The monitor operates like a standard neon indicator, giving visible on/off status indication for the appliance. Normal operation shows continuous blue LED illumination while the monitored temperature is within the ‘safe’ range between lower and upper limits. Should the measured temperature fall outside of the ‘safe’ range, the LED illumination changes colour to Red. The unit has a pre-connected temperature sensor on a flying lead, ready for quick installation.
Intended for convenient monitoring of deep freeze, refrigeration, cold storage, chiller or air conditioning operation, giving a visual check of the correct temperature without having to know the exact temperature or the limits.
Enquiry Form: https://www.epreston.co.uk/contact/
Home Page: https://www.epreston.co.uk/epblog/
Bluetooth wireless connectivity is the latest addition to Bulgin’s USB Buccaneer waterproof connector family. Bluetooth Buccaneer is a robust USB to Bluetooth adapter designed to overcome common limitations with hardwired USB connections, such as the 5 metre distance restriction and signal isolation problems.
In any wireless application the antenna must be mounted in an external position for optimum range, but often the antenna is lacking in robustness or can defeat the integrity level of the enclosure.
Bluetooth Buccaneer’s IP68 rated dust and waterproof connector is designed to withstand the rigorous demands of harsh or industrial environments, and the Bluetooth electronics with built-in antenna are robustly housed in the overmoulded UL94V-0 body.
Operating at 2.4GHz in the Industrial, Scientific and Medical (ISM) Band, the Class 1 adapter, PX0880/1, can support a working range up to 100m depending on site conditions. The lower power Class 2 adapter, PX0880/2, has a range up to 25m.
The mating panel mount connector, PX0842/A, has a standard USB type A connection, allowing the Bluetooth adapter module to be temporarily removed while standard USB cables or USB memory sticks are utilised.
Comprehensive utility software and drivers can be freely downloaded from Bulgin’s web site, although the most popular plug and play operating systems will automatically recognise the adapter.
Bluetooth Buccaneer will find many applications within industrial control, where water and dust may be present, and a strong, robust and secure wireless connection is needed between computers and peripherals.
Features Include:
Enquiry Form: https://www.epreston.co.uk/contact/
Home Page: https://www.epreston.co.uk/epblog/
The latest addition to Bulgin's family of Vandal Resistant Switches is a blue illuminated version, a colour particularly suited to contemporary panel designs.
Two designs of LED illuminated switches available:
The bodies of these switches are machined from high grade stainless steel to produce an extremely tough yet aesthetically pleasing switch. A tough Polycarbonate lens is combined with the stainless steel button. The standard colours of red, green and amber have been joined by a blue option, and, typical of Bulgin's high standard of design detail, the LED housing is moulded in the same colour material as the LED's themselves.
Tested to 750,000 mechanical operations and 35,000 electrically, the MPI series have single pole contacts rated at 50mA, 24V dc. The switches have either solder tags or screw terminals, useful for easy field servicing, and are front panel sealed to IP66 making them ideal for external applications.
This family of switches all have momentary action contacts, which lend themselves to door entry and access control applications along with many other uses such as: car park barriers, emergency telephones, panic buttons, vending machines, lifts, prisons, petrol pumps and food processing.
Enquiry Form: https://www.epreston.co.uk/contact/
Home Page: https://www.epreston.co.uk/epblog/
Schurter’s IEC connector power entry modules are now available with a two stage line filter for high attenuation characteristics over a broad frequency range. The highly compact FKHD and FKID models consist of a C14 appliance inlet type according to IEC 60320-1 with a two pole line switch, fuse holder and filter.
The fuse holder offers one or two pole protection via 5 x 20mm fuse links. The fuse-links can only be replaced when the power cable is removed, ensuring a current free fuse replacement. The modules are available in a nickel-plated metal version as well as in a cost efficient aluminium version. All of the filters have the option of a medical version additionally to the standard filter for rated currents at 1, 2, 4, 6 and 10A. Schurter’s FKH and FKI modules offer the same options in a single stage filter
Schurter products are characterised by high quality, innovative design, with modules pre-wired as standard eliminating the time and expense of fitting link wires. A further advantage is the layout of the components, which allows a line interruption by the switch close to the power entrance, therefore producing no standby-losses within the filter components. The screw-on mounting offers a low mounting height.
The FK range is approved for 1-10 A 125/250 VAC, 50/60 Hz according to IEC/EN, resp. UL CSA. Furthermore they meet all requirements according to IEC/EN 60950. The modules are ideal for use in medical applications according to IEC 60601-1 as well as for general data communication or similar industrial applications according to IEC 60950. The two-stage version of the filter suits especially for applications as measurement and audio equipment, where an optimal signal-to-noise ratio is required.
Enquiry Form: https://www.epreston.co.uk/contact/
Home Page: https://www.epreston.co.uk/epblog/
© E. Preston (Electrical) Ltd 2024.
UK distributor of electrical and electronic components.
