Where the need to control lighting, temperature or other functions according to daylight hours exists, Finder has developed an innovative, easily programmable time switch which employs a unique digital program to calculate sunrise and sunset times by simply entering the location’s postcode with a single joystick.

With ever increasing pressures to reduce energy consumption, Finder’s Astro 12.81 time switch will control lighting, heating/cooling and humidity equipment in commercial, residential and industrial applications wherever sunrise and sunset times are critical in determining operational times. The Astro’s micro-controller stores postcode data from 16 European countries, including the UK, allowing for a precise calculation of seasonal sunrise and sunset times through date and location coordinates. The Astro is also programmable using geographical coordinates, settable between 30°S and 64°N; 16°W and 50°E. The Astro will also automatically compensate, should European Summer Time be enabled.

For added flexibility, the output switching can be advanced or retarded about the calculated sunrise (or sunset) time in 10-minute increments—up to a maximum of 90 minutes. A manual override of the output status allows for maintenance or one-off events. With a 16A 250vac rated output contact and a 120A 5ms peak current rating, the Astro time switch is capable of directly switching 2000W halogen, 750W compensated fluorescent, 200W CFL or LED lamp loads and AC15 loads up to 750 VA.

The integral back-up battery, which is easily replaceable from the front, features an automatic power save mode which helps extend battery life.

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Customizable, Durable Sensors Provide an Industry-Leading 12M Cycle Product Life for Use in Harsh Industrial and Transportation Applications

Honeywell introduces its RTY Series Hall-Effect Rotary Position Sensors that provide a cost-effective rotary position sensor solution with a variety of options (e.g., sensing range, pinout, voltage) that allow customers to customize the sensor configuration to meet their specific application needs, especially those in harsh environments.

“Design engineers need an absolute position sensing solution that meets their specifications without being over-engineered,” said Chris Gottlieb, senior global product marketing manager for Honeywell Sensing and Control. “The cost-effective, configurable RTY Series is an ideal solution. Design engineers will appreciate the sensor’s industry-leading 12 million cycle product life and eight operating ranges, up to 360°, that often allow OEMs the range of travel needed for the application.”

The RTY Series’ solid-state Hall-effect technology provides non-contact operation and low torque actuation which reduces worn-out mechanisms and at least a 12M cycle product life. The sensor’s IP67-sealed package has an integral connector. The integrated reverse polarity protection provides protection against installation errors. Robustness against electromagnetic interference is proven out by automotive-grade EMI/EMC testing. Industry-standard AMP termination, 32 mm mounting pitch, North American and European pinout styles, and the compact package provide easier drop-in replacement in existing applications.

The RTY Series uses a magnetically biased, Hall-effect integrated circuit (IC) to sense rotary movement of the actuator shaft over a set operating range. Rotation of the actuator shaft changes a magnet’s position relative to the IC. The resulting flux density change is converted to a linear output. The IC, together with conditioning and protection circuitry, and the permanent magnet, is sealed in an IP67-qualified package for durability in most harsh environments.

Eight operating ranges (50°, 60°, 70°, 90°, 120°, 180°, 270°, and 360°) are tolerant to over-travel and allow OEMs to choose the range of travel needed for their specific application. Low voltage and high voltage versions cover an input voltage range of 4.5 Vdc to 30 Vdc. Most applications require no lever, and no brackets are necessary.

Potential transportation applications for the RTY Series sensor include position and movement detection of pedals, throttles, gear shift, levers, steering, linkages, and hitches (trucks, buses, off-road vehicles, industrial/construction/agricultural vehicles and equipment, cranes), suspension displacement/kneeling (buses, trucks), and tilt/trim position (boat engines, tilling equipment).

Potential industrial applications for the RTY Series sensor include valve and HVAC damper control, and irrigation pivot control.

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The new 853 LED beacon from WERMA offers an attractive compact square design of beacon which can be used as either a stand alone beacon or connected together can form a traffic light configuration. Five colours are available and the units are IP 65 rated.

Simple to Install
The 853 LED beacon can either be fixed to a wall with four drill holes - or by using the quick-mount bracket supplied with the unit, attach it to the wall  and then simply snap the beacon into place.   The cable can be fed through one of the eight self-sealing membranes and once connected the lens can be clipped onto the base and secured using the four captive quick-release screws.

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Schurter's latest 5123 series filtered inlet adds filter performance to the already successful standard version 5120 series. The higher attenuation in the same compact dimensions is designed to meet the continually increasing demands for interference suppression of IT, medical, test & measurement and industrial equipment.

The new 5123 series filter combines an IEC power inlet and a line filter, designed for nominal currents up to 15A. The combination power entry unit integrates the EMC filter directly at the line input, providing an optimal effect on electromagnetic compatibility. The broad metal flange features a large amount of contact area, which further optimizes filtering and shielding effects. The filter’s increased inductance achieves a 6 dB improvement in asymmetric attenuation, compared to 5120 series and other like products on the market, corresponding to a doubling of its attenuation characteristics. Thus, the high filter performance makes the 5123 series well suited for applications such as switched-mode power supplies, where the utmost interference suppression is required.

The 5123 series is available for snap-in, screw-in or studded assembly. Screw-in assembly from the back side is particularly attractive for a plastic chassis with interior metal layers. Wiring is done with quick-connect, solder, stranded-wire or pc-board terminals. The PC version features snap-in feet for secure pc-board mounting. The stranded-wire version enables customer specific fitting for further costeffective wiring.

The 5120 and enhanced 5123 are designed for operating current levels up to 10A at 250 VAC according to IEC and 15A at 125/250 VAC according to UL. They are ENEC and cURus approved. The two series are offered in standard and medical versions suitable for use in IT applications according to IEC 60950, and medical applications according to IEC 60601-1.

- Very high attenuation
- Nominal current: up to 10A at 250 VAC (ENEC/UL/CSA) and 15A at 125/250 VAC (UL/CSA)
- Screw-in or studded assembly / snap-in assembly
- Connections: quick-connect, solder, stranded-wire or pc-board terminals
- Filters available in standard and medical versions
- Optionally available with the V-Lock cable locking system

Schurter's IEC inlet with EMI filter, series 5123, is well suited for switched-mode power supplies, which require high interference suppression. Examples include units in the IT, medical and the test & measurement sectors.

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'Kwik-Snap' terminal blocks from Hylec-APL can reduce installation time on site by allowing users to remove the desired number of poles from a strip with the simple twist of the hand. Unlike similar products on the market, the Kwik-Snap is made from polypropylene which eliminates the risk of fire from arcing.

* Quickly snap off the required number of poles – No tools required, saves time, saves money.
*  Pole divider still strong enough to support mounting screws for surface mounting.
*  Plated metals inserts with zinc-plated steel screws.
*  12 pole strips with wiring capacity from 4mm2 to 16mm2
*  Suitable for ambient temps to 85 degrees C
*  High melting point removes risk of fire from arcing.
*  VDE approved.

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Enables Control and Notification in Remote Parts of Plants Where Wiring is Too Costly or Not Possible

Honeywell announces the release of the new Limitless™ Wireless Operator Interface, WOI Series, which expands Honeywell’s Limitless™ wireless switch and receiver portfolio by providing a packaged pushbutton controller for manufacturers and OEMs. The WOI Series adds a human interface device to the product-driven interfaces of the Limitless™ portfolio. With both momentary and maintained contact options, the Limitless™ Series now offers wireless control from both person and position.

Honeywell’s Wireless Operator Interface is a controller designed to wirelessly turn on and off equipment (pumps, motors, drives, conveyors, and other industrial equipment), open or close gates/doors, or provide notification to remote locations. The WOI Series can be used in rugged industrial environments to notify appropriate departments when there are quality, machine, material out-of-stock, or other manufacturing issues.

“The WOI Series provides a control option for users looking to avoid the wiring costs, maintenance issues, hazards, time and engineering that comes with a ‘wired’ push button,” said Joseph Citrano, senior global product marketing manager, Sensing and Control. “This new device expands Honeywell’s Limitless™ wireless portfolio that includes monitors, din-rail receivers, global limit switches, and heavy-duty limit switches.”

Designed for flexibility, the user can choose and install a desired operator (22 mm rotary switch, key switch, key) or utilize one of Honeywell’s pushbuttons. It communicates through Limitless™ receivers that provide PLC inputs or relay outputs connected directly to equipment to turn on LEDs or start/stop industrial equipment.

The Limitless™ wireless network is an easy and cost-effective solution for those looking for a reliable wireless solution. It includes the WDRR Din-rail receiver, WPMM monitor, WLS heavy-duty limit switch, and WGLA global limit switch. The entire Limitless™ solution utilizes the global, license-free RF wireless 802.15.4 WPAN protocol that provides up to a 305 m [1000 ft] line-of-sight communication range, and prolongs battery life with advanced power management technology.

The Limitless™ WOI Series potentially could be used in industrial applications such as CNC action, conveyors, door and gate action, lifts, material handling, motor drives, presses, pumps, quality control buttons, specialty machines, stop/start machinery, stop/start production, and valve action. Potential transportation applications include agricultural equipment and movable machinery.

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Monitor machine / workstation activity and efficiency

Quick and easy to install without hard-wiring or complex programming, the WIN system from WERMA provides a simple low cost means of monitoring shop-floor efficiency.  Use as a means to monitor idle time and running time of a machine, or as a “call to action” system for workstations.

The kit can be fitted to existing WERMA signal towers (KS 71/70 series), or it can be installed as a stand alone device without lights.

A transmitter unit fitted to the signal tower sends any signal light status change immediately to a wireless receiver plugged into the USB port of your pc. This data is presented as different visuals with which allows you to monitor the operation and performance of the machine or workstation being guarded by the signal tower.

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Schurter now offers its popular TA35 thermal circuit breaker with a new antibacterial protective cover, type CZM25.  This allows the TA35 to be used in applications designed to thwart the spread of bacteria, such as equipment used in medical and laboratory facilities, as well as food production plants.

The antibacterial effectiveness of the cover has been tested and confirmed according to ISO 22196, particularly the protection against the growth of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus bacteria strains. Additionally, the silver ions contained in the protective cover prevent the growth of numerous other organisms.

The circuit breaker combined with the antibacterial cover is ideal for use in equipment where hygiene plays an important role, including equipment subjected to rigorous wash downs. The transparent antibacterial cover on the TA35 carries an IP65 rating to protect against the ingress of water and dust. It also withstands the use of common cleaning agents and disinfectants.

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With increasing health and safety demands and the need to protect valuable equipment, Finder’s new 70 Series modular rail-mounted monitoring relays provide a solution by offering maximum flexibility in monitoring a range of electrical supply parameters, in compact, easy to adjust units. For example, machine safety legislation (IEC/EN/BS60204-1) requires that portable or semi-portable motor-driven equipment be prevented from starting up in the wrong direction should the local phases be reversed, and a phase reversal monitoring relay can provide for that.

Finder’s new relays are ideal for monitoring supplies to machinery, equipment, and installations where failure or variation outside acceptable limits may result in damage to equipment, danger to personnel, or disruption to critical processes or procedures. Featuring ‘positive safety logic,’ the 70 Series will ensure that any failure mode results in the output relay assuming its de-energized position. With a selectable fault memory (lock-out), safety is increased by preventing uncontrolled restarting of equipment.

With a wide range of adjustments to maximize application flexibility, the monitoring relays feature two or three colour LED indicators for immediate visual indication of supply status. The functions and values are programmable from the front face, simplifying set-up and adjustment.

Within the 70 Series range are units designed to monitor single and 3-phase supplies for under-voltage, over-voltage, voltage within set limits, and for neutral loss, phase loss, phase rotation and asymmetry. The four monitoring relays in the 70 Series range (three of which are multifunctional) offer a selection of voltage limits between 170 – 270 for single phase, and 300– 480 for three-phase supplies, a switch off delay time between 0.5 – 60 seconds, and 4 – 25% variation of phase asymmetry. The modules are available in 17.mm or 35mm, dependent on type.

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Using a signal tower as a “call for action”
The term "Andon" originates from Japanese and is the word for a traditional paper lantern often used to signal warning.  In the language of lean production methods an Andon light commonly refers to any sort of visual system (signal tower or traffic light system)which will alert staff to danger in the workplace, a change in status of a machine or process or as a simple “call for action”.

When used as a “call for action” the andon light needs to be manually activated by the member of staff at the workstation.  For example, a simple four colour andon light might signify:
Green on:  Workstation manned
Amber:  Assistance required from maintenance
Red:  Serious error, supervision required
Blue:  Material shortage – stores to replenish

A flexible call system
A workstation equipped with a signal tower and an andon controller allows the member of staff to call immediately for help without leaving the workstation.  Local visibility of the “call for action” is given by the signal tower which may also be equipped with a sounder for additional effect.

Easy to install
The andon controller is a switch box and is supplied with the essential cabling to link it to the andon light or signal tower and a plug in 24V power supply unit.

Wireless technology provides a complete overview
In larger production areas workstations are often outside the supervisor’s line of sight. For situation such as these WERMA offers an optimal solution: a combination of AndonCONTROL and WIN (Wireless Information Network) allows a central overview of the currents status of up to 50 workstations at the same time.  By adding a WIN transmitter to the signal tower operated by the andon controller every time a switch is actuated that data is collected by the WIN system allowing review and performance monitoring of the workstation.

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