The PSE EX 16 family has been extended to include the PSE EX 19 and PSE EX 22 mounting diameter. Furthermore, the certification of the PSE EX was enhanced and expanded. The PSE EX family is approved for use in potentially explosive atmospheres containing air and gases. Further application areas also include industrial sectors such as mills, where solids are found in smallest form as dust, which may be prone to self-ignition.

Flammable substances such as gases, vapors or mist which are released into the environment, e.g. while in production, during transportation or storage, may ignite and pose serious consequences for persons and property. The same is true for dust which may develop in conjunction with air to an explosive atmosphere. To ensure security in these areas, the Device Directives 94/9/EC was developed for products and protection systems. The purpose of the guidelines is the protection of personnel and devices which are working in such hazardous areas. This is done by eliminating all possible sources of fire and ignitions in the products and systems used in these areas.

The PSE EX family is certified according to ATEX and IECEx regulations. The area of application is consistent with that of the device group II (other areas than mining). It comprises systems with a potentially explosive atmosphere consisting of a mixture of air and gases, vapors or mists or in industrial areas where dust-air blends infuse the atmosphere and the danger of a dust explosion can arise.

The approval marking is Ex II 2 GD (according ATEX regulations), Ex ib IIC T6 ... T5 Gb and Ex ib IIIC T85 ° C ... T100 ° C Db (according IEC regulations) for gases and dust. The temperature class was extended from T4 to T5 and T6. Therefore the permissible power dissipation of the PSE EX was limited accordingly so that the piezo switch is intrinsically safe according to EN60079-11. In addition, the flammability group was increased from IIB to IC, respectively IIIC (gas, dust). This extension will allow the use of the PSE EX in atmosphere with further type of gases, combustible dust, ignitable fibers and flyings.

Typical applications include oil and gas exploration rigs, petrochemical facilities, environments of transportation and storage of combustible materials, paint mixing devices, painting devices, grain mills, wood processing industry, chemical plants etc.

The PSE EX standard models are available with mounting diameters of 16, 19 and 22 mm with pin connectors and housing colors in red, green or natural aluminum. On request other colors, housing diameters and connection versions are obtainable. The switches for hazardous use have a label with the particulars of the certification and an identification number. Installation instructions are included in the packaging according to the ATEX directives.

Technical data / Approvals:
- PSE EX 24V, 40 mA, PT6 = 0.7 W, PT5 = 0.96 W
- ATEX II 2 G D
- IEC Ex ib IIC T6…T5 Gb
- IEC Ex ib IIIC T85°C…T100°C Db

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MCS 19 and MCS 30 stand out due to slim design, short profile and good tactile feeling. Actuator as well as housing are made of zinc die-cast or stainless steel and can be painted in different colors. Versions with point illumination or ring illumination are available as well. The vandalproof switches are ideal for vending machines or ticket machines but also for industrial applications such as switches for control panels or sanitary facilities.

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Zero Stand-by Power for Energy Savings

Johnson Electric today announced an extension to the TIPPMATIC® switch product line.  Three TIPPMATIC switches have been custom designed for use in all types of coffee machines.  The new TIPPMATIC pushbutton switches are configured with features for use in filter, capsule, espresso and fully automatic coffee machines. These pushbutton switches are compact and can be customized to match the human factors and design requirements of the coffee machine. 

In addition to the automatic power-off feature, the TIPPMATIC switch is available with a double disconnect feature which reduces the stand-by current of the coffee machine to zero.  This disconnect feature also further improves the safety characteristics of the machine. The TIPPMATIC pushbutton switches for coffee machines expand the existing rocker switch product line.

* TIPPMATIC Timer with an internal timer is designed for filter coffee. The switch can be configured for a wide range of automatic power-off times.
* TIPPMATIC iF has an interface for an externally provided shut-off signal, generated by the electronics in fully automatic coffee machines.
* TIPPMATIC iFD features a double disconnect technology with an integrated interface for an externally provided shut-off signal, generated by the electronics in fully automatic coffee machines.

“The cumulative impact of reducing stand-by power to zero is highly significant,” said Jim Dick, Johnson Electric’s senior vice president of Strategic Marketing. “Consumer peace of mind results by knowing that an appliance will automatically be switched-off in their absence,” he added.

About Johnson Electric Group
The Johnson Electric Group is the world’s leading provider of innovative motion systems and components for automotive applications, domestic equipment, office equipment, industrial products, consumer products and medical devices. The Group is headquartered in Hong Kong and has over 38,000 employees in 23 countries.  Innovation and product design centers are located in Hong Kong, China, Switzerland, Germany, Italy, Israel, Japan, UK and the USA.  Production centers are located in China, Switzerland, Italy, Poland, Hungary, USA, Brazil, India, Argentina and the UK. 

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The Schurter metal push-button switch MSM CS is equipped with an actuator made of rugged ceramic. This material is resistant against scratches, abrasion and impact as well as chemicals. On the fully illuminated surface customer-specific lettering and symbols can be applied. Additionally the two new standard symbols bell and lamp are available. These symbols can not only be applied to the MSM CS but also to the MSM switches.

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Arcolectric – an Elektron Technology connectivity brand – has partnered with BioCote Ltd to offer a range of switches and covers with built in BioCote antimicrobial technology, providing integral protection from a wide range of micro-organisms, including bacteria, mould and fungi.

Recent high profile reports into antibiotic resistance have highlighted the need for robust infection prevention strategies, helping to eliminate antibiotic resistant organisms before they can cause infection. Arcolectric can incorporate BioCote® active silver ion technology into any of its ranges of rocker, push button and double pole switches, as well as dust and splash resistant covers. This reduces the presence of bacteria by up to 99.9 %, with no decrease in efficacy for the expected life span of the component, offering equipment manufacturers a key differentiator for the laboratory, healthcare and food processing sectors.

John McVeigh, Product Manager for Arcolectric, commented: “Switches and controls are often the first contact point for a user when they interact with a product, making these ‘high traffic’ areas a key target in the fight against microbial contamination. Integration of BioCote’s innovative antimicrobial technology into our components represents an important step forward, providing our customers with a straightforward enhancement that will benefit end users without impacting on equipment design or manufacture.”

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Elektron Technology is proud to partner with BioCote Ltd, to offer a range of antimicrobial products; BioCote® inhibits the growth of microbes on the surfaces of the following Arcolectric products:

* Push Button Switches
* Rocker Switches
* Switch Covers

Why Do We Need Antimicrobial Protection?
Microbes and can be found in any environment, as a natural part of everyday life. Even in the cleanest of surroundings, microbes begin to multiply on surfaces, sometimes to harmful levels, with one microbe having the ability to multiply to more than four million microbes within only eight hours.

BioCote technology gives the product constant, built in antimicrobial protection providing a finish that helps prevent microbes growing on the surface. BioCote protected of potentially harmful bacteria, making the need for hygiene vital, to help prevent cross- contamination.

BioCote Technology
BioCote Ltd is the market leader in providing built-in antimicrobial surface protection. Utilising the power of silver, a natural the time of manufacture. The silver technology then gives the surface of the product constant, built-in antimicrobial protection, providing a finish that helps prevent microbes growing on the surface.  With BioCote protection, the Arcolectric range of products surfaces provides protection 24 hours a day.

A Complement to Cleaning
BioCote complements hygiene practices, working in-between cleaning, 24 hours a day to reduce levels of microbes on surfaces.  BioCote antimicrobial technology has a variety of beneficial properties, making it an ideal alternative to synthetic, organic chemicals:

* Non-toxic
* Naturally occurring, environmentally-friendly and sustainable
* Will not break down, wear off, wash off or leach out of products over time
* BioCote retains its antimicrobial efficacy for the expected lifetime of the product
* Does not function in the same way as antibiotics, therefore, there is no known evidence to suggest that bacteria are resistant to it

Natural & Safe
BioCote utilizes silver ion technology. Silver is a natural antimicrobial, with a high efficacy against microbes, mould and fungi. Silver has been used for centuries for its abilities to aid preservation and help prevent infection. Silver is non-toxic, naturally occurring and environmentally-friendly.

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This new model with a patented ceramic actuator face expands SCHURTER’s MSM family of metal pushbutton switches with rugged background illumination over the full actuator surface. The material is resistant against scratches, abrasion and impact as well as chemicals and makes the unit well suited for many applications in medical technology and industry. 

The new MSM CS metal pushbutton switch from SCHURTER is equipped with an actuator made of rugged ceramic. Ceramic is being employed for the first time in an operating switch and is patented by SCHURTER for this application. The material is resistant against scratches, abrasion and impact as well as chemicals; it can also be labeled and is translucent. Equipped with these versatile features, the MSM CS pushbutton switch opens up completely new possibilities in the construction of medical equipment and in industry.

If the switch is not illuminated, the actuator surface is white. Standard or customer-specific lettering is in black and embedded directly into the ceramic material.

In the illuminated versions of the switch, the actuator face fully illuminates across the entire surface, and lettering and symbols can also be applied. Positive lettering is done in black; for inverse lettering, the label text appears in the selected illumination color. Because of the way they are made, the labels are scratch-proof and stand up to common cleaning agents.

Thanks to a small, low-profile front mounting of 1.7 mm, the IP69K protection class and high level of impact resistance, the switch is extremely robust and protected against vandalism. The MSM CS is available for mounting diameters of 19 and 22 mm. Various contact types cover a range for allowable switching voltages from 30 VDC to 250 VAC; allowable switching currents range from 0.1 to 10 A. For fast wiring, the MSM CS provides blade terminals. Wires are connected to the microswitch element, which is subsequently snapped onto the previously screwed-in switch housing.

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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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Hylec-APL has launched a new series of control stations; manufactured and assembled by Hylec company, DE Controls. The new control stations combine tough IP67 enclosures with hard wearing push button and twist switches and are supplied with snap-on brackets for quick and easy wall, chassis and DIN rail mounting.

* Features a time-saving snap-on bracket mounting option.
* Patented range of control stations available exclusively from Hylec-APL.
* Up to IP67 protection available.
* Conforms to EN418 'latch-before-break' safety standard.
* 5mm wall thickness provides enough strength to replace many metal enclosures.
* Available with a huge range of buttons and switches; many variations available pre-assembled.
* Complete with 2 x M20 threaded cable gland entry.

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Manufactured from Stainless Steel, Bulgin’s extensive range of vandal resistant security switches are designed with a high resistance to wear and tear, corrosion and harsh use in potentially hostile environments such as access control applications.

The front and rear panel mounted versions have three profiles – prominent, domed and low profile – with a choice of switching and IP66 & IP68 front panel sealing which combined together to meet the ergonomic, electrical and environmental demands of switch panel design. And where the ultimate strength of steel is not needed, there is a brass, chrome plated alternative. The low profile style switches are now also available with a latching, push on - push off, action.

The illuminated versions are available in dot and ring LED indication and a variety of illumination colours including bi-colour LED’s. Newer versions also feature LED illumination driven by 6V, 12V & 24V together with rear of panel sealing, these options will add that extra dimension to control panel layouts and functionality.

The standard range of vandal resistant switches are complemented by a range of 16mm stainless steel switches of robust construction designed for use in applications where space is at a premium.

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