IDEC Blog

Resilient in harsh environments, from furnaces to freezers: the advantages of industrial equipment with a wide operating temperature range

CW series touchless switches Operating temperature ranges : -25°C to +55°C (when in use) -35°C to +70°C (when in storage) (no freezing) These switches are made with weather-resistant material, UL Type 4X approved for outdoor use. This feature is ideal in environments that are regularly exposed to the elements, such as parking lots, public restrooms and other outdoor facilities. Increased reliability you can immediately see from the product data The ‘operating temperature range’ is the ambient temperature range at which the equipment works safely, reliably and effectively. You’ll find this information in the product specifications (on the datasheet). A device may still work outside of its stated operating temperature range, but it may not perform at its best. The ambient temperature range in commercial environments is typically narrower than that for industrial environments. As just one example, many commercial devices are not rated for use below 0°C. This difference makes purpose-made industrial components more robust and durable than commercial equivalents by design. For many people, the workplace is a temperature-controlled office – or home, where they can adjust the thermostat. For others, it could be: A frosty cold storage warehouse A sunlit, humid greenhouse A hot or cold rolling production line A welding station Temperature plays a vital role in many industrial processes in these environments. Businesses in some industries, such as food or pharmaceuticals, may even be legally required to implement and maintain strict temperature controls for regulatory compliance. As a result, industrial work environments can be significantly hotter or colder than the average office. Hot or cold, workers always need to be able to trust in devices and equipment Safety and reliability are critical in any climate. Regardless of the temperature, a key safety consideration is for the tools and equipment workers rely on to do their jobs. High temperatures could cause parts to overheat and change shape. Freezing temperatures could crack and shatter fragile materials, or solidify liquids and gels. In both cases, the industrial equipment used in that environment must be resilient and durable in order to avoid downtime, damage, and other safety risks. Choosing equipment with a wide operating temperature range helps to ensure their consistent performance in various working conditions. FT and HG series operator interfaces (FT1J, FT2J, HG1J, HG2J) Operating temperature ranges: FT1J, FT2J, HG1J: -20°C to +55°C (no freezing) HG2J: -20°C to +60°C (no freezing) The UV-resistant tempered glass screen prevents clouding and/or deterioration from UV rays, and has strong heat tolerance (separately to the main unit). All units are ideal for high-exposure applications. Higher tolerance to extreme temperatures widens the use possibilities for industrial equipment Various products with high or low temperature tolerance fit the needs of specific use cases. Depending on your application, you may need a more flexible solution. There are many potential advantages of using industrial equipment with a wide operating temperature range. Devices that work effectively in both hot and cold environments can be considered for a greater variety of applications: Medical and pharmaceutical : production processes, sterilization, temperature-controlled storage, etc. Manufacturing and machine tools : hot working and cold working with metals, welding, furnaces, cooling processes, etc. Construction and agriculture : varying climates and indoor/outdoor temperatures Food and packaging : hot and cold processes for both food products and packing materials, refrigerated storage, heat sealing, etc. SX8R bus coupler module Operating temperature range : -25°C to +65°C (no freezing) The SX8R is durable in tough industrial environments and long-distance applications (e.g. outdoors, warehouses, etc.). It can withstand harsh temperatures and rugged conditions, has an IP20 rating for protection against dust, and features enhanced vibration resistance. IDEC’s robust solutions offer safety, reliability, and environmental resistance IDEC’s automation, HMI, and switch/indicator lineups include many products designed and developed for durability in harsh environments. Products with a reassuringly wide operating temperature range include: Safe, reliable operation when temperatures rise or drop The stated operating temperature range is just one of many wide-ranging benefits of IDEC products. Our devices also fit the needs of industrial users by offering safety, durability, and long-term cost effectiveness. Explore the IDEC product lineup for your region to find many other industrial devices and components with a wide operating temperature range, built to perform in harsh and rugged conditions.

Safe, Simple, Smart – and also secure: push-in terminals maintain reliable grip on industrial control panel wiring connectors

Vibration resistance: reliable when installed near machines and moving parts As the wire is held firmly in position, the potential effects of vibration and shocks are significantly reduced. Industrial equipment can vibrate during operation – often caused by the motor or generator running the machine, or components moving inside. This vibration is normal, and typically minimal. In other cases, repetitive back-and-forth movement is essential to the machine’s function. Industrial sanding machines, sorting conveyor belts and precision machine tools can all be classed as vibration-assisted machinery (VAM). There are also times when stronger vibration is a sign that the equipment needs maintenance. Wear and tear, misalignment and balance issues affect the dynamics of machine components. These problems can increase the amount of vibration and noise produced by affected equipment. No matter how the vibration is caused, nearby control panel components and wiring terminals feel the effects. For example, screws holding wires, connectors and parts together can be turned and loosened by vibrations – especially if they haven’t been tightened properly. Feel secure knowing that push-in terminals enhance convenience and safety Push-in terminals can drastically reduce control panel wiring times. Once wired, they maintain a secure grip on the connections for long-term system safety. IDEC has implemented S3 (Safe, Simple, Smart) push-in connection technology across a wide variety of safety devices: PLCs, safety relay modules, switches, pilot lights, and more. Explore the range and your options with your regional sales team. We’ve previously explained how quick and efficient push-in terminal wiring can be. This time, learn more about one of the biggest benefits that push-in terminals provide after wiring is complete: reassuringly secure grip. What makes a push-in terminal so secure? When you push a wire into the wiring port, it pushes back a spring-loaded clamp inside the terminal. Once the wire is in place, the clamp starts to push back against the connector. This consistent pressure prevents the wire from moving. As the amount of pressure is constant, there is no risk of it eventually loosening. A push-in terminal maintains the same level of grip on an installed wire – and the direct, reliable electrical conductor connection – throughout its lifespan. Pull resistance: wires can’t be removed by accident In our catalogs and manuals for IDEC products with push-in terminals, we explain that wiring is simple: Step 1: push the wire straight in, to the back of the wiring port, as far as it can go. Step 2: lightly pull on the wire to confirm that it’s properly installed. We suggest giving wires a light pull – but they can withstand much more force than that. The pull-out force for push-in terminals is higher than that for screw terminals and spring clamp terminals. A wire that’s been correctly installed in a push-in terminal won’t loosen or fall out. The chances of pulling a wire out by accident are reassuringly low. This level of reliability is essential in many industrial settings. International safety standards and best practice guides for industrial control panel wiring emphasize the importance of correctly installing wires and storing slack. Loose or disconnected wires can lead to significant equipment downtime and workplace safety hazards. The simple, safe way to remove wires from a push-in terminal – when ready – is: press and hold down the pusher with a flat blade screwdriver, and carefully pull out the wire.

Simplifying control panel wiring: how push-in terminals enhance efficiency in industrial applications

Three common types of terminal block Screw terminal : the traditional option. Spring clamp terminal : an evolution. Push-in terminal : the game-changer. Push-in terminals in their current form are a relatively new invention, but their popularity has rapidly grown. S3 (Safe, Simple, Smart) push-in connection technology enhances the appeal of many IDEC products, from automation devices to industrial components: FC6A PLC HG2J operator interface FT2J integrated PLC+HMI KW2D RFID reader HR2S safety relay module SJ/SU relay sockets HW switches and pilot lights CW flush switches and pilot lights The number and variety of IDEC products with push-in terminals reflects the widespread appeal, ease of use, and revolutionary nature of push-in wiring technology. Watch our timelapse wiring comparison video for control panel switches: A step-by-step guide to removing wires from a push-in terminal Step 1 : press and hold the pusher with a flat blade screwdriver. Step 2 : while holding down the pusher, pull out the wire. Again, it’s simple, and takes less time than loosening screws. On IDEC products with push-in terminals, the release tabs are yellow or orange to make them easier to find. They are essential for removal – pulling on a secured wire in a push-in terminal will add to the amount of force keeping it in place. For industrial users, push-in terminals offer practical solutions Push-in terminal wiring efficiency makes a real difference during control panel wiring. Add on the safety, convenience, and space-saving benefits that push-in terminals provide, and the choice is clear. You can continue to expect frequent product innovations and functional safety developments from IDEC. The rise of push-in terminals for quick, efficient and tool-free wiring When wiring a terminal block with push-in technology, you might feel like you’re missing something: a screwdriver. With screw terminals, you need to loosen the screw, insert the wire, and retighten the screw. With spring clamp terminals, you need a tool to hold the clamp open until the wire is inserted. The extra work time needed to secure each wire soon adds up. With push-in terminals and wires with a crimped ferrule (or solid wires), you don’t need to use a screwdriver at all. Keeping at least one hand free during the wiring process can improve concentration and reduce reaction time if there is an issue. The risk of injury is low, thanks to the IP20 finger-safe protection rating IDEC push-in terminals hold. The more devices and switches that are installed on your control panel, the more wires you need to connect. The more wires you have, the more likely you are to need (and use) terminal blocks to keep them secure and organized. Terminal blocks act as ‘junctions’ for the wiring system, routing tens or hundreds of wires between input and output devices. They can be found behind control panels in many industrial applications (manufacturing, automotive, etc.) where complex electrical systems need to be installed quickly and safely. How to install products with push-in terminals in your control panel Important safety note : make sure that electric power to all control panel devices is off before starting installation, wiring, inspection, maintenance and removal. Failure to do so may create a fire hazard or cause electrical shocks. All terminals need to be mounted securely on a suitable surface. That could be the back of a control panel switch, or on a DIN rail. For contact block mounting : IDEC contact blocks snap onto the back of compatible pushbuttons and indicator lights. Make sure that the locking ring is fastened before attaching the contact block. For DIN rail mounting : The DIN rail should always be horizontal. IDEC products designed to attached to DIN rails clamp or snap into place. IDEC products for control panels are designed to be compact, reducing the panel area and the amount of installation space needed behind it. They give you more room to create the optimum arrangement of terminals and wires. A step-by-step guide to push-in terminal wiring Step 1 : push the wire to the back of the wiring port. Step 2 : give the wire a light pull to confirm it’s connected properly. That’s all you need to do. Using this quick and simple process, time spent on wiring work could be shortened by as much as 55% (compared to wiring a screw terminal). You can see the difference in this socket wiring video: