“Technology trends such as the growing power density in electronics are a challenge for engineering - but also a decisive success factor for equipment application,” as Weidmüller Device Connectivity Product Manager Stephan Ruhnau acknowledges.
“Continuous improvements have considerably increased the electrical performance capacity of high-current PCBs in recent years. Our high-current PCB terminal LXXX 15.00 provides developers with the option of replacing bulky and expensive busbar assemblies in applications up to 150 A with a single, compact component. A truly practical advantage that NORD DRIVESYSTEMS, a global industry leader in gearbox manufacturing, has profited from.”
All-round reliable contact of single conductors up to 50 mm²
With the SK 500E frequency converter product range, NORD DRIVESYSTEMS offers intelligent and affordable drive solutions in graded equipment variants, which are fully compatible in terms of performance range, supply voltage and size. The SK 545E converter is the top performance and configuration model of the product range up to 37 kW.
The challenge was to develop a cost-oriented solution that, at the same time, offered a high degree of functionality. The drive engineering specialist applied these principles to the selection of all components.
“For the high-current connection, we looked for PCB terminals that were as compact as possible and which provided an overall reliable contacting of “finger thick” single wires up to 50 mm²,” reports NORD DRIVESYSTEMS Development Chief, Johns-Peter Grzella. “The Weidmüller LXXX 15.00 proved to be the ideal choice for us, not only because of its high power density, but also in terms of its very convincing safety and conformance with standards.”
The Weidmüller LXXX 15.00 proved to be the ideal choice for us, not only because of its high power density, but also in terms of its very convincing safety and conformance with standards.
With its currently unrivalled connection range, the LXXX 15.00 reliably connects wire cross-sections up to 50 mm² to the PCB. The Weidmüller steel clamping yoke delivers robust safety in this area and its maintenance-free credentials have already been proven in millions of applications.
Because of the extended touch-safe protection in line with equipment standard IEC 61800-5-1, NORD DRIVESYSTEMS can integrate the LXXX 15.00 without additional covers. Additional safety is provided by the integrated “Wire Guard” feature which prevents dangerous, faulty wiring, such as inserting a cable below the yoke, and thus protects against the risk of invisible fusing contact, which can be especially dangerous in the high-current range.
Halogen and silicone free Weidmüller high-performance insulating material WEMID
In addition to meeting the high environmental standards, the halogen and silicone free Weidmüller high-performance insulating material WEMID also meets the requirements for maximum availability: with a Relative Temperature Index (RTI) of 120 °C, the LXXX 15.00 exceeds the upper extended use temperature of standard polyamide by as much as 20 °C. The advantage: more reserve capacity for increased safety during temperature fluctuations and overload.
“Our contacts from Weidmüller’s Engineering division, with their specialist knowledge regarding the special requirements for high currents, really assisted us and helped provide us with a highcurrent connection tailor-made to our application,” Grzella is pleased to report. “This allowed us to focus completely on our core areas of competence during the development of the SK 500E series.”