Decentralised maintenance switch and power distribution

Weidmüller is expanding its FieldPower® family of products by adding to its decentral maintenance switch, an On/Off function and integrated power distribution. The maintenance switch is based on the PowerBox® and is designed to meet protection class specifications IP 65, which means it is destined to be utilised on-site to fulfil industrial requirements.

Individual machines and plant components as well as motor feeders and drive sub-circuits can be isolated from the power supply by utilising the maintenance switch PowerBox® On/Off - allowing maintenance and service work to be performed safely. Creating an additional T-output to distribute power is absolutely straightforward thanks to the Push-In connection of the contact block.

The PowerBox® On/Off means users no longer require a separate maintenance switch or separate junction box, which reduces wiring and project planning costs. Installation is simple and fast using pre-fabricated plug-in connectors. The switch is designed to accommodate up to three padlocks to protect as many as three service technicians or teams against the power supply being unintentionally turned on. In addition, it is possible for a PLC to scan the position of the switch via a floating auxiliary contact at the M12 connection of the PowerBox® On/Off.

The construction of the PowerBox® On/Off has been thoroughly thought through; for instance, it is possible to assemble and mount the upper and lower parts of the maintenance switch in different locations at the same time. The lower part with integrated contact block can be installed on site in accordance with technical specifications. At the same time the upper part can be assembled and terminated in the workshop. Both parts can then be snapped together on site without any errors and screwed tight. This approach considerably reduces on-site mounting times and costs.