In the realm of circuit board design, board space has always been an important issue for the designer. As technology has progressed, circuit boards have become smaller and denser over time and space has become increasingly harder to find. Some components, namely terminal blocks, inherently consume a relatively large amount of board space and therefore, their size can be a significant factor in the overall design. At the same time, industries are moving toward greater levels of automation and integration, which results in greater system complexity. RIA CONNECT, INC. has evolved its terminal block product line parallel to the development of the SPRINGCON and PLUGCON series of spring type, pluggable terminal blocks.
In the world of modern lawn maintenance, irrigation design and control is a serious business. The challenge is to accomplish irrigation in such a way that proper soil moisture content can be maintained while promoting water conservation. This type of system can require a multitude of sensors to detect and measure the presence of moisture in the soil. Consider how undesirable it would be to go to each sensor site in order to monitor the soils moisture content in that region. How would you know if a sensor was faulty or inoperable in real time, unless you physically checked each one? This is where the terminal block can aid in system monitoring and control. By installing a terminal block, for example the RIA CONNECT, INC AST188 series terminal block, at a designated control site, the system designer can bring these remote sensors together into one common location. You have now created an easy access point, from which the status of each sensor can be verified, and hence monitor the overall performance of the system.
In the example above, you will most likely find many points of termination. As a result, the designer can also implement multi-colored terminal blocks to help reduce the risk of mis-wiring, and the resulting electrical damage that may ensue. This makes for a more timely installation and protects circuits from seeing incorrect signals that may cause damage. You can even code each individual position of the terminal block to eliminate the possibility of mis-mating in applications where a pluggable terminal block is used. A glance at the RIA CONNECT color-coded SPRINGCON series of terminal blocks will aid the technician in the process of installation, and eliminate any guesswork when performing maintenance or repair. This translates into saved time, which means saved money.
As mentioned above, pluggable terminal blocks are desirable forms of termination as they allow a quick and easy method of removing circuit boards that are either defective or in need of upgrade. Pluggable terminal blocks also inherently eliminate rewiring errors during the reinstallation process, as there is no need to rewire. Just mate the pluggable portion of the terminal block pair with the associated header. Terminal blocks come in both screw-type (RIACON series terminal block) and Spring-type (SPRINGCON series terminal block) ( configurations. There are attributes to both types of terminal blocks, and some may have more influence on the decision making process then others.
Screw type terminal blocks are typically lower in cost then the spring type terminal block equivalents, although the price gap is closing thanks to increased volumes that are driving automated assembly programs. In some designs cost is the key issue and hence the screw type terminal block is well suited. However, there are tools required to install the wires and secure them in the contact bodies. There is also the potential for the screws to back out over time in applications that are subject to continuous vibration. Some discretion is left to the technician for proper installation of terminal blocks. If the incorrect torque is applied, contact resistance values cannot be guaranteed, and damage can occur. The slightly higher cost associated with Spring type terminal blocks typically is more than offset when you consider the amount of time saved in the installation process. It is not uncommon to see install times reduced by half or more when a using RIA CONNECT SPRINGCON terminal blocks. These types of terminal blocks are much more immune to vibration and supply a constant and correct contact force to the wire. This yields a gas tight connection and eliminates the formation of oxidation that may otherwise occur due to the creation of corrosive gases.
Terminal blocks are used throughout the world. In Europe especially, special consideration with respect to material makeup is of concern. As we migrate towards making our planet a safe place for future generations, the European counsel has formed a directive that limits the use of certain hazardous substances in the manufacture of products sold in Europe. This directive is denoted as EU 2002/95/EC, Restriction of Hazardous Materials (RoHS). All of our terminal blocks comply with this directive. RIA CONNECT, INC. terminal block are also UL recognized components and meet SEV requirements for European markets. Browse through our online catalog of terminal blocks at riaconnect.com, and see how we can provide you with cost effective termination solutions.
