A DIN rail, also known as a ‘top-hat’ rail, is a standardised, 35mm wide metal rail with a hat-shaped cross section. It is widely used for mounting circuit breakers and industrial control equipment inside equipment racks.
In addition to the 35mm size rail there are other, less widely used types, including the 15mm, 7.5mm and the G-type rail. All DIN rails should carry British Safety standard certification, as with any electrical goods.
DIN rails and mounting hardware are used on computer boards. DIN is an acronym for Deutsche Institute fuer Normung, a German standardization body and member of the International Standards Organization (ISO). DIN rails and mounting hardware are standard mounting equipment for a variety of electronic components, including terminal blocks to connect wiring. DIN rails and mounting hardware are internationally approved, industry standard hardware for a vast array of components made by computer manufacturers. DIN rail terminal blocks also offer grounding and disconnecting capability and provide self-locking clamps to ensure a tight connection.
DIN rails most common applications are in general industrial applications including factory automation, electro-mechanical industry, data communications, IT, power distribution boxes, control panels, building automation and household appliance control. Their versatility in being able to deliver a power supply to multiple applications means that DIN rails are one of the most commonly used delivery systems.
When used to mount circuit breakers, DIN rail mounting means that the circuit breaker is much more easily accessible than if it were mounted using more traditional methods.
DIN rail power supplies are power supplies that are mounted onto the rail to allow external units to be connected to a power source. The best quality DIN rail power supplies should have the following features:
Universal AC input Short circuit, over load, over voltage protections Cooling by free air convection Can be installed on DIN rail TS-35/7.5 or 15 NEC class 2 / LPS compliant Built in DC OK active signal LED indicator for power on No load power consumption <0.75W 100% full load burn-in test
· Fixed output voltage
By incorporating all of these into a power supply unit, the power delivery is safe and assured. The low power consumption makes these units an energy-efficient method of power delivery, keeping running costs down.
Larger units are available for three-phase power supply requirements, although these are mainly used in commercial applications rather than domestic ones. The inclusion of a UPS system will ensure that the power supply is uninterrupted, even in the event of a general power cut.
Modern DIN rail power supplies are compact, lightweight and reasonably priced. If you have a number of electrical appliances that require a continuous power supply, installing a DIN rail system saves space and improves efficiency by keeping your power supplies wall-mounted and away from deskspace. Including a circuit breaker in the design maximises safety and means that common faults can be dealt with quickly and easily. DIN rails should be installed by a professional electrician, who will be able to advise you on the best form of DIN rail power supply system to mount onto your rail.
