Less is More | Power Entry Modules Help Reduce Costs

Reducing components is a major driver for a successful cost-saving design. Designers can significantly reduce the number of components used at the power input of a machine by specifying power entry modules.

High-quality devices and machines for the office, measurement technology, information technology and medical technology are generally equipped with IEC 60320-compliant inlet plugs on the power input side for AC current. Due to a separately required power cable with a coupling element and plug for the installation socket, this solution, compared to products with permanently installed power cables, is more expensive, but offers many advantages.

Most of these devices are sold and used worldwide, so they must be adapted to country-specific power supply line requirements. In this example, it is easily done by including different power cables with push-in connectors for Germany, the UK or the USA. Power entry modules also make it possible to replace power cables within seconds if a cable breaks, thus eliminating the time-consuming step of disconnecting old supply lines and reconnecting new ones.

For practical reasons, the power switches on devices and machines where operating personnel have to switch on and off frequently are usually designed on the front. In these cases, fuses with fuse holders are often used as overcurrent protection in conjunction with the inlet plug.

Combine Five Devices Into One

Here, the number of individual components can also be reduced on the power input side. This solution includes a power entry module with integrated resettable circuit breakers, i.e. purely resettable circuit breakers without a manual on/off function. An example of this is E-T-A’s brand new XR38 series.

E-T-A’s XR38 series power entry module combines a C14 inlet plug and an E-T-A single or double pole resettable circuit breaker in a single component. The modules replace the IEC inlet plugs, fuses and fuse holders, that would otherwise be installed individually. In the case of a two-pole?fuse, this would be five components. Unlike fuses, the circuit breakers used here can easily, safely and conveniently be switched on again after an overcurrent trip. Just one ?click? is enough.

Customers have a choice of five resettable circuit breakers from the E-T-A portfolio. Based on the electrical equipment requirements, customers can choose the most appropriate circuit breaker for each case.