Rittal has further extended its range of the RiLineX busbar system: new UL-certified fuse holders now make it even easier to engineer this quick-use standard platform in compliance with US standards. There is global demand for these fuse holders to ensure that machinery and other electrical equipment meet the requirements of Underwriters Laboratories (UL) – a prerequisite for use in the USA and various other sectors that adhere to these standards. With RiLineX fuse holders, these fuses can be fitted to the (circuit) boards without tools, with protection against accidental contact and without the need for any additional adaptors.
Rittal, a specialist in hardware, software and automation, is extending its range of the RiLineX busbar system with these UL-certified and approved fuse holders. The three-pole fuse holders are currently available in two output ratings for common US fuse types: Class CC up to 30 A and Class J up to 100 A – all offering the same core design benefits of RiLineX. “UL compliance is in demand not only within the US domestic market, but also from an international supplier’s perspective.” Our customers in Europe and Asia operate at a highly international level. “At the same time, technical and regulatory requirements are becoming increasingly complex,” says Dr Christian Maryska, Vice President Business Unit Energy & Power Solutions, Rittal: “When developing RiLineX, our top priority was making it as easy as possible for customers to work with a flexible and widely ‘pre-tested’ platform.” The outcome is a high level of safety and reliability thanks to a design that complies and conforms with standards right from the design stage, reduced planning complexity, as well as much simpler stock management and exporting processes due to the increased use of standardised components within the modular system. And an overall faster and more efficient process – now UL-compliant also.
Tool-free assembly and greater user safety
Thanks to the design adapted to RiLineX, the fuse holders can be installed particularly quickly and easily. The ‘Click & Work’ concept of this innovative busbar system platform enables installation to be up to 75 per cent faster than with conventional systems. The three-pole fuse holders, designed to accommodate up to three fuses, mount directly and securely to the RiLineX board without the need for tools or adaptors. No tools are required to fit the fuses either. The design and construction of the fuse holders also ensures a high level of occupational safety. As the circuit is only complete once the circuit breaker is fully closed, the design ensures that there is no voltage while the fuses are being fitted or removed. In addition, the electrical connectors are protected against accidental contact even when the cover is open.
How is that achieved? In the case of larger Class J fuse holders up to 100 A, the fuses are inserted into a holder in the cover and are only pressed into position when the cover is closed – this means that the circuit is only completed once the cover is shut. This feature allows for tool-free operation, provides protection against accidental contact, and ensures that the circuit is automatically disconnected when the cover is opened and when fuses are inserted or removed. When the cover is open, the electrical contacts are recessed in such a way that accidental contact is virtually impossible. The smaller fuse holders, which are 18 mm wide and designed for Class CC fuses up to 30 A, ensure safety by means of latches that automatically disconnect the circuit and cover the electrical contacts when opened. The Fuseholder Class CC is also available in a version with integrated electronic fuse monitoring, which increases the unit’s width by just 9 mm. “By quickly detecting a defective fuse, a service technician can restore the power supply much more quickly and thus reduce downtime,” adds Volker Schmidt, Head of RiLine Product Management at Rittal.