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Useful information about DIN rails and mounting rails
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General information about hat and mounting rails
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How do DIN rails work?
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How are DIN rails and mounting rails specified?
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Which mounting rails and mounting rails are available?
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What was to be observed when selecting and installing mounting rails?
General information about hat and mounting rails
In electrical systems, distributions, controls, measuring devices and connection units are installed in control boxes and cabinets. Profile rails made of metal , so-called mounting rails, which are also referred to as "top hat rails" due to their profile, are used to attach the components, switching devices and operating equipment contained therein. These are shaped in such a way that the components can be mounted or dismantled quickly and without great effort. The standardized dimensions allow the installation of products from different manufacturers .
Mounting rails with a different profile, to which electrical devices are attached, for example, in control cabinets or during installation cables and electrical cables, fall under the term " mounting rails ".
A special type are busbars : these are made of copper, have a rectangular cross-section and are designed to connect conductors or protective conductors with common potential. If they are not solid, but are made of thin copper sheets, i.e. laminated, they can also be laid in curves.
Terminal block mounted on a DIN rail. The right claw is fixed, the left one springs and can be levered out with a screwdriver.
How do DIN rails work?
DIN rails are U-shaped metal rails whose head ends are each symmetrically bent outwards. This results in a profile similar to the cross-section of a inverted hat in the side view. These mounting rails are installed on the inner rear of the control boxes and cabinets . The devices to be mounted on them, e.g. Circuit breakers, contactors or relays, as well as components, e.g. Terminal blocks are clamped onto the track heads with a mechanism located on the underside of the rail, with a fixed catch on one side and a movable detent on the other, which is locked with a spring. This can be easily pushed out with a screwdriver, for example, during any necessary disassembly, so that the component can be easily removed.
The components can be attached without gaps, so that a compact design of the electrical switchgear can be achieved. The built-in devices and components are wired on their top.
Profile of DIN rail TS35/7.5
How are DIN rails and mounting rails specified?
Unperforated DIN rail made of galvanized sheet steel for a housing system.
DIN EN 60715 , formerly DIN EN 50022...50024 and 50035 and 50045, DIN rail with top hat profile are standardized. The most commonly used version with 35 mm width and 7.5 mm height is also called " TS35/7.5 " (such as "35 mm mounting rail") and in the English language room as "DIN rail", i.e. " DIN rail ". In addition to the dimensions of the clamping device, the standard also specifies the respective depth of the devices and components to be mounted on the DIN rail. This ensures that switching devices, such as circuit breakers, protrude from the front panel in order to operate them.
The width of the series devices and components is also standardized: Each is a multiple of 18 mm. This grid is also known as the "division unit".
Mounting rails can have different shapes, some have a "C-profile" with the heads of the U-profile bent inward.
A special shape is sliding rails, which are used to enable larger functional units to be mounted as movable shelves in a control cabinet.
Which mounting rails and mounting rails are available?
Support rails and mounting rails are usually made of galvanized steel. The zinc coating prevents corrosion. There are also special versions made of other material, e.g. Aluminum or copper. These are also approved as current conductors. The length is either matched to specific housings, control boxes or cabinets in which they are to be mounted . The mounting holes also depend on the position of the corresponding threaded holes in the corresponding housing. Apart from these holes at the ends of the rails, they are otherwise unperforated. However, there are also tracks as a piece of goods with a total length of 2 m, from which individual lengths can be cut off.
DIN rail with slotted holes. This is available as a piece of material, from which a piece with the required dimensions can be cut to length.
What was to be observed when selecting and installing mounting rails?
In many cases, mounting rails, rails and mounting rails are part of a housing and control cabinet system . In their descriptions, manufacturers provide detailed information on how the individual parts fit together and how they are to be assembled. When selecting the DIN rail, make sure that the mounting devices there to be mounted components, devices, etc. are also suitable for this type of rail. This is ensured if both the components and the rail comply with the same standard. The necessary information can be found in the respective data sheets.
When mounting the support rails, make sure that these are secured without any voltage or distortion, otherwise there may be a risk that the devices and components that are attached to them do not sit firmly on the rail and that the gaps between the components cannot be closed.