• Phoenix Contact (India) Private Limited

Easy Wiring of Even the Smallest Cables

Terminal blocks with push-in connection technology offer high wiring convenience and contact quality

Modern installation concepts aim for economic efficiency and flexibility, and not only in times of crisis. Even in the age of bits and bytes, “classic” terminal block wiring continues to offer development potential. With “PIT” (push-in terminals), Phoenix Contact introduces a new generation of terminal blocks with push-in connection technology.

For over 30 years, Phoenix Contact has used the advantages of compression springs, which have become a standard in PCB connection technology. PIT terminal blocks are also based on the compression spring principle, but they set new standards for ease of use and ergonomics.

Up to now, only rigid cables the size of the terminal’s nominal cross section had sufficient stiffness for tool-free and relatively practical wiring of comparable products. PIT terminal blocks, however, work with plugging forces reduced by approximately 50 per cent. With the new terminal principle, flexible cables with ferrules starting at 0.34 mm² can be connected directly to the terminal point without tools.

The advantages of this direct plug technology open up new fields of application for the terminal, such as sensor wiring in mechanical and plant engineering. The advantages also have an effect here. Like the other connection technologies from Phoenix Contact, the PIT also enables a secure, gas-tight and vibration-resistant connection.

The cable is disconnected by pressing the integrated latch. The latch’s surface is designed so that it can be operated with any screwdriver – minus, plus, pozi, Phillips or other “pointed” tools of various sizes. Even the pressure of a ballpoint pen is enough to disconnect a cable.

PIT accommodates rigid or finely stranded cables from 0.14 to 4 mm². Finely stranded cables that have not been pre-assembled can be connected through the simple use of the latch. The generously designed cable feed trough prevents the cable from fanning out. An integrated spring stop protects the contact and reliably restricts the spring path.

The PIT terminal blocks form a fundamental component of the "Clipline complete" terminal block system (see sidebar). Like other series, such as screw, spring-cage, quick and bolt connections, PIT uses the same complete line of accessories, such as plug-in bridges, testing equipment and labeling. This significantly reduces the cost of part storage. The compatibility of these systems also extends to other overlapping areas. For example, 10, 16 and 35 mm² feeds can be done with screw or spring-cage connectors, and the distribution of potentials can be performed with push-in technology or a fast connection system.

The PIT product family includes the complete nominal cross-section range of 2.5 mm². In addition to standard feed-through terminal blocks, the product program includes multilevel terminal blocks, functional terminals and pluggable terminal blocks.

The PIT-Combi type pluggable terminal blocks also offer a high degree of flexibility. In modular machine designs, pluggable electrical solutions enjoy clear advantages in the commissioning, service and transportation of individual units. PIT-Combi base terminals and connectors allow for individual combinations, and the required pin count can be custom-tailored for the application and coded to prevent transposition. This is a clear advantage over conventional plug connectors with fixed pin counts. With its 24 A/800 V rating, the PIT-Combi is suitable for signal and power wiring.