Seeking Advice on Best Way To RoadTest DIN Rail Mounted 24 VDc Power Supply

Hi James baldengineer ,

An example:

In January I was a part on the Eaton Easy E4 roadtest.

I used the DIN rail 35mm (this i the standard dimension 35mm width and 15mm high, the length comes within the casing) to clamp on the PLC as well as the SMPS 24V / 2.5A.

Eaton easyE4 nano programmable logic controller... | element14 | RoadTests & Reviews

"Turn the radio on!" - Easy E4 PLC in... | element14 | Gerald Schwarz

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For example, what I mentioned above about the WAGO terminal blocks, type 221:

The 222 series, the classic series, is a little different.

CLASSIC-Verbindungsklemme (222-413) | WAGO AT

They have a lever that can be loosened again if you touch it by moving.

Therefore I fixed the lever with an electrical tape.

This is a major disadvantage for this type of terminal block.

The type 222 lever is too long, its body is oval, and that's the point because the lever can pop out.

This releases the contact and creates a loose contact, which is also difficult to find because the lever is pressing lightly.

The lever of the type 221 is better, in the first place it is shorter and because it is also better inserted in its housing.

Here I used the DIN rail to build a light control with relays and contactors and a transformer.

The whole thing is simply put on a wooden plate, which is then mounted on the wall. A frame then protects the structure.

This is very practical, but it was a stopgap solution in an existing lighting system where I couldn't change much.

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This is my job - "smart furniture" - technical elements in furniture.

In home ambientes as well as in meeting rooms, offices as well as in industrial environments.

The DIN rail systems and frame systems are very practical solutions.

I love, for example. 19 "systems, everything is neatly organized here.

Best Regards

Gerald

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I may not have a DIN rail at home right now ... outside of that inside my meter box ...

https://au.element14.com/wieland-electric/ws-005-3541/din-rail-ts15-mini/dp/17712601

But seeing that a 500mm length costs only but a few dollars, I've spent more on many RoadTests ...

- Gough

I dont have much dinrail in a "home lab" , if I would need any, could pick up throw away scrap pieces from work.

Maker stuff , even power distribution boards, need smaller & lighter stuff than dinrail. Dinrail is handy tho for mounting "ice cube" relay sockets when the 5V PCB ones cant do the job. 

Here is a "invisible wall" built for teaching electricity merit badge and showing at STEM functions using a dinrail for mounting a  3A CB.

Sorry, a hair dryer on high heat is used to overload and  trip the CB. Another device not likely in your lab  :-) 

I also use the hair dryer as a heat gun on smaller heat shrink tubing in places where the butane torch isnt a good idea to fire off  :-)

This enclosure is not really a home lab but does the job. 

It surprises me how many people voted for "can be tested in any home lab" versus the " yes but need to build" option.

I had no idea so many people already had a DIN rail in their home labs. Suddenly, I am rather envious.

What do you all have set up?!

You can also get power supply modules from old printers. You only have to find a suitable case for them.

Hi Russell mp2100

I do like power supplies. I seem to collect them, 5 v 12v 24v many wall-warts, and more. I can quit collecting them any time I want, but I don’t want to yet.

"May the force be with you!"

Yes, indeed, nothing works without a power supply.

I also collect power supplies wherever I can get them. Especially for my lab those that are mounted on DIN rails, including those that are built into 19 "racks.

They are easy to use, the desk remains free for work.

By the way:

Have you already considered that half of the PC motherboards are also equipped with voltage regulators?

Each function group on the motherboard is built up in islands with its own supply.

II have DIN rail in my home lab, across some wooden studs now. Doesn’t everyone?    In any case cheap Din rail is available. I have a few 24v devices ready too. A PLC, a network switch, some protocol converters

I do like power supplies. I seem to collect them, 5 v 12v 24v many wall-warts, and more. I can quit collecting them any time I want, but I don’t want to yet.

As has been pointed out by many, the main concern would be the safety while handling the AC source. Hence if the safety part is taken care properly, doing the roadest at home lab shouldnt be any issue. Also to share my experience with Wago power supplies and terminal block it has been really awesome. During my first project i remember we were using like more than 3000 terminal blocks, and each single one block is reliable. We didnt face one single issue using the wago terminal block.

Story motivated by your response.

I worked with an Engineer to design a RF transmission system for multiple VHF transmitters. His design included RF bottle filters to isolate transmitters and receivers in order to use the same antennas. I recall him showing me the RF loss calculations accounting for all the elements from the transmitter to the antenna even down to connectors. According to his calculations he was bang on the required RF power at the antenna to have coverage.

One of his calculations was connector loss. Given that there were so many I worried his loss figure and the actual loss could be different. I explain to him the spec for loss is one thing but the actual loss has to account for both a good and bad connector installations. They are not all installed the same since they are done by different people. It depends on the attention to details.

Connectors and connections are a ***. When they work right you don't have problems. When they are poorly installed that is when the intermittent show up. I recall a LDF 450 transmission line connection on an install above the arctic circle. It had chronic problems but only when the weather was bad. Go figure? The connector center pin would pull back into the cable as the temperature dropped due to shrinkage. I demonstrated the problem by pressing my thumb against the connector at -40 Celsius and the pin didn't make a dimple. My skin did stick to the metal, ouch! That was my practical check for proper connector install.

If I was to get called out at 2 in the morning looking to restore an unserviceable piece of equipment, it is not unreasonable to MacGyver a solution if I don't have the exact wire or connectors. Especially if the equipment is remote.

I like the setup for this power supply, I would be a little harsh on how I treated the connections. Especially those push in types on the AC side. If one of those came out while someone was poking around in the rack, not only does it burn a hole in the cabinet but it also takes out everything in the cabinet while I go find the breaker.

I think you hit a bullseye to the intentions of the Road Test