PRESS RELEASE

16 January 2015

Weidmüller FrontCom^®Vario: a compact service interface for switch and control cabinets

With FrontCom^®Vario, Weidmüller is offering a new, compact service interface for switch and control cabinets to ensure simple access to the control system/PC and electronics. FrontCom^®Vario serves customers from machine construction, the process industry and power and traffic engineering as a smart service interface with high functional flexibility and a multitude of possible combinations - and takes up half the space of the current market standard.

High machine and system availability is a general requirement. To achieve this, a technician must be able to quickly access the controls or functional electronics in the cabinet. Both selective cabinet security functions and harsh environmental conditions often prevent the cabinet from being opened directly during production. The protected service interfaces (IP 65) on the cabinet and/or housing wall provide an astonishingly simple solution. Thanks to the new FrontCom^®Vario service interface, authorised persons can connect diagnostic hardware using a data cable or an optional power cable and gain direct access to defined processes from outside.

FrontCom^®Vario ensures efficient and highly available processes, and also saves time and money. Whether you are reading out production data, troubleshooting on the PLC, modifying your configuration and programming or performing maintenance work - FrontCom^®Vario permits fast and customised access. A service interface also reduces the risks of incorrect operation in the control cabinet interior, prevents accidents and does not impair the degree of protection offered by the cabinet and/or housing.

With FrontCom^®Vario, Weidmüller combines power, signal and data interfaces in half the space of the current market standard. This is because Weidmüller integrates several functions in a space-saving single frame instead of using a double frame. With outer dimensions of 67 x 133 mm (250 mm maximum when folded out), the service interface plug is very compact. The installation cut-out is compatible with the 52 x 91 mm market standard, while the attractive housing is impact-resistant and designed to protection degree IP 65. The FrontCom^®Vario housing cover also has space for equipment labelling. Large, easily identifiable marker tags are also easy to make out from a distance. Additional markings can be attached to the inside of any interface. The single frame delivers outstanding security - thanks to both the closing knob and a lock variant, which only grants access to authorised personnel. A magnet on the housing cover is proving to be especially convenient, as it fixes the cover to the metal cabinet wall when opening. This prevents the cover from folding down and allows you to work with both hands.

FrontCom^®Vario offers planning security and equips you for the future - a portfolio of more than 5,000 combinations opens up tailored possibilities for an extremely wide range of applications. Every designer knows that this is highly relevant in practice. Customer requirements can be just as diverse as machines and systems. The initial requirements may be for a classic communication and power interface, but this can change later on. Components are thus replaced and upgraded in cabinets over the course of a machine's lifetime - requiring a different interface every time. There is also a wide variety of standards for communication interfaces in different designs such as RJ45, USB or D-Sub, which are used to dock to the systems in the cabinet. In the case of the power interface, different country-specific plug systems pose something of a challenge.

All of these combination variants must cater for the needs of one service interface system to guarantee that you are sufficiently equipped for the future during the project planning process. FrontCom^®Vario offers the ideal combination - made up of a single frame, power, signal and data inserts, and the appropriate insert plate - for virtually any configuration. More than 5,000 combinations not only make for a smart and flexible system, but also help to protect the investment that has been made. Investment security is provided, for example, by the CAT 6_ARJ45 inserts from Weidmüller'sSTEADYTEC^®series, which offer maximum performance (CAT 6_A= up to 10 GB per second) with the best transmission properties. Touch-safe protection on the interior offers additional marking possibilities for each individual port, such that each interface is also clearly identified in the cabinet.

Every FrontCom^®Vario variant can be designed with a modular structure using the following components. First of all, there are different frames.After making a cut-out in the housing or cabinet, the pre-assembled single frame is positioned and secured with three screws. Second, there is a range of inserts.Depending on your requirements, you can choose up to five different power, signal or data inserts, which snap into place in the appropriate insert plate. Internally standardised connecting lines are connected for the inserts, which are pluggable for the most part. Third, insert plates provide structure. A variety of plates are used to hold the inserts, which in turn are snapped into the frame.

Weidmüller also provides an online configurator so you can find and configure suitable interfaces on the Internet from the more than 5,000 FrontCom® Vario combinations.The result is a storable parts list containing all the individual components, which can be instantly queried online following the configuration process.(http://galaxy.weidmueller.com/frontcom)

With FrontCom^®Vario, Weidmüller is expanding its range ofFrontCom^®products to include another practical system. The provenFrontCom^®Micro panel feed-through is characterised by its compact design, IP 65 protection, a wide range of Ethernet and USB inserts andSTEADYTEC^®technology. FrontCom^®Micro can be installed in cabinet walls, distributor boxes or control panels using a 22 mm standard round hole.

For further information visitwww.weidmuller.co.uk

Weidmüller - electrical connection, transmission and conversion of

power, signals and data in the industrial environment. - Let's connect.

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(919 words)

Further editorial enquiries:

Caroline Bramwell

The Olden Group

21 High Street

Barnstaple

Devon

EX31 1BG

t. 01271 375393

e. caroline@theoldengroup.com