We are convinced of the versatility and capabilities of our TOPJOB® S range. But what do users who have to work with it day after day out in the world think of it? In conversation with Managing Director Michael Bieri of Bieri Elektrotechnik AG in Uetendorf, Switzerland.
The TOPJOB® S range includes rail-mounted terminal blocks with operating slots, levers and push-buttons. Which of these terminal blocks exactly do you use?
We use the terminal blocks with operating slots and levers – the latter primarily where measurements have to be performed. In some cases, we even use the measuring disconnect terminals for this purpose, since they allow easy disconnection. More and more, we’re seeing customers wanting a testing option, even for DALI installations.
The terminal blocks are available with different cross-sections. To what extent do you benefit from this variety?
Since we’re not exclusively a controller manufacturer, we need the complete width from the smallest to the largest cross-section. On the high current terminal blocks, we connect up to 160 A with stranded wires and single conductors.
What do you think of push-in termination? As with the 2273 Series Splicing Connector, rigid conductors can also be plugged into TOPJOB® S.
As a control cabinet manufacturer, we work exclusively with screwdrivers and stranded wires on the control cabinet side. But for electricians, being able to plug in rigid conductors without tools is a very good option.
The range also includes double- and triple-deck terminal blocks, as well as various specialty terminal blocks. Which of these solutions are you familiar with?
We’re familiar with the different variants, but we avoid them ourselves as far as possible, since they make the connection situation worse for the electricians. So, when planning the switchgear combination, we always use the normal terminal block to calculate the terminal block space and really only use double-deck terminal blocks in exceptional situations.
The three-phase power set with lever and operating slot is rarely used in electrical installations, telecommunications network setup and controller manufacturing. Could you imagine using this lever terminal block for the control cabinet supply cable?
I think that’s basically a good solution. However, with the larger input modules, I find the sealing problematic, since it takes up too much space for terminal blocks with front-entry wiring. From my point of view, side-entry wiring would be a significant improvement, since it’s easier to seal the line entry from the front. For this reason, we run the supply cables to a screw-clamp terminal block so we don’t lose too much space in the depth dimension. Besides that, we don’t use screw-clamp terminal blocks.
How could you see yourself benefiting from such an optimized terminal block if you could use one?
From not needing a second product, as we clearly only want pluggable connection.
What products from the TOPJOB® S jumper range do you use?
We use the jumper range very frequently for the control potential. For example, if we have a 24 V potential or are working with MICO, we form a block with five four-wire through terminal blocks and then connect it with a push-in type jumper bar. This gives us twenty taps in a small space. We also use the jumper range in tariff controllers for electric power plants. It’s a very lean solution and easy to expand. If you don’t have enough taps, you just attach an additional terminal block and connect it with a jumper.