Customized control cabinet and junction box solution

Special junction box or cabinet solutions must be extremely economical to implement and able to withstand very harsh conditions. It needs experts to compile these customized “sets” of components.

Information on standards, explosion protection and much more is gathered during this first step. If no documentation is available, CAE software with an integrated 3D module is used to create a virtual draft of the control cabinet or field junction box. The software allows checks to be made in the early planning stages on the consistency of the design, the distance between components, and whether there is a risk of collision.

If desired, a prototype (Golden Sample) is constructed soon after the green light has been given. This is standard for projects involving large numbers of units. Once completed, the requirements and solutions are thoroughly analyzed. If the results prove successful, production of units based on the prototype design begins.

The Bühl plant of Pepperl+Fuchs, for example, uses in-house standards to allow it to directly take care of 85% of all requests. “The remaining 15% are solutions that we can develop for the customer on a case by case basis”, explains Christian Leppert, Product Manager for Fieldbus Junction Boxes and Cabinet Solutions.

Each stage is optimized for its respective task, allowing the entire production line to run like clockwork. Continuously improving the process brings the added benefit of ever-better product quality. Each electrical component within the control cabinet undergoes extensive load and suitability testing. If desired, the plant can also carry out a Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) in a completely separate part of the site. As part of this final stage, it is also possible to carry out special configuration work on behalf of the customer, considerably reducing commissioning time when installing the control cabinet into the plant.

In addition to ATEX and IECEx certification for Europe and Asia, UL certification is also available for the American market. Customers merely need to decide when and where the order is to be provided. Pepperl+Fuchs takes care of all the rest and ensures the delivery is made on time. If requested we are able to help integrate it into existing plant environments.

A successful project can be summarized in three key phrases: a close relationship, top quality and dependable deliveries. A honed purchasing, retrieval and warehousing system keeps lead times to a minimum. “We provide our customers with comprehensive support. A long-term relationship is possible only if our customers are successful,” says Markus Hertel, Manager Product Group Cabinet/Junction Box Solutions and Operations. Stable contacts assist in ensuring efficient resource planning, allowing short-notice orders to be processed and implemented promptly and at the same time as larger projects.

The Systems+Solutions Centers from Pepperl+Fuchs are experts in compiling customized “sets” of components from their extensive product ranges. In addition to interface modules, remote I/O systems and fieldbus components, solutions for purge and pressurizing as well as visualization and HMI are available. Housings made from various materials and explosion-protected electrical components are also offered. Each project is backed-up by a comprehensive support network including on-site technical support anywhere in the world and international training courses available on request.


Edited by: Constanze Schmitz