DIN Rails -The Ultimate Guide of All the Essential Information
A DIN rail is a metallic structure used to mount various electrical equipment, such as relays, circuit breakers, power supplies, etc. It comes in multiple shapes and sizes and is mounted on a surface using screws or fasteners, and electrical components are fixed on it.
It is an efficient mounting platform providing a simple method for organizing electrical components within control cabinets, junction boxes, etc. The precise construction allows you to align your electrical components according to a set wiring pattern and remove errors.
A DIN rail is constructed from different materials depending on their requirements and usage. The most common materials for manufacturing rails are:
- Steel
- Stainless Steel
- Aluminum
DIN stands for Deutsches Institut für Normung, or German Institute for Standardization, the original developer of standards for these rails. The organization felt a need to standardize electrical equipment mounting and came up with the DIN standard. First published in 1928, the DIN standard has gone through various revisions to account for industrial innovations without changing the basic design too much.
There is a considerable demand for rails in various industries today, and their market is expected to reach $993.4 million by 2030.
In this article, we will discuss the following:
Types & Dimensions of DIN Rails
Products Available
Benefits of Using DIN Rails
DIN Rail Applications
Installation and Maintenance of DIN Rails
How to do Maintenance of Din Rails
Marking and Labels on DIN Rails
International Standards for DIN Rails
Common Issues & Troubleshooting for DIN Rails
FAQs
Now let’s dive in.
Types & Dimensions of DIN Rails
Generally, four types of rails are defined by their measurements when viewed in cross-section. Let’s discuss each of them in detail;
TS35 or Top Hat Sections
TS35 is the most readily available rail type on the market today and is considered an industry standard. It is used for mounting various electrical equipment, from circuit breakers to motor controllers to drives. The name top hat refers to its resemblance to a cross-section of a deep hat, with a 35 mm length from one edge to the other.
It is available in two channel depths:
- 7.55 mm, considered standard.
- 15 mm, called a deep or high hat.
Usually, 7.55 mm suffices for mounting most electrical equipment, including power supplies and circuit breakers.
TS15 or Miniature Top Hat Sections
The TS15 is precisely similar to the TS35 in shape but smaller, with an edge-to-edge width of 15 mm instead of 35 mm. With a common depth of 5.5 mm, the TS15 is also shallower than the TS35. It is usually used to mount smaller components, such as compact junction boxes and relays.
TS32 or “C” Sections
The TS32 is 32 mm wide from edge to edge, and its C-shaped cross-section is curved at the edges. It was used during the early years of rail adoption but has now mostly been replaced by TS35. However, it is still used in some places due to its incredible wall support for mounting power supplies and transformers.
For mounting modern equipment, you’ll require a separate adapter with TS32. The C-section rails have different variants based on their vertical height, such as C20, C30, C40, and C50.
TS G-type Sections
The G-type or J-type rails are called so because of their cross-sectional shape, which features a deeper recess on one side than the other. When you mount the rail to offer additional support for heavier equipment, then the deeper side is placed on the lower end.
This perforated steel rail is silver, with a height of 7.50mm. Since it’s already perforated, you don’t need to make drill holes to mount your equipment. Its steel construction provides a secure and reliable mounting base for all electrical equipment.
Unperforated Steel Din Rail 35mm×15mm
The unperforated steel rail is made of electro-galvanized steel, which gives it the strength to handle all kinds of loads. It has a depth of 15mm instead of 7.50mm, providing ample space to mount your equipment. Our unperforated rail is available in various lengths to meet your requirements.
Din Rail Support – ST Series
Our rail support comes in two series: ST and STS. ST series is manufactured from cold-rolled steel coated with a galvanic zinc plating and treated with passivation. The screw size on the ST series is 6mm, and its height is 52mm. With robust construction, it is ideal for supporting your rails in all kinds of scenarios.
Din Rail Support – STS Series
The STS series comes in 25, 50, 70, and 90mm heights and is also made from steel treated with zinc plating and passivation. The screw size on STS is also 6mm. With its quality construction, STS can offer robust support to your rails.
Benefits of Using DIN Rails
There are countless advantages of using DIN rails. Here are a few of them;
- Save you time and space by mounting each device and component separately.
- Accommodate various equipment, regardless of shape and size, providing a versatile mounting solution.
- Help reduce clutter by allowing you to arrange all electrical equipment orderly.
- Help you with maintenance and troubleshooting by allowing easy identification of wiring and devices.
DIN Rail Applications
Industrial & Building Automation
Rails are used to mount programmable logic controllers (PLCs) and other automation equipment in different industries. Moreover, they are handy for mounting various devices in building automation systems, such as relays and timers for controlling HVAC, lighting, and other systems.
Renewable Energy
They are used to mount different electrical equipment in renewable energy systems, such as solar & wind power. These rails are perfectly suited for mounting inverters, charge controllers, battery management systems, etc.
Power Management & Light Control
Rails are ideal for mounting power distribution and energy management devices, such as meters, power factor correction equipment, etc. Similarly, they are well suited for mounting lighting control devices like timers, sensors, dimmer switches, etc.
Here’s a simple step-by-step process to mount a rail quickly;
- Step 1: Choose the appropriate rail type and size for your application.
- Step 2: Make sure the surface is clean and flat using a level.
- Step 3: Fix the rail in place. You might need to use clips, given the type of rail. Use screws and fasteners to permanently fix it to the mounting surface so it doesn’t wobble.
- Step 4: Install and secure your electrical equipment after installing the rail.
How to do Maintenance of Din Rails
Here’re a few things you can do to ensure that your rails are well-maintained:
- Use a soft dry cloth to clean your rails and remove dust or debris regularly. It ensures that the devices mounted on them perform optimally.
- Inspect your rails regularly to ensure there are no cracks or damage to them. Replace them immediately if you notice any damage to your electrical equipment.
- Regularly check the rails to ensure they’re correctly grounded. Otherwise, they can cause damage to the electrical equipment.
Marking and Labels on DIN Rails
Meaning of DIN Rails Markings and Labels
The marking system and labeling use metal and plastic tags to provide information about electrical components mounted on rails, such as device number, current rating, voltage rating, etc. The purpose of this system is to quickly locate specific electrical equipment in an extensive electrical system, especially in vast industrial and commercial settings.
These markings and labels can come in various formats depending on specific applications. Adhesive labels, cable ties, engraved plates, and snap-on markers are all used as labels.
