Electrical protection comes in many forms from fairly standard RCD/RCBO panels and earth line monitoring equipment used for upgrade and maintenance in the industrial/commercial sphere, through to high end Rail and MOD situations where specialist manufacturers have gained the necessary approvals through long-term experience and technology.

Typically, modular earth leakage protection units come complete with overload and short circuit protection while many are also approved by Network Rail for use in DC Electrified areas and feature sold state electronic circuitry for stability and immunity from spurious tripping, with different permutations of rating in each voltage range. Standard units are usually in steel, enclosures with RCD test button and MCB toggle at the front.

These devices run from the Multiway FDB2 modular panel through the FDB11 at 230V for general purpose building renovation and replacement projects, and the FDB13, FDB15 and FDB19 3 phase 400V units for new build installations. Also in the family is the FDB27 MOD spec unit for aircraft or army hangers, new build and replacement installations.

Sometimes a panel builder will want to incorporate our components into their own system – consequently it is important to them to have access to the same range of panel mounting devices. As experienced specialists in the sphere of AC power protection FDB Electrical offer a wide range of these panel mounting components and standard enclosed units for this purpose – but of course we also have the technology to configure custom panels for protected power on remote airfields, in hangers, on pontoons or in fixed dock situations.

By the very nature of the custom panel building process, we suggest a detailed initial conversation with your panel builder to understand what the specification calls for.

The FDB2 RCBO unit is a multi-way housed earth fault protection system which shares DC immune technology with its smaller sister unit the FDB11. FDB2 offers 2-way, 3-way and 4-way options as standard with approval by Network Rail for use in DC electrified areas where it provides general purpose earth leakage protection, including overload and short circuit protection, for AC equipment without the problems of nuisance tripping associated with DC induced currents. This is important in nearby offices, retail outlets and café/restaurants, car parking machines and charging stations for example.

Both AC and DC types of panel mounting components are available to multi-range protection levels including pre-set and user adjustable types. Where appropriate it is important to use solid state circuitry that offers immunity to voltage transients and DC components. For visual monitoring we suggest a panel meter and a portable RCD test set for functional checking.

Naturally, there are many well proven standard configurations on the market but of course there is often a need for something a bit different and that is where the expertise of your panel builder comes into play. Whether you are looking for a DC immune device for a rail related installation or an IP 66 three phase unit a custom unit may be built to meet specific needs – for land based, shore line, ship installation, hangers, workshops, industrial units, and institutions.

One such application is the Monorail Mass-Transit in Singapore where our EFU50 DC protection units have been used. These units protect in-station equipment on the DC contactless charging system where it monitors the DC circuit for earth faults and disconnects in the event a fault is detected so as to protect the system from further costly damage and potentially protect personnel from the effects of the fault.

The EFU50 (RIA tested by UK Network Rail) is part of the FDB Optima series of earth fault protection relays (RCD’s) and will detect residual direct current without having to use Hall Effect transducers. It can also be installed to detect when and where an earth fault occurs in a DC wired circuit, thus eliminating costly man hours and down-time in locating system faults.

The EFU50 is designed to react to DC currently only and will reject induced or stray alternating current from 25Hz to 250Hz up to 2 Amps whilst still operating precisely on DC residential current against its preset level. This enables the EFU50 to be used to detect imposed DC current on AC circuits as well as its primary use of DC residual current detection.

We have also supplied the FDB19/STS special-purpose power supply units for use by Royal Marines landing craft. In this case the FDB19/STS is a specially configured version of the standard FDB19 Heavy Duty Adjustable RCCB, designed to be mounted on offshore pontoons that are supplied from shore-based transformers. Once moored, landing craft can plug into the FDB19 and recharge on-board batteries and ancillary equipment. Housed in GRP enclosures the equipment comprises a 60A, 16KA MCCB feeding an electro/mechanically interlocked socket outlet. Electrical protection is provided by means of an EFU15 multi-function RCD and Emguard Earth Continuity Monitor.

Protection for Ground Support Equipment is another specialist protection situation, in this case calling for a range of earth leakage/earth monitoring devices for protection of personnel and plant – for example in RAF/RNAS hangars or other similar military situations where access to protected mains electrical power is required for mobile equipment or for longer term temporary installations. Fortunately, our FDB27 units are designed in accordance with MOD specifications, with more than 100 variants available to suit all types of service applications.

Specification of a custom electrical protection system is an important process which usually requires a careful discussion with the component or system supplier – FDB Electrical are well situated to aid customers successfully through that process.

Hinges are one of the “big three” of enclosure hardware – locks, hinges and gasket – the three that make an enclosure possible with an opening door. They are important to the sealing and the security of enclosures and cabinets so we make sure that the Online store has a wide selection of types and sizes from external to internally mounted designs stocked for urgent delivery. Where batch runs of cabinets are concerned then we can also include them in our Rocfast kitting service for delivery to your production or installation site with your assembled locks and gasket.

The team here at FDB Panel Fittings are pleased to announce this Surface-Mount Slam Latch Set made by leading manufacturer Weston Body Hardware. It offers a fluorescent “mushroom” inside safety release which is widely required for large-size insulated enclosures, such as cold stores or containerised units, where a surface-mounted latch is preferable to avoid breaching the integrity of the door.

The latch features a slam action against a roller striker to ensure smooth and reliable operation which enhances the quality of the whole cabinet. This system can be used on doors and flush-fit against the frame while the Glow-In-The-Dark inside safety “punch” handle comes readily to hand for emergency release.

Other features include offset striker adjustment in 2.5mm increments, locking with key which blocks movement of handle, but allows for the bolt to be slammed shut and opened from inside. Non-standard, single-sided keys. But it can also be locked with padlock or cotter pin through body of latch. Construction is in diecast in zinc alloy with bright chromium plating surface finish.

Our Online store was set up in order to support our customers in the specialist panel building industry – people who need cabinet or enclosure locks, latches, seals, hinges, handles, rod locking mechanisms, door stays and associated components on an urgent basis. So we set it up to be simple to use and covering our ex-stock lines so we can ensure urgent delivery.

Whether Online or normal service we offer hardware from major international manufacturers. Then we coupled these items with our Rocfast assembly and logistics service so you don’t need to do the fiddly component assembly and so that you could have kitted items delivered to workshops or onsite locations – just a phone call away.

Do you receive your locks and latches in component form and then need to patiently and carefully assemble them? Do you have the components delivered to your office when it would be so much easier if they were packed in kits and delivered to site for installation?

When you specify locks and latches do you need a variety of body lengths and matching inserts and cams? Do you need some help sorting out the IP protection level you need or how to achieve it?

Would you like some friendly help from our experienced team who offer our Rocfast assembly and logistics service – great because that is what we love to do and you can contact us here by phone or email.

Our experienced team here at FDB Panel Fittings have recently announced this range of enclosure door support stays which form part of our Online offering of ex-stock stays, including telescopic stays. Of particular interest are the 7/25122 Miniature Support Stay in zinc plated steel, which features a star-wheel design for automatic release.

Explained our MD Gary Miles “miniature stays from our sales partners Weston Body hardware are small versions of our standard stays using a section width of 9 mm x 19 mm This makes them less obtrusive and more suitable for confined installations. The ‘star-wheel’ design allows automatic release which is especially useful where two stays are fitted. Applications include electrical cabinets, instrument cases, inspection windows and ski-boxes.”

Each stay extends as door is opened, and locks in the extended position. It is automatically released by a further slight extension, allowing the unit to be closed. Standard brackets fitted are used for plant-on fitting. They are constructed in zinc plated mild steel throughout with length of 152mm (closed) extending to 239mm.

The standard models are representative of a family of stays for top-hinged doors, desk tops and hatches. The stay simply extends as the door or desk top is opened, and locks in the extended position. It may then be released by a further slight extension; this action then allows the unit to be closed automatically.

An important question for any enclosure or cabinet hardware is to understand the finish that is needed, and especially for hinges. Is the hinge going to be welded in place or will it need to be painted in a corporate colour? Then a plain or natural finish is probably what is required to accept the paint directly. Otherwise maybe a plastic hinge will be robust enough and not need finishing at all. For heavier duty external use then perhaps a chrome or powder coated finish supplied from a standard portfolio will suit the need?

When the environment calls for stainless steel then generally a polished surface is all that is needed and can be found in silk or mirror finish.

Ex-stock standard hinges in aselection of finishes are available from our Online store

We recently announced these grab rails and handles, from our sales partner Weston Body Hardware, offering robust construction and simple front fixing with screws. The diecast 250mm grab rail, is complimented with a pair of 190/280mm compatible handles with moulded steel cores and cover plugs for screw head protection/enhanced appearance. They are ideal for machine access, drawers, instruments, doors and general manual handling of industrial equipment.

The Diecast grab rail was especially designed with clean, modern lines in reaction to traditional ‘commode’ style diecast grab handles with thin sections and curved shapes. It is ideal for use as an entry-assist on rear and side doors of trucks and vans, for compressor and engine covers, and on containerised gen-sets. It offers a low profile and wide section for good grip, with no sharp corners or edges. It is fully plant-on, with semi-concealed fixing holes in a black powder-coated finish

The companion 190/280mm handles are moulded in resilient elastomer around steel cores, and have been designed for those applications where great strength is required, while but still offering good appearance and ‘user-friendly’ characteristics.

Here at FDB we specialise in industrial hardware components, so a rugged bow handle to work with heavy loads and gloved hands is not a problem. Equally not all handles look industrial, many look great in the office environment or other public situation. These handles are ideal for drawers, doors, portable equipment, hatches, panels or other furniture that needs manual opening – or carrying.