LVDC grid interconnects - 9 June 2010 - Avnet South Africa

Tyco Electronics, a participating member of the EMerge Alliance, has launched new low-voltage direct-current (LVDC) grid interconnects for use in the EMerge Alliance compliant system. The interconnects include a variety of connectors and cable assemblies designed to transfer power to and from lighting fixtures and other electrical devices used in the system. All interconnects meet the requirements of the EMerge Alliance Standard – a new power distribution platform for the use of safe, low-voltage DC power in commercial interiors.

The EMerge Alliance system includes an easy plug-and-play standard for integrated management and control of more energy efficient and individually controllable devices such as LED lighting. Additionally, the system eliminates device-level AC to DC electrical power conversions and provides flexibility to arrange and re-arrange lighting, actuators and other devices without the need for rewiring. The system also facilitates easy integration of on-site alternative energy sources.

The grid design allows for fixtures and other electrical device additions, modifications and location changes along both sides of the bus bar structure above and below a suspended ceiling, eliminating the need for hard wire changes. The plenum-rated power feed, load and bus bar-to-bus bar cable assemblies include plenum cables with outer insulation material. In the event of a fire, the flame-resistant material will produce less smoke when burning than ordinary cables that reside in the space between the structural and drop-down ceiling in commercial buildings. The polarised cable assembly housings feature releasable latching for quick installation.

The external bus bar connector – also plenum-rated and designed with polarised housing – connects fixtures or devices that reside in the space above the drop-down ceiling. The internal bus bar connector, equipped with releasable latching and threaded coupling, provides the mounting and electrical connection for lighting fixtures or devices located in the suspended ceiling; this connector does not require plenum rating.

Power feed-and-load Universal MATE-N-LOK connectors, terminals and hardware are available upon special request for custom fixture or device cable assembly applications. Universal MATE-N-LOK headers for custom power supply module assembly are also offered.

For more information contact Craig Gibbs, Avnet Kopp, +27 (0)11 809 6100, craig.gibbs@avnet.co.za, www.avnet.co.za