Screwless connection technology is the way ahead

Paul Witherington, Marketing Manager for the UK and Ireland, looks at the benefits of spring-type terminal blocks compared to screw type connection within food production plants.

More and more designers, clients, integrators and end ends are recognising the advantages that spring pressure termination products offer, increasing their growth in popularity in recent years. Their ease of use, dependability and cost effectiveness in the food processing industry - as in many other areas of manufacturing - has established the technology as a major contributor to improved quality standards.

So what are the main reasons behind the success of spring pressure connection systems compared to other products? The most common cause of a system failure is not due to the design or intricacy of electrical or electronic parts. Usually, it is loss of contact caused by a loose screw connection or corrosion within the terminal. It's easy to think that it's just a connector and therefore not worth the fuss. However, without reliable terminals or connectors, the most sophisticated equipment becomes untrustworthy.

The benefits of spring-type connection are not just important within the food and drink industry, as other areas have recognised their importance where vibration and shock resistance, maintenance-free operation, time saving and contact quality are of primary importance. A key advantage to screwless terminals is the speed and reliability of the connection, even in demanding conditions. The quality of the contact does not rely on the skill and strength of the installer as the spring adjusts to the conductor size within the range of the terminal.

However the initial purchase price of the terminal, of whatever type, is only part of the story. With any type of connection, it is not just the cost, but also the cost of installation, wiring and maintenance that has to be taken into account. The screwless type can reduce wiring installation time by up to 50% as well as being smaller than a comparable screw type in certain cases. With some types of screw connections, routine maintenance is required to make sure that they have not loosened over time. However, the clamping force of a screwless spring-type connection will not reduce, regardless of temperature - within a wide operating range - how long it has been installed or whether vibration and mechanical shock has occurred.

Screwless terminals are available to accommodate conductor sizes from 0.14 mm2 to 185 mm2, which allows them to be used for a very wide range of applications. With a current rating from 13.5A to 353A, they are suitable for control as well as power connection. The accessories that customise the terminals and connectors are easily assembled to suit the requirements of the application. The terminals themselves are available in two, three and four conductor versions in single deck format with double, triple and quadruple deck; his can increase connection density without the loss of clarity or function.

Some screwless terminals are Ex certified as standard. This means that the main advantages of this innovative technology - such as elimination of loose connections and increased temperature resistance - are especially relevant in hazardous and Ex applications.

As the innovator of the spring pressure termination concept, WAGO products are widely used in food processing applications. This is in addition to the growing uptake in the sector of the company's rapidly expanding range of automation and control products. The company is already working with a number of key food and drink clients to support their move towards the integration of more screwless connection technology into their plants and processes.

In a recent development, one of the major international confectionery manufacturers and producers of some of the world's most popular brands has endorsed the use of WAGO systems in several of its production processes. WAGO's multinational reach and its ability to meet global standards of quality was a key factor in the selection of its products by this leading industry player.

There is no doubt that the benefits of screwless connection technology are being increasingly acknowledged within the food and drink sector. As a result, the dominance of screw type connections is gradually diminishing as engineering managers become increasingly conscious of the need to reduce time and cost in their production processes.