What Is a Cross Roller Guide?
A cross roller guide is a terminal block that aligns and fixes common terminals, which are common terminals.
Common terminal blocks are often used in power control panels, etc. Control devices, such as PLCs, are responsible for controlling multiple devices. Since the wiring of such devices is controlled by a single contact, there is a terminal that is common to multiple devices, and this terminal is called the common terminal. The terminal block used to distribute the common terminal to multiple devices is a cross roller guide.
By using a cross roller guide, multiple wires and cables can be wired together. This keeps the wiring uncluttered and organized. Thus, wiring management and maintenance work also become easier.
Uses of Cross Roller Guides
Cross roller guides are mainly used in electrical circuits and are utilized in a wide range of applications, from industry to office automation equipment. The following are some examples of applications for cross roller guides.
1. Manufacturing Industry
Cross roller guides are widely used in industrial machinery in factories and manufacturing sites. These machines use PLCs or other control devices as control equipment. The target devices controlled by the control device are often multiple sensors and motors.
Wiring these devices via a cross roller guide facilitates signal integration and control. It also simplifies work during maintenance and repair. When replacing a malfunctioning sensor, the connection can be easily disconnected from the cross roller guide and a new sensor can be connected.
2. Automotive Industry
Common cross roller guides are also used in automotive wiring and electronic control systems. They are often used to connect engine control units, sensors, and electronic-related components.
They are required to integrate signals in the vehicle, organize wiring, and facilitate maintenance. The use of cross roller guides allows for efficient signal line integration and wiring management, thereby improving the reliability and maintainability of the vehicle.
3. Electronics
Cross roller guides are also widely used in a variety of electronic equipment. They are used inside computer cases for wiring and connecting peripherals; they are sometimes used to connect USB hubs, audio equipment, monitors, etc.
This allows multiple devices to be connected to a single port. In addition, organizing wiring and maintenance work becomes easier by organizing the wiring through a common cross roller guide.
Principle of the Cross Roller Guides
Cross roller guides consist of a base, a terminal block, and a terminal cover.
1. Base
The base is the foundation of the cross roller guide and is made of plastic or metal. The base has a terminal block fixing base and mounting holes to secure the terminal block uniformly stably.
When introduced inside a control panel, they are often aligned by mounting them on DIN rails and may have DIN mounting hardware on the back side.
2. Terminal Block
A terminal block is a terminal block, the main component equipped with multiple terminals. These terminals are generally secured to conductors by screws, clamps, or other connection methods.
Each terminal may be given a mark or color to identify it, thereby facilitating wiring identification and management.
3. Terminal Cover
Terminal covers are cover plates that protect terminal blocks. Covers are typically made of transparent plastic and increase safety by restricting access to the terminals. Covers may also be marked to indicate wiring paths and terminal placement.
How to Select a Cross Roller Guide
When selecting a cross roller guide, the main factors to consider are the wire thickness and number of points.
1. Wiring Thickness
Wiring thickness is the thickness of wiring that can be connected to a common cross roller guide. The conductor diameter of wiring to be connected to the cross roller guide is generally 1.25 mm2 or 2 mm2. Since the thickness of wiring that can be connected differs depending on the device, it is necessary to select the device based on the wiring to be connected.
2. Number of Points
The number of points is the number of wires that can be connected. Generally, it is a multiple of 4, and products with 16 or 32 points exist. The required number of points should be selected according to the equipment to be controlled. Other space-saving products and products with different terminal colors exist to meet your needs.