44 n ELECTRICAL AND ENCLOSURES November/December 2025 www.drivesncontrols.com EtherNet technology cuts control panel wiring time by 66% A Brazilian manufacturer of electrical panels and automation systems called Volga has cut control panel wiring times by 66% by turning to an EtherNet-based cabinet wiring system. Hardwiring control panels can be timeintensive, error-prone and costly, especially in markets where quick customer decisions and rapid delivery are crucial for maintaining a competitive advantage. As a manufacturer that has experienced these challenges, Volga decided to compare traditional wiring methods with Rockwell Automation’s new EtherNet/IP In-cabinet system. For the test, Volga’s engineers assembled two identical control panels. The first, using conventional hardwiring, took more than 20 hours to complete. The second, using the EtherNet-based technology, was completed in less than 7 hours. In all, Volga achieved a 66% reduction in wiring time, a 36% smaller panel footprint, and a 32% reduction in weight. “The feedback from our team was extremely positive,”says the company’s commercial director, Carlos Leopoldo. “They found the technology easy to use and appreciated the reliability of the connections. Most importantly, they saw a clear improvement in productivity. This is a solution we’re excited to bring to our customers because it supports faster delivery, lowers operational costs and helps meet sustainability goals.” Using less copper, cable and plastic than conventional hardwiring methods, this new technique can also help support the growing focus on eco credentials. “For some of our customers, the first question is about sustainability,” Leopoldo reports. “This solution helps reduce our environmental footprint while improving delivery times – helping us keep our promise to make our customers’ lives simpler.” “The EtherNet/IP In-cabinet system delivers exactly what panel-builders and system integrators need today – faster deployment, simplified wiring and reduced material usage,” adds Kelly Passineau, global product manager at Rockwell Automation. “This new technology has proven to be a huge advantage in accelerating smart manufacturing, while supporting sustainability goals.” n A Brazilian panel-builder has compared traditional wiring practices with a new EtherNet-based alternative, and found that it could cut costs, save time and reduce weight. The Brazilian panel-builder found that it could save time, space and weight by adopting an EtherNet-based wiring technology Sustainable relays have housings made from cooking oil Siemens has launched a series of coupling relays with plastic housings made from a 70% biobased material derived from used cooking oil. Siemens collaborated with the bio-based products manufacturer Envalior to develop the Akulon K225-KS B-MB plastic. The oil used for the relays is derived from frying processes in the food industry, restaurants and homes. It is not suitable for human or animal consumption, so does not compete with food or feed production. While used cooking oil is more commonly turned into biodiesel, Envalior is using it to produce engineering plastics using a mass balance concept, thus avoiding the need for combustion. The material is a biobased, halogen-free, flameretardant polyamide 6 grade for injection moulding. It offers good heat and chemical resistance. The new Sirius 3RQ4 coupling relays have space-saving, slim designs for use in control cabinets. They have been designed and tested for use with Siemens controllers. There are three variants: n One with an integrated relay output, for harsh environmental conditions and for areas with special safety requirements. These versions have safety-related characteristics (B10d values) and are also approved for use in potentially explosive atmospheres (Atex-certified). n A plug-in version for applications that need quick relay switching during operation. These are optionally available with goldplated contacts. n A third variant, with a semiconductor output, is for applications that need fast, silent and frequent switching. This version has an “almost infinite” service life and can be used where replacing conventional relays would be expensive and time-consuming. The semiconductor variants have switching capacities of up to 6A, thus offering the same performance as conventional elementary relays. The relays have been designed for sustainability from their development to end-of-life, including 33% lower energy losses in the semiconductor versions compared to previous versions, and the avoidance of hazardous materials such as halogens or PFAS – also known as “forever chemicals”. At the ends of their lives, the relays can be disassembled and recycled. “Collaborating with Envalior in developing this bio-based plastic is an important step toward advancing the use of more sustainable materials in our electrical products,” says Andreas Matthé, CEO of Electrical Products at Siemens Smart Infrastructure. “At Envalior, we are proud to have collaborated with Siemens in the development of the Sirius 3RQ4 series of coupling relays,” adds Dr Marc Rudolf, global key account manager at Envalior. “A key success factor in this project was achieving excellent flow behaviour in thinwalled designs and a UL94 Class V0 rating at a thickness of only 0.4mm, while achieving excellent biowaste source content – all without compromising on quality.” The new relays are being produced on an automated line at Siemens’ Amberg plant in Germany, shortening the supply chain to European customers. Siemens’ new coupling relays have cases derived from used cooking oil
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