When setting up industrial equipment, you may see a metal rail inside control cabinets, known as a DIN Rail. But what is a DIN Rail, and what is the DIN Rail Computer that act as a brain of the entire systems? In this blog, we will cover the definition of DIN Rail, the role of DIN Rail Computers, and how to choose the right one for your applications.
What is a DIN Rail?
A DIN rail is a metal rail used for mounting electrical components and devices, such as circuit breakers, terminal blocks, relays, and industrial computers. The origin of DIN rail can be traced back to the German Institute for Standardization (Deutsches Institut für Normung, abbreviated as “DIN”) during the late 1920s. As industrial equipment and power distribution technology evolved, the number of devices in industrial environments increased, and their configurations became more complex. A simple, unified installation method was needed for efficient arrangement, maintenance, and replacement. The DIN rail standard provided a solution, enabling standardized mounting of components in control cabinets.
Types of DIN Rail
Currently, there are 4 types of DIN Rail:
- Top Hat (TH35): Standard 35 mm wide rail, most widely used DIN Rail Standard.
- Miniature Top Hat (TH15): Narrow 15 mm version for compact installations.
- C Rail (C20, C30): C-shaped rail, available in 20 mm or 30 mm widths.
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G Rail (G32): G-shaped 32 mm rail, mainly for heavier components.
What are the Advantages of DIN Rail?
The implementation of DIN rail standards brings several key advantages:
- Time-Saving Modular Installation: DIN rails offer a standardized way for components to quickly snap or slide into place on the rail
- Cost Efficiency: Standardization lowers production and assembly costs
- Space-saving: The compact design maximizes space, allowing devices to be tightly arranged along the rail for efficient use, ideal for limited-space environments.
- Easy to Maintain: Devices can be clipped on or removed easily, allowing fast replacements and reducing downtime.
- Global Compatibility: As an international standard, DIN rails support devices from different brands, ensuring global compatibility and simplifying sourcing.
As we move from understanding WHAT DIN Rail is, let’s dive deeper into the hardware that is indispensable on DIN Rail for all the devices control and computes which are DIN Rail Computers.
What is a DIN Rail Computer?
In short, a DIN Rail Computer is a compact, industrial-grade computer designed to be mounted on a DIN rail. Known for its durability and space-saving design, a DIN Rail Computer is often used in harsh environments where it must withstand extreme temperatures, vibrations, and dust.
What are the key features of DIN Rail Computer?
Compared to other embedded or industrial computers, DIN rail computers are typically designed with unique features. Here are the key attributes that make DIN rail computers a superior choice for DIN rail applications over standard industrial computers.
- Rugged Design to withstand Extremes: DIN rail computers are built to withstand harsh environments, featuring fanless, dust-resistant enclosures for durability in high-vibration settings and a wide operating temperature range (-40°C to 70°C).
- Front and Side IO Configuration: Compare with the regular IPC that the IO ports might distributed around the devices, most I/O ports of DIN Rail Computer are concentrated on the front or side, allowing quick connections and streamlined wiring in a vertical setup.
- Certifications for Hazardous Environments: DIN Rail Computers are often certified with C1D2 or ATEX Zone 2, suitable for explosive or hazardous areas, a feature that most embedded computers lack.
Real-World Applications for DIN Rail Computer
After covering the key features of DIN rails and DIN rail computers, what are their practical applications and advantages? Here are the primary applications where they are most effectively deployed:
- Power Distribution and Electrical Control Cabinets
- Application: In control cabinets, DIN rail computers are essential for managing electrical components like circuit breakers and relays. They maintain orderly wiring and simplify maintenance, essential in environments where downtime and complex repairs are costly.
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Advantages: DIN rail computers offer front and side I/O configuration for orderly wiring and easy maintenance, compact size for efficient cabinet space use, and standardized mounting for easy integration and upgrades.
- Energy Management Systems
- Application: In energy management systems, DIN rails are used to install meters, energy monitoring modules, and distribution boxes to monitor power usage and manage energy distribution. They are commonly found in substations, solar power systems, and wind power systems.
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Advantages: DIN rails allow various monitoring and management modules to be arranged neatly, facilitating remote management and fault diagnosis in power systems.
- Hazardous Environments (e.g., Oil, Gas, Chemical Plants, and Marine)
- Application: In hazardous environments like oil, gas, marine, and chemical plants where the presence of dangerous substances, such as flammable gases, vapors, or combustible dust, poses a potential risk of explosion or fire. DIN rail computers can be installed in explosion-proof control cabinets that meet safety standards.
- Advantages: DIN rail computers combine certification (C1D2 & ATEX Zone 2), rugged design features like fanless operation, shock and vibration resistance, and wide temperature tolerance, ensuring stability and safety in extreme environments.
How to choose the right DIN Rail Computer for your application?
If you’re selecting a reliable DIN Rail computer for your application, make sure it meets the following key requirements for seamless integration:
- Rugged Design: Ensure the computer has a rugged design that can withstand extreme temperatures and high shock/vibration
- Compact Size & Optimized I/O Configuration: Choose a DIN Rail computer with a compact footprint and front/side I/O layout to save space and simplify connections.
- Industrial Certifications: For hazardous environments, verify that the computer is certified for safe operation, meeting C1D2 and ATEX Zone 2 standards.
- Built-In DIN Rail Mounting: Make sure the computer comes with a reliable DIN Rail mounting setup for quick, secure installation within cabinets.