New timer relays series.

Saves control panel space and provides multiple functions, with a favorable price-to-performance ratio.

IDEC Corporation has added two new GT8A series slim electronic timer relays to their already comprehensive timer relay product line. The small form factor and extensive capabilities of the GT8A make it an excellent choice for new, retrofit, or replacement applications.

At just 17.5mm wide, and using direct DIN rail mounting without needing a socket, the GT8A requires less footprint space and can be installed more quickly than conventional devices, especially in applications where a combination of products would otherwise be needed to perform the function. The compact form factor helps users optimize limited control panel space, and this direct integration makes it easy to install, wire, and replace the relay.

Multi-functional flexibility.
Ten timing functions—on delay, on for a set interval, flicker (starting off), flicker (starting on), off delay, single shot, once at a set interval, on and off delay, cyclical, and pulse—cover a variety of operational needs. In addition, ten timing ranges and ten time settings, including permanently on or off, let users choose operational timings ranging from 0.1 seconds up to 10 days. Configuration is easy to perform using three rotary selector switches, each of which is inset to prevent inadvertent operation.

The GT8A is available in both one-contact single pole double throw (SPDT) and two-contact, double pole double throw (DPDT) versions, and the contacts can handle up to 250V AC or 24V DC at 16A resistive load, depending on the model. Universal control power requirements accommodate 12 through 240V AC or DC. This exceptional flexibility enables users to minimize the number model types they need to purchase initially and as spares. 

 Reliable and compliant.
With a mechanical life rating of 30 million operations minimum, an electrical life rating of 50,000 operations minimum at full current load, and an allowable operating frequency of 600 cycles per hour, the GT8A is designed to provide enduring trouble-free functionality. A finger-safe IP20 (IEC 60529) protection rating, and compliance with EN 61812-1, CE, UKCA, RoHS, EAC, UL/c-UL, ensures that designers and end users will obtain the best and safest performance with their applications.

Timing relays perform an essential hard-wired control function for pump stations, HVAC, material handling, building automation, machinery, equipment, and other control purposes. Compact electronic timers like the GT8A provide a high performance option as compared to analog and electro-mechanical products, with many benefits for designers and operational personnel.

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@IDECUSA #PAuto

Timing technology on line!

Mouser Electronics, has launched its new Timing Technology site, designed to give engineers easy-to-access information on the latest technical advances in timers, counters, and clocks. As part of Mouser's growing selection of Applications & Technologies sites, the Timing Technology site provides a wealth of resource material — including articles and videos on timing and clock system design — as well as the newest frequency synthesizers, multiplexers, clock generators, and related components available at Mouser.

The new Timing Technology site, available on Mouser.com, contains helpful information for engineers who are interested in expanding their knowledge about timing technologies. The Technology section is segmented into five categories: Overview provides a general explanation of timing technology and its applications. Oscillators looks at the construction and purpose of oscillators and provides links to different types of clock, programmable, and crystal oscillators. Clock Generators dives deeper into timing solutions that can reduce cost (including lower system component costs), enable smaller PCBs, and lower design-labor costs with a faster time-to-market. Application Specific details environments where engineers might incorporate a specialized timing solution instead of a general-purpose clock. Clock System Design discusses additional requirements and considerations when developing a system with multiple reference frequencies, including reducing skew and jitter.

The Featured Products section focuses on key products available from Mouser that engineers can incorporate into efficient timing designs. Products include the Texas Instruments LMX2592 wideband frequency synthesizer, Silicon Labs Si5380 12-output JESD204B clock generator, and the IDT 8V19N40x FemtoClock NG jitter attenuators and clock synthesizers. The Articles section provides information on MEMS oscillators; a look at oscillators, clocks, buffers, and redrivers; and an introduction to building clock trees. All articles offer an area to post comments and questions to facilitate further discussions on the topic. Finally, the Technical Resources section lists videos, application notes, and white papers that discuss device selection and system considerations when designing clock and timing systems. Subjects discussed include clock design, crystal oscillators, and the JESD204B serial interface. @MouserElec #PAuto #Electronics

Timers for various functions

Linear Technology has announced the TimerBlox™ family, a set of simple, small, accurate and low power devices for five commonly used timing functions: voltage-controlled oscillator, low frequency oscillator, pulse width modulated oscillator, monostable pulse generator (one-shot) and delay. As a family, the TimerBlox parts provide a precision, easy-to-use solution; these parts offer a single common platform and allow the use of precise building block solutions for each function.

Leveraging the company's advanced silicon oscillator technology, TimerBlox parts combine an accurate, programmable oscillator with precision circuitry and logic. Like all Linear Technology silicon oscillators, TimerBlox devices are solid state and can be operated under high acceleration, vibration and temperature extremes. TimerBlox products ensure accuracy and stability at a much higher level than typical resistor/capacitor-based oscillators. Each TimerBlox part can operate over a wide frequency or time range, and is programmed with 1 to 3 resistors. The micropower operation provides an alternative to resistor/capacitor-based timers that often require milliwatts of power.

The 20mA source and sink capability directly drives opto-isolators and transformers for electrical isolation. Fully specified over the temperature range of -40°C to 125°C, the TimerBlox parts are suitable for demanding automotive and industrial environments, where many oscillators and microcontrollers are unable to operate. The small SOT23 footprint allows each timing device to be placed at the point of use, without routing signals over long distances, and provides an ideal timer for space-limited applications such as handheld and portable devices.

“TimerBlox devices ease the design and time constraints facing today’s engineers,” says Erik Soule, General Manager for Linear Technology. “They eliminate the complexity of software programming and circuit design, while providing good accuracy, low power and a small footprint.”

Application examples and design ideas have been compiled in the TimerBlox Circuit Collection, available online at www.linear.com/TimerBlox. Incorporating TimerBlox parts into larger systems is simplified with a complete set of TimerBlox LTspice® models. The LTspice design tool is a high performance Spice III simulator, schematic capture and waveform viewer, available for download from Linear Technology. In addition, the TimerBlox can be quickly set up using the TimerBlox Designer, an Excel-based set-up tool that generates a schematic, with part name and resistor values, and a timing diagram based on the timing function parameters. Finally, a complete line of TimerBlox demo boards are available for purchase from Linear Technology.

The first available device in the TimerBlox series, the LTC6990 Voltage Controlled Oscillator (VCO) provides accurate and simple voltage-controlled output frequencies from 488Hz to 2MHz. Using only a few resistors, the designer can set the center frequency and modulate the output with an external voltage. A narrow or wide VCO tuning range can be customized for the application, and the high modulation bandwidth allows the part to adapt to a wide range of applications. For example, the LTC6990’s voltage-to-frequency capability can interface to temperature, light and other environmental sensors, and the output can drive isolators, piezo and ultrasonic devices. Baseline frequency error is only 1.5% maximum and the enable function ensures clean, glitch-free output pulses.