The EAO brand is valued even by the most demanding designers and technicians working with industrial automation due to the uncompromising quality of workmanship offered by this manufacturer. Therefore, its components are also popular in TME’s offer…
EAO provides classic machine interface elements (mainly switches), but is also increasingly expanding its range of related components, e.g., those related to device status signaling. Many of the supplier’s products are designed for mounting in standard panel holes, which facilitates their integration with control panels, cabinets, and machine enclosures. An important feature of the entire range is adaptation to demanding working conditions. Below, we take a closer look at the most important groups of EAO products available in the TME catalog and their typical applications in industrial automation.
Safety Buttons
Every automation system, and even every single machine, should include a safety button – a highly visible and intuitive-to-use element offering the possibility of emergency device shutdown. These types of electromechanical elements are one of EAO’s specializations. High-quality workmanship is crucial here, as it ensures that the element will function as desired even after years of exposure to adverse factors such as high temperatures, vibrations, shocks, etc. Moreover, these elements are made with a high degree of sealing: from IP65 to IP69K (protection against high-pressure water jets).
As seen in the table, most safety buttons are made in red, with a mushroom button that facilitates activation by impact (head diameter up to 42mm, typically 32mm). Selected models feature LED illumination.
Most products offer contacts in normally closed configuration (NC, or double, i.e., NC x 2). If the application requires it, NC+NO versions can also be used. The circuit protected by the switch can remain under load up to 5A at 24V DC or 250V AC (depending on the model). The design of many EAO solutions introduces additional security: once pressed (thus interrupting the power supply), re-enabling the circuit will only be possible after turning the button (it locks in the pressed position).
Key Switches
Other related EAO products are ordinary buttons for control panels, consoles, and other interfaces. From the TME catalog, our customers can purchase versions with plastic and metal bodies, with flat, concave, and convex faces, illuminated and opaque models. Regardless of the finish specifics, they are made for panel mounting in a Ø22.3mm or Ø22.5mm hole.
The main differences between safety models and ordinary buttons are color and contact configuration (the button does not contain a contact assembly, which must be ordered separately). The supplier offers white, black, red, blue, orange, gray, green, and yellow versions. Additionally, selected models may have markings (the inscription “PUSH”, “PULL”, arrow symbol). Buttons in this segment are characterized by IP65 or IP66 protection, which means limited water resistance but also sufficient sealing for full dust protection.
Other Switches
In the EAO portfolio, you can also find elements of other types. For example, the manufacturer offers rotary switches, whose main advantage is multi-position capability – the knob can have even 5 stable positions. The manufacturer offers a choice of colors and optional illumination. An important advantage of this type of switch is less risk of accidental state change. It will be impossible in the case of key switch products, i.e., models additionally equipped with a lock, where a key is required to change the state – such components are also included in the EAO assortment.
Another EAO novelty is single- and dual-axis joysticks, i.e., with 2 or 4 positions (excluding the central one). Customers can choose between monostable models (automatic return to neutral position) or holding position in each deflection. Since these types of elements are intended for industrial applications, the body is also sealed (IP66 class).
All the solutions described in this section are made for panel mounting.
Signal Columns
Although the EAO brand is primarily associated with switches, the manufacturer’s range includes other solutions intended for industrial installations. It is worth noting the novelties in the TME catalog, light modules of the 46-580 series. Typically, such solutions are used to emit warnings, alarms, and simple messages, e.g., about the machine’s status, its readiness for work, or – generally speaking – the status of a given parameter in the system. This could be, for example, door closure, presence of a medium in a tank, current power consumption, etc
EAO columns have a modular design: a base that is also a connector, optional arm/sleeve, LED elements. The latter are available in many colors and emit bright, colored light all around. The column can be powered by 24V AC/DC or 240V AC. Connecting the elements is intuitive and based on a snap system, and connection to the external installation (signal source) is made only at the mounting point, which simplifies the design.
USB Sockets
In modern industrial installations, commonly available interfaces are often used to connect peripherals (e.g., portable memories for storing logs documenting the system’s work), tablets or computers used for machine settings. The choice usually falls on USB, the most popular serial bus standard.
EAO provides USB sockets made in two basic formats (A and C), enclosed in bodies for panel mounting, identical to the switches described here (22.3mm hole). Such a design both simplifies the production of new machines and can be an aid in modernizing older devices. The integrated cap with the connector, when applied, ensures sealing in IP66 class, thus – except for the moment of connection – the socket is protected against contamination and corrosive factors.
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