In the world of industrial control panels and electrical enclosures, safety is non-negotiable. That’s why engineers increasingly specify disconnect switches—not just as an afterthought, but as a critical design element from the very beginning. A disconnect switch provides a means to safely cut power during maintenance or emergencies. It helps meet OSHA, NEC, and UL…
🎨 Colored Terminal Blocks: What They Mean and Why Engineers Use Them
In complex electrical panels, clarity and safety are everything. That’s where colored terminal blocks come in. Rather than using identical-looking blocks for every connection, engineers can specify color-coded terminal blocks to instantly differentiate wiring functions—improving organization, reducing errors, and enhancing safety during installation and maintenance. 🔧 What Do the Colors Represent? While color conventions can…
Power Distribution Terminal Blocks: Clean Power Starts Here
In the world of Industrial Automation and Control, clean, safe, and efficient power distribution is critical—and that’s where power distribution terminal blocks shine. These compact components allow engineers to take a single power input and distribute it cleanly to multiple circuits, reducing wiring complexity and making panels easier to manage, maintain, and scale. Designed for…
Terminate I/O the Easy Way
There’s always a need to add I/O – perhaps you’re testing a new process, evaluating an upgraded circuit, commissioned a new machine in your process or added new sensors and actuators. Introducing American Electrical, Inc.’s (AEI) line of DIN Rail Mounted Interface Modules. Available in D-Subminiature or IDC (flat cable) models and on the shelf…
Terminal Blocks in a Junction Box – Engineered just for you in a NEMA 4X enclosure
American Electrical, Inc., (AEI) has 5, 10 ,15 and 20 position terminal blocks pre-engineered into a small junction box. Think of all the possibilities and time savings by buying this off the shelf – and, it’s only ONE part number. The boxes come with 2 – M20 cable grips and locknuts to make your design…
Barrier to Entry – Safety First
Barrier Strips are still being utilized in today’s Electrical Systems, despite all the advancements in connection technology. We’re trying to understand why this is so in the face of a myriad of safety advances in DIN Rail mounted Terminal Blocks. Barrier strips may assist the technician who loves their wide shank quarter inch screwdriver but…
Terminate and Protect Your Control Loop and System With One Terminal Block
Imagine being able to land your control loop on one 6mm terminal block! Then think about the space savings that would add up in high I/O count systems! Introducing the AVK Series Double Deck Fused Disconnect Terminal Block by Klemsan – the space-saving, ultra-slim 6mm wide block with powerful functionality. This block allows you to…
Down to Earth – Grounding Made Easy
Have you ever seen a design where there were multiple ground runs to an exposed busbar or groundbar in the bottom of the enclosure? Those green wires running all over the control panel making their way to the copper bar? Do you have a legacy system that makes similar runs and needs an upgrade? There’s…
Not Your Average WireNut- What to Consider When Sizing a Terminal Block
Unlike a WireNut that just serves a function to keep wires bound together, Terminal Blocks actually carry current and can perform multiple functions – there’s much more to consider. Let’s take a look at five attributes to consider when sizing your terminal block in most any application – they happen to be Function, Load, Wire Size, Voltage…
See the Light! Fuse Blocks with Indication Help YOU (or your customer) Troubleshoot!
American Electrical, Inc. (AEI) offers many different versions of fuse holders from 1 amp to 50 amps with and without fuse failure indication. What is fuse failure indication? It’s a tiny circuit that measures the voltage across a fuse. This circuit has a resistor and an LED in series. During normal operation, the fuse is…
