Different applications require different approaches to the optimal mounting of appliance inlets and outlets, taking into account both minimal dimensions and customer-specific assembly methods, e.g. the module design possibilities that allow electrical testing even before mounting.
Mounting appliance inlets and outlets into front panels is possible both from the front (exterior of the appliance’s mounting board) and from the rear (interior of the appliance’s mounting board) to respond to different customer-specific assembly scenarios.
Usually, the appliance couplers are, together with other control components, mounted (and then wired) from the front into the appliance’s housing. Under certain circumstances it is practical to test the entire electrical unit before mounting. In such cases it is imperative that the appliance coupler be mounted from the rear.
The mounting method describes the procedure of mounting the appliance coupler onto the mounting board.
Snap-in mounting
Snap-in mounting facilitates the insertion of the appliance coupler into the properly prepared panel cutout. Mounting is done by locking snap-in lugs or snap locks (parts of the supplied component) into place. Usually, snap-in mounting is done from the front.
We distinguish between three categories:
One-step snap lock
This snap lock fits perfectly when mounted onto a board with the same thickness as specified in the relevant data sheet.
Incremental snap lock
This snap lock fits perfectly when mounted onto boards with the same respective thicknesses as specified in the data sheet. Hence one product can be used for different housing systems, provided that their panel thicknesses match the snap lock’s specs.
Universal snap lock
Universal snap locks do not require a specific panel thickness. They fit perfectly when mounted onto boards with any thickness within the range specified in the relevant data sheet.
Screw-on mounting
Screw-on mounting is largely independent from panel thickness and ensures better firmness. Mounting can be done both from the front and the rear; however, in contrast to snap-in mounting, this method requires screws and possibly nuts as well (which are not included, unless specified otherwise). For safe mounting, the specified screw tightening torques must be observed, in order to prevent d amaging the component while ensuring secure fastening.
The standard version is mounted using countersunk head screws. Depending on the information in the data sheet, other product types, i.e. with a through hole or flat head machine screws, may be used.
A special type of screw-on mounting appliance coupler comes with the tapped holes for screw-on mounting already in place on the mounting flange, thus reducing the number of components which, in specific cases, may also ensure the product’s tightness to the mounting board (see 5707)
Sandwich mounting
Sandwich mounting makes it possible to mount appliance couplers without the need for additional components. Mounting can be done both from the front and the rear, as specified in the relevant data sheet.
Mounting instructions
Rivet mounting
Rivet mounting is essentially identical to screw-on mounting when using the mounting holes as through holes or using flat head machine screws with the corresponding dimensions as specified in the relevant data sheet.
The mounting position indicates, with regard to the connector pin’s orientation, on what side the mounting elements are, treating snap-in and screw-on positions identically.