Clink, a cost effective, high performance data collection, protection and control system for LV industrial switchboards

Not so long ago, a great deal of auxiliary wiring was incorporated in the controlling and signalling of low voltage motor control switchgear. Nowadays more and more electronic systems are emerging which carry out these functions by communicating via a single bus. Some systems also offer fairly sophisticated protection functions, for instance improved thermal protection of motor loads. Clink is just such a system, developed by Holec Systemen en Componenten B.V. The authors give a brief description of how Clink works, and then examine some of the design aspects in greater detail. The first of these is communication, the basic lifeline in this kind of system. They take a look at system reliability in general and its electromagnetic compatibility. Finally, an explanation is given of special, construction measures taken in order to fulfil the requirements placed by aspects mentioned above