ROLLING MEADOWS, IL - Methode Network Bus Products, a business unit of Methode Electronics (methode.com), has received UL 746A approval for its epoxy powder coating bus bar insulation system. UL 746A is an insulation requirement for motor drive, UPS, switchgear, and other applications. The powder coating is used to electrically insulate Methode’s bus bar and power distribution products.
Methode’s powder coating is a high voltage insulation material applied to bus bars by an electrostatic spray process on an automated production line, and cured in a high-temperature chamber.
The coating is flame-resistant and meets environmental thermal and moisture requirements. It has a high dielectric strength and withstands voltages in excess of 3,000 volts. With the automated production line, powder coating can be applied cost effectively to bus bars of virtually any size or shape, the company says.
Powder coating is a key process used for Methode’s new PowerRail technology, which is a pluggable power distribution system featuring a rail bus bar and a quick connecting power cable and interconnect (or bus bar interconnect).
In its end use, the company says its UL 746A-approved powder-coated bus bar can save space by being positioned in closer proximity to other powder coated bus bars. Powder coating is especially suited for switchgear, UPS, and motor drive applications, meeting UL requirements for RTI (relative thermal index), HWI (hot wire ignition), high-current arc resistance to ignition (HAI), and comparative tracking index (CTI).
Methode has fully automated powder coating production lines at its facilities in Rolling Meadows, IL and Shanghai, China.
