EYE on NPI: CUI Devices DIN Rail Terminal Block Connectors #EYEonNPI #DigiKey @DigiKey @cuidevices
Channel: Adafruit Industries
Date: 16/03/2023

This week's EYE ON NPI is a DIN rail accessory that is great looking -- not to be confused with the Mandalorian Din Djarin (https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Din_Djarin) -- it's CUI Devices DIN Rail Terminal Block Connectors! (https://www.digikey.com/en/product-highlight/c/cui-devices/din-rail-terminal-block-connectors) They're a stackable set of feed-through or ground-type termination blocks that are slim and easy to snap onto any standard DIN rail for making quick up-to-4-contact distributions or connections to the grounding rail.

DIN rails (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DIN_rail) are a standardized mounting rail that is popular in electrical, server and industrial situations. By having one size rail that everyone agrees on, it's easy to snap-mount on any equipment that needs to be wall or cabinet mounted, without having to drill holes in walls or use 2x4 wood strips that are not rated for weight bearing. 

DIN rails are inexpensive, available in steel or aluminum, and pre-cut to any length you need - Digi-Key has tons in stock (https://www.digikey.com/en/products/filter/din-rail-channel/580) There are slots for easy mounting to cabinets or walls, that part isn't standardized, so check the specs for the railing you're ordering to make sure it's easy to mount. However, once that's done, you can snap various DIN rail holders and accessories (https://www.digikey.com/en/products/result?s=N4IgTCBcDaICYEsB2ACATgQwQGxAXQF8g) on very easily.

Back to the topic at hand - CUI makes a variety of DIN Rail Terminal Blocks (https://www.digikey.com/short/2rdpm8n0) that snap into a standard rail, each slim device is a single terminal distribution for one contact. They are available in a few different sizes, for example the TBDR-12-25 (https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/cui-devices/TBDR-12-25-BK/17628393) is 46mm x 68mm and can handle 26 to 12 AWG. The TBDR-06-15 (https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/cui-devices/TBDR-06-15-GY/17628401) on the other hand is 30 mm x 48mm and goes down to 14 AWG at the max thickness, and the TBDR-08-25 (https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/cui-devices/TBDR-08-25-GY/17628397) is 35mm x 68mm. Basically, there's a wide range of sizes and configuration that you can mix and match to stack up your customized enclosure needs.

These are designed to be able to handle high currents and voltages for power distribution, with CE and UL markings and support for up to 500V and 22A, but of course will also do nicely for data transfer or motor control. They're ideal for your next project where tidy and clean wiring is required.

There are 18 different sizes/colors of the CUI DIN Rail Terminal Blocks (https://www.digikey.com/en/product-highlight/c/cui-devices/din-rail-terminal-block-connectors) available and all are in stock at Digi-Key right now. Don't forget to also pick up some of the 8 different 'end cap' pieces you can use to protect the last block in a stack. Since we have to feature one product in particular, we'll go with the TBDR-12-25-BK (https://www.digikey.com/short/2rdpm8n0) - all are great but we dig the bi-layer black look of this terminal block - it's also available in gray (https://www.digikey.com/short/vcz3v2r4) but whatever ones you pick, they'll ship instantly from Digi-Key and you'll have them in your hands as early as tomorrow afternoon!