New Industry Products

Methode Powder Coating Receives UL Approval

April 26, 2006 by Jeff Shepard

Methode Network Bus Products has received UL 746A approval for its epoxy powder coating bus bar insulation system. UL 746A is an important 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 that is applied to bus bars by an electro-static spray process on an automated production line, and cured in a high temperature chamber. The coating is flame resistant and meets stringent environmental thermal and moisture requirements. It has a high dielectric strength as it 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. Methode has fully automated powder coating production lines at both of their facilities in Rolling Meadows, Illinois, and Shanghai, China.

Powder coating is suited for the switchgear, UPS, and motor drive industries meeting the requirements of UL for RTI (Relative Thermal Index), HWI (Hot Wire Ignition), High-Current Arc Resistance to Ignition (HAI) and Comparative Tracking Index (CTI).

In its end use, the UL 746A approved powder coated bus bar can be positioned in closer proximity to other powder coated bus bars, saving valuable space. Also, by using a powder coated bus bar, design engineers can realize a cost savings through a reduction in materials and insulation devices.

Powder coating is a key process used for Methode's new PowerRail™ system. The PowerRail is an innovative, pluggable power distribution system utilizing a rail bus bar and a quick connecting power cable and interconnect (or bus bar interconnect). The powder coating allows the PowerRail to operate with a dielectric strength of 3,000 Vdc, a maximum continuous operating temperature of 125 ° C, and UL94 V-0 flammability rating.