We have recently completed a new contract to supply the FDB 19/STS special-purpose power supply units for use by Royal Marines landing craft such as the RM rapid-response/patrol boat. The current order comes after we first supplied equipment for this application as long ago as 2004. Typically RM landing craft were used to patrol the harbour approaches at Weymouth and Portland during the 2012 Olympic sailing events.

The FDB 19/STS is a specially configured version of the standard FDB 19 Heavy Duty Adjustable RCCB designed to be mounted on offshore pontoons that are supplied from shore based transformers. Once moored, landing craft can plug into the FDB 19 and recharge on-board batteries and ancillary equipment. Housed in GRP enclosures with glazed panel to provide sight of the various LED status indicators, the equipment comprises a 60A, 16KA MCCB feeding an electro/mechanically interlocked socket outlet. Electrical protection is provided by means of an EFU15 multi-function RCD and Emguard Earth Continuity Monitor; both manufactured in-house by FDB’s relay division. External Test and Reset buttons facilitate ease of operation and testing.

The standard FDB 19 series combines a variable sensitivity and time delay RCD, together with a triple pole MCCB (minimum 15KA) to provide overcurrent and short circuit protection housed in an IP65 zinc coated steel enclosure.

The installation of these units is recommended to overcome inherent earth leakage or inrush currents and achieve the optimum level of protection without the inconvenience of spurious tripping. It has numerous applications throughout industry from construction sites, mines and quarries, to the protection of stage lighting systems where thyristor spikes can trip conventional RCD’s.

A feature of the standard FDB 19 is its non-fail safe operation, ideal for primary breaker installations or those that are unmanned or prone to supply interruption. A fail-safe version requiring reset of MCCB on restoration of a supply interruption is also available.

Contact us to discuss your custom power supply requirements.

In our role as cabinet hardware specialists, we are increasingly being asked to supply stainless steel locks and latches for external vibration prone applications – so we are delighted to have available an attractive low profile latch in stainless steel that is ideal for access panels and doors on mobile plant, static and moving machinery, mobile generators, vehicles, HVAC units, floor access maintenance panels and specialised installations such as wind turbines.

This low profile (just 3.5mm) quarter-turn latch in AISI 303 stainless steel features IP65 sealing with a spring loaded key shutter and is suited to RH or LH installation. Standard key is 6mm square format with other types available. Fitment is by industry standard 20mm rounded square cutout with the facility to insert the lock/cam assembly through the cutout.

Bridge handles, pull handles, grab handles – whatever we call them, these simple loops attached at either end are a vital part of the office and industrial environment. FDB Panel Fittings have now made these ubiquitous handles available online from stock.

The range includes aluminium, polyamide, zinc die, steel and stainless steel types in front or rear mounted styles. Typical applications include doors, access panels, draws, safety screens, jigs and moulds as hand grips for personal safety and as lifting handles for equipment or cases.

See here for the full FDB Online range of handles.

Our RCD Test Set (Series 6) meets European CE Directives and offers automatic voltage selection from 110V to 240V 50Hz. It accurately tests RCDs up to 1000mA and tests trip time from 1mS up to 1 second. It can test RCDs for the effects of pulsating DC and check for correct wiring and voltage. The set also tests RCD transformers with C.T.E. and provides the option to test at 0°, 180° within the current wave form or at random.

See at our Online store here.

The traditional mainstay of UK specialist enclosure, cabinet and panel builders – IP65 L and T configuration door handles are now available in stainless steel from our Online store.

Standard versions include quarter-turn non-locking or locking with keyed alike (1333) or keyed different/mixed. Quarter-turn lever handles for padlocking are also available, as is an anti-vandal swinghandle type for profile cylinders and flat rods.

All are produced in surface polished AISI 316 stainless steel and may be installed in left hand or right hand orientation. They are pre-assembled but require a separate stainless cam of choice and back nut, also available from the store at www.fdbonline.co.uk.

Our extruded window and door sealing profiles are now available at FDB Online for use on enclosure and cabinet doors as well as for clip-in windows. They are offered in natural rubber, EPDM, neoprene, silicone, NBR and PVC. Extruded Gasket, Sealing profiles, window sealing and associated accessories are now Online for virtually all industrial applications.

Where electromagnetic compatibility is necessary, we can also supply special profiles with EMC/RFI shielding in combination with water and dust sealing.

For further information, refer to our Knowledge Base article KB01.1 or contact us to discuss your needs with our expert team.

Our new 72 series spring hinges suit doors and opening panels in environments from domestic to office and industrial. With an attractive concealed spring, butt type design and black or clear corrosion resistant anodised finish, their looks match their performance whether used on furniture, filing cupboards or machine control cabinets.

The FDB 72 series hinges feature a zero play mechanism with spring openings in free moving or torque mode and are also available with detent facility. They offer spring forces up to 0.70 Nm in sizes up to 67mm x 55mm to allow selection for various door weights and dimensions – they are manufactured from 6060 T5 aluminium with countersunk screw fixing provision.

The FDB 72 series aluminium spring hinges are now available from the FDB online store at www.fdbonline.co.uk.

The VEF2 Earth Leakage Protection Relay forms part of our extensive range of low cost, high specification RCDs which are user adjustable to a wide range of trip levels and response times for precise system protection. It is designed for high current applications where it can be connected to any of the FDB wide range of external C.T.’s.

The fully encapsulated construction of the VEF2 provides excellent temperature stability, together with high immunity against shock and vibration. It is housed in a compact flame retardant halogen-free Din-rail mounting polycarbonate enclosure which is complete with integral test, reset buttons and LED status indication.

The VEF2 features fail-safe operation with manual reset after fault trip, auto reset after power failure and trip status latched until reset (with power supply on). A Non-Failsafe version is available to special order for use in applications where shunt tripping of primary/supply breakers makes failsafe impractical.

It is powered from an isolated ac/dc power supply from 24-240V so allowing external C.T. earthing if required. It also features, via terminal connection, a very wide settable current range, from 0.02 Amps to 30 Amps over 3 ranges. The VEF2 is designed to react to alternating current only and reject stray DC signals. Accuracy is maintained from 5Hz to 800Hz thus making the unit suitable for application on variable frequency drives.

The VEF2 can be used on solid, medium or high resistant grounded installations and by using the FDB Electrical recommended artificial ground.

We are delighted that our online shop includes a wide range of locks and components such as 1/4 turns, slam latches, combination locks, inserts, cylinders, tabs/cams, O rings, various length bodies in black and chrome, budget locks and earthing washers.

Additional guidance is available free in the form of a booklet on “Latch and Hinge Technology” – contact us for your free copy.