Now is usually the time for regular Railway maintenance, moving through the months of summer/autumn to ensure equipment is ready to deal with the demands of winter. This year has been slightly different with intermittent strikes which have put special demands on scheduling of these maintenance and repair works. Our FDB Online store has been very helpful in fulfilling availability of the specialist units required throughout this highly variable scheduling period.

The need to update/upgrade electrical systems has put an especial demand on the FDB range of approved Network Rail DC immune protection devices. These include the FDB2 Multiway RCBO which offers 2,3 or 4-way multi-circuit protection in a single enclosure, and features modular construction housings with double pole 110/230V equipment, MCB ratings from 10A to 32A featuring rated trip currents of 20mA, 30mA or 100mA.

FDB11 units in ratings from 10amp to 100amp offer general purpose RCD protection as approved Network Rail DC immune enclosed units with 20 or 30, or 100mA devices. Units conform to relevant RCD and MCB standards.

Swinghandles for cabinets and large enclosures have always been a stylish solution to provision of low profile locking with good leverage for multi-point rod locking systems and it is worth considering the range of options that are now available for inserts or locks, with one or two keys, padlocking options and remote electronic security.

Materials now include Polyamide, zinc die and stainless steel. IP ratings of IP 65 are common so will suit the great majority of applications.

It is great that our Online store is proving a valuable resource to panel builders and installers now that UK manufacturing industry is in a growth phase once again. The FDB Online store features an extensive range of locks, swinghandles, hinges, handles, sealing gaskets, rod locks, door stays and other enclosure/cabinet accessories. These are held in stock for urgent delivery and come together with the Rocfast lock assembly and logistics service.

We are proud to provide probably the UK’s largest range of locks, hinges, handles and accessories for virtually all industrial applications. This supply process continuously focuses on an ability to provide a friendly personal service based on detailed product knowledge and experience with an extensive product range. The portfolio encompasses everything from cable management support systems to cabinet hinges, enclosure gasketing and locking systems, which include many stainless steel variants and anti-vandal handle designs – with extensive stock holding we expect to deliver most items direct from our warehouse.

Under our banner of the Rocfast brand the sales team are frequently able to achieve significant reductions in purchasing/admin time and effort with this well proven “Just in time” service for all those low-value but critical components. This means just one order, one invoice, one payment and the components can be on the production line when needed.

Our Online store shares coverage with FDB Electrical who have been specialists in the field of electrical protection for more than half a century, and have an enviable reputation throughout the world for quality, innovation and service. Consequently, the store makes available RCDs for personnel or plant protection, Earth Continuity Monitors and a wide range of ancillary devices, all providing the optimum in design and reliability.

These own brand protective devices can also be incorporated into wall/floor mounting enclosures and bespoke switchgear packages; all designed and manufactured in-house, to suit virtually any industrial application.

Our team would like to point out that they are proud to have been supplying the MOD support industries with specialist equipment to protect personnel and equipment of the UK Armed Forces worldwide since the mid-1970s.

Traditional T and L style cabinet and enclosure handles have been a mainstay of the housing hardware market for the duration of living memory but there are additional developments – like stainless steel varients for hygiene areas. Many T and L handles are simply latch handles but most are also available with associated locks usually integrated into the handle itself. Sealing levels available are variable dependent on requirements from simple low level non rated items for office or indoor industrial applications up to IP 65/67 to suit washdown areas.

Our Online store offers an extensive stock of both styles and many designs for urgent delivery to production line or installation site.

See here for our Online selection or contact us for assistance.

New stainless steel compression latches to IP65/67 allow flexible use, especially in outdoor situations where their wing knob inserts enable quick and easy operation even with a gloved hand. Clamping compression of a full 6mm provides full gasket seating for a high level of protection against ingress of dirt and water or other contaminants as well as ensuring an excellent measure of resistance to nuisance opening in hostile conditions, such as experienced on road or rail vehicles.

A standard fixed-length, version with a short shaft is offered alongside the long-shaft manually adjustable option which has tool-less adjustment, by virtue of a knurled wheel to ensure a correct fit between the door and frame, a measure that is easily achieved in production or at later stages of in-service maintenance.

Wing handle compression latches offer a secure and vibration-resistant closure for use in mechanical engineering, transport and similar applications where access covers, storage lockers, control cabinets etc. must endure harsh environmental conditions, and yet enable keyless operation quickly and reliably – while external indicators on the wing insert meet the need for an outside visual status indication.

For further information on these new stainless compression latches with wing knob inserts, please contact us at FDB Panel Fittings.

We are delighted that our Online store can offer a wide range of handles (locking and non-locking) in zinc diecast, polyamide or stainless steel. This includes swing handles, lever and tee handles and wing handles. Plus a selection of bridge handles in various materials including Die cast, polyamide and stainless steel.

These are part of our extensive stock of enclosure hardware that also includes hinges, gaskets and locks available for rapid delivery either from online or telephone orders – by phone we will be pleased to offer our help in understanding the suitability of a product for the specific application. We can also offer our Rocfast assembly/logistics program to simplify assembly and installation.

Some accessories are more important than others and these plugs, dust caps, covers and flap lids are certainly very important to ensure maximum performance and longevity by offering a simple way to improve the sealing of quarter-turn locks and latches.

They are applicable to new and retrofit installations where it has been found necessary to exclude dirt, water or other contaminants from the external environment. IP ratings of IP65 are offered using high-grade engineering injection moulded materials which are simply folded shut for leakproof protection. Opening is just as simple – just lift to open and gain instant access to the lock or insert for full and free operation.

Typical applications are expected to include arduous outdoor situations, e.g., rail, road transport, agriculture, tunnels, marine, renewable energy and similar.

Our focus is always on providing the widest range of top quality products from leading manufacturers worldwide to our customers, a simple quarter turn lock to multi-point anti-vandal swinghandles, concealed hinges to piano hinge, foam gasketing to RFI sealing, L handles to Tee handles, polyamide to stainless steel (even some titanium!). No matter the job our extensive product range and knowledgeable sales team will have you covered.

These days that means also having a great online offering ex-stock and ready for urgent delivery with a simple purchasing process – a process with real human beings supporting it!

We are pleased to announce that our Online store now has an extensive stock of handles for doors, drawers, panels, equipment and cases from a range of manufacturers, in various materials.

Handles of this type are often the last component to be fitted and can be needed as a matter of urgency at the last minute to avoid delays in production or delivery – the Online store specializes in serving this need, with rapid service on demand.

Bridge handles – also known as bow, grab, lift and “D” handles are a common component in industries such as mechanical engineering, sheet metal fabrication, HVAC, medical devices, food processing, rail transport and tunnelling, data centres and utilities. They are ideal for manual interactions offering a comfortable interface at the point of operator contact.

The Online portfolio also encompasses large-scale tubular lift handles and small-scale finger pulls. D-style bridge handles are available with front or rear fixings as required to meet aesthetic and security concerns.