IDC connectors provide reduced labor cost & other benefits over conventional thermocouple connectors

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) June 22, 2004 --

PLYMOUTH MEETING, PA � Athena Controls, Inc. (Athena) is pleased to introduce the new Insulation Displacement Connector (IDC) to its line of thermocouple connection products. IDC connectors are plug compatible with existing MTC05A, MTC08A and MTC12A thermocouple connector housings and offer advantages over the standard connection systems. The "quick connection system" feature of the IDC is designed to increase productivity and lower the installed cost of wire termination. Each wire takes only seconds to connect. No special tools are required for installation. And because of the connector�s insulation displacement assembly technique, there are no terminal screws to tighten and no wire ends to strip or ferrule, reducing labor costs and offering savings of up to 60% in installation time.



"Installation of the new IDC connector is a snap," said Doug Crowell, Hot Runner Systems Product Manager. "You simply cut the wire to length, insert the wire into the opening, push in the tab, and the wire is terminated."

Favored in control engineering applications, insulation displacement connections with 20-14 AWG (0.5-2.5mm2) wire sizes are performed with a common screwdriver. The quick connection system provides an optimum electrical bond between the conductor and the piercing metal while taking the guesswork out of making terminations. The use of high quality copper alloys guarantees a contact quality that exceeds the requirements of the EN 60 998-2-3, EN 60 352-4, and EN 60 947-7-1 standards.



The IDC provides a permanent and reliable connection that is suitable for use under extreme conditions such as excessive changes in temperature. Its piercing pocket or connection point offers ample space for test equipment and allows you to see at-a-glance whether all conductors are correctly connected. Plus, it serves as an alternative to commonly used key pins for coding, thus preventing improper polarity. The IDC connector�s rated voltage is 500V (600V according to UL/CSA). More information is available online at: http://www.athenacontrols.com/pages/catalog.html.

ABOUT ATHENA CONTROLS, INC.

Located in Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania, USA, Athena Controls, Inc. designs and manufactures digital and analog temperature control instrumentation for applications in the process industries worldwide, ranging from plastics and packaging to food and pharmaceuticals. Athena offers temperature control solutions in three major areas of the control loop: panel and sub-panel controllers, SCR power handlers and solid-state relays, and temperature sensors. In addition to standard products, Athena custom-engineers controllers to meet special customer requirements. Examples include special output types, temperature ranges in thermocouple, platinum RTD, and mA/mV inputs, as well as various display formats and control modes. Athena also provides total turnkey solutions, with custom control modules designed and manufactured to customer specifications.



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