DIN Rail Basics

If you deal with electrical installations for industrial control applications, no doubt you have heard the term DIN rail or have used DIN rail in your installations.

Below we discuss the importance of DIN rail. How it’s used, and why it’s used in industrial control projects.  

What is a DIN Rail?

DIN is an international standard of measurement that ensures every product is the same size no matter who made it. DIN stands for Deutsche Institut von Normen, which translates to the German Institute of Standardization.

What is DIN Rail Used For?

A DIN rail is a standard type of metal rail that is widely used for mounting circuit breakers and industrial equipment inside equipment cabinets. DIN rails are typically made from carbon steel and are only meant for mechanical support. They are not used to conduct electrical currents, although they may provide a grounding connection.

Choosing the Right DIN Rail

You’ll want to consider the size of your project before choosing a DIN rail. There are various lengths of mounting rails, so you’ll want to choose one that allows you to add as many components as you need.

Another consideration is the location of your project. Will your project be in a corrosive environment? A stainless steel rail would be the preferred method of mounting.

Common industrial DIN rail options include:

• Galvanized steel
• Aluminum
• Stainless steel
• Copper

Benefits of DIN Rails

Using DIN rail mounting systems saves installation time since all devices just snap onto the metal rails. A full system can be put together quickly in an organized fashion that provides flexibility, high density, safety and design time savings. Devices that work together can be mounted next to each other, reducing the length of interconnect wiring.

Another benefit of DIN rail is that you can freely choose components from any manufacturer as long as they are DIN rail mountable. This allows you to save money by using less costly parts when possible. You also have the freedom to create anything you want as you’re not limited to working with products from one manufacturer.

DIN rails are widely used in industrial/remote I/O, commercial, medical and automation applications.

Where To Buy DIN Rail

Now that you have a basic understanding of how DIN rail works and how to find the right rail for your project, you’ll want to start looking at what you need to purchase.

We offer a wide range of DIN Rail mountable products for you to choose from.

At Coolgear, our customer support team can help you in finding the right DIN rail products for your next project. Contact us for more information and assistance.