Schneider Electric
Webinar Date: August 27, 2024
Experience Mobility in Manufacturing with Wireless Pushbuttons
This post covers Key Takeaways and Frequently Asked Questions from the Schneider Electric Experience Mobility in Manufacturing with Wireless Pushbuttons webinar regarding battery-free wireless pushbuttons and related wireless devices. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or a curious newcomer, you’ll find plenty of valuable information watching the webinar. Links to the Webinar, Resources, and Related Content are provided within the post. A copy of the PowerPoint presentation will be provided for customers that register to watch the recorded webinar. All Snippets and Content Compliments of Schneider Electric.
The need for flexibility, freedom of movement, and increased mobility has grown to be a prevalent Industry 4.0 topic. Many applications requiring increased safety, efficiency, and traceability have turned to wireless technology to provide better solutions. Wireless pushbutton technology can provide this and more.
Our XB4R and XB5R metal and plastic wireless pushbutton families, along with the battery-less transmitters, offer a simple and sustainable way to provide mobility and flexibility to meet the changing needs of manufacturing.
Key Takeaways
- XB5R/XB4R pushbutton switches part of the Harmony products are composed of a transmitter and a receiver which use a 2.4 GHz radio transmission providing control up to 25 m away in a metal cabinet.
- Like other Harmony products, these wireless, battery-free push button switches are well suited for industrial environments where added protection of people and machines is paramount.
- Mechanical energy is transformed into electrical energy avoiding the need for a battery, sending a one-time radio message to the receiver.
- This battery-free solution offers permanent availability and eliminates costly battery maintenance, recharging, and recycling. The ergonomic Harmony push button enclosures add the option of true remote control. They can be mounted on a forklift, the wall, or hung from a belt loop to keep the wireless technology with the operator.
- Harmony XB5R plastic and XB4R metal pushbuttons offer easy and fast installation and are available in ready-to-use packages or as individual products for a customized solution.
- Harmony Hub is an easy-to-install, non-intrusive wireless system that digitizes production lines and provides users with computed data to improve overall equipment efficiency (OEE).
- Easily connect up to 60 different wireless devices, such as pushbuttons, limit switches, energy sensors, temperature and humidity sensors, and more.
- Compatible with PLC, IoT box & EcoStruxure maintenance advisor
- When associated with the digital services of the EcoStruxure platform, users can benefit from other advanced services and make better and faster decisions with complete visibility of their operations and assets in the cloud.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can wireless pushbuttons and transmitters work with other enclosures or control stations?
- Yes: We can use the Handy boxes ZBRM21 and ZBRM22 which are available for mobile and fixed applications. And even standard control stations XALD01H7 and XALD02H7 can also be used as empty plastic enclosures for wireless pushbuttons.
What is the sensing range of these transmitters:
- Zigbee Green Power Standard (for low power devices) over the 2.4GHz transmission band.
- 100m/328ft in free space
- 25m/82ft in an enclosure or metal electrical cabinet
- But 250m/820ft when boosted with an external relay antenna
Can each individual pushbutton operate more than one relay?
- Yes, one pushbutton can be programmed to as many receivers as you want. For the relays we have, we have an option where one of the relays can be operated by up to 32 pushbuttons.
- For the Antennae (ZBRA1), there is no limit here either, so long as there is a viable way to power each antenna, an unlimited number of antennae can be used to extend a signal.
Does Schneider have other wireless devices other than pushbuttons?
- Yes. Our receivers and harmony hub can receive transmissions not just from the standard pushbutton transmitter device, but we also have our Harmony Remotes, a rope pull switch, and a few temperature, current, and energy sensors that can be found as products from some of our other departments at Schneider (although not all sensors are for use in the US with UL certification, so this is something to check if you are interested.
Webinar Links and Resources
Webinar Registration Link:
DigiKey Webinar Center:
DigiKey TechForum Webinar Posts:
Supplier Center:
DigiKey Schneider Product Offerings:
- XB4R and XB5R Metal and Plastic Wireless Pushbutton Products
- Harmony XALD Products
- All Harmony Products
- EcoStruxure Platform
- All Schneider Products
Resources:
- All Content
- Product Highlight - Harmony 22 mm XB5R/XB4R Wireless Push-Button Switches
- Harmony Hub Ecosystem Flyer
- Video: Easy Efficiency Gains with New Industrial Remotes – Harmony Range | Schneider Electric
- Video: Configuring Harmony XB5R Wireless Push Button for Monostable Mode | Schneider Electric Support
- Catalog: Harmony XB5R plastic and XB4R metal
- Catalog: Harmony® eXLhoist
- Catalog: Harmony ® Pocket remote wireless control system
- Harmony Hub Software Download & Product Selector: Harmony 22 mm XB5R/XB4R Wireless Push Buttons
Example Webinar Slides
-Much more in-depth slides and a copy of the PowerPoint presentation will be provided for customers that register to watch the recorded webinar.
