No.

TB EPE 06 01
TECHNICAL BULLETIN
Page : 1(2)
From (department, name) Replaces bulletin Date

RKES Per-Olof Mineur 2013-01-28

Product

Control panels type: EPE, FCE, FCP, AST, GSP, BD and BD new

Subject

Possible quality problem with protective earth terminals in control panels

Background
We have been informed that approx. 1-2% of the Protective Earth terminals type WPE2,5
and WPE 4, manufactured by Weidmuller within the period 111206-120827, can be affected
with contact problems.
These terminals may have been used in some control panels produced for Xylem during the
period feb-aug 2012

Description
Weidmuller have informed that the error occurred because of failure in their manufacturing.
The failure can briefly be described as, even when the lock screw is tightened it is not sure
that the” metal jaws” around the DIN rail gives secure contact to give reliable connection with
the DIN rail and with other ground terminals.
Weidmuller has announced that: If such a faulty terminal is installed it can´t be completely
secured that a faulty current can be passed to ground properly or not at all due to broken
contact.
Weidmuller and Xylem have in a Risk analysis identified this problem as a potential personal
safety risk that in a worst case, in combination with other errors, could lead to personal injury.

Solution
Xylem have decided that all panels produced during this period and where this type of
terminals are used have to be checked in order to identify and replace faulty terminals.

How to check faulty terminals

Checking products which have already been installed
The identification of faulty terminals when already installed is possible by an experienced
professional who checks the product to see if the contact with the DIN mounting rail has been
securely made. This test can be made by 3 different methods.
1) Terminal slide test
2) Resistance test
3) Replace all PE terminals that not can be tested acc. to method 1 or 2

Test method 1: Terminal slide test

In order to make this test there must be some free space on the DIN rail beside the tested terminal.
For terminals that are stuck between its surrounding terminals some of the neighbouring terminals
have to be removed while performing the test.
If it is not possible to release some free space besides the terminals there is a high risk that the faulty
parts cannot be detected by this method, in this cases you have to choose test method 2 or 3 below.

Ensure that the terminals are securely tightened with the attachment screw to the mounting
rail (see fig. 1), check that the PE terminals not can be slid along the rail, if it is still possible
to shift the PE terminal along the mounting rail (see Fig. 2), it is evident that this terminal is
faulty.
 No.TB EPE 06 01
TECHNICAL BULLETIN
Page : 2(2)

Only if there is clearly a solid connection between the PE terminal and the DIN rail and it is
secured that the terminal not can be slide on the DIN rail can you be certain that this is a PE
terminal which is clearly free of defects and can remain in service.

Fig. 1 Fig. 2

Test method 2: To make an earth continuity test, this can be done by using an Ohmmeter
and measure that there is no resistance between the incoming PE terminal and all other PE
terminals one after each other.

Test method 3: To replace all PE terminals that not can be tested acc to alternative 1 or 2

If you are not absolutely certain concerning the secure seating of the PE terminal on the DIN
mounting rail, or if a professional examination is not possible, in every such case all terminals
must be replaced!

Note!! All work inside the electrical control panel must be carried out with the main
supply switched OFF.