Passive distributors and active distributors
Make any sensors/actuators bus-capable
Do you want to easily integrate AS-Interface (ASi) into the entire system? Or do you simply want to connect various sensors and actuators to ASi? Then take advantage of our large range of IP67 distributors: Our compact passive distributors are all you need to connect ASi-capable sensors and actuators anywhere in the field. They enable a wide variety of local junctions – to flat cables, push-in terminals, round cables with connecting wires, or to a wide variety of plugs such as M12 and M8.
If, on the other hand, the sensors and actuators do not have an integrated ASi chip, our active distributors are used. Thanks to their integrated ASi connection, they make any sensors and actuators bus-compatible – without the need for complex special adapters and additional cables. Our broad selection of active distributors includes plug-and-play solutions for light barriers, door locks, and inverters made by various leading manufacturers. We are also happy to develop customized solutions for you. Get in touch with us!
Advantages of passive distributors
Simplified planning and installation
You can flexibly position secured and unsecured local branches for your peripherals on site without any limitations. For example, the passive distributors enable junctions to be made to flat cables, push-in terminals, round cables with connecting wires, or to a wide variety of plugs such as M12 and M8. Our space-saving passive distributors can be installed quickly and easily using piercing technology. Therefore, there is no need of any pre-assembled cables nor T connectors for the connection. You also have a lot of freedom in your choice of topology.
Smart
energy distribution
Our passive distributors offer a cost-effective "all-inclusive package" for distributing the ASi voltage throughout the entire system. They can also easily distribute auxiliary voltages of 24 V and 48 V. You do not need any additional T distributors or pre-configured cables. No additional cables are required to connect the peripherals either. Furthermore, less power is dissipated because there is no need to loop power from module to module. Find out more about energy distribution via profile cables and passive distributors here.
Efficient
line protection
Line protection is automatically ensured for our passive distributors with a built-in fuse. If the passive distributor develops a fault or short-circuit, the branch is protected by triggering the fuse, causing the voltage supply to be interrupted only selectively for this branch. The power supply in the line and for further branches remains functional. This facilitates troubleshooting and reduces downtimes. For applications with their own fuse in the upstream circuit, we also offer passive distributors without a built-in fuse.
Perfect
contact reliability
In order to guarantee the required contact reliability, all of our distributors always have 2 or 3 gold-plated pins per conductor. Moreover, the pins must always pierce the ASi cable vertically. The housing design offers the ideal solution for this, as the top part can be easily connected to the bottom part using a socket wrench mechanism.
Save valuable resources
With AS-Interface, you do not need expensive plugs or sockets and only a single cable. This significantly reduces assembly times and material costs. In addition, valuable resources such as copper or plastic, which are required to manufacture the components, can be saved on a large scale. And energy consumption during cable production is greatly reduced. There is also a positive environmental effect when it comes to disposal – less waste is produced.
Advantages of active distributors
Free choice of
components
With our active distributors, you can make any sensors and actuators ASi-capable thanks to the integrated ASi connection. This gives you new flexibility in the selection of components and system design, while also eliminating the need for expensive special adapters and additional cables. You also enjoy all the advantages of ASi, e.g., easy installation thanks to piercing technology and great freedom in the choice of topology. In addition, many of the active distributors have integrated line protection.
Many
plug-and-play solutions
There is already a large number of perfectly pre-assembled cable and connector combinations available. Our plug-and-play solutions allow you to easily light barriers, door locks, laser scanners, or E-stop buttons into your ASi network and safely avoid connection errors. The active distributors are available both as safe input modules (also in combination with standard outputs) and as digital I/O modules. Several variants are also suitable for use in cable ducts, since the flat distributor housings do not have "raised" M8 or M12 connectors on top.
Customized
developments
Do you have a particular sensor or actuator for which Bihl+Wiedemann does not yet have a plug-and-play solution? No problem. We can develop an active distributor according to your wishes. Our special production process allows for up to nine cable outlets, an addressing socket, and three heights (19 mm, 25 mm, 35 mm), among other things. You can also choose between different cable lengths and plug variants.
Reduction
of errors
Our plug-and-play solutions offer perfectly fitting plug-in solutions for many common products. Many different signals can be transmitted on a single cable, e.g., via an 8 pole M12 cable plug to connect door locks directly to ASi. This saves time, prevents errors during installation, and makes troubleshooting much easier. In contrast, parallel wiring requires a large number of cables, which significantly increases the likelihood of errors. If an error occurs, it is often not clear which cable is causing it.
Active distributors are also available in the webshop
Here you will find a wide selection of active distributors with various connection options via M8/M12 sockets, connecting wires, spring-cage or push-in terminals.
Passive distributors are also available in the webshop
Here you will find a wide selection of passive distributors. They are equipped with up to five M12 or M8 sockets or connecting wires in different versions and thus offer the right connection for every application.
ASi cable
The yellow ASi cable represents the simplest connection technology and efficient power distribution. Discover how you can save around 68 % on wiring costs compared to round cable solutions.
