ETI's New Washing Line for FI Relay Components: A Leap in Product Quality and Efficiency

ETI Elektroelement d.o.o., in collaboration with the German company ELMA Schmidbauer GmbH, has developed an advanced washing line specifically designed for cleaning FI relay components. This new system represents a significant improvement in controlling washing and drying parameters, leading to enhanced process efficiency and product cleanliness. The upgraded system addresses the need for improved product quality, particularly for FI relays, which are critical in differential current switches for ensuring electrical safety..

Why the New Washing Line?

FI relays play a vital role in electrical protection by quickly disconnecting circuits in the event of a fault. Ensuring the cleanliness of these components is essential for their optimal performance and reliability. The decision to replace the existing washing system was driven by a desire to improve quality control over these critical parts.

ETI partnered with ELMA and Primakem to create a customized solution that builds upon the strengths of the previous washing line while addressing specific gaps in functionality. After extensive testing at Elma’s facility, where multiple parameters were evaluated, ETI finalized the new washing system.

Innovative Features of the Washing Line

The new washing line includes six distinct workstations, along with a loading and unloading conveyor system. These stations are divided into three key phases: washing, rinsing, and drying.

• Ultrasonic Cleaning: Using a combination of softened RO (reverse osmosis) water and specialized cleaning agents, the washing process leverages 45 kHz ultrasonic cavitation to achieve deep cleaning of FI relay components.
• Rinsing Process: Following the washing phase, three rinsing stations employ deionized water and ultrasonic technology to remove any remaining contaminants.
• Efficient Drying: The drying phase includes two stations. The first uses heated air, which is blown through targeted nozzles for efficient drying. The second station utilizes vacuum drying to remove residual moisture from hard-to-reach areas.

Throughout the entire process, two linear robots handle the movement of washing baskets between stations, ensuring precise handling and gentle agitation of components for superior cleanliness.

Water Treatment for Enhanced Cleaning

High-quality water is crucial for industrial washing systems. To ensure top performance, ETI integrated a specialized water treatment system from EnviroFALK. This system uses reverse osmosis to purify the water, removing impurities such as salts, bacteria, and ions that cause hardness. This minimizes the buildup of limescale in the system and prevents mineral deposits on the components.

For the final rinsing phase, the water is further treated with ion-exchange resins to guarantee ultra-clean surfaces, particularly on sensitive components like the L and S yokes and the armature.

EnviroFALK ELMAPUR 600 water preparation device

Modular Design for Flexibility

The washing line is designed with a modular interface, making it both user-friendly and adaptable to various production needs. The central control system provides real-time data on all aspects of the washing process, including water temperature, conductivity, and levels. All parameters are fully adjustable via the software, allowing for quick reconfiguration based on the type of component being cleaned.

Additionally, the modular nature of the washing line allows ETI to expand or adapt the system in the future, ensuring long-term scalability and flexibility.

Washing tub with laundry basket

Conclusion: Advancing Quality and Efficiency

ETI’s new washing line for FI relay components is a major step forward in the company’s ongoing pursuit of product innovation and quality improvement. This advanced system not only enhances the cleaning process but also ensures the highest standards of cleanliness and precision for critical electrical components. By investing in this state-of-the-art washing solution, ETI is further strengthening its commitment to delivering reliable, high-quality products that meet the evolving needs of the electrical industry.

The new washing line stands as a testament to ETI’s ability to innovate and collaborate, ensuring that its production processes are not only efficient but also adaptable to future challenges.