Build-a-RIB Workshop: Understanding our Naming Convention

I’m new to this whole blog thing. I’ve never written one before, not even just for fun. I became an engineer so I wouldn’t have to write papers that required abstract thought. Even just these first couple sentences have taken me quite a while to come up with. DOES NOT COMPUTE. I guess what I’m trying to say is: Please do your best to stay with me here as I, an extremely introverted and left-brained engineer, attempt to write something that is both entertaining and informative for you to read.

So perhaps, like I am new to writing blogs, you’re new to our products. And perhaps just as I’m wondering “What the heck am I supposed to write here?!”, you’re wondering, “How the heck am I supposed to find the part I need?!” Well then, look no further! (Actually, you might want to look further down on the page to see the table I’ve made and skip all this horrible writing.) Luckily for you, when it comes to most of our RIB® relays, if you know your desired coil voltage, relay type, and contact ratings, then you know our part number.

Let me give you an example. Let’s say you want a 24Vac coil, Double-Pull, Double-Throw relay with 20 amp rated contacts. Your part number would then be RIB24P. The “24” is obviously there for the 24 Vac coil. The “P” is there for less obvious reasons, but I assure you it’s simple. In our naming convention, the letter “P” stands for a DPDT 20 amp relay. See? It is simple!

Now I could use the next 50 pages to write out and explain every symbol and letter we use in our naming convention, but we’re probably all very technical people here so I’m just going to lay it all out in a table. (I like to think I’m efficient, not lazy.) Look! It even has color-coded locations!

RIB Naming Convention

There you have it – the parts to a RIB® part number. Use this table to construct your part number and find the RIB® you need. Keep in mind the blue and orange symbols are optional to include. Now I must warn you, as with all naming conventions, there are exceptions to rules,  and there are some relays that just don’t exist. If you still can’t find the relay you’re looking for, feel free to call us at tech support and one of us introverted engineers will do our best to find the right RIB® for you!

That’s all I’ve got for now. Maybe next time I’ll write about our current sensors. Now only if someone could give me a table that helps me construct a blog!