What is RoHS?

[foxhoundme]

What is RoHS and how does this affect my selection of NEMA motor starters in the future? The reason for the inquiry is due to my friends in Europe indicates IEC starters are compliant to RoHS and I need to consider using IEC starters versus NEMA starters if I want to continue to sell my control panels into the EU. Is there a NEMA starter RoHS compliant?

 

[IRstuff]

RoHS is the European Restriction on Hazardous Substances.

The July 7 issue of Electronic Design discusses some of the issues

TTFN

 

[jraef]

Mainly, this is based on the use of cadmium in the contact materials, considered to be a hazardous substance that becomes airborn when the contacts arc. The manufacturers are addressing this issue recently by coming up with "cadmium free" contacts, a good google search term to use, but since it is only in the EU that this has become an issue, I doubt you will find a NEMA design contactor that has any certification for RoHS. The Cutler Hammer IT Series for instance has cadmium free contacts, but no mention of meeting RoHS standards (if there is such a thing), and it is not a NEMA design conactor.

"Our virtues and our failings are inseparable, like force and matter. When they separate, man is no more."
Nikola Tesla

 

[IRstuff]

RoHs covers other metals as well, including lead solders.

TTFN

 

[itsmoked]

Yes! Yet another trade barrier gussied up as environmental heroics. RoHs = Really Obnoxious HeadacheS