WAGO has turned to Spelsberg to develop a new portable demon unit designed to show that the German manufacturer’s expertise extends far beyond its well-known spring connection terminals.
The company, long associated with compact electrical connectors, is seeking to raise awareness of its broader portfolio of electronic interface and automation products. Its new demo case, aimed at OEMs, Panel Builders, and Switchgear Builders, is intended to underline that its offer also spans relays, signal conditioners, power supplies, I/O systems, controllers, and human-machine interfaces.
According to Clare McCusker, National Sales Manager at Spelsberg UK, the challenge for WAGO is that its strong market position in electrical interconnection can obscure the depth of its automation capabilities. The new display unit is designed to counter this, providing a compact and lightweight showcase for use during customer visits and at exhibitions.
By mounting the components in a robust industrial enclosure, WAGO aims to present its products as they would appear in real installations. “Installing demonstration products in an industrial enclosure means customers can see how they would look in an actual application, and how they would fit in a control cabinet or enclosure,” says Clive Humphrey, Product Manager for Interconnection at WAGO UK and Ireland, and the designer of the unit.
Inside the enclosure, WAGO has assembled a curated selection from its wider range. Rail-mounted terminals sit alongside relays, an energy monitoring meter, and a power supply, while the automation section includes an I/O system and a network switch. Although not intended to emulate a full-scale installation, the arrangement highlights what the company describes as core advantages: build quality, compact dimensions, and ease of installation.
Humphrey says customers increasingly seek space-efficient equipment. To address this, the demo features items such as a triple-deck terminal block that occupies the same rail length as a standard single unit. He adds that ease of use remains a defining requirement for WAGO’s customer base, pointing to lever-operated terminals that offer rapid installation access.
To house the unit, WAGO selected Spelsberg’s GTi-3 polycarbonate enclosure with a transparent lid. Humphrey cites its straightforward DIN rail mounting and flexibility in choosing rail positions as important factors. Although compact and lightweight enough for mobile use, the enclosure is sufficiently deep to accommodate larger components, including I/O modules.
Spelsberg’s knock-out holes, which indicate potential cable entry and exit points, also help demonstrate installation flexibility. “Everyone is looking to make life easier and complete jobs faster,” Humphrey says. “Features that enable this are important.”
While WAGO typically handles customisation in-house for large OEM customers, the flexibility of the GTi-3 range helps speed up bespoke configurations. For the demo unit, Spelsberg provided local printing services, including a colour logo on the lid. Humphrey says this proved more reliable and cost-effective than involving third-party suppliers.
The new demonstration case is the third WAGO has built using Spelsberg enclosures, reflecting a relationship dating back nearly 30 years. The link originally formed between the two firms’ German parent companies, and has continued through their UK operations.
“We enjoy an excellent relationship with Spelsberg,” says Humphrey. “The enclosures are consistently manufactured to a very high standard, and the support provided by the UK team is very helpful. Spelsberg UK does not just have a warehouse; it has a facility with engineering expertise in design and customisation, so if we have any special requests, the team can quickly provide it instead of having to wait for support from overseas.”
Spelsberg, one of the world’s largest producers of non-metallic electrical enclosures, holds more than 4,000 models in stock, with many available for delivery within 24 hours. The company offers additional customisation, including machining, cable entries, and printed corporate branding, often within 48 hours. Its enclosures are supplied directly and through major distributors, including RS, Rapid, Farnell, and CPC.
Images accompanying the announcement show the GTi-3-based demonstration unit, designed for use at customer premises and trade fairs.
