Component Suppliers - Recommendations?

I'm in the process of designing a remote control box for the VFD that supplies my Boxford but since the demise of Maplins (not to mention Tandy) I'm always rather at a loss where to look for components. I need the obvious things, some decent sized momentary push button switches, a linear pot, a couple of rotary selector switches etc and I expect it is all there on Ebay but I can't find just what I want. I find the full on pro suppliers like RS a bit bewildering, can anyone suggest a supplier with decent range of products that is a bit more hobbyist friendly?

William.

Rapid Electronics online and based in Colchester

Try www.component-shop.co.uk you can phone them as well 01248719353 north Wales.

David

I am afraid unless you know the terminology it will be difficult to explain to whoever you buy from. So You will need to know things like. Contact block, which is where the contacts clip to. Then N/O or N/C contacts, they even do double contacts so you could have N/O on one half & N/C on the other or double N/O & so on. . Selector switches of the correct orientation as , on/off latching or none latching, 1 position 2 position 3 position etc.. When i was contracting i used a company called Nyquist. or RS. Look up control panel supplies. I would say RS are the best but not the cheapest. If you could find a local RS or electrical wholesaler near you , they maybe would help you out.

Steve.

Edited By Steviegtr on 30/03/2021 12:03:41

Try Inverter Drive Supermarket they are specialists in the stuff and very helpful to the confused (I was).

A lot of the things you are looking for come under the Control gear heading on their website. Linky here:-

IDS

Edited By V8Eng on 30/03/2021 12:13:33

Brilliant, thanks all.

W.

Another satisfied user of Rapid Electronics here. At their best, I ordered at 5 o'clock one evening and the parcel was on my doorstep at before 9 o'clock the following morning.

In my designing days I was also pleased with Farnell Electronic Components. RS are good but pricey. For other, and sometimes obscure, components I used Digikey and Mouser.

George B.

I use RS a lot, reasonably competitive for small stuff. Also CPC.

Great result form IDS, should have thought of them in the first place. Lady I spoke to not only answered my questions about switches but also knows the Mitsubishi e series manual inside out and saved me hours hunting down parameter settings. Rapid looks good too for the odds and ends.

W.

I use CPC a lot. They are part of Farnell group and have a massive range. Generally cheaper than RS. **LINK**

I also use 2 smaller companies Hobbycomponents **LINK**

and Hobbytronics **LINK**. They both usually despatch the same day.

Stuart

Hi William, there's always good old Cricklewood Electronics no idea how prices compare though.

Regards Nick.

+1 for CPC

Bear..

I use these frequently:

CPC

RS

Switchelectronics.co.uk

Also you might be surprised to find screwfix sell momentary push button switches in several NO / NC configurations.

+1 for switchelectronics. No connection to them but I have used them quite a bit and have received excellent service.

Peter

My personal preference for industrial control gear is the Telemecanique range which is now Group Schneider, Zoro supply a good range of these components at a fair price but it’s is professional gear and the price reflects this. I bite the bullet because I know it will be a one time purchase and it is a pleasure to use.

Mike

My go to source for electronic components is ESR Electronic Components. Always very helpful and goood delivery.

http://www.esr.co.uk/