Australian switchboard builders have a new option for power distribution work, with Rittal launching its RiLineX standardised busbar platform locally through master distributor APS Industrial.

RiLineX is a 60 mm open busbar system rated up to 800 A, supporting AC up to 1,000 V and DC up to 1,500 V. Its tool-free modular click-in assembly method is claimed to cut installation time by up to 75% compared with traditional busbar methods. The system is also designed to free up panel space, with Rittal citing up to 15% more usable area per enclosure.

For engineering and planning, Rittal says its RiPower configurator and Eplan macros can reduce design time by up to 30%. The platform is backwards compatible with existing RiLine60 60 mm busbar systems, which will matter to panel shops already running that infrastructure. Certification covers UL 508A and IEC 61439, with local AS/NZS 61439 compliance also addressed.

One practical selling point for Australian panel builders is the system’s brand-agnostic design. Easy-Fix adapters support MCCBs from ABB, Schneider, Siemens, Eaton and others, meaning builders are not locked into a single circuit breaker supplier. NH fuse-switch disconnectors rated up to 630 A and 800 V AC are available for the platform, and terminal clamps handle conductors up to 2 x 300 mm², rated to 1,600 A and 800 V.

Safety specifications include contact hazard protection to IP 2XB as standard, upgradable to IP 4X, with short-circuit resistance tested to 65 kA. Those figures are relevant on commercial and industrial jobs where panel safety certification is non-negotiable.

Rittal’s Australian blog frames the product as a direct response to the skilled labour shortage hitting the local panel-building sector, where tighter project timelines are making faster, repeatable assembly methods more attractive. Rittal Australia, which has operated since 1994 and runs seven locations across Australia and New Zealand, opened a dedicated Application Centre in Chullora, Sydney, in November 2024 to offer hands-on training for panel builders before they put the system to work on live jobs.

For panel builders carrying a full order book with not enough hands to get through it, a system that shaves installation time without adding compliance risk is worth a look. Contact APS Industrial for local pricing and availability.

Frequently asked questions

What current rating does RiLineX support?

RiLineX is rated up to 800 A, with terminal clamps handling conductors up to 2 x 300 mm² at 1,600 A and 800 V.

Is RiLineX compatible with existing RiLine60 systems?

Yes. RiLineX is backwards compatible with existing RiLine60 60 mm busbar infrastructure, so panel shops do not need to replace what they already have.

Which circuit breaker brands does RiLineX support?

Easy-Fix adapters support MCCBs from ABB, Schneider, Siemens, Eaton and other major brands, so builders are not locked into a single supplier.

Where can Australian panel builders get RiLineX?

RiLineX is available in Australia through master distributor APS Industrial. Rittal also offers hands-on training at its Application Centre in Chullora, Sydney.

Sourced from Manufacturers’ Monthly, Rittal Australia Blog, DigiKey. Original article.