Top 5 Tips: Installing Functional Devices RIB® Relays Safely

It probably goes without saying that safety matters when you’re dealing with electricity and installing Functional Devices components. You risk shock or electrocution, fire, or equipment damage if you’re not careful. Sometimes, though, it’s easy to forget the most basic safety steps. You need a Functional Devices safety guide!

As a manufacturer of electrical devices, safety is paramount for us here at Functional Devices. We always design our products for safe, efficient operation, and we test each device before it leaves our production floor. Let’s dive into our general Functional Devices setup best practices for the safe installation of RIB^® relays and other components.

Safety Disclaimer: The Functional Devices installation tips in this blog are provided for general educational purposes only. Always follow your device’s manufacturer instructions and comply with local electrical codes. If you are not comfortable or qualified to perform electrical work, hire a licensed electrician. Working with electricity carries risks, including serious injury or death, if proper safety measures are not followed.

Tip 1: Always Disconnect Power & Verify It’s Off

First up on our list of Functional Devices RIB^® relay setup best practices? Turn off the power at the breaker panel before touching anything. Commercial and industrial lighting controls are way more complicated than a residential setup, however, so simply switching off the power isn’t enough. You need evidence before proceeding (we would argue you need this in a residential setting, too!).

Verify that the proper circuit is off by using a non-contact voltage tester before you touch any wires. Hold up the voltage tester to the wires or terminals you plan to touch. If it beeps or lights up, there’s still power to the area, and you need to return to the breaker panel and try again.

Non-contact voltage testers may give false positive readings, so you can check by testing the other side of the circuit or using a contact tester to make doubly sure. Additionally, there may be multiple circuits in the same area, so keep testing wires until you’re sure it’s all off.

Assuming the circuit is off without testing is a recipe for touching a live wire and shocking or electrocuting yourself. It’s not worth the risk!

Tip 2: Use the Right Tools and Equipment

Our second tip in our Functional Devices safety guide is to use the proper tools and equipment. We’ve already mentioned a voltage tester. Here are some other essential items to have on hand:

• General insulated tools like screwdrivers, needle-nosed pliers, diagonal cutters, and wrenches
• Tools for making connections such as a wire stripper/crimper, wire connectors, heat shrink tubing, and a heat gun
• Diagnostic tools like a multimeter (measures voltage, current, and resistance)
• Other supplies like fuses, cable ties, and a relay harness

An insulated tool is simply one that has special non-conductive layers of material (usually plastic or rubber) that cover the entire surface. They are designed to protect from shock and must meet strict safety standards. Using insulated tools adds another layer of safety to the installation process. 

Using the wrong tools can damage components or cause injury. Again, it’s not worth the risk. If you don’t have the necessary tools, consider investing in them, borrowing, or hiring a licensed electrician who’s already well stocked.

Tip 3: Follow Proper Wiring Techniques

For safe installation of RIB relays and our other devices, make sure you follow wiring best practices. These include:

• Plan the layout before getting started.
• Match wire colors and gauge according to code and load size.
• Make secure insulated connections in the proper-sized enclosure.
• Avoid over-stripping insulation or leaving exposed wires.
• Avoid overcrowding. Keep wires neat.

Wires can get messy and unmanageable quickly. Treat each one with care, giving it a home and a secure, safe connection.

Tip 4: Secure and Support Components Correctly

Of course our Functional Devices installation tips will include one about the devices themselves! Besides wiring correctly and neatly, make sure the devices themselves are securely installed in the correct spot.

But first, verify how the breaker panel or junction box was installed before mounting relays or other devices in them. Were the proper fasteners used? 

Wood → Wood screws or screw-type nails

Hollow masonry → Toggle bolts

Concrete/solid masonry → Concrete inserts or expansion bolts

Steel → Machine screws, welded threaded studs, or spring-tension clamps. NOT powder-driven studs.

You don’t want to install a new device on something that isn’t secure itself. Once you’ve made sure the enclosure is properly installed, now it’s time to firmly mount your relay or other component by following the manufacturer instructions. 

Devices can come with a variety of mounting types, including:

• PCB (soldered directly)
• Plug-in
• Screw
• DIN rail
• Track
• Pre-mounted in enclosures

It’s important to make sure everything is anchored, since loose devices can cause wear on wires, arcing, or overheating. Selecting one that’s preassembled in an enclosure (like our RIB relays) helps ensure all devices are already securely fastened, simplifying installation.

Tip 5: Test Before Finalizing the Installation

Our final tip for installing Functional Devices components safely is to test that everything works as expected before closing up shop. Here’s what to do:

• Visually inspect. Look for frayed or exposed wires, damaged insulation, and insecure connections.
• Test with a multimeter. Use the meter’s different settings to verify the correct voltage and polarity, circuit integrity, and insulation resistance.
• Perform device-specific tests. Test according to manufacturer instructions or to comply with energy codes.
• Double check grounding and polarity before restoring power. As the final test, use the multimeter’s voltage setting and probes again to check the correct polarity (a plus sign) and grounding (a near-zero reading).

If you’re unsure how to perform any of these tests, do not proceed with using the device. Instead, consider hiring a licensed electrician or contact us here at Functional Devices and we’d be happy to walk you through more specifics.

Simple, Safe Installation of RIB Relays & Components by Design

With this general Functional Devices safety guide, you’ve learned our top five installation tips: disconnect power and verify it’s off, use the right tools, follow wiring best practices, secure enclosures and devices properly, and test before finalizing the installation. Always prioritize safety over speed, and consult a licensed electrician if you’re not confident in your skills.

We aim to make installing Functional Devices components straightforward and headache-free. Safer and quicker installation is made possible by such design choices such as preassembled enclosures and components, LED status indicators, test buttons, clear wiring diagrams and color coding, wireless controls, split-core models, and more.

Need help with RIB® relay installation? Contact our engineers or browse our installation resources to get started safely.