DIN Rail End Stop Symbol
Definition: The DIN Rail End Stop symbol represents a mechanical end-bracket accessory mounted on a DIN rail (TS 35 / EN 60715) to prevent terminal blocks, circuit breakers, and other rail-mounted components from sliding off the ends of the rail, depicted in wiring and panel-layout diagrams as a small L-shaped or T-shaped bracket profile at the rail termination point.
Also known as: end bracket, rail end stop, DIN rail stop, end clamp, TS35 end stop, omega rail end stop.
What the DIN Rail End Stop symbol means
The DIN Rail End Stop symbol marks the physical boundary of a component-populated section on a DIN rail within a control panel or distribution board. It indicates where the row of mounted devices—terminal blocks, MCBs, relays, or contactors—is physically restrained from lateral movement along the rail.
In panel-layout diagrams the end stop symbol is placed at each extremity of a populated rail segment, signalling to panel builders that an end-stop accessory must be installed and secured before the adjacent component is fitted. The single Rail pin represents the mechanical attachment point to the TS 35 rail profile.
How to identify the DIN Rail End Stop symbol
The DIN Rail End Stop glyph typically appears as a short vertical line or L-shaped bracket perpendicular to the horizontal rail line, sometimes with a small locking indicator (hatching or a dot) showing the screw or snap-lock fixing point. In panel-layout drawings it is placed at the left and right extremes of each rail row. The symbol is deliberately minimal—its purpose is positional annotation rather than electrical indication, as the end stop carries no electrical current.
Function in a circuit
A DIN rail end stop performs a purely mechanical function: it clamps or clips onto the TS 35 (50 mm × 35 mm) or TS 32 (32 mm × 15 mm) DIN rail profile and provides a fixed positive stop against which rail-mounted components are pressed during installation. By preventing lateral creep under vibration, thermal cycling, or handling, the end stop maintains correct spacing, prevents component-to-component contact at unintended points, and ensures that wiring connections remain properly seated. End stops are typically zinc-plated steel or plastic and require a screwdriver or simply snap into the rail slot.
Standards: IEC vs ANSI
| IEC 60617 | DIN rails are standardised under IEC 60715 (formerly EN 50022 for TS 35); the end stop accessory itself is a mechanical component and does not have a dedicated IEC 60617 electrical symbol—it appears in panel-layout diagrams using manufacturer-specific or simplified bracket symbols. |
|---|---|
| ANSI/IEEE 315 | ANSI / NEMA do not define a specific schematic symbol for DIN rail end stops; in North American panel drawings the end stop is noted as a mechanical BOM item (e.g., 'END STOP, TS35') rather than a distinct graphical symbol. |
| Key difference | IEC-based European panel drawings use a bracket glyph on rail-layout sheets; North American drawings typically call out end stops in the bill of materials only, without a dedicated symbol. Both practices reference IEC 60715 for the rail profile dimensions. |
Terminals / pins
| Pin | Name |
|---|---|
| rail | Rail |
Typical values
Typical end stop dimensions: fits TS 35 (35 mm × 7.5 mm or 35 mm × 15 mm) DIN rail. Holding force: 50–200 N depending on design. Material: zinc-plated steel or thermoplastic. No electrical rating; purely mechanical accessory.
Where the DIN Rail End Stop symbol is used
- Industrial control panels and motor control centres (MCCs) to retain terminal blocks and breakers on TS 35 DIN rail
- Distribution boards to bracket rows of MCBs and RCDs preventing longitudinal movement
- PLC enclosures securing power-supply modules, I/O modules, and communication adapters on rail
- Railway and transportation equipment panels where vibration makes end stops safety-critical
- Building automation system (BAS) controller enclosures retaining relay and terminal modules
- Laboratory and test equipment racks where modular components must be locked in position
Example
In a motor control centre panel-layout diagram, a DIN Rail End Stop symbol is placed at both ends of the 600 mm TS 35 rail carrying six 3-pole contactors and a row of terminal blocks; the left end stop is shown fixed to the rail before the first contactor, the right end stop after the last terminal block, and both are called out in the BOM as 'End Stop, TS35, steel, qty 2 per rail'.
Key facts
- The DIN Rail End Stop is a mechanical accessory for TS 35 (IEC 60715) DIN rails; it carries no electrical current and has no voltage or current rating.
- The symbol appears in panel-layout and rail-assembly drawings as an L- or T-shaped bracket at the terminus of a populated rail segment, with a single Rail connection point.
- DIN rail end stops are available in screw-fix and snap-lock (tool-less) variants; the screw-fix type uses an M4 or M5 screw to clamp onto the rail flange.
- End stops must be fitted before adjacent components are installed; omitting them can allow terminal blocks to migrate under vibration, potentially causing short circuits or open-circuit wiring faults.
- IEC 60715 defines three standard rail profiles: TS 35×7.5, TS 35×15, and TS 32 (G-rail); end stops are profile-specific and are not interchangeable between TS 35 and TS 32 rails.
- Common manufacturers of DIN rail end stops include Phoenix Contact, Wago, Wieland, and Schneider Electric; the components are catalogued as accessories rather than as active electrical devices.
- In panel-layout software such as EPLAN or SEE Electrical, the DIN Rail End Stop is inserted as a mechanical annotation object at each end of a rail macro, automatically populating the bill of materials.
Frequently asked questions
What does the DIN rail end stop symbol represent in a panel layout diagram?
The DIN Rail End Stop symbol represents a mechanical bracket or clamp accessory placed at the end of a TS 35 DIN rail to prevent terminal blocks, breakers, and other rail-mounted devices from sliding off the rail. It is a positional annotation in panel-layout drawings indicating where an end-stop accessory must be physically installed.
What does the DIN rail end stop look like in a drawing?
The DIN Rail End Stop symbol typically appears as a short vertical line or a small L-shaped bracket perpendicular to the horizontal rail line, positioned at the left or right extremity of a row of components. It may include a small hatch or dot to indicate the fixing point. The symbol is intentionally simple because the end stop is a mechanical—not electrical—component.
What DIN rail profile does the end stop fit?
Most DIN rail end stops are designed for the TS 35 profile defined in IEC 60715, available in 35 mm × 7.5 mm depth and 35 mm × 15 mm depth variants. A separate end stop design fits the TS 32 (G-rail) profile. End stops for TS 35 and TS 32 are not interchangeable, so the correct profile must be specified in the panel BOM.
Is the DIN rail end stop an electrical component?
No. The DIN Rail End Stop is a purely mechanical accessory with no electrical function. It carries no current, has no voltage rating, and is not connected to any circuit. Its sole purpose is to provide a fixed mechanical stop at the end of a row of rail-mounted electrical components.
Why are DIN rail end stops important in control panel design?
DIN rail end stops are important because they prevent terminal blocks, circuit breakers, and other components from shifting longitudinally along the rail during vibration, thermal expansion, or normal handling. Without end stops, components can migrate, causing increased contact resistance, open-circuit faults, or unintended component-to-component contact resulting in short circuits.
What standard governs DIN rail dimensions?
DIN rail profiles are standardised in IEC 60715, which defines the TS 35 (top-hat rail, 35 mm wide) and TS 32 (G-rail) profiles. The original DIN 46277 standard (Germany) defined the profiles before they were adopted into IEC 60715. End stops are accessories specific to these standardised profiles.
How is the DIN rail end stop shown in a bill of materials?
In a control panel bill of materials, a DIN rail end stop is listed as a mechanical accessory item with its rail profile (e.g., 'End Stop, TS 35, zinc-plated steel'), quantity per rail (minimum two—one each end), and manufacturer part number. It does not receive an electrical designator and is not assigned a circuit reference number.
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