DIN Rail TS35 - which type and how to mount it right?
The TS35 DIN rail is the standardised mounting rail for terminal blocks, breakers and relays inside an enclosure. This guide covers the 7.5 and 15 mm types per EN 60715, the choice between steel and aluminium, and correct mounting and earthing in the distribution board.
View DIN railsWhich DIN rail types exist?
The TS35 DIN rail, also called top-hat or mounting rail, is standardised at 35 mm width in EN 60715 (formerly EN 50022). It carries almost all modular devices: miniature circuit breakers, terminal blocks, relay sockets, power supplies and terminal strips. The key selection criteria are profile height and slotting.
The most common profile is TS35 x 7.5 mm for standard boards. Where mechanical load is high or heavy devices are used, TS35 x 15 mm with double profile height and greater stiffness is chosen. There is also the narrow TS15 rail at 15 mm width for compact applications.
Steel or aluminium - which material?
The material governs corrosion resistance, load capacity and conductivity. The standard is zinc-plated steel; for light or corrosive environments aluminium or stainless steel are the better fit.
- Zinc-plated steel: high load capacity and low cost, the standard in panel building, with a zinc coating against corrosion.
- Aluminium: light and highly conductive, ideal where the rail itself acts as a bonding bar.
- Stainless steel (V2A/V4A): for humid, aggressive or food-grade environments.
- Copper/brass: for dedicated earthing and equipotential bonding bars.
How is the DIN rail mounted correctly?
The rail is screwed horizontally onto the mounting plate or into the consumer unit. Slotted rails are fixed on a 25 mm or 32 mm pitch, unslotted rails with self-tapping screws or sliding nuts. A firm, rattle-free seat is essential so the snapped-on devices hold securely.
- Cut the rail to length and deburr the edges so the zinc coating does not crack.
- Set a fixing screw every 100‑150 mm, closer for heavy devices.
- Hook devices in at the top and snap the foot latch at the bottom - do not slide them over one another.
- Fit end brackets or end clamps so terminal strips cannot migrate.
- Keep enough clearance to the cable ducts for the wiring.
Frequently asked questions
What does TS35 mean?
TS35 denotes a mounting rail 35 mm wide per EN 60715. It is the standard for modular devices such as breakers, terminals and relays in the distribution board.
When do I need a 15 mm DIN rail?
The TS35 x 15 mm with its higher profile is used for heavy devices or high mechanical load because it is far stiffer and sags less than the 7.5 mm version.
Can the DIN rail act as a protective earth?
No. The rail is not approved as a PE conductor. Earthing and bonding must run through a separate PE bar or a tested earthing terminal.
Slotted or unslotted - which is better?
Slotted rails ease grid-pitch screwing and earthing, unslotted ones are stiffer and look cleaner. For standard boards, slotted zinc-plated steel is the usual choice.
Looking for the right TS35 DIN rail?
We supply mounting rails in 7.5 and 15 mm from zinc-plated steel, aluminium and stainless steel - slotted or unslotted, standardised to EN 60715.
To standard
All mounting rails made to EN 60715.
Wide range
7.5 and 15 mm, slotted and unslotted, all materials.
Perfect fit
Cut-to-length and accessories such as end brackets available.
Expert advice
Specialists help with type and material choice.