Latest Building Articles

Using the right motor for the right task is critical - but what happens if the motor is connected to the wrong supply? It…

Using the right motor for the right task is critical - but what happens if the motor is connected to the wrong supply? It is never recommended, but important to quickly understand symptoms of incorrect wiring.

A new set of connector, valve, and cylinder products released by SMC promises to reduce downtime, save space, and provide…

A new set of connector, valve, and cylinder products released by SMC promises to reduce downtime, save space, and provide more cost-effective maintenance operations.

Uncover the modular AMI 5800 NEMA motor from ABB, which provides engineers with improved performance and durability for…

Uncover the modular AMI 5800 NEMA motor from ABB, which provides engineers with improved performance and durability for industrial applications.

The use of signal converters, like Banner Engineering’s new current sensors with Snap Signal, can help manufacturers…

The use of signal converters, like Banner Engineering’s new current sensors with Snap Signal, can help manufacturers further connect their factories and monitor current to prevent future breakdowns.

Digital signals hold a prominent position due to their compatibility with computers. But what are digital signals, and…

Digital signals hold a prominent position due to their compatibility with computers. But what are digital signals, and what are some examples of the various devices used with digital inputs and outputs?

Schneider Electric improves the Square D VisiPacT product line with safety and convenience features designed to set the…

Schneider Electric improves the Square D VisiPacT product line with safety and convenience features designed to set the paradigm of heavy-duty switches, meeting or exceeding the demands of OSHA and NEMA.

Single-phase motors are common in household and small industrial devices. They are a bit more complex than 3-phase…

Single-phase motors are common in household and small industrial devices. They are a bit more complex than 3-phase models, so it’s important to recognize failure modes and common symptoms.

Mitsubishi Electric has made a new 120V VFD to help manufacturers that need access to variable-speed motors. They can…

Mitsubishi Electric has made a new 120V VFD to help manufacturers that need access to variable-speed motors. They can benefit from these 120V VFDs by eliminating the need for a rotary phase converter.

Virtual networks can connect or isolate various local control networks through configuration of a managed switch. Why…

Virtual networks can connect or isolate various local control networks through configuration of a managed switch. Why would we use VLANs, and how can you segment a network switch to create a VLAN?

Structured Text (ST) is one of the common IEC programming languages that can be used in programming PLCs. Learn how to…

Structured Text (ST) is one of the common IEC programming languages that can be used in programming PLCs. Learn how to use structured text to write executable programs for MELSEC’s FX series PLC.

Mathematical operations are essential in PLC programming as they help in creating an argument output that is based on…

Mathematical operations are essential in PLC programming as they help in creating an argument output that is based on proportionality and numbers. Learn how to implement mathematical operations in FX and Q Series PLCs.

After an amazing first half in 2023, with site records being broken in many categories, we have you, our viewers, to…

After an amazing first half in 2023, with site records being broken in many categories, we have you, our viewers, to thank! But what content have you been enjoying most? Articles, forums, the textbook?

I could run down to the local box store or internet marketplace and buy a 5-port switch for less than 20 dollars, or…

I could run down to the local box store or internet marketplace and buy a 5-port switch for less than 20 dollars, or invest in an industrial switch for hundreds. Why would I choose the industrial switch?

Three-phase motors are a backbone of the modern industrial control landscape. But plenty of applications still rely on…

Three-phase motors are a backbone of the modern industrial control landscape. But plenty of applications still rely on single-phase motors. Can these types of motors be reversed, and if so, how?

OnLogic, manufacturer of rugged industrial computers, adds to its existing line of IPCs with a product that boasts…

OnLogic, manufacturer of rugged industrial computers, adds to its existing line of IPCs with a product that boasts connecting to new and legacy components with extended array of communication options.

Implementing PID control in a PLC is far more complicated than textbooks would make it appear. There is more to the…

Implementing PID control in a PLC is far more complicated than textbooks would make it appear. There is more to the process than simply picking gain (k) values and calculating an output value.

SICK has released a new time-of-flight (TOF) safety vision sensor and a new contactless linear encoder to the product…

SICK has released a new time-of-flight (TOF) safety vision sensor and a new contactless linear encoder to the product catalog, intended to impact new automation systems in mobile and linear motion designs.

An introduction to the various tag types used within one of the leading supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA)…

An introduction to the various tag types used within one of the leading supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) software powering IIoT, HMI, and I4.0 applications: Ignition by Inductive Automation.

Direct current (DC) motors have existed since the late 19th century. What sets these motors apart from AC models, how do…

Direct current (DC) motors have existed since the late 19th century. What sets these motors apart from AC models, how do you control them, and how can you tell when it’s time to repair or replace them?