This article features an in-depth discussion of the various options for buttons and switches, including function, styles, shapes, and illumination options for…
This article features an in-depth discussion of the various options for buttons and switches, including function, styles, shapes, and illumination options for all kinds of control panel inputs.
Phoenix Contact has unveiled its latest products and solutions in industrial communication, connection, and automation…
Phoenix Contact has unveiled its latest products and solutions in industrial communication, connection, and automation for greater efficiency and ease of use among users.
We usually think of joysticks in terms of video game controllers, but they exist in all kinds of industrial systems:…
We usually think of joysticks in terms of video game controllers, but they exist in all kinds of industrial systems: heavy equipment, overhead cranes, and even some robotic controls. But how do they work?
Variable control allows external conditions, like temperature, to be monitored so the controller can activate devices to…
Variable control allows external conditions, like temperature, to be monitored so the controller can activate devices to heat or cool the system as needed. Simulate a temp controller with low-cost components!
Designing, installing, and maintaining control systems involves a lot of wires. Each wire has a purpose, often indicated…
Designing, installing, and maintaining control systems involves a lot of wires. Each wire has a purpose, often indicated by the color of the insulation. But what are the common colors, and what do they mean?
Limit switches are electromechanical devices that open or close contacts when external pressure is applied to an…
Limit switches are electromechanical devices that open or close contacts when external pressure is applied to an actuator. This solves a simple problem faced by motion devices: limiting movement
Learn about the history, framework, and current uses of the Open Platform Communications United Architecture (OPC UA)…
Learn about the history, framework, and current uses of the Open Platform Communications United Architecture (OPC UA) communication protocol in industrial automation.
Field-oriented control (FOC), also called vector control, can control 3-phase alternating current motors and brushless DC…
Field-oriented control (FOC), also called vector control, can control 3-phase alternating current motors and brushless DC motors. Read more to learn its advantages, how it works, and its best applications.
Large motors require a circuit to turn on and off. This may be as simple as a single on/off drum-type switch or as…
Large motors require a circuit to turn on and off. This may be as simple as a single on/off drum-type switch or as elaborate as a VFD unit. Learn about some common control circuit designs for typical three-phase motor requirements.
ABB introduces a retrofit program to replace aging protection devices with new multi-function devices. The program…
ABB introduces a retrofit program to replace aging protection devices with new multi-function devices. The program promises to extend the lifespan of switchgears and future-proof equipment for an ever-expanding electrical grid.
Omron Industrial Automation has released two new styles of industrial relays to its existing lineup. The slim-style…
Omron Industrial Automation has released two new styles of industrial relays to its existing lineup. The slim-style relays are available as mechanical or solid-state and offer a reduced footprint being only 6.2 mm wide.
Machine safety design can be a daunting task with all the different safety devices on the market today. Choosing the…
Machine safety design can be a daunting task with all the different safety devices on the market today. Choosing the correct device for your design can be made easier by understanding when to use the proper device.
We are taught that parallel circuits maintain equal voltage across all branch resistors, equally sharing the source…
We are taught that parallel circuits maintain equal voltage across all branch resistors, equally sharing the source voltage. But reality is often far from ideal, and individual devices certainly impact the rest of the circuit.
Closed-loop motor control is a control system used to regulate the output of a motor. Learn about the four common types…
Closed-loop motor control is a control system used to regulate the output of a motor. Learn about the four common types of closed-loop motor control systems to understand each one’s inner-workings and applications.
PLCs and microprocessors have largely replaced timing functions in control circuits. But these timer relays still hold…
PLCs and microprocessors have largely replaced timing functions in control circuits. But these timer relays still hold many necessary tasks. What’s inside these devices might be more complex than you imagined!
Coil, field winding, rotor, stator, eddy current… When it comes to motors, there are numerous terms that describe the…
Coil, field winding, rotor, stator, eddy current… When it comes to motors, there are numerous terms that describe the theory of operation, but what is inside a 3-phase motor? Take a look, and learn how they work.
Managing temperature and humidity is crucial to preventing damage in control cabinets and to manufacturing equipment.…
Managing temperature and humidity is crucial to preventing damage in control cabinets and to manufacturing equipment. Banner has created the S15S sensor for use with cloud monitoring, giving manufacturers more efficient environmental control.
Rockwell has expanded its Armor product family as part of their On-Machine solutions. The products are designed to be…
Rockwell has expanded its Armor product family as part of their On-Machine solutions. The products are designed to be mounted on the machine or in the field, greatly reducing occupied space in the cabinet.
A shortage in skilled labor prompted EPLAN to create the new Eplan Smart Mounting software to alleviate manufacturing…
A shortage in skilled labor prompted EPLAN to create the new Eplan Smart Mounting software to alleviate manufacturing bottlenecks by efficiently mapping out control cabinets digitally before they are manufactured.
CUI Devices has further expanded its power relay products. Suited for high-level current switching, the new line of power…
CUI Devices has further expanded its power relay products. Suited for high-level current switching, the new line of power relays offers max switching currents from 5 A to 40 A.