Latest Technical Articles

Using an Arduino Opta PLC, a few off-the-shelf electrical components, and the popular OpenPLC software environment,…

Using an Arduino Opta PLC, a few off-the-shelf electrical components, and the popular OpenPLC software environment, automation control concepts can be built on your own test bench.

IO-Link devices can be inputs or outputs, and often a mix of both. In this article, learn how to interpret datasheets…

IO-Link devices can be inputs or outputs, and often a mix of both. In this article, learn how to interpret datasheets that list the indexes and purpose of the bytes to read and write process data.

Industrial sensor applications face challenges of digital or analog, NPN or PNP, normally closed and normally open, but…

Industrial sensor applications face challenges of digital or analog, NPN or PNP, normally closed and normally open, but for optical sensors, the terms “light-on” and “dark-on” must also be understood.

Learn about produced and consumed tags in PLCs, their functions, setup, and important considerations for effective data…

Learn about produced and consumed tags in PLCs, their functions, setup, and important considerations for effective data sharing between controllers in a control system.

It can be risky to adopt unknown technology; it poses serious security concerns if misused. The Control.com engineering…

It can be risky to adopt unknown technology; it poses serious security concerns if misused. The Control.com engineering team contacted our friends at OnLogic to gain some insight into VPN technology.

Filters and reactors can protect your electrical devices, but what is the difference between these two kinds of devices,…

Filters and reactors can protect your electrical devices, but what is the difference between these two kinds of devices, and are they supposed to be installed before or after a VFD?

A shunt resistor connects in series with a load to measure the high current in the DC circuit. Using Ohm's law, the…

A shunt resistor connects in series with a load to measure the high current in the DC circuit. Using Ohm's law, the current value can be calculated by measuring the voltage across the shunt.

CODESYS is an automation software that is independent from any one vendor, capable of many PLC, I/O, and motion…

CODESYS is an automation software that is independent from any one vendor, capable of many PLC, I/O, and motion operations. However, being vendor-agnostic can present challenges. Learn how to get started.

The purpose of LOTO is to create a method of reducing the chance that a worker will be exposed to hazardous energy.…

The purpose of LOTO is to create a method of reducing the chance that a worker will be exposed to hazardous energy. It’s important for companies to establish an SOP for standardized LOTO practice.

Have you ever disassembled a motor and wondered how it rotates? Throughout this article, we’ll discuss electromagnetic…

Have you ever disassembled a motor and wondered how it rotates? Throughout this article, we’ll discuss electromagnetic induction and how magnetic fields can be utilized to generate motion.

Air motors are common in process industries, mainly used in hazardous areas. This article introduces the features and…

Air motors are common in process industries, mainly used in hazardous areas. This article introduces the features and working principles of air motors and the differences between air and electrical motors.

The choice to ground or float a power supply is not always clear in the NEC. This article explains floating or fixing a…

The choice to ground or float a power supply is not always clear in the NEC. This article explains floating or fixing a DC supply with respect to ground and how circuits can be functionally constructed both ways.

‘Twas the Night Before Christmas: like you’ve (probably) never heard it before.

‘Twas the Night Before Christmas: like you’ve (probably) never heard it before.

Since their creation, DC motors have become a part of our everyday lives. In this article, we’ll examine the…

Since their creation, DC motors have become a part of our everyday lives. In this article, we’ll examine the differences between various types of field-wound and permanent magnet DC motors.

As an engineer, why would you settle for simply plugging and unplugging your Christmas lights when you could, instead,…

As an engineer, why would you settle for simply plugging and unplugging your Christmas lights when you could, instead, spend many hours automating this very important December job? Let me show you.

Electromagnetic devices like motors and transformers rely on electric currents that drive magnetic fields which, in turn,…

Electromagnetic devices like motors and transformers rely on electric currents that drive magnetic fields which, in turn, can drive current on their own. That’s not always a good thing.

Learn about various ways to activate directional control valves for fluids using manual input, air pilot sources, and…

Learn about various ways to activate directional control valves for fluids using manual input, air pilot sources, and electrical controls. Sometimes, valves even use a mix of multiple power sources.

Power and control interruptions are, at best, problematic. In some applications, it’s catastrophic. Learn about…

Power and control interruptions are, at best, problematic. In some applications, it’s catastrophic. Learn about redundancy for the system, power supplies, control devices, and network topologies.

Compressed air is a common economical way of adding motion to your automated equipment, but the air needs to be filtered,…

Compressed air is a common economical way of adding motion to your automated equipment, but the air needs to be filtered, regulated, and sometimes lubricated. The air prep unit does all that and more.