Storing data long-term for recording and reporting purposes is the job of the utility data warehouse, quite different from data-collection processes that optimize systems and predict failures.
January 22, 2024 by Munir Ahmad
Safety devices have two main purposes, both of them meant for (you guessed it) safety. They protect both machine and operator from harm. But what’s inside, and how do these switches work?
January 17, 2024 by David Peterson
Compete wiring diagram guide for 3-wire, 6-wire, 9-wire, and 12-wire three-phase motors used for industrial automation.
Within motors, two very different types of resistance are evident. The resistance of the windings is measured with a normal multimeter. But what is insulation resistance, and how is it measured?
January 16, 2024 by Gunner Scott
In order to trace control system problems to the core, the ability to read and interpret various resources, from facility-level diagrams to machine-level wiring layouts, is critical.
January 15, 2024 by David Peterson
This article looks at vacuum ejectors and vacuum pumps, specifically outlining the difference between single and multi-stage versions of each type, and common applications.
January 11, 2024 by Damond Goodwin
Converting different numbering systems is quite common in PLCs and structured text codes. Why? Because people read decimals. Computers read binary. Processors read sets of bits. Not so simple.
January 10, 2024 by David Peterson
A complete diagram for wiring nearly any kind of discrete I/O module, including digital, AC, or relay, including both sourcing and sinking varieties.
Controlling the startup of a motor not only reduces the wear on the motor, but eases the burden on the electrical supply, reducing infrastructure demands and the running cost of industrial loads.
January 09, 2024 by Seth Price
Protecting equipment and personnel from overcurrent dangers, like sparks and fires, is the primary job of the humble fuse, one of the most basic, yet critical of all safety devices.
January 04, 2024 by Shawn Dietrich
We conclude the data flow project with the step of developing a business intelligence dashboard to present machine data, at a reliable schedule, to a leadership or maintenance team.
January 03, 2024 by Michael Levanduski
Digital controls like VFDs and soft starts have advantages by elongating start time, but simple strategies for starting motors with a reduced current draw, like star-delta (or wye-delta) are common.
January 02, 2024 by David Peterson
It’s important to consider your PLC tag naming convention when using different styles. Learn when and why you might even use more than one, depending on the circumstances and scope of your project.
December 28, 2023 by Shawn Dietrich
We depend on circuit breakers all the time, even when you have a day off or work from home. These overcurrent protection devices keep machines running safely, reducing the risk of fires and arcing.
December 27, 2023 by Seth Price
We begin to wrap up our data flow project with an introduction to visual-based (GUI) tools and dashboards to present the data ingested from the Google Sheets fault data source.
December 21, 2023 by Michael Levanduski
For large process systems, learn how the location of data indication and flag processing can increase or decrease the burden on computers at the device, RTU, or main computer level.
December 20, 2023 by Munir Ahmad
Connected technology is the backbone of data transfer – data that can be used to predict failures and optimize workflows to enhance industrial operations.
December 19, 2023 by Eric Whitley, L2L
It is important to have some baseline understanding of JavaScript Object Notation, or JSON, one of the most common data exchange formats used in the connected industrial world today.
December 15, 2023 by Michael Levanduski
Rockwell Automation’s Allen-Bradley control hardware catalog has long included many series that start with 17xx, but what are these lineups, and what function do they serve?
December 14, 2023 by David Peterson
Choosing the right connector for industrial applications is no small feat. This article will discuss factors you must consider, including electrical, mechanical, and shape.
December 14, 2023 by Ellen Zhang, Quarktwin
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