Latest Building Technical Articles

Part 1 of a 2-part series. A practical look at the failures that plague motor drive systems, even those that are rated to…

Part 1 of a 2-part series. A practical look at the failures that plague motor drive systems, even those that are rated to be fail-safe.

Although ‘HMI’ has become synonymous with a durable, rugged touchscreen measuring 7 to 21 inches and mounted in a…

Although ‘HMI’ has become synonymous with a durable, rugged touchscreen measuring 7 to 21 inches and mounted in a control cabinet door, the reality of the interface extends far beyond this device.

A practical look at how 2NO/2NC contactors and auxiliary contacts can clean up command, feedback, and fault logic in…

A practical look at how 2NO/2NC contactors and auxiliary contacts can clean up command, feedback, and fault logic in motor circuits.

This guide shows you how to set up RS-485 communication between the FX3U PLC and the FR-D700 inverter with the…

This guide shows you how to set up RS-485 communication between the FX3U PLC and the FR-D700 inverter with the FX3U-485-BD. You can control speed and monitor the system using ladder logic.

Control.com chats with Weidmüller to get some insights about data center automation, learning about security,…

Control.com chats with Weidmüller to get some insights about data center automation, learning about security, environmental impacts, regulations, and more.

Motor speed control can be a tricky process, due to the variety of options. In a VFD, speed can be controlled using fixed…

Motor speed control can be a tricky process, due to the variety of options. In a VFD, speed can be controlled using fixed values, digital or analog signals, or communication networks.

Learn about precharge circuits, inrush current, and understand why VFD and servo drives may trip during power-up.

Learn about precharge circuits, inrush current, and understand why VFD and servo drives may trip during power-up.

Tackling some of the world's most hostile environments with real-time data. That’s the mission of Septilink, supported…

Tackling some of the world's most hostile environments with real-time data. That’s the mission of Septilink, supported by WAGO, in this prime example of predicting failures to avert disaster.

Synchronized motion has become an industry standard with robots, gantries, and pick and place automation. Follow along…

Synchronized motion has become an industry standard with robots, gantries, and pick and place automation. Follow along this three-part series as we discuss methods of synchronizing servo motors.

You’ve seen it a thousand times: 24 volts powering a device or representing a trigger signal, but what makes 24 VDC…

You’ve seen it a thousand times: 24 volts powering a device or representing a trigger signal, but what makes 24 VDC such a versatile voltage, and what about the other voltages in control cabinets?

Not every control system requires an expensive PLC. This tutorial will introduce Node-RED, a popular programming…

Not every control system requires an expensive PLC. This tutorial will introduce Node-RED, a popular programming environment that can be installed on a low-cost single-board controller.

Electrical and automation components drive modern HVAC efficiency and reliability. Sensors, relays, and controls enable…

Electrical and automation components drive modern HVAC efficiency and reliability. Sensors, relays, and controls enable predictive maintenance and efficiency while keeping systems running smoothly.

Is it best to ‘controller scope’ or ‘program scope’ your tags? This is the question asked by many new PLC…

Is it best to ‘controller scope’ or ‘program scope’ your tags? This is the question asked by many new PLC programmers, and it often comes down to personal preference.

Looking for a way to create IIoT applications for your factory without hiring expensive developers or spending months on…

Looking for a way to create IIoT applications for your factory without hiring expensive developers or spending months on the computer? Take a look at Node-RED’s approach to low-code applications.

Data centers have been a focus of industrial automation in recent days. Control.com spoke with experts at Weidmuller to…

Data centers have been a focus of industrial automation in recent days. Control.com spoke with experts at Weidmuller to learn more about how control technology can solve data center challenges.

Managing the climate inside a building is critical for both people and infrastructure. Managing the climate is the job of…

Managing the climate inside a building is critical for both people and infrastructure. Managing the climate is the job of HVAC control systems, but what’s inside an HVAC system, and how do they work?

Alignment procedures for pulleys and shafts are a key to preventing costly breakdowns. An effective strategy pairs…

Alignment procedures for pulleys and shafts are a key to preventing costly breakdowns. An effective strategy pairs alignment with vibration analysis to both prevent and predict these downtime events.

Learn about OT resilience strategies, including SSH, authentication, port blocking, and MAC address binding, methods that…

Learn about OT resilience strategies, including SSH, authentication, port blocking, and MAC address binding, methods that can be employed to protect network switches.

Networked remote I/O allows machine centers to operate while physically separated from the rest of the system, and often,…

Networked remote I/O allows machine centers to operate while physically separated from the rest of the system, and often, the solution can drop right into place.