Despite the many overlaps, PLCs and RTUs are two different devices, each with specific suitable applications.
Despite the many overlaps, PLCs and RTUs are two different devices, each with specific suitable applications.
Nearly every electronic product depends on the unity of electrical components and PCBs with physical enclosures and…
Nearly every electronic product depends on the unity of electrical components and PCBs with physical enclosures and parts. Learn how Autodesk’s Fusion 360 offers a complete solution for electromechanical integration and design.
You are bound to encounter two terms associated with sensors and some loads: ‘NPN’ and ‘PNP’. You must understand…
You are bound to encounter two terms associated with sensors and some loads: ‘NPN’ and ‘PNP’. You must understand the relationship between the field device and the control module in order to choose and install components properly when needed.
Learn how one small farm in a rural community is upgrading production with advanced technology in several ways to…
Learn how one small farm in a rural community is upgrading production with advanced technology in several ways to overcome staff shortages, product demand, and regulatory compliance.
Programming languages often include sine and cosine functions. They simplify programming, but consume valuable memory…
Programming languages often include sine and cosine functions. They simplify programming, but consume valuable memory space and computation time. This can be overcome using simple approximations.
Network switches allow the interconnection of devices and controllers across a facility, with particular features that…
Network switches allow the interconnection of devices and controllers across a facility, with particular features that make them a good fit for industrial applications. We introduce a few of the leading manufacturers of these products.
Relay and other coil devices pose a few confusing questions: How can the relay still work if you connect a DC supply in…
Relay and other coil devices pose a few confusing questions: How can the relay still work if you connect a DC supply in reverse? How can an alternating voltage attract and hold the load consistently?
Industrial analog sensor devices primarily use 0-10 volt or 4-20 milliamp. For those mA signals, learn the reasons for…
Industrial analog sensor devices primarily use 0-10 volt or 4-20 milliamp. For those mA signals, learn the reasons for why the lower and upper limit standards were determined as 4 mA and 20 mA.
Learn how to prototype an industrialized OpenPLC Arduino PLC control station concept. This hands-on project will…
Learn how to prototype an industrialized OpenPLC Arduino PLC control station concept. This hands-on project will illustrate converting a relay ladder control circuit into a Ladder Diagram (LD) program.
Industrial control panels are at the heart of control systems. Learn about the standards and regulations that dictate…
Industrial control panels are at the heart of control systems. Learn about the standards and regulations that dictate industrial control panel design for safety and efficiency, including NFPA 70, UL 60947-4-1, and NFPA 79.
Whether open or closed, industry standard or built for tough environments, or modular or customized, it is important to…
Whether open or closed, industry standard or built for tough environments, or modular or customized, it is important to follow a set of repeatable tasks when designing industrial control panels for efficiency and safety.
Any machine can become a source of elevated temperature, even under regular operation. We cannot assume that temperature…
Any machine can become a source of elevated temperature, even under regular operation. We cannot assume that temperature problems occur only based on climate conditions, and mitigation steps must be employed.
When selecting the right module for the right load, be sure to understand how the load resistance will affect the voltage…
When selecting the right module for the right load, be sure to understand how the load resistance will affect the voltage and current of the output module terminals.
The diverse power terms in electrical generation systems include active, reactive, and apparent power, all of which lead…
The diverse power terms in electrical generation systems include active, reactive, and apparent power, all of which lead to the introduction of ‘power factor’ effectiveness in an AC circuit.
Grounding transformer connections presents its own set of challenges. This article addresses these challenges and several…
Grounding transformer connections presents its own set of challenges. This article addresses these challenges and several common configurations for control transformer grounding.
As summer heat continues to scorch the northern hemisphere, manufacturers face potential equipment damage and downtime.…
As summer heat continues to scorch the northern hemisphere, manufacturers face potential equipment damage and downtime. Learn about the ways extreme heat can damage automated equipment and systems.
Arduinos have been a staple in the community of makers, students, and project innovators for many…
Arduinos have been a staple in the community of makers, students, and project innovators for many years. For many using Arduino’s IDE, there can be difficulties in translating between PLC ladder rungs and text programming.
Today’s digital multimeters (DMMs) are inexpensive, accurate, and easy to use, but sometimes a problem with the circuit…
Today’s digital multimeters (DMMs) are inexpensive, accurate, and easy to use, but sometimes a problem with the circuit or the measurement can cause incorrect readings. Learn to interpret and fix these problems.
Learn about the common applications, programming procedures, and safety protocols of collaborative robot work cells,…
Learn about the common applications, programming procedures, and safety protocols of collaborative robot work cells, which are often simpler and less expensive than industrial robot work cells.
Learn about power side and ground side switching and how designing these circuits to have predictable failures from the…
Learn about power side and ground side switching and how designing these circuits to have predictable failures from the beginning helps in system maintenance and troubleshooting.
Facebook
Google
GitHub
Linkedin