Latest EMI / EMC / Filtering Technical Articles

Large DC and AC motor drives often provide terminals for installing a braking resistor. What are these resistors, and how…

Large DC and AC motor drives often provide terminals for installing a braking resistor. What are these resistors, and how do they slow down a machine? What hazards and cautions must be considered?

AC motors are common throughout industry - easily controlled by VFDs and without the maintenance that comes with DC…

AC motors are common throughout industry - easily controlled by VFDs and without the maintenance that comes with DC brushes. So then, why are DC motors still used in certain applications?

Before digital control systems, responses were fairly slow. Push a button, and a motor contactor engaged. These days, the…

Before digital control systems, responses were fairly slow. Push a button, and a motor contactor engaged. These days, the speed of computers introduces some new challenges but brings solutions as well.

Inductive loads, such as solenoids and contactors, can cause arcs and failures back into electromechanical switching…

Inductive loads, such as solenoids and contactors, can cause arcs and failures back into electromechanical switching devices, causing costly downtime. The solution is cheaper than you think.

Motors drive all sorts of processes in a facility. Depending on the application, which motor starter is best suited for…

Motors drive all sorts of processes in a facility. Depending on the application, which motor starter is best suited for your needs?

Learn about how the ground compares and contrasts with the neutral wire and why this wiring is important for safety in…

Learn about how the ground compares and contrasts with the neutral wire and why this wiring is important for safety in control cabinets and other wiring needs in an industrial facility.

This article discusses common implementations of UPS in control systems and important design considerations.

This article discusses common implementations of UPS in control systems and important design considerations.

Variable frequency drives (VFDs) can output simulated waveforms of nearly any frequency. However, in order to be truly…

Variable frequency drives (VFDs) can output simulated waveforms of nearly any frequency. However, in order to be truly useful, harmonics and resonance in the system must be avoided and frequency parameters should be put in place.

The following will examine how to reduce the wear on motors during startup and compare soft starters and variable…

The following will examine how to reduce the wear on motors during startup and compare soft starters and variable frequency drives (VFDs). 

Electrical noise is a common problem inside industrial facilities. The following will explain a few simple strategies for…

Electrical noise is a common problem inside industrial facilities. The following will explain a few simple strategies for reducing this noise.

Integral or Reset Windup is a problem that can occur from these systems, and there are a few possible approaches to…

Integral or Reset Windup is a problem that can occur from these systems, and there are a few possible approaches to minimize the effects.

This article discusses the meaning of integral gain and how to calculate integral gain to achieve better control results.

This article discusses the meaning of integral gain and how to calculate integral gain to achieve better control results.

Should you connect a DC power supply to ground or not? The answer is not a straightforward yes or no. This article…

Should you connect a DC power supply to ground or not? The answer is not a straightforward yes or no. This article explores the benefits and drawbacks of grounding DC power supplies.

Ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) are commonly seen in residential wiring. They are important to understand, as…

Ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) are commonly seen in residential wiring. They are important to understand, as they exist to protect both the users and the electrical systems used everyday.

Grounding electrical systems can lead to problems with interference and noise, affecting signal clarity. This article…

Grounding electrical systems can lead to problems with interference and noise, affecting signal clarity. This article looks at these problems and how to avoid them.

PID controllers are an excellent method of using feedback to turn an otherwise open-loop system into one which can follow…

PID controllers are an excellent method of using feedback to turn an otherwise open-loop system into one which can follow a carefully prescribed profile, correcting for inconsistencies caused by the equipment, the environment, and even the products in the manufacturing process.