Computers understand values as long strings of binary bits, but we humans convert them to other systems for convenience. Decimal makes sense, but what about…
Computers understand values as long strings of binary bits, but we humans convert them to other systems for convenience. Decimal makes sense, but what about hexadecimal and the lesser-known octal systems?
Large motors require a circuit to turn on and off. This may be as simple as a single on/off drum-type switch or as…
Large motors require a circuit to turn on and off. This may be as simple as a single on/off drum-type switch or as elaborate as a VFD unit. Learn about some common control circuit designs for typical three-phase motor requirements.
Power quality is an increasing concern for manufacturers all over the world as electrical equipment becomes more advanced…
Power quality is an increasing concern for manufacturers all over the world as electrical equipment becomes more advanced and therefore sensitive to discrepancies in the supplied power.
Modbus is one of the oldest industrial communication protocols still in use today. Continue reading to find out how the…
Modbus is one of the oldest industrial communication protocols still in use today. Continue reading to find out how the protocol works and how to use it for monitoring and control.
Learn how to install and program analog modules into Rockwell’s hardware and software environments using a CompactLogix…
Learn how to install and program analog modules into Rockwell’s hardware and software environments using a CompactLogix PLC and Studio 5000.
Machine safety design can be a daunting task with all the different safety devices on the market today. Choosing the…
Machine safety design can be a daunting task with all the different safety devices on the market today. Choosing the correct device for your design can be made easier by understanding when to use the proper device.
Industrial network switches connect automation equipment, controllers, and other such devices. Learn about unmanaged,…
Industrial network switches connect automation equipment, controllers, and other such devices. Learn about unmanaged, managed, and PoE enabled switches, as well as the differences between switches, routers, and hubs.
Memory for data is among the most pressing challenges to Industry 4.0. Given the evolving nature of Industry 4.0 and…
Memory for data is among the most pressing challenges to Industry 4.0. Given the evolving nature of Industry 4.0 and associated memory solutions, however, some memory-based trends are becoming apparent.
Designing a system with motor motion always includes a consideration of safety. Incorporating safety contactors might be…
Designing a system with motor motion always includes a consideration of safety. Incorporating safety contactors might be the correct prevention to protect equipment and users but may add additional challenges.
Linear and switch-mode power supplies provide direct current to power control components and electrical devices. Learn…
Linear and switch-mode power supplies provide direct current to power control components and electrical devices. Learn about the differences between the two power supplies and which one is best for your control system.
Many control product manufacturers offer these downloadable ‘EDS files’ for peripheral equipment, but what exactly is…
Many control product manufacturers offer these downloadable ‘EDS files’ for peripheral equipment, but what exactly is an EDS, and how can they aid in the development of a project?
Following the release of the official Arduino PLC IDE, this tutorial will introduce programming and understanding of the…
Following the release of the official Arduino PLC IDE, this tutorial will introduce programming and understanding of the function blocks common to all IEC 61131 languages, starting with bit commands, timers, and counters.
Coil, field winding, rotor, stator, eddy current… When it comes to motors, there are numerous terms that describe the…
Coil, field winding, rotor, stator, eddy current… When it comes to motors, there are numerous terms that describe the theory of operation, but what is inside a 3-phase motor? Take a look, and learn how they work.
Human-machine interfaces, or HMIs, provide visual process data and allow access to process parameters and diagnostics…
Human-machine interfaces, or HMIs, provide visual process data and allow access to process parameters and diagnostics information. What’s inside these touchscreen displays, and how do they actually work?
Learn how to make complex calculations for validating data easily with the STD instruction, and learn how to display…
Learn how to make complex calculations for validating data easily with the STD instruction, and learn how to display array sizes programmatically with the SIZE instruction.
Air power drives a lot of modern equipment. Robot grippers, ejectors, actuators, and rotary tables are just a few of the…
Air power drives a lot of modern equipment. Robot grippers, ejectors, actuators, and rotary tables are just a few of the devices controlled by air. What’s inside those banks of solenoid valves, and how do they work?
Industrial communication channels often contain terms such as ‘Modbus over RS485’ or ‘CIP Safety over Ethernet’.…
Industrial communication channels often contain terms such as ‘Modbus over RS485’ or ‘CIP Safety over Ethernet’. What does it mean to send one network over another, and how does it work to your advantage?
Learn how to streamline your ladder logic by searching and sorting arrays with the FSC and SRT instructions in the…
Learn how to streamline your ladder logic by searching and sorting arrays with the FSC and SRT instructions in the Rockwell (Allen-Bradley) Studio 5000 programming software.
Variable frequency drive units can be found inside tons of control cabinets, but what happens if you disassemble one to…
Variable frequency drive units can be found inside tons of control cabinets, but what happens if you disassemble one to see what’s inside and how it works? We did just that. The results might surprise you.
With precise control abilities to manage speed, torque, and direction, variable frequency drives remain one of the most…
With precise control abilities to manage speed, torque, and direction, variable frequency drives remain one of the most common methods of driving 3-phase industrial motors. Below, we introduce a few leading VFD manufacturers.
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