Latest Energy & Infrastructure Technical Articles

Categories

Identifying and Troubleshooting Pressure Changes in Fluid Systems

Identifying and Troubleshooting Pressure Changes in Fluid Systems

Pressures are always rising and falling in fluid systems. Sometimes the changes are extreme and lead to damage. What causes problematic pressure changes, and how can you trace them to their source?


Troubleshooting PLCs: Recognizing Visual Status Indicators and LEDs

Troubleshooting PLCs: Recognizing Visual Status Indicators and LEDs

Machine downtime can be very stressful for everybody involved. Next time you face a challenging system failure, try some of these LED troubleshooting techniques to reduce stress.


Data Flow Tutorial With Mage.ai | Part 1: The Challenge of Data

Data Flow Tutorial With Mage.ai | Part 1: The Challenge of Data

All of modern industry relies on data. In the first installment of a series showcasing the importance of industrial data movement, we explain the challenge of data flow and build a fault list.


Handling of Power System Data: Engineering Limits and Data Currency

Handling of Power System Data: Engineering Limits and Data Currency

Power systems rely on meaningful data, as do most other processes. Within SCADA environments, individual data points are tracked, compared to limits, and evaluated to obtain current readings.


Create Your Own IIoT Tech Stack Project | Part 8: Final - Data Dashboard

Create Your Own IIoT Tech Stack Project | Part 8: Final - Data Dashboard

In this final installment of the IIoT tech stack project, learn how to design the customer-facing dashboard or observability platform using the data acquired from the MQTT client device.


Create Your Own IIoT Tech Stack Project | Part 7: Integrating Data With Database

Create Your Own IIoT Tech Stack Project | Part 7: Integrating Data With Database

As we approach the conclusion of this IIoT project, we’ll explore the integration of the Mosquitto MQTT broker, Node-RED, and InfluxDB, leaving only the data dashboard setup for the final step.


Industrial Computing Tackles the Challenge of Long Rebooting Time

Industrial Computing Tackles the Challenge of Long Rebooting Time

Rebooting industrial controllers and computers incurs costs, not only from the downtime but also from cascading effects of communication with up/downstream controllers. How can this downtime be managed?


Create Your Own IIoT Tech Stack Project | Part 6: Node-RED Development

Create Your Own IIoT Tech Stack Project | Part 6: Node-RED Development

This article will explore the setup of Node-RED, the glue that will serve to connect all of the individual components of the solution that we have created up to this point.


Create Your Own IIoT Tech Stack Project | Part 5: Database Setup

Create Your Own IIoT Tech Stack Project | Part 5: Database Setup

Now that our IIoT project has verified the transmission of an MQTT data payload packet, this next article will explore the setup of an InfluxDB database to store the incoming sensor data.


Create Your Own IIoT Tech Stack Project | Part 4: Connecting MQTT Client to Broker

Create Your Own IIoT Tech Stack Project | Part 4: Connecting MQTT Client to Broker

Continuing the real-world IIoT project, learn how to begin integrating the Raspberry Pi with the Mosquitto Broker and understand Docker networks and port binding.


There’s This Thing Called ‘Skin Effect’ in Wires: What Does it Mean to You?

There’s This Thing Called ‘Skin Effect’ in Wires: What Does it Mean to You?

Current flow in wires is often modeled with a perfectly circular cross-section, with the size of the wire being responsible for the maximum current. This is true, but there’s more to the story.


Create Your Own IIoT Tech Stack Project | Part 3: Commissioning MQTT Broker

Create Your Own IIoT Tech Stack Project | Part 3: Commissioning MQTT Broker

Learn to develop an actual IoT solution end to end. Create a Mosquitto MQTT broker for the Raspberry Pi client in order to connect and publish Sense HAT sensor data.


Understanding Delta-Wound Three-Phase Motors for Industrial Applications

Understanding Delta-Wound Three-Phase Motors for Industrial Applications

There are two types of winding designs inside three-phase industrial motors: Wye and Delta. Although the motors and connections look similar on the outside, this article discusses the internal construction for Delta wound motors.


Using Loop Powered Isolators to Solve Ground Loop Problems

Using Loop Powered Isolators to Solve Ground Loop Problems

Many signal sources and process transmitters do not include isolation, which can cause problems when the instruments are at different locations. A loop powered isolator is often the solution.


Human Machine Interface (HMI): Controls and Data Types

Human Machine Interface (HMI): Controls and Data Types

An overview of HMI data types, input controls, output indicators, and message functions, the building blocks used to construct informative and appealing HMI applications.


5 Reasons Why Sensors Are Crucial For Modern Manufacturing

5 Reasons Why Sensors Are Crucial For Modern Manufacturing

Data has become the currency that enables operational excellence. Sensors are the key links, acting as the eyes and ears of modern manufacturing units by providing real-time data on machine performance.


Loop Powered Process Displays to Add Easy Measurements

Loop Powered Process Displays to Add Easy Measurements

Have you ever needed to know the temperature, pressure, flow, or other measurement on location, but the readout is way off in the control room? Here’s an easy way to add a readout in the field.


Grounding and UL 508A Standards - Part 2, Sizing and Power Supplies

Grounding and UL 508A Standards - Part 2, Sizing and Power Supplies

Additional rules for the grounding and bonding of industrial control panels include the sizing of ground conductors and the conditions that dictate when power supplies and transformers must be grounded.


PLC CPU Modes Explained: Run, Stop, and Program

PLC CPU Modes Explained: Run, Stop, and Program

A PLC can be placed in Run or Stop, or occasionally Program mode, usually through physical or virtual methods. But what do these modes mean, and when should they be used?


Duties of Power Plant Operators, The Journey From Entry to Senior Operator

Duties of Power Plant Operators, The Journey From Entry to Senior Operator

When beginning a new career, an obvious question is how to take positive steps, from your first day inside the plant all the way to becoming an experienced senior operator.