Latest Oil & Gas Technical Articles

Why do "forever" LEDs fail? A technical guide on L70 standards, multi-voltage IC drivers, and a comparison of…

Why do "forever" LEDs fail? A technical guide on L70 standards, multi-voltage IC drivers, and a comparison of industry-leading LED manufacturers.

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 electrical signalling systems for process control. What advantages may be provided by choosing analog systems…

Learn about electrical signalling systems for process control. What advantages may be provided by choosing analog systems vs. advanced modern fieldbus protocols?

MQTT and OPC UA are very different, but they accomplish essentially the same thing: push data from one device to another.…

MQTT and OPC UA are very different, but they accomplish essentially the same thing: push data from one device to another. Which method to use relies on understanding how each process is accomplished.

This article provides an overview of the OSI models, IT/OT industrial protocols, and key applications behind the…

This article provides an overview of the OSI models, IT/OT industrial protocols, and key applications behind the networking capabilities that drive modern industrial and process automation systems.

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.

When dealing with two or more I/O systems, the subject of power supply commons will arise. Sometimes the solution is…

When dealing with two or more I/O systems, the subject of power supply commons will arise. Sometimes the solution is simple, but it can require creativity to find the best (and safest) solution.

Handshaking between robots can be handled in many ways, one of them being GE-FANUC’s protocol called “Ethernet Global…

Handshaking between robots can be handled in many ways, one of them being GE-FANUC’s protocol called “Ethernet Global Data,” or EGD. Learn how to set up EGD on a pair of FANUC robots.

The term "piezo" refers to a relationship between mechanical deformation and voltage–useful for some sensor processes.…

The term "piezo" refers to a relationship between mechanical deformation and voltage–useful for some sensor processes. Recently, the concept has been employed to upgrade pneumatic valves.

Previously reserved for personal and commercial deployments, learn how cellular IoT connectivity technologies are…

Previously reserved for personal and commercial deployments, learn how cellular IoT connectivity technologies are influencing industrial trends, organizations, and integrators.

An interposing relay is an interface between a control system and a higher power circuit to provide isolation or…

An interposing relay is an interface between a control system and a higher power circuit to provide isolation or amplification of mismatched voltage and current from a control to a load circuit.

Dynamic braking resistors stop motors more quickly by converting the rotational energy, but how do we select the correct…

Dynamic braking resistors stop motors more quickly by converting the rotational energy, but how do we select the correct one and configure a PowerFlex drive to utilize the resistor effectively?

When the blinking lights on automation devices stop blinking, the control cabinet is often the go-to troubleshooting…

When the blinking lights on automation devices stop blinking, the control cabinet is often the go-to troubleshooting culprit, but how do you make the best judgments for quickly locating the problem?

It can be risky to adopt unknown technology; it poses serious security concerns if misused. The Control.com engineering…

It can be risky to adopt unknown technology; it poses serious security concerns if misused. The Control.com engineering team contacted our friends at OnLogic to gain some insight into VPN technology.

Filters and reactors can protect your electrical devices, but what is the difference between these two kinds of devices,…

Filters and reactors can protect your electrical devices, but what is the difference between these two kinds of devices, and are they supposed to be installed before or after a VFD?

A shunt resistor connects in series with a load to measure the high current in the DC circuit. Using Ohm's law, the…

A shunt resistor connects in series with a load to measure the high current in the DC circuit. Using Ohm's law, the current value can be calculated by measuring the voltage across the shunt.

Air motors are common in process industries, mainly used in hazardous areas. This article introduces the features and…

Air motors are common in process industries, mainly used in hazardous areas. This article introduces the features and working principles of air motors and the differences between air and electrical motors.