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Relay Terminal Wiring Infographic

Relay Terminal Wiring Infographic

Use this helpful reference to understand the pinouts used by nearly all common ice cube and octal base industrial relays and their matching sockets.


VFD-Induced Bearing Currents: Six Checks for Controls Engineers

VFD-Induced Bearing Currents: Six Checks for Controls Engineers

While mechanical wear in rotating machinery may be obvious over time, electrical faults can also cause bearings to fail. Unfortunately, the symptoms can look surprisingly similar.


Companion Guide to Ladder Logic / ST Conversion

Companion Guide to Ladder Logic / ST Conversion

This guide examines common ladder logic structures and presents the equivalent structured text representation, mainly intended as a learning guide for those getting started with ST.


Driving VFDs | What Does the S-Curve Parameter Mean?

Driving VFDs | What Does the S-Curve Parameter Mean?

Accelerating motors is a tricky topic, with profiles ranging from step inputs to polynomials. Which profile is the best choice, and why?


NPN and PNP Wiring | Incremental Encoders Are Not Interchangeable

NPN and PNP Wiring | Incremental Encoders Are Not Interchangeable

Encoders rely on high-speed outputs supplying signals to a PLC. Learn why these signals cannot be interchanged at will, and some best practices for preventing false rotational counts.


Ladder Logic: It’s Not Just Digital Electrical Prints Anymore

Ladder Logic: It’s Not Just Digital Electrical Prints Anymore

Ladder logic is the legendary industrial graphical programming language that once resembled electrical drawings, but it has advanced far beyond a collection of digital electrical symbols.


Tutorial: Commissioning a Balluff BNI IO-Link Master

Tutorial: Commissioning a Balluff BNI IO-Link Master

IO-Link is regarded as a robust field-level network that adds tremendous sensing capability beyond standard analog and digital I/O. Yet it can be difficult to set up. Here’s a guide.


Understanding the Devices Used in Remote Industrial Networking

Understanding the Devices Used in Remote Industrial Networking

Industrial gateways provide secure, reliable connections to OT infrastructure from the outside world, but the options can be overwhelming. Follow along as we dive into the world of gateways.


Remote Industrial Equipment Connections: Benefits and Risks

Remote Industrial Equipment Connections: Benefits and Risks

Connecting to equipment remotely can save time and travel expenses. It is a powerful tool, but with great power comes great responsibility.


Reversing Motor Contactors: Interlocking Methods That Prevent Short-Circuits

Reversing Motor Contactors: Interlocking Methods That Prevent Short-Circuits

Installing a reversing contactor is only half the project; ensuring safety and reliable performance under load is a top priority for motor control designs.


The One Where A Modbus Output is Controlled by Two PLCs

The One Where A Modbus Output is Controlled by Two PLCs

Get ready for a control-themed roller coaster ride, pitting two PLCs against one Modbus I/O rack, and you might be shocked at the results: Who will win… And who will lose?


Networking Tutorial: Connect and Configure a Mitsubishi iQ-F PLC

Networking Tutorial: Connect and Configure a Mitsubishi iQ-F PLC

Learn how to configure the connection for a Mitsubishi FX5UC controller over Ethernet using GX Works 3.


Parallel Loading: Driving Multiple Motors From a Single VFD

Parallel Loading: Driving Multiple Motors From a Single VFD

When motors drive in parallel from a single main power source, do they each need an individual VFD? Check out why this is useful in some cases, and take note of some necessary precautions.


The Journey of Data From Motor to Maintenance

The Journey of Data From Motor to Maintenance

Predictive maintenance brings real cost and time savings, but there can be a lot of confusion when setting up a system. Control.com talks to the experts at NORD, a motor specialist, to learn more.


Adding Remote I/O to a PLC Project: Synergy Logic Meets CompactLogix

Adding Remote I/O to a PLC Project: Synergy Logic Meets CompactLogix

In this tutorial, we add remote I/O to a Studio 5000 project using Modbus TCP and the new SLM System from Synergy Logic, which promises to simplify the integration. We’ll see how it lives up.


Dot Notation: A Different Way Of Addressing Integers in PLCs

Dot Notation: A Different Way Of Addressing Integers in PLCs

Addressing variables at the bit level can save precious PLC memory as well as make your code more readable and easier to understand.


Applying Fail-Safe Solutions to Protect Motor Control Systems

Applying Fail-Safe Solutions to Protect Motor Control Systems

Part 2 of a 2-part series. A practical look at how normally closed (NC) power contacts and feedback can drive loads toward a defined safe state under real‑world faults.


Fail‑Safe Motor Circuits: When Loss of Power Moves You Toward Safety

Fail‑Safe Motor Circuits: When Loss of Power Moves You Toward Safety

Part 1 of a 2-part series. A practical look at the failures that plague motor drive systems, even those that are rated to be fail-safe.


Tutorial: How to Set Up a Light Curtain

Tutorial: How to Set Up a Light Curtain

Learn how to align and configure the parameters of a light curtain using a send/receive pair of SICK deTec4 light beam curtains and the new DCM4 extension module for advanced operating modes.


Customizing Light Curtain Configuration: Muting and Blanking

Customizing Light Curtain Configuration: Muting and Blanking

Some safety applications aren’t a simple on/off at all times; they need objects to pass through a light curtain without stopping the machine. For these, we turn to muting and blanking features.