OEM Controls
* OEM – Original Equipment Manufacturer. Early in my controls career I had a symbiotic relationship with a machine builder. I went so far as to move my company a few miles down the road and locate right next door; …
Category: Controls Design
Electrical and controls design
Device Labeling Poll Results
A couple of weeks ago I started a poll on device numbering methods, here are the results. Responses came from comments on this site and five different Linked In forums. Method 1: Labeling the device based on the I/O point …
Device Numbering Methods: A Poll
Recently I was involved in a discussion on the best method of numbering and labeling devices for systems and machinery. I have used several different methods in the past, depending on customer preference and the type of application; these methods …
Fuses
Continuing the topic on motor control circuit design I started a few weeks ago, today’s topic is on fuses. Last week we discussed circuit breakers: these are circuit protection devices that can be reset when a fault such as a …
Circuit Breakers
Today’s post continues a series on electrical design that I started last week. Saravanan asked a question; “Thanks for the post. I want to learn about designing control circuits for motors. For example: How to select the breaker.. and also …
Motor Control Design
Today’s topic is in response to Saravanan who posted a request last week on my “Panel Layout and Electrical Design” post of about a year ago. He asked “Thanks for the post. I want to learn about designing control circuits …
The Importance Of Machine Safety And Hiring A PLC Programming Specialist
Today’s article is a guest post from Automation Solutions, a Melbourne, Australia-based company. If you would like to post an article on this site, let me know! The Importance Of Machine Safety And Hiring A PLC Programming Specialist. Automated production …
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Excel – Automate your Automation
Probably the most useful tool I have in my arsenal when doing preliminary design is Microsoft Excel. In many of the projects I have worked on over the last couple of years since I left Wright, the company I was …
CAD and Wire Numbers
Today’s topic concerns an area that affects engineers, technicians and sometimes even office personnel and yes, management. A major part of building anything involves accurately designing and describing the thing that is to be built. If all of the required …
Safety PLCs
As safety systems become more and more complex (primarily because of the influence of European safety standards), the cost-effectiveness of safety PLCs has improved. I first noticed Safety PLCs being used only about five or six years ago, though according …