Posts

What is a PLC Panel?

November 22, 2021

PLC Panel Have you ever wondered: what are all of the components that get installed into a PLC panel and why are they needed? Well you’re in luck! We will take a deeper look into the internal workings of a common PLC panel and it’s components…

Exploring Motor Soft Starters

October 6, 2021

  If you are looking at saving some energy or easing the starting of a motor, this is where exploring motor soft starters begins.  Allen-Bradley offers three styles that can differ from maximum horsepower size, technology, or price points.  Want to learn more?  Let’s investigate…

Choosing a Wall-Mount Panel Enclosure

October 6, 2021

  Time to purchase the control panel enclosure for your new machine/automation process.  There are wall mount, free standing, modular, and disconnect styles.  There is single door, double door, triple door.  Some have continuous hinge, quarter turn latches, screw down clamps, etc.  Where do you start choosing a PLC Panel Enclosure?  Let’s start with the…

Help me choose the right size 24VDC Power Supply

May 25, 2021

How big (amps) of a 24VDC power supply do I need when choosing an 24VDC Power Supply? Flat out, add up the inrush currents of every device powered by 24VDC. Then repeat for the nominal currents of those same devices. Compare those two numbers to the power supply specs. If they are under the published…

Do you even need an HMI? Which one…

May 23, 2021

Why pay for the high cost of an HMI over pushbuttons and pilot lights (or nothing) when choosing an HMI? Some of this depends on how you want to operate the equipment, some on if you need to collect or use data, or others on how fast you would like to troubleshoot a simple or…

How to Choose the Correct PLC

May 23, 2021

So you need to automate… a machine… a process. Choosing a PLC for the job can be confusing. Micro820, sure why not. Or wait, do I need a Micro850? Or a CompactLogix. But do you really need to spend the extra money on a high end PLC?