Analytics from data algorithms can predict machine failures and provide diagnostics—but what should we measure? Then, once the information has been collected,…
Analytics from data algorithms can predict machine failures and provide diagnostics—but what should we measure? Then, once the information has been collected, what trends might point to problems?
Cybersecurity is all about processes and people. A lot of threats can be mitigated through technology, but only if people…
Cybersecurity is all about processes and people. A lot of threats can be mitigated through technology, but only if people understand how cybersecurity affects control systems and related technology.
Mitsubishi Electric releases a new module that combines IoT asynchronous messaging with deterministic cyclic messaging…
Mitsubishi Electric releases a new module that combines IoT asynchronous messaging with deterministic cyclic messaging typically found in field I/O.
Field-oriented control (FOC), also called vector control, can control 3-phase alternating current motors and brushless DC…
Field-oriented control (FOC), also called vector control, can control 3-phase alternating current motors and brushless DC motors. Read more to learn its advantages, how it works, and its best applications.
ABB has expanded its line of Baldor-Reliance EC Titanium motors designed for HVAC and pumping systems to include IEC…
ABB has expanded its line of Baldor-Reliance EC Titanium motors designed for HVAC and pumping systems to include IEC frame types, making the award-winning product lineup even more flexible for customer applications.
Large motors require a circuit to turn on and off. This may be as simple as a single on/off drum-type switch or as…
Large motors require a circuit to turn on and off. This may be as simple as a single on/off drum-type switch or as elaborate as a VFD unit. Learn about some common control circuit designs for typical three-phase motor requirements.
PassiveLogic has released and will showcase their "industry first" building automation ecosystem of hardware and software…
PassiveLogic has released and will showcase their "industry first" building automation ecosystem of hardware and software solutions to make building systems more efficient and autonomous.
Omron Industrial Automation has released two new styles of industrial relays to its existing lineup. The slim-style…
Omron Industrial Automation has released two new styles of industrial relays to its existing lineup. The slim-style relays are available as mechanical or solid-state and offer a reduced footprint being only 6.2 mm wide.
Machine safety design can be a daunting task with all the different safety devices on the market today. Choosing the…
Machine safety design can be a daunting task with all the different safety devices on the market today. Choosing the correct device for your design can be made easier by understanding when to use the proper device.
We are taught that parallel circuits maintain equal voltage across all branch resistors, equally sharing the source…
We are taught that parallel circuits maintain equal voltage across all branch resistors, equally sharing the source voltage. But reality is often far from ideal, and individual devices certainly impact the rest of the circuit.
Designing a system with motor motion always includes a consideration of safety. Incorporating safety contactors might be…
Designing a system with motor motion always includes a consideration of safety. Incorporating safety contactors might be the correct prevention to protect equipment and users but may add additional challenges.
Linear and switch-mode power supplies provide direct current to power control components and electrical devices. Learn…
Linear and switch-mode power supplies provide direct current to power control components and electrical devices. Learn about the differences between the two power supplies and which one is best for your control system.
Many control product manufacturers offer these downloadable ‘EDS files’ for peripheral equipment, but what exactly is…
Many control product manufacturers offer these downloadable ‘EDS files’ for peripheral equipment, but what exactly is an EDS, and how can they aid in the development of a project?
PLCs and microprocessors have largely replaced timing functions in control circuits. But these timer relays still hold…
PLCs and microprocessors have largely replaced timing functions in control circuits. But these timer relays still hold many necessary tasks. What’s inside these devices might be more complex than you imagined!
Coil, field winding, rotor, stator, eddy current… When it comes to motors, there are numerous terms that describe the…
Coil, field winding, rotor, stator, eddy current… When it comes to motors, there are numerous terms that describe the theory of operation, but what is inside a 3-phase motor? Take a look, and learn how they work.
Human-machine interfaces, or HMIs, provide visual process data and allow access to process parameters and diagnostics…
Human-machine interfaces, or HMIs, provide visual process data and allow access to process parameters and diagnostics information. What’s inside these touchscreen displays, and how do they actually work?
Learn about proportional gain and proportional band, two key proportional control concepts, to better understand the most…
Learn about proportional gain and proportional band, two key proportional control concepts, to better understand the most popular control system method in industrial automation.
Control Automation is proud to announce updates to several chapters of our popular online textbook. Check out the…
Control Automation is proud to announce updates to several chapters of our popular online textbook. Check out the improvements in the PLC, Feedback Control, and Power Generation sections.
Increasing motor speed is critical in many situations, but it also poses serious risks in both electrical and mechanical…
Increasing motor speed is critical in many situations, but it also poses serious risks in both electrical and mechanical performance if not driven properly. Enter Rockwell Automation’s new PowerFlex 6000T.
Relay and other coil devices pose a few confusing questions: How can the relay still work if you connect a DC supply in…
Relay and other coil devices pose a few confusing questions: How can the relay still work if you connect a DC supply in reverse? How can an alternating voltage attract and hold the load consistently?