Latest Solid-State Components Articles

It’s the first two days of Automate 2023, and the Control Automation team hit the streets to learn about the latest and…

It’s the first two days of Automate 2023, and the Control Automation team hit the streets to learn about the latest and greatest technology rocking the world of robotics and industrial automation!

Phoenix Contact has unveiled its latest products and solutions in industrial communication, connection, and automation…

Phoenix Contact has unveiled its latest products and solutions in industrial communication, connection, and automation for greater efficiency and ease of use among users.

Variable control allows external conditions, like temperature, to be monitored so the controller can activate devices to…

Variable control allows external conditions, like temperature, to be monitored so the controller can activate devices to heat or cool the system as needed. Simulate a temp controller with low-cost components!

Designing, installing, and maintaining control systems involves a lot of wires. Each wire has a purpose, often indicated…

Designing, installing, and maintaining control systems involves a lot of wires. Each wire has a purpose, often indicated by the color of the insulation. But what are the common colors, and what do they mean?

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.

CUI Devices has further expanded its power relay products. Suited for high-level current switching, the new line of power…

CUI Devices has further expanded its power relay products. Suited for high-level current switching, the new line of power relays offers max switching currents from 5 A to 40 A.

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.

You are bound to encounter two terms associated with sensors and some loads: ‘NPN’ and ‘PNP’. You must understand…

You are bound to encounter two terms associated with sensors and some loads: ‘NPN’ and ‘PNP’. You must understand the relationship between the field device and the control module in order to choose and install components properly when needed.

Siemens breaks new ground by having a solid-state circuit breaker UL listed for residential, commercial, and light industrial use.

Siemens breaks new ground by having a solid-state circuit breaker UL listed for residential, commercial, and light industrial use.

Programming languages often include sine and cosine functions. They simplify programming, but consume valuable memory…

Programming languages often include sine and cosine functions. They simplify programming, but consume valuable memory space and computation time. This can be overcome using simple approximations.

Industrial analog sensor devices primarily use 0-10 volt or 4-20 milliamp. For those mA signals, learn the reasons for…

Industrial analog sensor devices primarily use 0-10 volt or 4-20 milliamp. For those mA signals, learn the reasons for why the lower and upper limit standards were determined as 4 mA and 20 mA.

When selecting the right module for the right load, be sure to understand how the load resistance will affect the voltage…

When selecting the right module for the right load, be sure to understand how the load resistance will affect the voltage and current of the output module terminals.

Redundancy and safety are often seen together in industrial safety systems. Safety relays monitor emergency devices to…

Redundancy and safety are often seen together in industrial safety systems. Safety relays monitor emergency devices to switch contacts based on status - but what makes them different from normal relays?

Sensing objects is a tricky business because of the many variables in light, surface texture, distance, color, and other…

Sensing objects is a tricky business because of the many variables in light, surface texture, distance, color, and other factors. Learn how a photo sensor works!

Motors drive all sorts of processes in a facility. Depending on the application, which motor starter is best suited for…

Motors drive all sorts of processes in a facility. Depending on the application, which motor starter is best suited for your needs?

Let’s take a closer look at retrofitting T-cart control with newer technology, such as using laser distance sensors…

Let’s take a closer look at retrofitting T-cart control with newer technology, such as using laser distance sensors versus limit switches.

Learn about how Hall-effect sensors are used in linear and electric motor applications, including brushed and brushless…

Learn about how Hall-effect sensors are used in linear and electric motor applications, including brushed and brushless DC motors.