Latest Wire & Cable Articles

What’s the difference between a Cat 6 and a Cat 6a cable, anyhow? Ethernet cables must meet certain performance…

What’s the difference between a Cat 6 and a Cat 6a cable, anyhow? Ethernet cables must meet certain performance standards, and these standards can be quite confusing at first glance.

Our Control Automation engineering staff got the chance to visit a commercial farm in North Dakota and learn the hardware…

Our Control Automation engineering staff got the chance to visit a commercial farm in North Dakota and learn the hardware and software making these huge automated tractors ready for high-tech ‘field’ work.

Large DC and AC motor drives often provide terminals for installing a braking resistor. What are these resistors, and how…

Large DC and AC motor drives often provide terminals for installing a braking resistor. What are these resistors, and how do they slow down a machine? What hazards and cautions must be considered?

Beckhoff Automation is advancing the concept of reducing cabinet space and lowering construction time with their recently…

Beckhoff Automation is advancing the concept of reducing cabinet space and lowering construction time with their recently announced MX-System.

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?

Inductive loads, such as solenoids and contactors, can cause arcs and failures back into electromechanical switching…

Inductive loads, such as solenoids and contactors, can cause arcs and failures back into electromechanical switching devices, causing costly downtime. The solution is cheaper than you think.

Moisture inside industrial pneumatic systems is a major cause for concern, and if the air is not filtered or dried…

Moisture inside industrial pneumatic systems is a major cause for concern, and if the air is not filtered or dried properly, it can lead to serious failures.

The window is closing for submissions to a funding competition - robotics, machine vision, and AI innovations are taking…

The window is closing for submissions to a funding competition - robotics, machine vision, and AI innovations are taking the center stage for a chance at winning $10,000. Are you ready?

Industrial automation is only possible when the various system components can communicate with each other using physical…

Industrial automation is only possible when the various system components can communicate with each other using physical cable connections. In this article, learn about some of the most popular communication cables and connectors used in the industry.

One of the most visible elements of industrial safety is the use of lock-out-tag-out (LOTO) devices, familiar to those…

One of the most visible elements of industrial safety is the use of lock-out-tag-out (LOTO) devices, familiar to those with experience. But, if you are new to the workforce, a brief introduction may be helpful.

Noise signal sources occur primarily from radiofrequency interference (RFI), often in the form of impulse functions or…

Noise signal sources occur primarily from radiofrequency interference (RFI), often in the form of impulse functions or arcing. How do you mitigate process noise from your control system?

Automation supplier Phoenix Contact released several new PLC and communication technologies. What are they and how can…

Automation supplier Phoenix Contact released several new PLC and communication technologies. What are they and how can they help control engineers?

Delta, an electronic component manufacturer, advances into smart manufacturing by acquiring Universal Instruments.

Delta, an electronic component manufacturer, advances into smart manufacturing by acquiring Universal Instruments.

Smart sensors differ from traditional sensors in that they offer benefits such as self-diagnostics, simplified wiring and…

Smart sensors differ from traditional sensors in that they offer benefits such as self-diagnostics, simplified wiring and communication, and more efficient remote monitoring.

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!

What types of instrumentation are used in wastewater treatment plants? Let’s review the instrumentation and how…

What types of instrumentation are used in wastewater treatment plants? Let’s review the instrumentation and how treatment plants stand out from other industrial facilities.

How could this distribution site help engineers have more access and options to equipment?

How could this distribution site help engineers have more access and options to equipment?

Building automation systems run commercial offices and factories. These systems have subsystems, broken into even smaller…

Building automation systems run commercial offices and factories. These systems have subsystems, broken into even smaller parts. All of these parts need power. This article will review the parts of a building automation system and its power needs.

Due to the robust nature of process industries, there is a vast amount of data to read. Remote access can help parse data…

Due to the robust nature of process industries, there is a vast amount of data to read. Remote access can help parse data and has many additional benefits in these industries.