Many online sources explain how to reverse a 3-phase motor; this article will discuss the electrical principles that define why it works and how the phase…
Many online sources explain how to reverse a 3-phase motor; this article will discuss the electrical principles that define why it works and how the phase relationships determine the rotation direction.
In any process industry, transducers are the basic instrumentation unit for continuous monitoring of system variables…
In any process industry, transducers are the basic instrumentation unit for continuous monitoring of system variables that provide inputs for control system algorithms and outputs.
Two primary technologies are used for creating touchscreens. For industrial HMIs, resistive and capacitive methods both…
Two primary technologies are used for creating touchscreens. For industrial HMIs, resistive and capacitive methods both contain certain advantages for various applications.
Logic is critical for industrial control, and it usually looks like ladders, function blocks, or structured text. I/O…
Logic is critical for industrial control, and it usually looks like ladders, function blocks, or structured text. I/O controllers are designed to automate simple logic tasks and data functions.
An age-old debate in PLC programming: investigating the uses and caveats of latching software commands versus seal-in…
An age-old debate in PLC programming: investigating the uses and caveats of latching software commands versus seal-in ladder logic for industrial control applications.
Learn how to connect analog inputs, either voltage or current, to the Phoenix Contact’s IIoT PLC platform and design…
Learn how to connect analog inputs, either voltage or current, to the Phoenix Contact’s IIoT PLC platform and design simple data processing programs with the PLCnext Engineer IDE.
Both lists and dictionaries can retain structured data in Python. The dictionary is unique in that it stores individual…
Both lists and dictionaries can retain structured data in Python. The dictionary is unique in that it stores individual entries with human-readable logical names rather than index numbers.
This article investigates the basic principles of inverters, different types of DC-to-AC conversion, and common…
This article investigates the basic principles of inverters, different types of DC-to-AC conversion, and common applications for generating AC voltage in manufacturing.
Although DC motor technology has a strong legacy, control strategies vary from simple to complex. Designs must consider…
Although DC motor technology has a strong legacy, control strategies vary from simple to complex. Designs must consider not just the motor, but also the electrical supply and the environment.
Learn how to use DirectSOFT6 to program discrete I/O functions in a Koyo DirectLOGIC PLC. Although these PLCs are older,…
Learn how to use DirectSOFT6 to program discrete I/O functions in a Koyo DirectLOGIC PLC. Although these PLCs are older, they are found in many existing automation installations.
Parameters control the operation and command sources for VFDs. The PowerFlex series from Rockwell Automation is no…
Parameters control the operation and command sources for VFDs. The PowerFlex series from Rockwell Automation is no exception. Learn how to adjust the parameters for networking and IP configuration.
Controlling and optimizing plant processes is the goal of most control systems. It can be a challenge to distinguish…
Controlling and optimizing plant processes is the goal of most control systems. It can be a challenge to distinguish between different types of control: a DCS or a high-level SCADA system?
Ethernet switches can use four different types of connections: RJ45, fiber, M12, and SFP. Understanding the difference…
Ethernet switches can use four different types of connections: RJ45, fiber, M12, and SFP. Understanding the difference can help with network troubleshooting, design, or alteration.
Learn how to measure temperature using an RTD and a temperature transmitter to convert resistance into common analog…
Learn how to measure temperature using an RTD and a temperature transmitter to convert resistance into common analog voltage or current values for process control.
We know what a circuit breaker is meant to do: stop the flow of electricity in case of a fault or failure. But just like…
We know what a circuit breaker is meant to do: stop the flow of electricity in case of a fault or failure. But just like fuses, breakers and overloads respond differently depending on the load.
Servo motors are common in all kinds of motion control applications for various industries, but what are these devices,…
Servo motors are common in all kinds of motion control applications for various industries, but what are these devices, and what makes them different from standard AC or DC motors?
Automated control systems incorporate virtualization technology to reduce physical hardware, automatically minimizing the…
Automated control systems incorporate virtualization technology to reduce physical hardware, automatically minimizing the cost of IT/OT equipment, installations, and maintenance efforts.
This article investigates the basic components and wiring conventions for common three-phase motor starter…
This article investigates the basic components and wiring conventions for common three-phase motor starter configurations, including direct online, reversing, and star-delta.
Effectively managing data includes processing it after initial collection: performing calculations, reviewing for…
Effectively managing data includes processing it after initial collection: performing calculations, reviewing for anomalies, and displaying the data for easier actionable insights.
Electrical and mechanical measurements are often labeled with "RMS" and "True RMS." Aside from the simple math…
Electrical and mechanical measurements are often labeled with "RMS" and "True RMS." Aside from the simple math definitions we learned in electronics class, why is this distinction actually important?