Latest PLCs & PACs Technical Articles

Designing the control systems for a properly functioning cleanroom comes with its own set of challenges and requirements.…

Designing the control systems for a properly functioning cleanroom comes with its own set of challenges and requirements. Here, learn what goes into cleanroom system design and why.

Integral or Reset Windup is a problem that can occur from these systems, and there are a few possible approaches to…

Integral or Reset Windup is a problem that can occur from these systems, and there are a few possible approaches to minimize the effects.

This article discusses the meaning of integral gain and how to calculate integral gain to achieve better control results.

This article discusses the meaning of integral gain and how to calculate integral gain to achieve better control results.

Industrial level sensors are used in a variety of manufacturing and industrial applications. This article discusses the…

Industrial level sensors are used in a variety of manufacturing and industrial applications. This article discusses the different types and uses of level sensors.

Learn about the many ways cyber-attacks threaten SCADA systems, and what can be done to keep manufacturing and utility…

Learn about the many ways cyber-attacks threaten SCADA systems, and what can be done to keep manufacturing and utility plants protected.

Learn all about Digital Twinning, and how this new technique can change the way we do a number of industrial operations!

Learn all about Digital Twinning, and how this new technique can change the way we do a number of industrial operations!

A synopsis of a recent control system replacement on replacing APACS with Controllogix.

A synopsis of a recent control system replacement on replacing APACS with Controllogix.

Take a trip down memory lane and go through the different communication systems used throughout the years and learn about…

Take a trip down memory lane and go through the different communication systems used throughout the years and learn about the factors that led to where we are today.

This article introduces how the binary system is used in PLC programming and covers why this number system works so well…

This article introduces how the binary system is used in PLC programming and covers why this number system works so well in this area of system control.

The sensors in absolute encoders output Gray code sequences which require some complicated conversion methods to be…

The sensors in absolute encoders output Gray code sequences which require some complicated conversion methods to be properly used. This article shows how to take the Gray code used by absolute encoders and convert it to binary.

Learn how one engineer's real-world experience showed him the importance and power of SCADA systems for control automation.

Learn how one engineer's real-world experience showed him the importance and power of SCADA systems for control automation.

Learn about the supervisory control and data acquisition system used to program PLCs and PIDs. See where, how, and why…

Learn about the supervisory control and data acquisition system used to program PLCs and PIDs. See where, how, and why SCADA systems are so popular.

Wiring design systems can become confusing when some switching devices send power to the load automatically while others…

Wiring design systems can become confusing when some switching devices send power to the load automatically while others do not. Often called ‘wet’ and ‘dry’ contacts, these devices are fairly easy to troubleshoot once the differences are understood.

The simplest and most common measurement to obtain using a multimeter is voltage, in fact, they are often called…

The simplest and most common measurement to obtain using a multimeter is voltage, in fact, they are often called ‘voltmeters’ for this reason.

In the world of automation, PLCs and PACs are often at the center of the action. But where did these machines come from,…

In the world of automation, PLCs and PACs are often at the center of the action. But where did these machines come from, what are the functional differences between the two, and what applications are they best suited for?

In this article, we will discuss the main causes of failure in mechanical relays, as well as look into simple methods of…

In this article, we will discuss the main causes of failure in mechanical relays, as well as look into simple methods of testing relays using common hand tools.

Just like the emergence of transistors led to digital control systems, solid-state electronics have created a whole new…

Just like the emergence of transistors led to digital control systems, solid-state electronics have created a whole new variety of relays with some striking differences, with a few distinct advantages.

Whether it’s a critical machine repair or the installation of a brand new piece of equipment, it’s important to have…

Whether it’s a critical machine repair or the installation of a brand new piece of equipment, it’s important to have the knowledge and skill to properly connect sensors to a control system.

This article provides an introduction to proximity and distance sensors and common uses for them.

This article provides an introduction to proximity and distance sensors and common uses for them.