Locking Safety Interlock Switches
ProductSafetySafety Common Sense

Locking Safety Interlock Switches

Most of us are familiar with safety interlock switches that can disable a safety circuit and notify us if a guard has been removed, the gate is open or something has been tampered with. There are many options to chose from including tongue interlock switches, hinge safety interlock switches and non-contact safety switches. Many of…
What is a Relay?
ProductRelays & Timers

What is a Relay?

When used in electrical power and control circuits, relays allow lower power circuits to operate higher power circuits, while providing isolation. Relay Definition Relays are a fundamental device for switching an electrical circuit on or off, much like a toggle switch or a limit switch. But a relay is operated based on an electrical control…
Choosing the Right HMI
Operator InterfaceProduct

Choosing the Right HMI

Human-machine interfaces are available with many hardware and software features. Users should work backwards from the target application to make sure all needs are addressed. Bill Dehner, a Technical Marketing Manager at AutomationDirect, authored an article for the June 2019 issue of Control Engineering titled Choosing the Right HMI. Here’s a summary, click on the…
Bypass-Resistant Safety Devices Ensure Effective Machine Guarding
ProductSafetySafety Common Sense

Bypass-Resistant Safety Devices Ensure Effective Machine Guarding

Machine safeguarding devices protect operators at points of access and operation. Here’s how they work. Jim Krebs, Technical Marketing Engineer at AutomationDirect, wrote an article for the April 2019 issue of ISHN titled Bypass-resistant safety devices ensure effective machine guarding, where Jim describes the need for machine safeguarding, and how the various types work. The…
Regulations Require Surge Protection for Safety Circuits
ProductSafetySafety Common Sense

Regulations Require Surge Protection for Safety Circuits

Recent additions to the National Electrical Code (NEC) mandate surge protection for safety interlock circuits to protect operators and machinery. Brent Purdy PE is the Product Manager for Power & Circuit Protection products at AutomationDirect. Brent authored an article for the June 2019 issue of Automation.com titled Regulations Require Surge Protection for Safety Circuits. Here’s…
Specifying Performance Instead of Parts
+Tech TopicsLearning ResourcesOperator InterfaceProductProgrammable Control

Specifying Performance Instead of Parts

Specifying performance instead of parts when purchasing machines and process skids cuts costs, reduces lead time and guarantees reliable operation. Bill Dehner, Automation Specialist at AutomationDirect, authored an article for the June 2019 issue of Applied Automation titled Specifying performance instead of parts. Here is a summary of the article, click on the link above…
A Look into Factor 1 Proximity Sensors
Discrete SensingSensors Automation

A Look into Factor 1 Proximity Sensors

Inductive proximity sensors are suitable for many applications. Selecting models with factor 1 capability makes them even easier to deploy for sensing targets of varying metals. Andrew Waugh, Product Manager for Sensor and Safety products at AutomationDirect, authored an article for the May 2019 issue of Design World titled A Look into Factor 1 Proximity…