AC Drives Applications
ProductVariable Speed Drives

AC Drives Applications

When powering AC motors, the electrical supply can be at full power to run at full speed, or at variable power to run at variable speed. Applications with fluctuating loads benefit from the variable speed provided by an AC drive because less power is used at lower loads and speeds, and this article explains how…
What is a Pilot Device?
Control & Signaling DevicesSafetyUncategorized

What is a Pilot Device?

What is a Pilot Device? “Pilot devices” is an industry term given to products such as pushbuttons, indicating lights, selector switches and various types of switches and visual and/or audible signaling devices. All these devices are used for a system, control panel or as an integral part of most automated processes to provide control and…
Safety First! A Look at the Importance of Industrial Safety Devices
ProductSafetySafety Common Sense

Safety First! A Look at the Importance of Industrial Safety Devices

There are safety related features in practically every device we use, industrial and non-industrial. Electrical devices and appliances have housings that protect consumers from electrical hazards. Motorized devices have housings intended to prevent any possible injury to users from dangerous moving parts and/or electrical components. Industrial facilities have many safety features including safety signs that…
What is a Laser Sensor?
Discrete SensingProductSensors Automation

What is a Laser Sensor?

A better understanding of distance laser sensors helps when applying these rangefinders in material handling and industrial measurement applications. By Andrew Waugh, Product Manager for Sensor and Safety Products at AutomationDirect What is a Laser Sensor? Laser sensors come in several configurations, with some detecting presence and others measuring distance. A proximity type laser sensor,…
Providing Circuit Protection for Safety
Safety

Providing Circuit Protection for Safety

Most engineers, technicians and factory workers have a story about industrial injuries—such as shock or burns—that occurred on the plant floor. While most incidents happen during construction, maintenance or testing, they can occur during normal operations as well. Most can be prevented by using best design practices, and by following safe operating procedures and regulations….
Surge Protection: A Small Investment That Can Save You Thousands
ProductSafety

Surge Protection: A Small Investment That Can Save You Thousands

What is Surge Protection? Surge protection is one of those terms we’ve heard throughout our lives. From cheap wall surge adapters, the very common outlet strip with surge protection, to higher priced outlet strips that promise to protect your valuable electronics from the evils of a power surge caused by lightning storms or voltage fluctuations….
What is a Photoelectric Sensor?
Discrete SensingProduct

What is a Photoelectric Sensor?

A better understanding of photoelectric sensors helps when applying these versatile, non-contact presence sensing devices in industrial machine, conveyor and other applications By Andrew Waugh, Product Manager for Sensor and Safety Products at AutomationDirect What is a Photoelectric Sensor? A photoelectric sensor, often called a photo eye, uses light to detect the presence of an…
What is a Limit Switch?
Discrete SensingProduct

What is a Limit Switch?

A better understanding of mechanical limit switches will help when applying these versatile devices in a variety of industrial applications. What is a Limit Switch? Mechanical limit switches are a common presence or position sensing device used in industrial automation systems. Typically, these switches are electromechanically operated, so they activate when an object makes physical…