The 4-20mA analog current loop is a workhorse of automation, but initial setup and troubleshooting can be challenging, here are some tips to help. For all types of industrial machinery and automation, a basic 4 to 20 milliamp (4-20mA) wiring scheme has been one of the most prominent installation methods for transmitting analog signals. Digital…
Periodically, the AutomationDirect team reaches out to industry users in a variety of ways to gauge their interest on a variety of topics. For instance, in June 2016 we looked into whether users were “data-driven”. One of the questions in that survey addressed whether data was being accessed remotely via a web browser/client or mobile…
Deciding between a PLC or Industrialized Open Source Controller can be difficult. These two control platforms are often compared against one another in the battle for which is better. Saying that one platform is better than the other is impractical. Both platforms have advantages and disadvantages dependent on the environments that they will be used…
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Enclosures are widely used to house electrical or electronic equipment along with switches, knobs and displays while providing a safe installation that prevents electrical shock to equipment users and protects the contents from the environment. Today’s enclosures are designed with features and materials that allow safe and protective use in hazardous areas, but also designed…
The newest PLCs can communicate directly with internet websites, creating new automation possibilities. By Eric Witcher, AutomationDirect The July 2019 issue of Control Engineering magazine featured a cover story describing how modern industrial controllers are now able to interact directly with internet resources. Titled Benefits of Connecting a PLC to the Internet, this article shows…
As of Software Version 2.51 the CLICK PLC can do up to eight simultaneous PID loops. And as usual CLICK makes it easy to do. But there is a lot to know about PID to get the most out of the CLICK PLC, so the videos shown below take you from novice to expert with…
Do you have an HMI project coming up? Here are some helpful tips and guidelines for you to remember during your planning and implementation. 1. Story Boards are a Good Start A good starting point for HMI design is a text-based outline documenting each screen’s content. With the operator’s point-of-view and ease-of-use in mind, detail…
The Do-more PLC has an awesome tool set that’s gets you up and running with PID quickly and reliably. The videos shown below take you from novice to expert with short hands-on live tutorials. Resources like Do-more Designer Project files, excel spreadsheets, block diagrams, etc are included below each video for you to download and…
Proper motor sizing precludes equipment failures, ensures efficiency and reduces maintenance issues Bryan Sisler, a product manager for drives and motors at AutomationDirect, authored an article for the August 2019 issue of Plant Engineering titled Three Steps to Size Motors. Following is a summary, please click on the link above for the full text. Electric…