What to Know When Selecting an Enclosure
+Tech TopicsAutomation NotebookEnclosures & AccessoriesEquipment SafetyIssue 26 – 2013Learning ResourcesNotebook IssueProductTechnology Brief

What to Know When Selecting an Enclosure

NEMA enclosures house all kinds of electrical components from simple terminal blocks, to industrial automation systems, to high voltage switchgear. In industrial automation systems, NEMA enclosures often house motor controls, drives, PLC/PC control systems, pushbuttons, and termination systems. Some enclosures are shaped to be operator consoles. AutomationDirect offers over 2,200 enclosure part numbers across NEMA…
Industrial Strength Enclosure Heater and Enclosure Lighting Options
Automation NotebookEnclosures & AccessoriesIssue 23 – 2012Learning ResourcesNotebook IssueProduct

Industrial Strength Enclosure Heater and Enclosure Lighting Options

STEGO enclosure heaters, thermostats, hygrostats and hygrotherms protect against condensation while providing the greatest possible air circulation. Touch-safe convection heaters are designed to utilize natural convection, resulting in a circulating current of warm air while minimizing surface temperatures on the accessible side surfaces of the housing. The compact, DIN rail-mountable units are available in 12…
Small-Scale Hydroelectric Plant Promises Profit
ApplicationApplication StoriesAutomation NotebookEnclosures & AccessoriesEnergy/UtilitiesHMIIndustryIssue 21 – 2011Learning ResourcesNotebook IssueOperator InterfacePLCProcess ControlProductProgrammable ControlUser Solutions

Small-Scale Hydroelectric Plant Promises Profit

If there’s access to a stream, the only requirements to generate electricity are a 2 ft. drop in water level and two gallons of flow per minute. A hydroelectric system isn’t overly complicated, it isn’t difficult to operate and maintain, it has longevity and it’s often more cost-effective than other forms of renewable power. Some…
Enclosure Cooling Explained
+Tech TopicsAutomation NotebookEnclosures & AccessoriesFYIIssue 18 – 2010Learning ResourcesNotebook IssueProduct

Enclosure Cooling Explained

What causes all that heat?  There are basically two sources of heat which cause an electrical enclosure’s internal temperature to rise above the manufacturer’s recommended ratings for the control equipment: internal and external sources. Internal Sources The same items which can be damaged by heat may also be a key source of the heat. These…
What Do The NEMA Ratings Mean?
+Tech TopicsAutomation NotebookEnclosures & AccessoriesIssue 11 – 2008Learning ResourcesNotebook IssueProductTechnical Review

What Do The NEMA Ratings Mean?

NEMA Ratings for Enclosures This article defines of some NEMA Ratings for enclosures that are used in industrial settings. Along with a description clarifying what each NEMA rating actually means, is an explanation on what the enclosures are typically used for. NEMA 1 NEMA 1 enclosures are typically used for protecting controls and terminations from…
A Condensed Guide to Automation Control System Part 4: Build, Launch & Maintain
+Tech TopicsAutomation NotebookEnclosures & AccessoriesIssue 6 – 2006Learning ResourcesNotebook IssueProductTechnical ReviewTerminal Blocks & Wiring

A Condensed Guide to Automation Control System Part 4: Build, Launch & Maintain

In Part 3 (Fall 2005 Issue 5), we covered how to design our automated control system and the importance of documenting the design. We discussed the various types of documents that would be typical for an automated control system design, why and how we would use these documents, and finally the tools that can be…
A Condensed Guide to Automation Control System Part 3: Design
+Tech TopicsApplicationAutomation NotebookEnclosures & AccessoriesIssue 5 – 2005Learning ResourcesMachine ControlNotebook IssueProductProgrammable ControlTechnical ReviewTerminal Blocks & Wiring

A Condensed Guide to Automation Control System Part 3: Design

In Part 2 (Spring 2005 Issue 4), we covered how to specify the various devices required for interfacing and controlling the electrical equipment in an automated control system. In Part 3, we will cover the steps needed to design our automated control system. The design topics will include planning by defining our sequence of operation,…