Industrial automation can feel overwhelming.
There are many areas to understand:
Electrical controlIndustrial electronicsSensorsInstrumentationPLCsLadder logicVFDsMotor controlHMISCADAIndustrial networksRemote I/OSafety systemsTroubleshootingDocumentationBackups
At times, it may feel like:
“I do not know enough.”“There is too much to …
Read MoreIntroduction
For many automation technicians, the first challenge with a FANUC robot is not the robot arm itself. The real challenge is the Teach Pendant.
When a robot stops in production, the …
Read MoreIn the previous post, we learned how Zones and Conduits help organize industrial networks and control communication between systems.
A common misconception is that installing a firewall automatically makes a network …
Read MoreIn the previous post, we introduced IEC 62443 and discussed how it provides a framework for securing Industrial Automation and Control Systems (IACS).
One of the most important concepts within IEC …
Read MoreIn the previous post, we covered the Purdue Model and how it helps organize industrial systems into levels: field devices, PLCs, HMIs, SCADA, operations, IT, and cloud systems.
Now we are …
Read MoreIf you’ve ever heard terms like:
Level 0
Level 1
Level 2
OT Network
IT Network
DMZ
Segmentation
you are already hearing concepts that originate from the Purdue Enterprise Reference Architecture (PERA), commonly called the Purdue Model.
The Purdue …
Read MoreIndustrial cybersecurity is no longer a topic reserved for IT departments or cybersecurity specialists. Today, automation technicians, controls engineers, maintenance personnel, and industrial electricians interact daily with systems that are …
Read MoreFrom Basic Concepts to Advanced Troubleshooting
Introduction
In industrial automation, technicians frequently encounter devices installed between field instruments and control systems that are often misunderstood.
These devices are commonly called:
Intrinsic Safety Barriers
Isolated Barriers
Signal …
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