6. Troubleshooting One Device That Does Not Work
How to Diagnose a Single Failed Load in an Electrical Control Panel
When troubleshooting an electrical control panel, not every problem means the whole system is down. Sometimes the panel has …
Read More5. Troubleshooting When Nothing Works
How to Diagnose a Control Panel That Appears Completely Dead
One of the most common troubleshooting situations in an electrical control panel is this:
Nothing works.No lights.No relay response.No motor starter.No PLC …
Read MoreHow the PLC Scan Cycle Works
How the PLC Scan Cycle Works
The PLC scan cycle is one of the most important fundamentals to understand in industrial automation.
A PLC does not normally read an input, solve one …
Read MoreFaults vs Alarms in Ladder Logic: Industrial Door PLC Example
Introduction
In industrial automation, one of the most important differences a technician must understand is the difference between a fault and an alarm.
At first, both may look similar because both indicate …
Read MorePermissive vs Interlock in Ladder Logic
A Critical Difference Every PLC Technician Should Understand
In industrial automation, two words are often used together but do not mean exactly the same thing:
Permissive and Interlock
Both are used to control …
Read MoreCommon VFD Faults and How to Troubleshoot Them
Introduction
A Variable Frequency Drive fault is not just an error message. It is valuable information that tells the technician something changed in the drive, motor, wiring, load, control system, or …
Read MoreServo Motors, Servo Drives, and Encoders Explained for Automation Technicians
A Basic Introduction for Automation Technicians
Introduction
In industrial motor control, we often work with contactors, overload relays, motor starters, VFDs, and three-phase AC motors. These systems are excellent for running motors …
Read More3. HMI Communications: FactoryTalk Linx, Data Servers, and OPC
Understanding How the HMI Talks to the PLC
In an industrial HMI system, the screen is only useful if it can communicate with the controller.
The HMI needs to read machine status …
Read More2. HMI Architecture: PLC, Driver, Tags, and Screens
Understanding How an Industrial HMI Connects the Operator to the Machine
In the previous post, we explained what an industrial HMI is and why it is important in automation. Now we …
Read More1. What Is an Industrial HMI?
A Beginner-Friendly Introduction for Industrial Automation Technicians
In industrial automation, an HMI stands for Human-Machine Interface. It is the screen, panel, or computer-based application that allows an operator, technician, or engineer …
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