In industrial automation, the words permissive and interlock are often used as if they mean the same thing.
They do not.
Both are conditions that influence whether equipment is allowed to operate, …
Read MoreAs Studio 5000 projects become larger, tag organization becomes increasingly important.
A small machine may only have a few motors, valves, sensors, and alarms. In that type of project, individual tags …
Read MoreSeal-In Circuits Explained
A seal-in circuit is one of the most important basic patterns in PLC ladder logic and relay logic.
It is commonly used when an operator presses a momentary Start …
Read MoreAn interlock is a condition used to prevent two incompatible or unsafe actions from happening at the same time.
In simple words:
An interlock blocks an action when another condition makes that …
Read MoreTimers are one of the most common instructions used in PLC programming.
A timer allows the PLC to use time as part of the control logic.
In simple words:
A PLC timer waits …
Read MoreIntroduction
Every industrial automation system is built on four fundamental electrical concepts:
Voltage
Current
Resistance
Power
These four concepts explain why a sensor works, why a relay energizes, why a motor turns, and why electrical components …
Read MoreHow to Diagnose Contactors, Overloads, Coils, and Control Circuits
Motor starters are one of the most common devices found inside industrial electrical control panels. They are used to start and stop …
Read MoreWhy a Motor Starter Can Be Commanded but the Motor Still Does Not Run
When troubleshooting electrical control panels, one of the most important concepts a technician must understand is the …
Read MoreIntroduction
Not every VFD application uses Ethernet/IP, Modbus, PROFIBUS, or network communication. In many real industrial machines, a PLC controls a VFD using simple hardwired signals.
This is one of the most …
Read MoreMotor Control Basics: Contactors, Overloads, and Motor Starters
Motors are everywhere in industrial automation.
They move conveyors, pumps, fans, mixers, agitators, compressors, fillers, packaging machines, and many other industrial systems.
Because motors are …
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