Component selection is one of the most crucial steps in designing reliable and efficient control panels. It’s all too easy to make mistakes, like choosing a relay with the wrong coil voltage—say, a 120VAC relay for a 24VDC circuit. These errors can stem from design changes, procurement missteps, or simple oversight. When components don’t match…
Embarking on the journey of designing a new control panel for a customer requires thorough preparation and diligent information gathering. This process is critical to ensure a smooth and efficient design that meets the customer’s needs and stands the test of time. The initial meetings with the customer set the stage for this process, where…
The transition from AutoCAD to EPLAN has been a game-changer in my approach to electrical design. While AutoCAD has long been a reliable tool for creating detailed electrical schematics, EPLAN offers a suite of features specifically tailored for electrical engineering, significantly enhancing efficiency, accuracy, and project management. Enhanced Efficiency One of the most immediate benefits…
Designing control panels involves translating complex electrical schematics into practical, efficient physical layouts. A key challenge in this process is ensuring that what appears optimal on a computer screen functions effectively in real life. Below are some common mistakes made during the layout design phase and tips on how to avoid them. Inaccurate Spacing and…
Thermal management in industrial control panels is a crucial design element, especially for panels exposed to both extreme cold and heat. Maintaining reliable performance across varying temperatures is essential, particularly for outdoor installations. However, this task becomes increasingly complex when detailed information about the ambient temperature or specific environmental conditions is unavailable. The Importance of…
In electrical design, especially with components like Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs), there’s an ongoing debate about the best way to depict pins in schematics. This debate revolves around two main approaches: showing all pins versus showing only the relevant pins. Two Common Approaches Balancing Clarity and Scalability Finding a balance between clarity and scalability is…