Exploring the Key Components of an Industrial Control Panel

Depending on their size and complexity, industrial control panels must be handled by trained professionals. Power and regulation circuits make up the machines, which operate at 600 volts or less. Their function is to allow the engineer a central command center from which to manage the production process and all of the factory's machinery. 

Depending on your needs, you can choose between open and closed industrial control panels. In electrical engineering, control systems serve a crucial role by regulating power, preventing circuit damage, and guaranteeing the integrity of the entire system. Custom industrial control panels consist of many parts that all play an important role in keeping the production line running smoothly.

To better understand the workings of a typical industrial control panel, you need to be familiar with the following industrial control panel components:

Power Circuit 

In the context of an industrial control panel, this term applies to any electrical circuit that powers a load. If a machine is connected to a circuit and the connection is closed, the machine will begin running; if the circuit is broken, the machine will cease operation.

Control Circuit 

A specialized circuit for managing the many power sources accessible from the panel. Its purpose is to protect the machine and the people working on it from any potential dangers posed by a short circuit.

Switches

In most cases, the machine's start and stop operations can be managed by a power and/or control circuit that is wired into the electrical control panel components.

Terminal Blocks 

Terminals are the most common type of component in a control panel, as they allow electricians and engineers to connect wires from the completed equipment to the input and output connections on other equipment, thus completing a circuit. Wires can be connected to terminals in a control panel, allowing electricity to flow from a power supply to the different devices that require it.

Contactors

They are relay circuitry switch that is electrically regulated and used for high-current rating devices. These are the ones who really turn on and off the controlled gadget.

Motor Drives 

These are mechanical setups with an electric motor built into the power equipment in the industrial electrical panel.

Transformers

The voltage requirements of various circuits and components are determined by the needs of the individual client. In order to get varied AC voltages from a single incoming power supply, transformers are used to either step up (increase) or step down (decrease) the AC voltage to the needed level.

One popular application is transforming 415 V of incoming voltage into 24 V of AC power for use in a control circuit. Similar to how inverters convert AC voltage to DC voltage, power supplies take on this job while switching between the two voltage standards.

Overcurrent Protection Devices

By using circuit breakers and fuses, overcurrent protection devices shield the Industrial control panel's connected machinery from dangerous power spikes.

Grounding Panels 

For the sake of worker safety and to prevent electric noise pollution, the grounding panels that are connected to the industrial control boards are typically placed in remote, inaccessible locations deep underground.

Standards of Quality, Competence, and Engineering Design

These are the standard features found in most electrical control panel components, but not all panels are created equal. The components used, the depth of knowledge in design, and the emphasis on dependable, high-quality production methods are what set apart the various producers of industrial control panels. In many cases, this is the defining characteristic between a well-designed and effective control panel and one that is poorly executed.

Southern Control Inc. is one of the leading industrial control distributors in the United States. They provide their services to clients located all over the world in a diverse variety of industries. They are accustomed to working under tight timelines while maintaining an unwavering dedication to quality, and they create customized projects according to the exact requirements provided by our customers.