Featured Articles
Electronics enclosures are used in countless test/analytics/measurement devices for many applications. This includes various instrument systems in Oil & Gas, Industrial & Power Control, Medical, Lab/Test, and Military designs. Serving all of these types of devices requires a wealth of cooling options for instrument cases.
Those of you in the food industry are already familiar with the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA)—a law that focuses on preventing contamination, rather than reacting to the problem after the fact. A big part of FSMA compliance has to do with the design of plant equipment, which includes the electrical components that provide power to manufacturing lines.
The Schmersal Group now offers its customers in UK and Ireland a new webshop selling components for functional machine safety. The company has linked its popular and comprehensive online catalogue to an automated ordering and shipping process, creating a convenient and secure purchasing tool that is available to customers around the clock after registration.
There are two common methods for performing insulation resistance testing on cables, wiring and electrical equipment. One uses a megohmmeter to measure insulation resistance. The other uses a hipot tester to check for insulation breakdown. Both apply a high voltage, either ac or dc, to the device under test (DUT) and measure the resulting current flow. A modern megohmmeter (or megohm meter) applies a dc voltage to a DUT and measures the dc current (nanoamps or microamps).
On any production line, it's imperative to keep things moving. No-reads caused by faulty barcodes or unreliable readers can significantly hamper production by wasting both time and materials. Fortunately, there are several possible solutions for barcode reading problems, depending on what's causing the issue. In some cases, a readable barcode may receive a no-read result simply because of its position relative to the reader.
Selecting a panel meter for a particular application can be a daunting task, given the wide variety of products that are available today. There are many factors to consider when making a decision. Let’s look at a few of the major items. Panel meters can be categorized by type, size, style or other criteria. One way to begin the selection process is to look at the meter’s function – what measurement is this meter making?
Molex recently unveiled the results of a global survey of automotive decision makers depicting top trends and technologies impacting “car of the future” strategies and business decisions. Survey findings validate the critical role of data, software and networking in enabling electrification and connectivity—identified as the two most important areas of innovation.
For years, urban citizens have been unhappy with their mobility experience: too much traffic causing long transportation times, too much noise, poor air quality, and limited parking options, to name but a few of the issues. Then, in one day, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the order to “stay at home” has completely reshaped cities, forcing us to reconsider the way we live our lives and the way we do business.
IBM, which trademarked “smarter cities” in 2014, outlined its vision of the term in a 2009 executive report: cities should be imagined as a “system of systems” providing an integrated web of services, from transportation to education. Noting that “in 2008, for the first time in human history, the majority of the world’s people lived in cities,” IBM proposed a new, utopian model of urban management that would use technology to monitor and optimize these systems.
Read more: CIOS of U.S. Connected Cities Share Tips to "Get...
Editor's Pick: Featured Product News
New Prosense Basic Series Proximity Sensors From AutomationDirect
The new Prosense Basic series of proximity sensors offer great value for general industrial applications.
These round inductive proximity sensors made from nickel-plated brass are offered in barrel sizes from 8mm to 30mm. Flush and non-flush mount styles are available in sensing distances up to 15mm and offer an LCP (liquid crystal polymer) active face.
PNP logic models are available with either a N.O. or N.C. output; NPN logic is also available with a N.O. output.
Products for Panel Builders
Editor's Pick: Featured Article
Littelfuse: Short Circuit Current Ratings
A short-circuit current rating (SCCR)1 is the maximum current a device or system can safely withstand for a specified time (such as 0.05 seconds), or until a specified fuse or circuit breaker opens and clears the circuit. SCCR is usually expressed in kiloamperes (kA). SCCR labeling requirements create a safe installation and help manufacturers, owners and managers meet OSHA regulations and NFPA codes and standards.
SCCR labeling requirements create a safe installation and help manufacturers, owners and managers meet OSHA regulations and NFPA codes and standards.
Panel Building Tips
Siemens' Tips for Panel Builders Series - Part 7: Door Coupling Rotary Operating Mechanism According to IEC Standards
Control panels in the international market are subject to requirements for protection against direct contact and electric shock according to IEC 61439-1/2 (Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear assemblies) and IEC 60204-1 (Safety of machinery). To comply with these requirements, it must be ensured that live parts cannot be touched under normal operating conditions.
The IEC standards specify that enclosure doors must be interlocked according to certain specifications but at the same time allow maintenance and service work by skilled electricians.
Article Feature - Monthly Industry Focus
Pepperl+Fuchs Releases Enclosure Purge System for Zone 1 Applications
Pepperl+Fuchs has introduced a Bebco EPS® purge and pressurization system designed specifically for use with large enclosures in Zone 1 hazardous areas. The 6100 series purge and pressurization system can purge an enclosure over 450 cubic feet (12.2 cubic meters), making it the largest purging system available from Pepperl+Fuchs. The 6100 series system is perfect for applications in the chemical/petrochemical and oil and gas industries.
News for Panel Builders
Orion Fans: IP69K-Rated Fans - Protection for Wash-Down Applications
Orion Fans IP69K-rated AC and DC fans are the optimal solution for restrictive environments. The IP69K rating ensures that no damage will occur to electronics during washdown procedures and that no contaminants will enter the fan motor. These fans are rigorously spray tested with 80°C water every 30 seconds with the spray nozzle being 4-6 inches from the fan. The water sprays from 4 angles and is considered a high-pressure stream.
What You Need to Know About Lockout/Tagout Audits
To maintain compliance with OSHA lockout/tagout standard 1910.147, it is required to perform annual inspections of both the procedures and employee competency in lockout/tagout practices. Annual audits are an important part of a lockout/tagout program because audits can reveal inconsistencies and problems.
When it comes to annual audits, there are three main steps to complete:
- - LOTO procedure audit
- - Authorized employee compliance review
- - Addressing any deficiencies in people, procedures, and processes
The Many Types of Inconsistencies in Barcode Printing and Marking
Variations in the printing or marking method of barcodes and direct part marks (DPMs) - including poor ink distribution, incorrect thermal printer heat settings, or uneven pressure in surface abrasion - can hamper readability. Since no-reads can make production inefficient, it's important to understand the types of print/mark inconsistencies and their causes.
Here, each category of inconsistency will be defined and then some possible solutions discussed.
Molex Releases Results of Global Automotive Survey on the ‘Car of the Future’
Molex recently unveiled the results of a global survey of automotive decision makers depicting top trends and technologies impacting “car of the future” strategies and business decisions. Survey findings validate the critical role of data, software and networking in enabling electrification and connectivity—identified as the two most important areas of innovation.
“It’s an exciting time in the automotive industry, and this survey underscores the accelerated pace of investment and innovation,” said Mike Bloomgren, SVP, president, Transportation & Industrial Solutions, Molex. “The results also reinforce our mission to design and deliver critical electronics solutions that form the central nervous system of tomorrow’s connected cars.”