![]() ![]() This lack of standardization required a lot of different programming as the separate protocols didn’t always interact seamlessly with one another. ![]() Previous systems included ControlNet, DeviceNet, and DH Plus. Before ethernet control, there was no standard, which often required a lot more work. Today, ethernet is the standard communication system for control panels. The need for a better control panel communication Regular maintenance and additional training to operate and troubleshoot device restrain the growth of the global electric control panel market. All of the panels are now NEC/NFPA 70E/508A compliant which protects against arc flash and makes the panels safer for the operators. Up to 77% of all electrical injuries are caused by arc flash incidents. Arc flash is the light and heat produced from an arc fault, a type of electrical explosion or discharge that results from a low-impedance connection through an electrical system. The companies fabricate lexan covers to increase the safety of these devices.Ĭontrol panels have a lot more arc flash controls today. The 5% of components that are not built finger safe don't go overlooked. This greatly reduces the risk of shock or injury in the event that an operator happens to touch a live part with their body or tools. This means that all live parts are either encapsulated or recessed into the part, making it nearly impossible to have an accident. The major increases in safety have resulted from control voltages dropping to 24VDC as well as 95% of components being manufactured “finger safe”. Increase in the safety of the control panelsĬontrol panel safety has come a long way. Closer components also contribute to the smaller footprint of panels compared with earlier. When the power coming into the panel is used more efficiently, the components give off less heat and can then be placed closer together as per the safety ratings. This shift in control voltage means different power consumption. Twenty years ago, most panels were controlled with AC power and now it’s DC power. The manufacturers are now following specified air spacing requirements around components, allowing them to properly dissipate heat. This efficiency is allowing components to run cooler with less energy loss, therefore less heat being released from the components. Electrical components are becoming much more efficient as technology becomes better. Overall, what used to fit in a five-door control panel can now fit into a three or four door panel and this is a trend that’s going to continue.Ĭontrol panels today are a lot more energy efficient than they were twenty years ago. Today, ControlLogix, MicroLogix, and CompactLogix PLCs are about a quarter of the size, freeing up a lot of room inside the panel. ![]() Initially, the most popular PLC, The Allen-Bradley PLC-5, was 2.5’ tall. All of the components have been getting smaller, but most notably the brains of the panels, the PLCs (programmable logic controller), have decreased in size. Regardless of market, real estate is a finite resource and the size of a panel affects how much room is left in a plant for production. One of the biggest differences in how control panels are manufactured today is how much smaller all of the components are. Here on, the focus on implementation of smart technologies like an evolved grid system, smart metering, digital asset management will help transform the seemingly traditional, manpower-heavy sector into a smarter, more efficient power system with each element in the value chain re-imagining their processes and focusing more on infrastructure. While the sector has been undergoing a renovation in the recent times, the coronavirus pandemic emphasized the need of accelerated technological upgradation. There is a general belief that the Indian power sector has been characterized by power-cuts, economic losses, system inefficiencies and out-dated last mile networks. A rise in Research & Development investment to increase the electrical system efficiency is expected to offer productive growth opportunities for the global electric control panel market in the coming years. This factor is likely to propel the growth of the electric control panel market. Moreover, the proliferation in new industries and machinery has driven the installation of an electric control panel for offices, warehouses, workshops, etc. The rising demand for factory automation and an increase in need for equipment safety is driving the electrical control panel market growth. ![]()
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