The Essentials of Electrical Control Panels and Why You Need One
Monday 30 January
You may be thinking, control panels, how would they benefit my business? Well, we can tell you that they are widely used in industrial, commercial, and residential applications and are essential for industrial automation. They have a dedicated enclosure that stores electrical control systems and equipment, which helps to protect electrical components from dust, moisture, heat, and other environmental hazards.
That said, they provide higher-level monitoring and control of the various functions of production machinery, allowing manufacturers to define, organise, and meet production objectives.
A control panel can contain switches, circuit breakers, relays, and other components which are necessary for controlling and monitoring an electrical system.
Below are 8 types of electrical components that are in an electrical panel enclosure which helps to organise the different functions that it has:
- Main circuit breaker
- Surge arresters
- Transformers
- Terminal blocks
- Programmable Logic Controller (PLC)
- Relays and contactors
- Network switches
- Human Machine Interface (HMI)
Do You Need a Bespoke Electrical Control Panel?
The design of a custom electrical control panel is dependent on the complexity of the system it operates. If you are unsure, then there are multiple signs that might help your business make that decision which includes a need for more advanced operation of various production operations; more cohesive, universal control of systems; a need for improved HMI.
At SR Electrical Services Limited, we have many years of experience in designing and building control panels, which are fully tested in our workshop prior to dispatch. We have produced panels for a variety of requirements from simple motor control to independent high-level alarm systems for large tank farm areas. Find out more here.
The Required Maintenance Needed
Similarly, to other electrical installations, maintenance is a critical element for electrical control panel design and those undergoing a bespoke system should have the following elements in place. This is because no matter how well the control panel may be running, a lack of preventative maintenance can be costly to you.
The majority of malfunctions are a result of improper care. However, if you take the time to inspect your control panels you will find that they have long-term reliability. These key indicators for good maintenance are:
- Clearly labelled components, wiring, and terminals
- Capability to monitor the status of the various electrical connections
- Control of particulates and dust within the enclosure
- Pest control measures
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