Directory Image
This website uses cookies to improve user experience. By using our website you consent to all cookies in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

What Are The Core Components Of an Impact Panel?

Author: Mayank Shah
by Mayank Shah
Posted: Aug 21, 2020

At UCEC, we build control panels to most efficiently serve the requirements of our customers. meaning every instrument panel we build is different from the last whether we case it in chrome steel to face up to the trials of a pharmaceutical environment or we custom build a panel with multiple motor controls and relays to perform complex conveying functions. Despite this, there are some elements that make every instrument panel similar. during this article, we detail the foremost common components found in electrical instrument panel s and therefore the traditional best practices of the control panel layout.

HUMAN INTERFACE & COMMUNICATION

In today's connected world, everything communicates with everything else and panels are not any exception. Control cabinets, or control panels, all have a group of components that allow them to speak with other equipment, technology, and to their human operators. the primary component all control panels have maybe a sort of controller. this enables operators to interact and manage the functions within the panel. The controller installed within the panel depends on the complexity of the method the panel is controlling. for many processes, panels are equipped with a programmable logic controller (PLC).

WHAT IS A PLC during a CONTROL PANEL?

A PLC takes a series of inputs, like proximity sensors, level sensors, and speed sensors, and uses this information to regulate its outputs. These outputs are often motors, valves, alarms, and other user-defined components.

WHAT IS AN HMI during a CONTROL PANEL?

For a panel that will have frequent operator interaction, a person's machine interface (HMI) could be installed. An HMI provides a graphics-based visualization of the economic control and monitoring system. The visualization the HMI provides allows the operator to simply see how different components are functioning within the precise process the panel is controlling.

Electric-ethernet-cable

To enable communication between panels the answer is now far more universal. Ethernet switches are installed in nearly every panel. within the past, DeviceNet, blue hose, and ASI BUS were used. They were replaced with ethernet thanks to its simple use, availability, low cost and better data transfer rates.

PLCs, HMIs and ethernet cables provide the essential communication tools every instrument panel must communicate with their human operators and other panels. subsequent core component during a control panels is control.

WHAT IS MOTOR CONTROL during a PANEL?

Most mcc panels exist to oversee some sort of control. We equip our panels with either a variable frequency drive (VFD) or a contactor and overload found out counting on the complexity of the motor function the panel is controlling. A VFD will allow you to program how the motor operates and provides the user control over the speed of the motor. A contactor and overload system may be a simple on or off system that gives no further control of the motor.

CONTROL PANEL POWER SUPPLY AND PROTECTION

Power supply and protection are two components every panel has so it can function and perform safely. the facility supply will typically convert 480V or 120V AC to 24V DC as DC is usually considered a safer voltage to affect inside the panel.

The other protection measure in every panel is circuit protection to preserve all the expensive and crucial components inside the panel. this is often achieved through either circuit breakers or fuses.

A line reactor or power filter are two more common components found in most control panels. Again, these affect controlling and cleaning electricity that is interacting with the panel and its different components to scale back inefficiencies and consume less energy.

Beyond these core components of human interface and communication, control, and power supply and protection, the features of every instrument panel will vary greatly counting on what it’s being designed to try to to. This creates a seemingly endless thanks to creating and layout a panel. However, there are standards and best practices we adhere to once we approach this task.

UNIVERSAL instrument panel LAYOUT CONSIDERATIONS

The layout of a panel depends on many factors. Beyond ensuring our panels meet UL Guidelines and are laid bent the manufacturer’s specifications, we also consider voltage, the top user, and therefore the environment where the panel is being installed.

VOLTAGE

When laying out an impact panel, the voltage of various components may be a chief consideration. we frequently separate high and low voltage, keeping the 480V break away the 24V DC power described above. We also keep the communication cables segregated from high voltage. Higher voltage can induce a current into a cable and interfere with the ethernet signal. counting on the layout of the panel, we'd run a shielded coaxial cable to further protect against induced currents, but this is not necessary for every build.

We also attempt to usher in the high voltage within the upper right side of the panel to further separate the high voltage from the more sensitive panel components. The upper right side is additionally where we install the most power disconnect. The left-hand side is where we install the lower voltage and more sensitive items like our PLCs and ethernet switches.

BEGIN WITH the top USER IN MIND

Most other layout considerations are situational. one among our primary jobs is to form sure the panels are laid out consistent with manufacturer's specifications and UL Guidelines, but we also take into consideration how our user goes to be interacting with the panel. Questions we ask ourselves with every panel we're constructing are: How will the top customer be bringing in their cable? How difficult will it's for them to urge to certain components and devices? what proportion room do they have to access different components just in case they have to service them?

ENVIRONMENT

The other common consideration is that the environment these panels are getting to be installed in. For about half our panels, we'll install air-con to both cool them down and extract humidity from interfering with the components. If it's going outside, we'll make the enclosure completely weatherproof. If it's going inside during a corrosive environment, the materials are changed to face up to those conditions. for instance, if the panel is being installed during a pharmaceutical plant where they're constantly sterilizing equipment and washing them down, we'll outfit the panel in chrome steel versus steel thanks to its higher resistance to corrosion.

These are the common components and considerations our craftsmen encounter a day when constructing control panels. Of course, the more custom the build, the more complex these considerations become. That’s why we staff expert craftsmen throughout the method to wire and assemble quality custom control panels for each client. Contact UCEC for all of your instrument panel needs and questions and check in for more great content below!

About the Author

Accu-Panels Energy Pvt Ltd is the legendary brand for Cpri Approved Electrical Control Panel Manufacturer in Ahmedabad Gujarat.

Rate this Article
Leave a Comment
Author Thumbnail
I Agree:
Comment 
Pictures
Author: Mayank Shah

Mayank Shah

Member since: Apr 24, 2019
Published articles: 15

Related Articles