Industrial Control Panel Basics

What is a control panel and why do we use them?

First let’s talk about the basic layout of a panel and why we locate items where we do.

- Many different ways to layout a panel
- Airflow
- Safety
- Field wiring, where do wires enter the panel?

Let’s go over all the components in the panel and what their intended purpose is.

- Enclosure and Backplate
- Main Circuit Breaker
- Branch Circuit Breaker
- Surge Suppressor - Protects against lighting and power surge
- AC Power distribution
- Power Supply - Converts one form of power to another
- DC Power Distribution
- Ethernet Switch - It allows several different devices within the cabinet to communicate with one another
- Radio - Industrial radio that is paired with a polyphaser (which protects the radio and internal panel hardware from lighting strikes) and an antenna ( to enable communication to other sites). Only used in cases where the panel cannot communicate locally via ethernet cable.
- PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) - This is the brains of the operations. It sends and receives data from all the different inputs and outputs its connected to. It then interprets that data and communicates it into values that we can understand.
- HMI (Human Machine Interface) - Allows us a way to view and interact with the data being collected by the PLC. Commonly mounted on the front of the panel.
- IO - Analog vs Digital signals. Digital Inputs and Outputs
- Relays - Why do we use relays for digital outs? Can be used for many other purposes.
- Wire Duct and Dinrail

Additional Links -

Website:
Engineering Page:
Panel Fabrication Page:
Procurement Services Page:
Manufacturers Page:
Panel Fabrication:
Panel Hardware:
PLCs & IO:
Wiring Duct:
Enclosures:

[frankreiserm.s.]

Thank you for your videos. Because I watched them, I was able to intelligently answer questions about this topic at a job interview. I got the job on the spot for $40, 000/year. They opened 430V, three-phase panels and had me explain them as part of the verbal test. I passed. No more repairing TVs for me. This will be the first full time, professional job that I have had since 2001.
Frank

[mathewgomwe]

got a new job, and you just saved my career man..Thank you

[HzPjtvHYom]

This channel is fantastic. It's really helping me understand a wide range of material that I employ daily at work, where training can be insufficient at times. Excellent videos! Keep them coming. The simplicity and professionalism makes it easy to follow, and when you want to learn about a particular item/subject those videos are available.

[bladder]

I could only wish that the stuff I have to work on were as neatly laid out and tidy as this. Very good video.

[gappuma]

It would be great if you could make a wiring diagram tutorial aswell, would apreciate it very much!

[matthelms]

Thank you for that, trying to advance in this field and that helped tremendously

[kaden]

I just started as an industrial electrician at a water treatment plant and this helps a lot thanks!

[liseydamontoya]

this is exactly what i was looking for, nice video.

[erickenny]

I really wish more tech schools would teach this way. I went through 2 years of TSTC, and graduated, and it was never presented to me in such a straightforward way.

[jopflah]

I used to build electrical control panels, painted the enclosures, laid out, mounted and wired the components and then tested the entire panel. Moved on to programming and selling PLC's. Have to say building the panels was the more enjoyable part.

[ClaudinneV]

Very concise and insightful explanation. Thank you very much!

[seminolerick]

I worked in manufacturing for decades. This was WELL explained without the need of getting into in depth analysis of each component. Young folks should consider this well paid, blue collar profession... building panels, or connecting them to machinery, or interfacing/ programming to use with other panels & computers.

[usemybox]

This is a fantastic tutorial, working with software, this has helped me understand the structure and components you would typically find inside a control panel. Thank you

[ES-pkyg]

Wow great video! This really breaks down the basics and would serve as a great introduction for a lot of people that applies to much larger and complex control panels as well. Keep the videos coming! I look forward to seeing more from your group.

[alikhanzulkashov]

Every time before I am about to fabricate a control panel, I watch your videos

[Laronjet]

Great video. Straight forward with clear explanation. I'm going to open a panel now to identify the components. My electrical instructor sent me this video. Thanks Harry.👍

[philip]

Nice video. Nice panel! You truly captured the basics with no confusion. Good job.

[王超-cc]

very good video to achieve the basic knowledge of the control panel

[Jaescompany]

We work on the electronic field and we found your video Interesting

[ChuongNguyen-upfy]

we need more videos like this. seriously. please