What is an Electrical Control Panel? (PLC Panel Basics)

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Have you ever wondered how an automobile assembly line is controlled?

In this video, we are going to talk about what controls large or small mechanical processes like an assembly line. That device is called a control panel.

Think of a control panel like the human body. Inside our bodies, we have vital organs that control and monitor our surroundings.

Similarly, a control panel is a metal box which contains important electrical devices that control and monitor a mechanical process electrically.

Let’s get started! First let’s talk about the enclosure, the metal box that contains all of the electrical devices of the control panel.

Enclosures are often aluminum or stainless steel and the size will vary based on the size of the process.

A control panel enclosure can have multiple sections. Each section will have an access door. The size of the enclosure is commonly referred to by the number of doors the enclosure has.

Each enclosure will have an electrical safety rating designated by UL, the “Underwriters Laboratories” who governs electrical safety.

They will also have an IP rating or NEMA classification which designates the enclosure to be indoor or outdoor, waterproof or water-resistant, suitable for hazardous conditions, dustproof, or explosion proof.

Now let’s go inside the enclosure and talk about the non-electrical components that make up the control panel.

First, let’s talk about the back panel of the enclosure. The back panel is a sheet of metal that is mounted on the inside of the enclosure that allows us to drill mounting holes for different devices which leads us to our next component, DIN rails.

A DIN rail is a metal rail with a standard width used for mounting electrical devices inside.

The next component inside the control panel is wiring Duct. Ducts allow us to route the wires in an organized and efficient way while also reducing electrical noise between devices.

Next, let’s get into the electrical components of the control panel!
The main circuit breaker is where the power comes into the control panel for all of the devices. This circuit breaker generally has a disconnect on the outside of the panel that allows us to shut off the power.

Always remember the topside of the circuit breaker will still have power. The power that comes into the panel can be anywhere from 480 volts to as low as 120 volts.

After the power comes into the panel from the main circuit breaker the power will be run into a surge arrester.

A surge arrester is a device that protects all of the electrical equipment inside the control panel from electrical surges or overvoltage. An electrical surge can come from a lightning strike or utility power surge.

In this video, we talked about the components of a control panel. Each control panel will have the main power source coming in that is distributed throughout the panel to varying devices for control and monitoring.

Control panels will come in different sizes but they all have similar devices that we talked about today.

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#RealPars #ElectricalControlPanel #PLC

[nabilmarsel]

Dear RealPars, you cannot imagine how much these videos help us as amateurs in this field, so thank you guys and I hope you keep going in your amazing fabulous job.

[fabianm.]

Sir, your narrating skill is unparalleled.. I have learned a great deal. Thank you!!!

[_DigitalCam]

Just took my first job as an Automation Engineer with a regional electrical distributor with a focus on controls and safety. With how smart controls are getting now a days, it’s almost impossible to not know how they integrate with a PLC so these courses you put out are just unbelievably helpful in connecting the dots you otherwise would not be exposed to. Thank you for all the great lessons!

[ardentdfender]

This is on point! The animation and visualization is just fantastic. So fantastic a job of visual animating and explanation, this video can literally be used just about anywhere to explain an Electrical Control Panel. A Big Hug 🤗 to RealPars! I get better at my because of RealPars and many people here all feel the same which says immensely a lot.

[alexsp]

OMG !!! I learned more from this 8 min video, than entire online plc course. Thank you guys, great job on explaining complex materials in simple way

[alikhanzulkashov]

Dear RealPars, thank you so much for your videos. They help me out so that I gain more knowledge and make the most at workplace!

[moaazalamoudi]

thank you for this great effort.
actually, I need to know the software used to build such this Panel or any similar software. and thank you again.

[adisharr]

Good video, I would only suggest you don''t run the Ethernet cabling right next to the incoming 480V. It's good practice to keep your network cabling out of wireway and away from AC voltages. Lastly, AC should ideally come in from the top and work it's way down.

[graceopute]

God bless you guys! I've learned a lot. Nice job.!
Can you please make a video on the electrical panel troubleshooting process or steps?

[IET-]

Hello my friend, the video was great. I am an electrician and I have an electrical training channel and I do the wiring of industrial switchboards.

[athilaldurry]

Many thanks Realpars about this important information

[fimbles]

These videos are simply amazingly well made. Thank you so much !

[asoteico]

Great video!!!
Vivid animation and pictures!

[kartimohamedamine]

Great videos .. I am just wondering if i subscribe can i sign in from two different device (at work and at home ) ? please answer me thank you ..

[andrearinaldi]

Very well done! Thank You. I'm very glad to be in contact with You.

[chaitanyadeshpande]

Superb Video on Control Panel wiring I have understood the wiring perfectly thank you for this great content 💝

[audiolibrary]

this is the most wonderful educational channel, big thanks from algeria

[rickclough]

Your videos are very well done. They have helped me prepare for an interview today. Thanks!!

[luisespinosa]

Can you make a video talking about more used components, like "Pillz" ?

[SgtSafety]

Great information, you can learn more info from these videos than I did working at an engineering company for 6 years.