What Are Control Panels Used For?
What is the purpose of control panels? Below are some examples of control panels. These include power supply, Disconnect switch, Grounding panel, and Measurement. Each has a specific function. Let’s take a look at each. Learn how to use it. This article will also cover the components of these panels. The purpose of each type of control panel is outlined. It is important to identify which type of control panel is needed in order to determine which components are most critical for your facility.
Power supply
All control panels require a power supply to provide power to the embedded control hardware inside. Control panels use a voltage of 24 Volt DC to provide the proper power for these components. The power supply also serves as circuit protection to protect the expensive components within the control panel. A control panel is composed of fuse and circuit breakers. Other parts that are common include a power filter and a line reactor. These components clean out the electricity that is interacting with the panel. They also help to reduce energy consumption.
Disconnect switch
There are two types of disconnect switches that can be used in control panels. Type T disconnect switches are non-fusible and fusible contacts that are intended for use in control panels. A UL 98 switch meets the requirements for a main panel disconnect while a UL 508 switch meets the criteria for a branch circuit disconnect. Depending on the function of the disconnect switch, they may be UL 942 or UL 508
Grounding panel
A grounding panel is used to prevent electric noise or shock from being generated by control panels. It connects to the industrial control board and is buried deep into the ground. Whether or not the system is properly ground depends on the installation, but there are some basics that you should know. These are the most common mistakes when installing a Grounding panel.
Measuring
There are many types of controls that can be found on control panels. You can use the multi-select buttons to select one or more measurements. Or, you can use “Add Points”, “Add Disconnected Points”, and “Add Points” buttons to select multiple measurements. You can hide a measurement by unchecking the “Measurement” checkbox.
Monitoring
Control panels can be interconnected with other systems. BACnet is a common industrial protocol used for HVAC, Building Automation Controllers, Elevator Controllers, and security applications. Arcnet is a similar protocol that’s used for Fire Alarm Control Panes. It allows multiple panels can be monitored by one graphical monitoring device. Control panels’ interconnected nature makes them ideal for automating a building’s automation requirements.
Protection
Industrial control panels require electrical and physical protection to keep them in pristine condition. Environmental factors, such as surges, lightning, and current overloads, can affect the reliability of the electrical components within. Protective equipment should be included in the design of panels and installed in consultation by electric service providers to prevent such damage. Additionally, these protective devices can be retrofitted to existing panels. Here are some tips that will help you choose the best protection equipment for industrial control panels.