Manual motor starters is a term used in the industry to describe a simple, all-in-one motor starter. If you recall our earlier blog post about motor starters, a motor starter is a combination of a contactor and an overload relay. The contactor handles the switching of the power while the overload relay protects the motor… Read more »
Industrial Automation and Control News
Basic Motor Starter Troubleshooting
When you’re having trouble getting a motor started, many factors can be at play. We’ll take you through simple motor starter troubleshooting techniques to determine the problem and some simple fixes to implement based on each issue.
Limit Switches 101: Types, Applications, and More
What is a limit switch? Limit switches come in many forms and functions, but at their most basic definition, they are electromechanical switches that operate based on the movement or presence of an object. While it is not an electrical switch, your toilet float valve is similar to a limit switch. The water in the… Read more »
Intrinsically Safe vs Explosion Proof: What’s the Difference?
What is Intrinsically Safe Equipment? What’s the difference between intrinsically safe vs explosion proof? When using equipment in hazardous environments there are several ways to make the equipment safe to operate. One method is to make the equipment “intrinsically safe”. This means the equipment is designed so that both thermal and electrical energy is limited… Read more »
Hazardous Environment Classifications: NEC vs IEC
When working in or specifying equipment for use in hazardous environments, we see a lot of confusion in the industry regarding the different certifications and requirements. Many people have heard terms like Class I, Division 2, Group E, or ATEX zone 21 but many of our customers only know what certification they require with little… Read more »