Entries by Liz Smith

4 Steps to calculate short circuit ratings in industrial control panels

This article has been updated March 2024, read the latest version here. Daniel LightseyABB Ability Smart Power—Marcel E. Valdes, PE, IEEE FellowApplications Engineering Manager ABB Electrification Business Short-circuit current ratings (SCCR) are a critical specification when designing industrial control panels. Determining the appropriate SCCR actually requires no calculations. Instead, there is a simple, four-step process […]

3 levels of device monitoring

John Belshe & Kevin JordanProduct Marketing ManagersABB Electrification Products Division More and more panels are incorporating smarter breakers with sensors that can provide alerts and take action when they detect an issue. Panel builders can choose from 3 levels of device monitoring, taking a good/better/best approach to providing their customers with these benefits.

Throw away your relays

If you appreciate the wisdom of combining the fax, scan, and copy functions into a single device, the benefits of combining the function of relays and meters in your breakers should be crystal clear. Read more about the benefits of smarter breakers and why you should throw away your relays.

Selecting control panel components

Jonathan Doncet Product Marketing Manager ABB Electrification Products Division The latest panel technology often offers big benefits. But depending on the application, the older technology may be better. Here are some factors to consider when selecting control panel components and the applications where traditional NEMA components can be a better choice than newer IEC technology.

Think twice about bolt-on solutions

Rich Gibson Certified Machinery Safety Expert (TÜV NORD) ABB Jokab Safety Products When faced with a new or changed machine-safety risk, bolt-on solutions may seem like the easiest, cheapest approach. In most cases, it makes sense to consider a safety PLC, which can provide a far superior, lower-cost solution.

Superior safety, from switches to sensors

Rich GibsonCertified Machinery Safety Expert (TÜV NORD)ABB Jokab Safety Products Superior safety, from switches to sensors. The first-generation safety interlocks, like the mechanical door switch, were the best available solution 50 years ago ‒ but were far short of perfect. Read how the technology evolved – not always smoothly – to today’s safer, more reliable […]