ISA Interchange

Welcome to the official blog of the International Society of Automation (ISA).

This blog covers numerous topics on industrial automation such as operations & management, continuous & batch processing, connectivity, manufacturing & machine control, and Industry 4.0.

The material and information contained on this website is for general information purposes only. ISA blog posts may be authored by ISA staff and guest authors from the automation community. Views and opinions expressed by a guest author are solely their own, and do not necessarily represent those of ISA. Posts made by guest authors have been subject to peer review.

All Posts

10 Benefits of Having an Electrical Control Panel

Electrical control panels are the collection of electrical devices that control the functioning of different industrial equipment using electrical power. These panels help keep orderly control on industrial equipment to ensure that it achieves multiple mechanical goals. It is a closed metal box that has two main components: the panel structure and the electrical components. Let’s take a closer look into what an industrial control panel is, as well as its many benefits.

Inside an Electrical Control Panel

Panel Structure: The panel structure of an electrical control panel is a metal box with a back panel that looks similar to a breaker box. There is an enclosure with one or two doors, depending on its size, made of metals like steel or aluminum. These boxes pass stringent quality checks. Moreover, they come with the UL safety rating to ensure that it is explosion-proof, contamination-proof, waterproof, and safe for indoor and outdoor use. Furthermore, it also has a panel mounted at the back of the metal box, which supports the wire ducts.

Electrical components: There can be multiple electrical components present in an industrial control panel, depending on the functions it has to perform.

Electrical control panels usually have:

  • Main circuit breaker, where all the power comes in the control panel. There is a switch outside for this circuit breaker to disconnect the power whenever necessary.
  • Transformer, which switches the power down to give enough supply to the smaller devices.
  • Terminal blocks that join the two power lines together.

You can also find programmable logic controllers (PLCs), contactors, network switches, and various other components that enable the electrical control panel to function well.

AH 1Benefits of an Electrical Control Panel

  1. These panels are essential for industrial automation as they constantly monitor different industrial controls. This way, they help experts control and organize production objectives.
  2. Industries can get the panels custom-made to their requirements. They can opt for a simple relay system, or a much more complex industrial control panel, for cohesive control of mechanical aspects of their machinery and different industrial equipment.
  3. They offer enhanced reliability by constantly monitoring equipment and providing experts with data every minute.
  4. The panels are capable of handling complex electric controls. If you hire an expert team to design these panels as per the necessary requirements, they can manage the most complex industrial setup.
  5. These panels are weatherproof, which means you can place them both indoors and outdoors as they won’t rust or get damaged with changing weather conditions.
  6. Electrical control panels are hazard-proof, ensuring no risk of electrical shocks or fire outbreaks (it is safe to work in and around the panels).
  7. These days, many companies provide “aesthetically pleasing” industrial control panels. As such, these panels do not interrupt the “beauty” of buildings.
  8. Electrical control panels simplify the process for industrial experts. With the controls provided on a panel, experts can design and organize the process control of different machines and operations.
  9. With increased efficiency, industries can expect a reduction in their overall processing cost.
  10. As experts can control the mechanical processes, there is little chance of any flaw or process giving an undesired outcome.

Electrical control panels are an essential part of many industries, including food and beverage, manufacturing, oil and gas, agriculture, and more. To start this process, get in touch with a leading manufacturer of industrial control panels to receive the necessary technology that meets all of your needs and expectations.

Alisha Hill
Alisha Hill
Alisha Hill works as a freelance writer and blogger, currently associated with Solution Control Systems Inc. She has expertise in writing automation solution and has been featured in many top publications like Tweak Your Biz, GrowthRocks, World Financial Review, and more.

Related Posts

Checking In With Mimo, ISA's Large Language Model Trained on ISA Content

Over the summer of 2024, the International Society of Automation (ISA) announced a large language model (...
Kara Phelps Nov 15, 2024 7:00:00 AM

Ask the Automation Pros: The Use of Artificial Intelligence in Process Control

The following discussion is part of an occasional series, "Ask the Automation Pros," authored by Greg McM...
Greg McMillan Nov 12, 2024 4:30:00 PM

Protecting Electrical Terminal Blocks From Tampering

Electrical terminal blocks are a common sight in the automation world. Usually mounted on DIN rail in ind...
Anna Goncharova Nov 8, 2024 10:30:00 AM