As business owners, it’s our natural instinct to not only save money anywhere we can, but also to save ourselves any unnecessary hassle whenever we see the opportunity arise. This could range anywhere from an individual transaction or something as involved as changing the structure of the company and the way it operates. But other times, having a little attention to detail can save you a lot of trouble and unnecessary expenses down the line. In this blog, we’re going to talk about industrial electrical control panels and how you can spot issues within your system.
First of all, it’s important to note that industrial electrical control panels can be categorized into one of two things:
- Units that regulate industrial production systems like refrigeration units, conveyors, cranes, or presses
- Units that control environmental systems or units like HVAC, pumps, and lighting.
Both of these things make it possible for your company to run efficiently and as intended. And although something as simple as a light not coming on when it needs to may sound frivolous, it could entirely throw off your business processes if left unchecked. Also, remember that just because something appears to be working properly doesn’t mean that it is. Although it may be your business instincts to avoid having your industrial control system inspected or maintained, it will almost always come back to bite you. Let’s take a look at some of the specific issues that could go wrong with your industrial control systems and what to do about them.
Precursor Issues
Nobody likes to admit it, but industrial control systems can be rather fragile. That doesn’t mean that you can’t expect them to work well if they were installed by an experienced technician, however, if something like a roof leak, flood, or power surge occurs, you have to be prepared to take action rather than assuming that your industrial controls will be fine. And this applies to both workers and management. You’ll need to be able to seek help for more major issues like power surges or floods, and your workers should be trained enough to recognize more minor issues like a leak. Once this has been established, they should have a protocol that they can follow each time an issue like this arises.
Poor Organization
Remember that industrial controls are what keep your company alive and well. They’re essentially the heartbeat of your company. If your industrial control systems were installed in a disorganized manner or you’ve attempted a DIY fix for something that should have been done by a trained technician, you may be facing an organization issue. In other words, the more you apply these simple fixes on your industrial controls, the more disorganized it will become, and the more costly it will be to bring in a professional to fix it.
Compliance Issues
Meeting National Electrical Code doesn’t just have legal ramifications. Believe it or not, this code was put into place for a reason and failing to recognize that could compromise the integrity of your entire system, and more importantly, the safety of your employees. Old worn out parts, poor organization, poor installation, quick fixes, or poorly labeled components can all lead to non-compliance, so you need to have your system checked regularly by a professional technician in order to ensure this doesn’t happen.
Location
Location is everything when it comes to maintaining healthy industrial controls. If your control panel is located too close to corrosives such as certain vapors, oil, dirt, or chemicals, your entire system could be in danger. You should consult an industrial control specialist in order to create a plan to fix this issue.
Contact Dynamic Measurement And Controls Solutions
At Dynamic Measurement And Controls Solutions, we provide you with the consultative services you need to maintain your industrial controls with ease. With more than 40 years of experience, we’ve helped countless companies with transportation solutions, control panels and power distribution, and factory automation processes that fit the specific needs of your business. We are always on the cutting edge of the electrical component industry, so give us a call today if you’re ready to get started.
