Plant Safety and Security
Protection, arc flash mitigation using internal VFIs in liquid substation transformers
From our previous discussions about the Cooper HDC liquid transformer with internal, under-liquid VFI’s, expanding the use of the VFI takes this concept a step further, and makes a great way to... » more
Beyond the network firewall
Since many industrial devices are soft targets for hackers, placing smaller firewalls deeper in networks near PLCs or embedding them in such controllers is a practical way to add a higher level of... » more
Distributed safety IO modules without controller
SafetyBridge technology from Phoenix Contact allows a user to distribute I/O modules in a network without a safety controller. » more
Machine Safety: consensus standards and OSHA compliance
In our plant we comply 100% with the OSHA regulations of 29 CFR 1910.xxx for machine guarding and personnel safety. Accordingly, OSHA would have no grounds to cite us for violations, right? » more
Top Control Engineering articles, July 2012
The most-visited articles at www.controleng.com during July 2012 included articles on system integrators, mobile device security, pneumatic actuation, a PLC Product Exclusive, video game influence on... » more
Evaluating a process safety system
Maybe your company bought a legacy facility, or you have moved to a different plant, but you have to determine if an existing safety system is up to snuff. Where do you start? » more
Emerging safety technologies
As technology becomes more sophisticated, the variety users have to choose from continues to increase. » more
Five Proven Methods to Boost Operator Competency with Simulator Training
Are you worried about operator competency? The Abnormal Situations Management Consortium says that of the $20 billion that industrial plants lose every year, 40% is attributable to human error.... » more
Isolated analog signal conditioner
The 8B43 analog signal conditioner by Dataforth includes 10 modules and has a special input circuit that provides protections against accidental connection of power-line voltages up to 240 V AC. » more
Convergence of standards, technologies creates food safety conformance
Safety standards and technologies converge to enable gains in productivity, operational excellence, and brand protection. » more
Machine safety and safety certified networks
Do you remember when PLCs came out in the early 1970s – were there any communication networks available at that time? What is pier to pier? Fishing? » more
Clemson students modify machine to make airport runway safer
Seven Clemson University students modified a mobile drill press to retrofit a section of runway at Greenville Downtown Airport in South Carolina that halts overrun aircraft. » more
How to effectively operate mission critical facilities
Achieving uninterrupted mission critical facility operation requires both standardized employee training and detailed documentation. » more
Chemical plant blast: Inherent safety
What went wrong: A new safety video is out that looks at inherent safety which is the result of the August 28, 2008, explosion that killed two workers and injured eight others at the Bayer... » more
Smart Grid needs to get smarter
Lights need to stay on even during extreme weather or other types of disasters and new options may soon be available to avoid power-related crises. » more
New tool shows cyber security strength
Cyber security is a major issue for utilities because of the potential vulnerabilities, the investments and the risks. The big questions always stares everyone straight in the face: Will the security... » more
Air gaps a true myth
A little bit ago I gave a talk focused on air gaps as a security strategy in control systems. The talk was at the AusCERT 2012 conference and to my amazement it generated a large amount of discussion. » more
Machine Safety: What do you mean the vice president said: So What?
After a two hour presentation in the conference room providing all the new high technology based machine guarding solutions and testimonials on operating cost savings, the vice president of... » more
BP and the divorce of safety
The gulf spill and Texas City explosion still haunt BP. Observations from the Chemical Safety Board and OSHA. » more
Machine Safety: an automatic sequencer does what?
In the world of machine control and machine safety, to really appreciate where we are today, don’t we need to have a reasonable understanding of where we’ve come from? » more
In the world of machine control and machine safety, to really appreciate where we are today, don’t we need to have a reasonable understanding of where we’ve come from? » more
Protection, arc flash mitigation using internal VFIs in liquid substation transformersFrom our previous discussions about the Cooper HDC liquid transformer with internal, under-liquid VFI’s, expanding the use of the VFI takes this concept a step further, and makes a great way to... » more
Beyond the network firewallSince many industrial devices are soft targets for hackers, placing smaller firewalls deeper in networks near PLCs or embedding them in such controllers is a practical way to add a higher level of... » more
Distributed safety IO modules without controllerSafetyBridge technology from Phoenix Contact allows a user to distribute I/O modules in a network without a safety controller. » more
Remote monitoring market exceeds $29 billion in 2011
The world market for remote monitoring services was worth more than $29 billion in 2011, equivalent to $2.4 billion in recurring monthly revenues across the year, according to a recent study. » more
The world market for remote monitoring services was worth more than $29 billion in 2011, equivalent to $2.4 billion in recurring monthly revenues across the year, according to a recent study. » more
Machine Safety: consensus standards and OSHA complianceIn our plant we comply 100% with the OSHA regulations of 29 CFR 1910.xxx for machine guarding and personnel safety. Accordingly, OSHA would have no grounds to cite us for violations, right? » more
Deliver greater reliability, security to the digital factory
Improvements gained in terms of accessibility, efficiency, and productivity with automation systems must be accompanied by a high-level of protection against attack both from the outside and from... » more
Improvements gained in terms of accessibility, efficiency, and productivity with automation systems must be accompanied by a high-level of protection against attack both from the outside and from... » more
Top Control Engineering articles, July 2012The most-visited articles at www.controleng.com during July 2012 included articles on system integrators, mobile device security, pneumatic actuation, a PLC Product Exclusive, video game influence on... » more
Evaluating a process safety system Maybe your company bought a legacy facility, or you have moved to a different plant, but you have to determine if an existing safety system is up to snuff. Where do you start? » more
Emerging safety technologiesAs technology becomes more sophisticated, the variety users have to choose from continues to increase. » more
Five Proven Methods to Boost Operator Competency with Simulator Training Are you worried about operator competency? The Abnormal Situations Management Consortium says that of the $20 billion that industrial plants lose every year, 40% is attributable to human error.... » more
Isolated analog signal conditionerThe 8B43 analog signal conditioner by Dataforth includes 10 modules and has a special input circuit that provides protections against accidental connection of power-line voltages up to 240 V AC. » more
Understanding proximity sensor IP ratings
The IP ratings established by the IEC are often misunderstood or misapplied, which can cause problems for the user and potentially be dangerous. » more
The IP ratings established by the IEC are often misunderstood or misapplied, which can cause problems for the user and potentially be dangerous. » more
Packaging machinery initiatives
The Packaging Machinery Manufacturers Institute (PMMI) and the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) are very good resources for staying up to date on current events with food and product safety... » more
The Packaging Machinery Manufacturers Institute (PMMI) and the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) are very good resources for staying up to date on current events with food and product safety... » more
Convergence of standards, technologies creates food safety conformanceSafety standards and technologies converge to enable gains in productivity, operational excellence, and brand protection. » more
Machine safety and safety certified networks Do you remember when PLCs came out in the early 1970s – were there any communication networks available at that time? What is pier to pier? Fishing? » more
Clemson students modify machine to make airport runway saferSeven Clemson University students modified a mobile drill press to retrofit a section of runway at Greenville Downtown Airport in South Carolina that halts overrun aircraft. » more
How to effectively operate mission critical facilitiesAchieving uninterrupted mission critical facility operation requires both standardized employee training and detailed documentation. » more
Chemical plant blast: Inherent safetyWhat went wrong: A new safety video is out that looks at inherent safety which is the result of the August 28, 2008, explosion that killed two workers and injured eight others at the Bayer... » more
Smart Grid needs to get smarterLights need to stay on even during extreme weather or other types of disasters and new options may soon be available to avoid power-related crises. » more
New tool shows cyber security strengthCyber security is a major issue for utilities because of the potential vulnerabilities, the investments and the risks. The big questions always stares everyone straight in the face: Will the security... » more
Air gaps a true mythA little bit ago I gave a talk focused on air gaps as a security strategy in control systems. The talk was at the AusCERT 2012 conference and to my amazement it generated a large amount of discussion. » more
Machine Safety: What do you mean the vice president said: So What?After a two hour presentation in the conference room providing all the new high technology based machine guarding solutions and testimonials on operating cost savings, the vice president of... » more
BP and the divorce of safetyThe gulf spill and Texas City explosion still haunt BP. Observations from the Chemical Safety Board and OSHA. » more
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