Plant Engineering | Arc Flash

Safety February 3, 2020

Understand the hierarchy of controls

Achieve viable hazard prevention through increased robustness

By Zach Ganster

Figure 1: Vulnerabilities of the infrastructures are easily identified at the physical layers and extend to all aspects of the system. Courtesy: Panduit

Safety December 17, 2019

Mitigate control panel security, safety risks

A review of relevant standards, including UL 1436 and NFPA 70E.

By Michael Jammal and Martin Kronz

Even a basic cable type, such as flexible portable cords, come with numerous jacket type rating, conductor count, and conductor gauge options. AutomationDirect is offering $0.00 cut charges, same-day shipping, and free shipping on orders over a small minimum to encourage cut-to-length cable adoption. Courtesy: AutomationDirect

Electrical December 3, 2019

How to specify cut-to-length cable

Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), end users, and system integrators seeking to improve manufacturing and fabrication flexibility can purchase cut-to-length cables to save time and money.

By Jim Krebs

By automating absence of voltage verification and completing the entire verification process in 10 seconds, Panduit’s VeriSafe absence-of-voltage-tester (AVT) enables plants to work faster, safer, and more efficiently. Courtesy: Panduit

Safety November 30, 2019

Employing PtD as the first line of defense against control panel electrical hazards

Prevention through design (PtD) can help manufacturers keep workers safe from electrical hazards, which remains one of the most common dangers they face daily. Do you use the five-point hierarchy of risk?

By Martin Kronz

Each component in an industrial control panel must be properly applied for safe and reliable operation. The requirements for each component are unique and often misunderstood. Courtesy: Eaton’s Bussmann Division

Electrical Systems September 27, 2019

Safety tips on SCCR for industrial control panels, industrial machinery

How to determine short-circuit current rating (SCCR) and avoid misapplications. When the industrial control panel or industrial machinery does not have an adequate SCCR for the available short-circuit (fault) current, an electrical hazard exists.

By John Kovacik, Dan Neeser, Christy Rosati and Joe Pavia

While traditional maintenance teams completed manual routes, organizations that capitalize on modern technologies can stream asset data to the cloud. By eliminating manual measurements, personnel can attend to needed repairs and the ever-expanding backlog of work orders. Courtesy: Fluke Corp.

Analytics September 4, 2019

Evolution of modern manufacturing: more data

Automation future: The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and Industry 4.0 are widely known concepts, have not been widely adopted. On the way, physical device data connectivity can increase information flow to add efficiency, eliminate errors and increase uptime

By John Bernet

In addition to being properly trained for electrical hazards, an essential element for those working on or around electrical gear is proper safety equipment, including personal protective equipment. Courtesy: Vertiv

Arc Flash September 2, 2019

Are you aware of arc flash hazards?

Be cognizant about hazards, preventive measures and the dire consequences of an arc flash event.

By Steve Park, Director, Engineering and Technical Support

Typical cause of being failure by percentage. Courtesy: ABB

Maintenance July 29, 2019

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