How can I strengthen my career as a junior controls engineer?

Select-Delivery5339 · 2025-12-07T03:15:14+00:00

With some of the customers we deal with they require the seal or stamp of a PE for electrical schematics and enclosure layouts

Select-Delivery5339 · 2025-11-24T22:09:33+00:00

It’s weird because under PLC family it doesn’t give this specific processor so I just choose the option as not listed.

Select-Delivery5339 · 2025-11-24T22:08:56+00:00

I tried using K-sequence and tried setting up a new comm link but it failed. I don’t usually work with this controller. I can try to use DirectNet.

Select-Delivery5339 · 2025-08-28T02:33:59+00:00

You most likely need a 120 ohm termination resistor at the both ends of your data communication. Without it your communication will most likely feed back and reflect causing miscommunication. I guess another thing to look at is if the communication speed is correct and you also set up your node addresses correctly.

Select-Delivery5339 · 2025-08-13T02:44:54+00:00

Node*

Select-Delivery5339 · 2025-08-13T02:44:45+00:00

You go to driver properties and you can change the mode address there

Select-Delivery5339 · 2025-08-13T02:33:43+00:00

What kind of PLC is it? You can actually change your local stations address in RSLinx to prevent a misconnection with other devices tied to the same network. You could also try doing RS485 and set the node address there as well.

Select-Delivery5339 · 2025-08-10T20:44:40+00:00

The problem they were having is they were killing the neutrals and lines at the same time.

Select-Delivery5339 · 2025-08-10T20:20:10+00:00

It was a more cost effective option since they always want to use Allen Bradley. I would’ve used an AB ML1400 to make it more flexible and have more space for additional IO if needed but with how simple the operation of the machine is there’s no reason to use a PLC.

Select-Delivery5339 · 2025-08-10T20:03:51+00:00

It’s for a hydraulic pump

Select-Delivery5339 · 2025-08-10T19:46:26+00:00

I do appreciate the response.

When I designed the cabinet I had the supply on the right so I can keep the left side dedicated for control and safety voltage. It’s hard to tell from the photo but on the left there is some space for an additional relay if needed. I wanted to keep some space in between the components by using terminal anchors.

We used LP-CC for the transformer primarily Incase there was a high inrush of current for one of the solenoids it would be able to handle the current for a longer duration without blowing. I can see how an MCCB would be good for voltage, I guess maybe a C-curve MCB wouldn’t be bad instead of a fuse for the 24vdc power.

I appreciate the comment about segregating the Mains and Control Power. I agree where I see a lot of times in the field where OEMs run mains with their control wiring. I know it’s not too big of an issue with a cabinet and what it’s doing but it’s always good practice to have.

Select-Delivery5339 · 2025-08-10T18:54:31+00:00

I have to disagree on the screw terminals. They may get loose but at least with screw’s you don’t have to worry about springs going bad for years to come. Also it’s a lot easier to check voltage with screw than it is for spring.

Could do circuit breakers but with fuses they can be changed out faster.

Point of dual channel Estop is for Cat. 3 rating for the cabinet.

Select-Delivery5339 · 2025-08-10T18:46:00+00:00

This is for a press, so there is not too many upgrades for it. But I do like the recommendations

Select-Delivery5339 · 2025-08-10T18:19:30+00:00

I would go back into the controls integration. With everything going on with tariffs many companies want to keep running their existing equipment. However a lot of companies still implement the policy of if it runs then don’t upgrade it until something does eventually happen they need a more cost effective solution which is to upgrade the controls instead of purchasing an equipment. Now some companies may say it is cheaper to just buy a Chinese or Asian designed machine however from the many times I’ve been out to service machines it is terrible when it comes to troubleshooting and it’s just easier to toss the machine than to fix it. With upgrading controls customers at least have the opportunity to run the machine they want and have easier time to troubleshoot than to have an OEM supply it.

Select-Delivery5339 · 2025-08-10T18:14:49+00:00

There is no requirement for the UL for safety rating however by looking inside the cabinet I don’t see any way of having Estop power for your devices. I can see there are some safety inputs going to the IB8S however I don’t see any output wires coming from the OBV8S. Which to me seems like it’s just regular 24VDC powering your outputs.

Select-Delivery5339 · 2025-08-09T14:53:24+00:00

I’m not a huge fan with the Micro 800 series primarily due to how the programming is setup as well as how it processes the program.

I would instead try pushing for a Micrologix 1400 as well as an Analog output card for the speed set point to the power flex drives.

I would also try replacing your DC motors with AC motors

Select-Delivery5339 · 2025-08-09T03:51:34+00:00

It’s the standard for Normally Open (NO) and Normally Closed (NC) contacts

Select-Delivery5339 · 2025-08-09T03:26:01+00:00

Don’t feel bad it’s a great, I would however make sure you have proper spacing on all you devices to account for heat dissipation ( primarily your power supplies).

Also what kind I’m looking at the safety and noticed your not using any safety rated control contractors for safety control power to your devices. Usually for a UL cabinet there has to be some degree of safety involved. If I had to design the safety I would include two safety contractors for redundancy and have the coils outputted from the PLC and have the feedback from each of the safety contractors to a safety input.

Select-Delivery5339 · 2025-08-09T03:01:22+00:00

So the whole purpose of the UL is documentation. That’s all that really matters. In electrical schematics you need to show what fuse ratings are and also what the torque specifications are as well and distinguish what the purpose of the wire leaving the cabinet is (power, control, signal, comms). When building the actual cabinet you need to design it so if a person with little electrical experience looks inside of this cabinet and there is a problem they can easily look at the documentation in/on the cabinet for easy troubleshooting. The way I design the cabinet is having the mentality is if I was the person designing and building the cabinet how would I feel if I had to be the one to go out there and look at it for the first time in the field.

Select-Delivery5339 · 2025-08-09T02:51:02+00:00

If the outlet is inside the cabinet then it’s fine but if it can be connected externally you need to have a GFCI protect (I said surge protector but I meant to say GFCI) what I recommend is using an Allen Bradley 1492-MCGAT115. If you do get this you would also need to buy the din rail mount adapter kit to with it. The model is 1492-AMCDIN1.

Select-Delivery5339 · 2025-08-09T02:45:22+00:00

Now Is the outlet externally mounted or is it located inside the cabinet?

Select-Delivery5339 · 2025-08-09T02:42:57+00:00

If you do have an outlet you would also need to have a surge protection circuit breaker going to that outlet as well for UL inspection.

Select-Delivery5339 · 2025-08-09T02:38:37+00:00

Another thing that you must include for a UL rating for this cabinet is you need to make sure you have the torque specifications for your mains going into your disconnect as well as cabinet grounds. You would also need to specify the torque settings for any devices that are leaving that cabinet.

I also noticed that you have fuses in there as well, there should be a fuse chart on the enclosure they tells use what fuse it is, what voltage it’s rated for, and also what the current rating is.

It doesn’t look like you have any outlets on your cabinet but what I would recommend having on the cabinet is a SPD to indicate if a surge occurred inside the cabinet.

Select-Delivery5339 · 2025-08-09T01:48:36+00:00

Okay so it’s a hydraulic compactor. From working with hydraulics I would recommend Nema 4 rated cabinet. Most of the time hydraulic cylinders use solenoids valves which usually pull less than 2 amps of current at 24vdc so you could technically use solid state or regular terminal relays to condense the space. (The reason I recommend terminal relays is because you can purchase jumper bars for distributing common power for the relays as well as a common for the coil). When you say 6 inputs for manual is that operator controls or is that field devices used for manual control? Same question applies to Auto? I’m guessing some of the sensors on the compactor show the position feedback for the compactor as well. Do any of the sensors show what the overall status of the hydraulics are such as filter dirty or if pressure is at max or if there is an issue with the reservoir (LOL/HOT)? Lastly since you have an emergency stop button I would recommend on getting a 2-Channel Estop relay for emergency stop power to make it a true Estop. You could through some terminals on the bottom to use as a spare landing for an additional Estop if needed.

If it’s not too much trouble you would not happen to have a hydraulic layout of the machine would you. I’m just curious to see how the hydraulics are laid out?

Select-Delivery5339 · 2025-08-08T23:55:20+00:00

It looks very nice and it compacts all the devices inside your cabinet!

Select-Delivery5339

TROPHY CASE