Designing an Optimised and Safe Industrial Control Panel

Designing industrial control panels is a complex task that comes with a unique set of challenges. Some challenges in designing a control panel include adequate heat dissipation, which is especially important in warmer climates like the Philippines, and cable management. While ensuring the right industrial control panel design is critical, having the right components is also important to ensure optimal and safe industrial systems.

Wire and cable ducts serve as wire management solutions, supporting the concealment and routing of wires and cables within electrical enclosures, such as control panels. These ducts are essentially designed as sturdy cable trays or protective trunking with various features to organize and protect wires and cables within the enclosure effectively. When it comes to selecting the right wiring duct, several factors must be considered, including panel design, size, type of wiring, environment, materials, installation, maintenance, and compliance

While wiring ducts are an effective solution for many scenarios, certain situations may necessitate alternative wire routing methods. In this case, cable tie mounts offer a flexible and efficient option for securing and organizing cables, especially in confined spaces.

Cable tie mounts, also known as cable clamps or cable clips, provide a versatile approach to cable management. Unlike traditional wiring ducts, these mounts allow for secure attachment and organization of cables without needing a dedicated tray or trunking. This makes them particularly well-suited for situations where space constraints or specific design considerations make traditional ducts impractical.

Protecting wires from external hazards is paramount to the longevity and reliability of a control panel and all its electrical components. Here are some components you can consider for cable protection against abrasions:

• Spiral Wrap - This flexible plastic wrap can be easily applied to bundles of cables, providing a durable defense against friction, impact, and harsh environmental conditions.
• Braided Sleeving - Composed of woven materials such as nylon or polyester, this sleeving provides excellent resistance to abrasion and chemical exposure.
• Heat Shrink Tubing - This protects the cables from external hazards and provides insulation against heat and moisture. When heat is applied, the tubing shrinks to conform tightly around the cables, creating a secure and protective barrier.

Industrial control panel labeling is crucial for everyone in the facility's safety, especially for manufacturing warehouses in the Philippines. Labels on your service equipment, motor control centers, feeders, substations, panels, and switchboards are critical, especially for repair and maintenance purposes, as well as emergency response. 

One labeling tip is using color-coded labeling for different applications in the facility. For example, use red labels for emergency stops and disconnects and white labels for identifying equipment. Another recommendation is to have a separate adhesive label on the outside of the control panel with emergency phone numbers and important information, such as the location of emergency switches.

Grounding is a safety measure that involves connecting electrical equipment to the earth or a conducting body using an electric panel ground bar to prevent the buildup of excess voltage. This safety measure helps minimize the risk of electric shock by providing a pathway for fault currents to safely dissipate into the ground. It is especially critical in industrial settings where high-voltage equipment is prevalent. Grounding also protects sensitive electronic equipment within the control panel from damage caused by transient voltage spikes and electrical noise.

While grounding helps prevent electric shocks and fire hazards, it can go wrong when not done properly. That’s why checking your electrical ground with a digital multimeter is also important to ensure the safety and proper functioning of your electrical systems. With the help of a digital multimeter, you can identify deviations from normal voltage levels and proactively perform maintenance and troubleshooting.

Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) technology streamlines connectivity by combining power and data transmission over a single ethernet cable wiring, simplifying infrastructure and enhancing overall connectivity efficiency. This approach reduces complexity, installation efforts, and the risk of power-related downtime, ensuring continuous operation even during power outages. 

Furthermore, PoE enhances security measures by consolidating power and data transmission, reducing potential points vulnerable to tampering or unauthorized access. The centralized control and monitoring capabilities of PoE facilitate real-time insights into connected components, enabling prompt detection and mitigation of irregularities or security breaches.

Maximize the performance and safety of your industrial control panel with the right control panel design and components. For high-quality electrical and industrial components for your machinery or equipment, RS Components is your reliable partner. 

Explore an extensive range of products, including panel connectors, various cable types, cable trunking, and digital multimeters, to find what you need to enhance the efficiency and security of your industrial control panel and all your equipment. Trust in RS Components to deliver the quality and precision required for a robust and reliable control panel design. For more insights into improving the safety in industrial sites, you can also check out our guide to industrial workplace safety.