What is an Electrical Control Panel? (PLC Panel Basics)

[@realpars]

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[@_DigitalCam]

Just took my first job as an Automation Engineer with a regional electrical distributor with a focus on controls and safety. With how smart controls are getting now a days, it’s almost impossible to not know how they integrate with a PLC so these courses you put out are just unbelievably helpful in connecting the dots you otherwise would not be exposed to. Thank you for all the great lessons!

[@realpars]

Thanks a million for your feedback! Great job on your new endeavour! We are more than happy to hear that our video courses have been so helpful. If any questions pop up along the way, please do feel free to reach out at any time - we're more than happy to help! Happy learning!

[@jojoessienyi7238]

How do I become an automation engineer

[@flussufer7550]

You need to go to college and get a degree for that@@jojoessienyi7238

[@NoOne-vx3be]

Could you please help me with some courses?

[@fabianm.2982]

Sir, your narrating skill is unparalleled.. I have learned a great deal. Thank you!!!

[@realpars]

Thanks for your support, Fabian! Great to hear that.

[@ramiali9593]

@@realpars Would you be kind to tell me why would an ethernet hub need 24 V to operate? isn't that a little too much? Thanks

[@SgtSafety]

Great information, you can learn more info from these videos than I did working at an engineering company for 6 years.

[@realpars]

Really great to hear this John! Let us know of any questions.

[@mohitbansal9935]

These videos are really helpful and give an insight into what really happens inside a factory.

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Thanks a million, Mohit! We appreciate such kind support.

[@JKTCGMV13]

Our subcontractor delivered us a very sub-par control cabinet. Now I, a software engineer, am rebuilding significant parts of it to improve organization and maintainability. Also it just didn’t work because of the software, which is why I’m doing this. Thank you for all your videos I can use to make sure the replacement is clean and organized

[@realpars]

Our pleasure! Great to hear that our video courses have been so usefull.

[@athilaldurry5880]

Many thanks Realpars about this important information

[@realpars]

You are very welcome!

[@IsaiasSantos-gs1dv]

Your videos are very explanatory and take many doubts, you could by subtitles in Portuguese, because I have difficulties with English, I already thank you

[@rickclough499]

Your videos are very well done. They have helped me prepare for an interview today. Thanks!!

[@realpars]

That is amazing, Rick! Hope your interview went well - best of luck!

[@hazeennizamudeen3564]

Today i heard about realpars. I can understand the basics of industrial automation through realpars. Well educative.👍

[@realpars]

Thanks a lot! Happy learning.

[@fimbles1015]

These videos are simply amazingly well made. Thank you so much !

[@realpars]

Thanks a lot! Great to hear that.

[@andrearinaldi3354]

Very well done! Thank You. I'm very glad to be in contact with You.

[@realpars]

Thanks for your support, Andrea!

[@OmidDavoudi]

What a fantastic tutorial videos. All you need for learning quickly and easily. Visualizations are great. It simplify the the difficulty and help you to learn more than you expected.

[@realpars]

Glad it was helpful!

[@rhythmandacoustics]

I liked this video! This is a very good basic control panel. Good introduction for people who are not into the field. For most viewers, FYI, it could get really complicated and you would have other Panels that do not have PLC's in them but have other PCB boards and other controls such as electromechanical relays, control valves, manifolds, etc, they are called sub panels. Other Sub-panels can have shunts and Servo-drives in them and so forth. Again this video is EXCELLENT intro. Lots more to learn like connectors, and so on.

[@realpars]

Thanks a lot for your support!

[@amjedalsadig2647]

Best video in your channel and all automation channels on KZbin. All your videos are amazingly helpful and educative. Thank you for the time and effort you put to help us 🙏.

[@realpars]

Thanks a million for your kind support, Amjed! We're very happy to read that.

[@nabilmarsel8792]

Dear RealPars, you cannot imagine how much these videos help us as amateurs in this field, so thank you guys and I hope you keep going in your amazing fabulous job.

[@eduardosampaiomoreir]

Yeah! I'm a jr eletrician and i'm really glad for these videos! Best Regards from Brazil!

[@dreyfrano968]

You guys are God sent.

[@IET-76]

Hello my friend, the video was great. I am an electrician and I have an electrical training channel and I do the wiring of industrial switchboards.

[@realpars]

Thank you for sharing!

[@RicardoJrChua]

Useful information specially for beginners like me. Keep it up and thank you!

[@realpars]

You're very welcome!

[@k50159]

Amazing tutorial. Thank you so much RealParz

[@realpars]

You are very welcome, Sharifski!

[@shubhamdubey3585]

Thanks bro, you are a good teacher

[@realpars]

Great to hear that, Shubham! Thanks for sharing!

[@2strokeowner]

Nice video easy to understand

[@realpars]

Great to hear that!

[@hzamdr8054]

Dear RealPars Thank you

[@realpars]

You are very welcome, Hamza! Happy learning.

[@vikeshramteke4564]

Thanks realpars for this knowledge, I worked over different Schneider RTUs panels about 8 years but never find transformer for 24 vdc, there always seen rectifiers for where 24 vdc bus connected for PLCs and field instrumentations.

[@realpars]

Hi Vikesh! Thanks a lot for your kind compliment! We are always extremely happy to hear such positive feedback! If you ever have any questions, feel free to reach out to us. Happy learning!

[@rasoulsadeghi8635]

Thank you. Short and informative

[@realpars]

Thanks for your support, Rasoul!

[@islamicstudy8140]

Excellent video more learn from this video

[@nuismai]

"Like" is not just enough. I'll like if there was "❤" like Facebook. Well done, this explanation was amazing 👏👍 thanks alot. 😊

[@realpars]

Thank you so much!

[@syedyasirhussain9302]

Real Pars Rocks 🎸 😎

[@realpars]

Thank you!

[@ClashOfclansTamizhan]

Awesome sir

[@engineerrehman6821]

Thanks 👍

[@realpars]

You're very welcome!

[@MohammedAli-gj8zr]

Good one👍🏻

[@realpars]

Thank you!

[@abdelkarimhadek]

Thank you

[@realpars]

You're welcome!

[@bakhietaljallie3630]

This video are so good

[@realpars]

Amazing, great to hear that! Thanks for sharing and happy learning.

[@SaurabhBahuguna143]

It's been a great video... Thanks for this.. But I believe you miss to include grounding bars , instrument Earth bar and electrical ground bar for earthing / grounding requirements. Nevertheless, Keep up the good work 👍

[@realpars]

Thank you, Saurabh! We appreciate your feedback and suggestion. I will go ahead and pass this on to our course developers.

[@ahmedhyder7102]

you guys are the best.

[@realpars]

Thanks, Ahmed!

[@mq6802]

Very excellent man

[@Hoidienvietnam]

Similarly, an electrical control panel is a metal box which contains important electrical devices that control and monitor a mechanical process electrically. ... An electrical control panel enclosure can have multiple sections

[@MrYesurajan]

Excellent...

[@realpars]

Thank you, Rajan!

[@derina.maleek9408]

Thanks

[@realpars]

You are very welcome, Derin!

[@HARTHASH]

god of explanation........the best ...mmmmmmmm .......best

[@realpars]

Thank you!

[@jannatulnayeem7289]

I did not find the appropriate network switch info that is shown in the video (which is attached in the panel). Please give me some model info.

[@realpars]

This switch is a Siemens Scalance XB008, 8-port, unmanaged network switch (Part# 6GK50080BA101AB2).

[@조경민-z4t]

Thanks for great video. I have a question. At 6:04, three wires come from field to control panel. Isn't typical wiring is two wire and two wires connect to IO module?

[@realpars]

The video shows L1, L2 and Gnd for the power. The numbers of wires depends on the panel power supply voltage, number of phases, etc. The I/O shown has a single cable that is routed to the panel, where the individual wires, either 2, 3, or 4 wires are connected inside the panel. Typically, I/O cards have two connections, signal and ground (common). Additional wires may be required for power.

[@diogofigueiredo3378]

Awsome video! Which software did you used to design the components and connections?

[@realpars]

Thanks for your positive feedback, Diogo! I am actually not sure about that, as this is done by our graphic and animation department.

[@learncomputerinoriya4774]

which software did you use to make this diagram, I want to design the access control panel in similar way, looking forward for your response

[@realpars]

Thanks for your comment! I am actually not sure about that as all diagrams are created by our animation and graphic department.

[@pixeltechdesg967]

what is DI and DO terminal blocks stands for

[@realpars]

DI = digital input; DO = digital output. Digital I/O always has 2 states, 0 and 1, that can represent start/stop, open/closed, and of course, on/off.

[@shankarsuryawanshi7390]

engineering in holistic way ..

[@amarkrish5013]

Really super

[@realpars]

Thank you, Amar!

[@hossamabdelrazeq3857]

Great

[@mekanaydemir2226]

legendary , thx :)

[@realpars]

You're very welcome, Mekan!

[@thilanprasad4626]

what is the device that is next to the transformer?

[@realpars]

That is a circuit breaker, used to isolate connected components from the transformer.

[@kartimohamedamine9339]

Great videos .. I am just wondering if i subscribe can i sign in from two different device (at work and at home ) ? please answer me thank you ..

[@mahmoodqasim6236]

yes, u can.

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You can for sure, Karti!

[@rodeldurban4534]

Nice👍

[@realpars]

Thank you, Rodel!

[@alisarraf1038]

i already signed up with your subscription but i couldnt find these videos on your site and also i cant get a communication with your any guys for any questions.

[@realpars]

Hi Ali, Thanks for your comment, and my apologies for any confusion. The free KZbin videos are not in our course library, due to the fact that our course library is filled with exclusive video courses - only accessible for paid subscribers. It wouldn't be fair to pay for a subscription that includes video courses that you can also watch for free. Additionally, our free videos on KZbin do not follow a specific start to finish structure. Whereas our course library is specifically designed in a way where it provides all the tools needed for beginners to evolve into an advanced level through our hands-on courses. I am sorry to hear that, we have a 24-48 hour response policy on all our support channels. You can reach us at [e-mail] or [e-mail]. I hope this answers your question sufficiently. If you have any other questions or would like any further assistance, feel free to reach back out.

[@brandonpellmann4963]

Why would you step the power down twice instead of just stepping it down to 24v?

[@realpars]

Good question! Many times the incoming power to a panel is 480VAC which is used to drive motors , heaters, and other similar equipment. This voltage is too high to be practical for control circuits, so a transformer would be use to step down 480VAC to 120VAC, which can be used for control circuits, like relays and motor starter coils. Finally, a 24VDC power supply can be used to convert 120VAC to 24VDC for PLC I/O cards, interposing relays, and other control devices.

[@ardentdfender4116]

This is on point! The animation and visualization is just fantastic. So fantastic a job of visual animating and explanation, this video can literally be used just about anywhere to explain an Electrical Control Panel. A Big Hug 🤗 to RealPars! I get better at my because of RealPars and many people here all feel the same which says immensely a lot.

[@realpars]

Many thanks for your support, Ardent!

[@alexsp3716]

OMG !!! I learned more from this 8 min video , than entire online plc course. Thank you guys , great job on explaining complex materials in simple way

[@realpars]

What an amazing compliment, Alex! Thanks for sharing.

[@moaazalamoudi9876]

thank you for this great effort. actually, I need to know the software used to build such this Panel or any similar software. and thank you again.

[@realpars]

Thanks for your comment, Moaaz! At the moment, I have some links to download different versions of STEP7, hopefully, that is helpful to you as well. sie.ag/2eH6GEM sie.ag/2Jt80F0

[@alikhanzulkashov4438]

Dear RealPars, thank you so much for your videos. They help me out so that I gain more knowledge and make the most at workplace!

[@realpars]

Thanks for the support! Let us know if you have any questions!

[@adisharr]

Good video, I would only suggest you don''t run the Ethernet cabling right next to the incoming 480V. It's good practice to keep your network cabling out of wireway and away from AC voltages. Lastly, AC should ideally come in from the top and work it's way down.

[@realpars]

Thank you for the comments. Correct, long runs of AC voltage-carrying cables parallel to low-voltage DC wiring (like Ethernet cables) can cause a problem. It is not likely you would have a problem with the short run in the panel shown, but to be safe, yes, separate voltage levels in separate trays/panduits. Normally, AC voltages are highest in the feed cables, so working downward usually keeps the highest voltages away from hands and fingers. Thank you for the input!

[@johnschroeder3072]

@@realpars Ethernet uses AC not DC

[@asoteico9528]

Great video!!! Vivid animation and pictures!

[@realpars]

Glad you like them! Thank you for sharing

[@graceopute2929]

God bless you guys! I've learned a lot. Nice job.! Can you please make a video on the electrical panel troubleshooting process or steps?

[@realpars]

Thank you, Grace! I will forward your topic request over to our creator team. Happy learning!

[@chaitanyadeshpande8362]

Superb Video on Control Panel wiring I have understood the wiring perfectly thank you for this great content 💝

[@realpars]

Glad it helped! You're very welcome!

[@luisespinosa1673]

Can you make a video talking about more used components, like "Pillz" ?

[@realpars]

Hi Luis, thanks for the topic suggestion, I will definitely go ahead and forward this to our course developers. Happy learning!

[@audiolibrary5547]

this is the most wonderful educational channel, big thanks from algeria

[@realpars]

Thanks a lot for your support! Amazing to hear that.

[@MusicKalana]

niceeee

[@realpars]

Thank you!

[@AlexandroMontes]

Dear RealPars, these videos are wonderful, they're a perfect initial guide, thanks a lot. I wonder if you know about a standard or normative to design a control/electric panel (component positioning, general considerations, and so on).

[@realpars]

Thank you for your kind comment! We're very happy to hear that! Regarding your question, I will happily forward that to our course developers as a topic suggestion. Hopefully, we can create a video course on that in the near future. Happy learning!

[@brokencode5203]

This is gold, thank you thank you RealPars

[@realpars]

Thanks a lot! Happy to hear you are enjoying our content!

[@ELECTROMARINEMANIA]

Yes 👍

[@muhammadadilkhalil9681]

This is the best illustration of Electric Control Panel I have ever seen. Thank you very much RealPars team! You are awesome and keep it up! I wonder if you had any institute or training center, I would be the first to take admission there.

[@realpars]

Hi Muhammad, Many thanks for your kind comment, we truly appreciate such support! RealPars is one of the biggest online learning platform in Automation Engineering. Our course library is specifically designed in a way where it provides all the tools needed for beginners to evolve into an advanced level through our hands-on courses. Feel free to browse through our course library to see all the different topics we are covering. bit.ly/30AVJaR Just to let you know, that we also have a free course on PLC Hardware bit.ly/2XnnUrF Additionally, you will have access to our Technical Team - consisting of high ranking engineers with a lifetime of experience - who are here to help you out with any questions you might have along the way! If you are interested, you will obtain full access to our complete course library (400+ video courses) by subscribing to either our monthly package for €22.12 a month or our yearly package for €159.28,-. Hope this helps! If I can be of any further assistance, please let me know - I’m more than happy to help!

[@Ricardo-zk9js]

NICE!, if just my teachers would have play this video

[@realpars]

Thanks for your support, Ricardo!

[@sudharraj3617]

Very nice teaching but wire connection is very fastly going..

[@oliviadehoog6572]

Thankyou - Excellent explanation and visual animation - makes it so easy to learn!

[@realpars]

Happy to hear that, Olivia! Thanks for sharing. If you have any questions, always feel free to reach out - we are more than happy to help!

[@milfslayer3202]

I noticed that the outputs were only 2 wire.. one connected to the negative and the other connected to the output terminal.. is that because internally in the PLC the output is connected to the positive when switched to complete the circuit?

[@scottsommer5450]

Yes, internally a contact closes when the output is energized. This completes the circuit to the output device. The PLC output can be a relay type output or a solid-state switch.

[@조경민-z4t]

Thanks for reply. I am still confused about it. As I know, '2 wire connection' use 24VDC and two wires for both power and signal and '3 & 4 wire connection' use additional wire for external power like 120VAC. I can't match 6:04 '3 wire connection' with either '2, 3 or 4 wire connection'. It does not use external power but use 3 wires? If you explain more, it would be very helpful. Sorry for asking again.

[@realpars]

There are also 3-wire DC devices, like transistor-based (solid state) proximity switches. The three connections are +24VDC, signal, and ground. We have a blog entry that explains this concept (realpars.com/discrete-sensors-part-2/).

[@조경민-z4t]

@@realpars Now, I totally understand it. Thanks.

[@Automation_workshop]

Very easy to understand, thats why I always loved videos from realpars 👍👍

[@realpars]

Great to hear, Kashu! Happy learning!

[@73elperro]

Excellent video,thank you for sharing!!🤠🥸😎🤓🧐

[@realpars]

You're very welcome!

[@wisamhussain9611]

What a simple and useful way to learn Thank you very match

[@realpars]

Great to hear that, Wisam! Happy learning! Let us know if you have any questions!

[@binayakrath6373]

Thank you sir...u have explained every element in a lucid way....

[@realpars]

Happy to hear that!

[@integraciondesistemasautom9482]

Your videos are excellent! This kind of clear information is always missing when you study automation, you make it simple, congratulations!

[@realpars]

Thanks a lot for your kind compliment! We are always extremely happy to hear such positive feedback! If you ever have any questions, feel free to reach out to us. Happy learning!

[@beedslolkuntus2070]

Cool and very good explained. But I need one info, is there any online electric circuit emulator or so. It would be so cool to play with it ;-;

[@putrzenski1]

Thank you for doing these videos. I recently started working for an engineering firm in administration. Your videos are invaluable in establishing a baseline level of knowledge.

[@realpars]

That's amazing to hear, Christopher! Best of luck on your new endeavour!

[@zenomp5]

Good video! Well done, only thing I would recommend is showing the dirty and clean wire ways. Running a low level signal in parallel to 480 not so gooda.

[@realpars]

Thanks for your comment and for sharing your feedback with us!

[@jasoncherry3404]

Great lecture, this was very informative.

[@realpars]

Glad to hear that, Jason!

[@alimojadam174]

It was the great control panel video that I'v seen recently . thanks to real pars

[@realpars]

Great to hear that, Ali!

[@torjemusic2830]

پارسه دیگه

[@praful7789]

Superb video 👌 Thanks 🙏

[@realpars]

Great to hear! Thank you!

[@initiallearnwithme]

IoT for Industry

[@xitsAndrew3388]

Dude when something is mentioned and I’m clueless to what it is, y’all always have a video covering it completely. Love y’all’s videos.

[@realpars]

That's amazing to hear! Thank you very much for your kind support

[@sayedqutubalishahhariyal8530]

Hi, Which is the device connected after transformer ?

[@realpars]

Typically this would be a set of fuses to protect the connected circuits, such as the SITOP 24VDC power supply in the video.

[@adamgardner5113]

The post transformer componet

[@abajidhage5262]

I done so many projects for VW,Daimler,FCA,ISUZU,MSIL complete hardware design including CONTROL PANELS (PLC,DRIVE,SAFETY IO,NETWORK PANEL)

[@ironlake8944]

Hey abaji can i contact you for some questions

[@dcyberc4g]

Thank you for the knowledge

[@realpars]

Our pleasure!

[@hemantdaulta1]

Yoooooo! I've been searching for this video for a while in KZbin. Easily the best to understand ICPs. Thank you so much guys!

[@realpars]

Glad it helped, Hemant!

[@wangweixing88]

Nice video well explained. Thank you!

[@realpars]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@abu2musa]

Thanks for concise infographic, Just wondering what component will protect the system against current overload (amps)? Also many control cabinets consist of a UPS & Fan to cool down the Drives/plc/UPC inside the cabinet,

[@realpars]

Fuses or circuit breakers are used to protect components in a panel from over-current conditions. Large loads, such as motor starters, transformers, and VFD's, have fuse protection on the incoming branch circuits, and individual loads (outputs) are usually protected by fuses or circuit breakers. Local electrical codes dictate, in many instances, what device types and rated sizes are appropriate in each case. Whenever a panel is designed, the environment it is being placed in should be evaluated, so that the proper cooling can be installed, if required. Most panels with motor starters or VFDs will at least have a fan for cooling purposes, just to remove excess heat generated by those components. Some panels in very hot environments may require air conditioners or other cooling devices (vortex coolers). It is much easier to design these in during fabrication than retrofitting after installation. UPS units are most often just used to keep controllers, like PLC's and I/O cards alive when a power outage occurs, so that the process can be monitored.

[@helmigharbi5722]

You are the best, well structured videos

[@realpars]

Thank you very much!

[@WeconTechnology]

what's the brand of PLC?

[@realpars]

A Siemens S7-1500 is shown in the video on the upper-right DIN rail.

[@mohammedhassan7599]

I love this chanel alot it`s learned me so much . thank you

[@realpars]

Great to hear, Mohammed! Thanks a lot!

[@manishverma68]

Please sir make some more videos on electrical panels like MCC, PCC,APFC,R&M,HT AND LT PANELS..

[@realpars]

Hey Manish! Thanks for your comment and your suggestion. I will pass this on to our course developers! Thanks for sharing and happy learning!

[@vernjackson6686]

I’ll start an account management job in a couple of weeks for a control panel manufacturing company. This helped me get some knowledge before showing up day one, thank you!

[@realpars]

That's amazing - we're am happy to hear that, Vern! Best of luck with your new job!

[@mikewatte4478]

I work in a distribution centre. Im not on the maintenance team but im interested in how the machines work. So there is a tote conveyor that collects products when it passes through an a frame picking machine and also gets loaded when it passes some robots. The totes dump their products at packing stations. After the packing stations the products then get put onto a shipping conveyor that has bar code readers and proximity switches which tell the sorting conveyors which shipping container to dump the products into. Its amazes me how man can make such machines. I also understand most of the stuff shown in your video. Thanks.

[@realpars]

Hi Mike, Thanks for sharing that with us, it surely is fascinating! Please let us know if you have any questions. We are more than happy to help! Happy learning!

[@casboultone]

No other video comes close to this when explaining industrial control panel wiring in a practical way that you would encounter in the field.

[@realpars]

That's an amazing compliment, Kanye! Thanks for sharing

[@a.fataha8798]

great 'phenomenal 'amazing 'wonderful 'helpful 'incredible simply the best illustration control panel so far on KZbin period I'll be very grateful your honor if u do one more video on DCS and slightly I have some points also on PLC thank u

[@realpars]

Hey! Thanks for your comment and your suggestion. I will pass this on to our course developers! Thanks for sharing and happy learning!