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5 Steps To Begin Variable Frequency Drive Troubleshooting OH NO! Your Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) is not working! What do you do?! Here are 5 steps to begin troubleshooting. #1 Inspect for physical damage Look to see if there are signs that the magic smoke hasn’t been released. Inspect the device and its surrounding…
Integrating Siemens Automation into Ethernet/IP There are 2 major communication protocols available for Automation platforms. Ethernet/IP and Profinet. Siemens Automation standardizes on Profinet while Rockwell tends to lean more toward the Ethernet/IP standard. Industrial facilities typically have more than one type of automation platform, and Siemens has made it easy to integrate their devices across these communication protocols. Siemens has developed downloadable content for…
The Siemens Simocode Pro Motor Management Relay is the ultimate way to provide protection, monitoring, and control over low voltage motors. Pair that with the capabilities of TIA Portal and it provides the user with a powerful platform to manage motors. Setting up a Simocode can be achieved inside TIA Portal the same way that…
The most common way to configure a new managed network switch is within a web browser. With TIA Portal, most managed Siemens Scalance switches can be configured directly within the platform. Standard parameters can be assigned as well as assigning the switch to a specific PLC. Network switches are not added to the project in the same manner as PLC, HMI, VFDs…
Siemens TIA Portal is a powerful platform that supports many devices outside of PLCs and HMIs. TIA Portal manages soft starts with ease. For those that are thinking, “Why would I want to add a soft start to a project” or even better, “why should I even use a soft start in the first place?”…
When having to program or troubleshoot automation systems it can’t always be done from the comfort of home. The technician usually needs to be in front of the system and plugged in to be able to see the physical hardware. A plant floor can be a harsh environment, which a normal laptop isn’t designed to…
The Siemens Industrial PC (IPC) offers flexibility in the automation world by providing different form factors for a computer that can be installed directly on a machine that lives on the plant floor. Some IPCs come with a built-in screen, which can be used as a normal computer screen, but also doubles as an HMI.…
Traditionally in an automation project, there were multiple programs needed to program drives, HMI’s, and PLC’s. With Siemens TIA Portal, everything can be done in one platform for the entire project. This means that that an HMI can be inserted right alongside a PLC and Drives in the same project. So what is an HMI?…