Why You Need an Electric Control Panel (The Benefits)
If your business or enterprise uses complex electrical and mechanical systems, electrical control panels are essential for keeping those systems running at their best. In this blog post, the custom control product experts at Salient discuss important points about electrical control panels and why your system needs one.
To learn more about electrical control panel services, contact the experts at Salient today.
What Is an Electrical Control Panel?
Electrical control panels make sure all your electrical system’s components function efficiently and correctly. In commercial and industrial applications, these panels play a vital role in managing sophisticated electrical systems. Most electrical control panels contain:
- Main circuit breakers: These cut power to essential circuits, usually 120V-480V
- Surge arresters: For protection against power surges and lightning strikes
- Transformers: These components reduce incoming voltage, usually from 120V to 24V
- Terminal blocks: Physical components for organizing wire arrays
- Programmable logic controller (PLC): The computer brain of the control panel, performing monitoring and control functions
- Relays and contactors: Switches that respond to commands from the PLC
- Network switches: The network communications center for the control panel
- Human-machine interface: Keyboards, joysticks, buttons, monitors, and more
Do You Need an Electrical Control Panel?
When applied to mechanical system control, control panels are ideal for use in manufacturing, industrial equipment, and heavy machinery. When used correctly, they can enhance the performance of an entire plant or manufacturing facility.
Increased Safety Using a Control Panel
A major advantage of a control panel is safety. If any of your electrical system’s components develop a malfunction, the control panel can detect the issue during monitoring and head off damage before it’s too late.
Emergency shutoffs prevent fires, equipment damage, inventory loss, and threats to personnel and customers. Most businesses can’t afford the financial or reputational risk that comes with such problems, and control panels are an investment in defense against those risks.
Control Panels Are Cost-Effective
The more sophisticated an electrical system is, the more delicate it may be. Minor faults have the potential to seriously damage expensive equipment and disrupt your operations. Installation of a reliable, effective control panel detects small problems early before they have the chance to cause breakdowns and require repairs. In the long run, such an investment results in big operating savings for your enterprise.
Electrical Control Panels Are More Efficient
When electrical components aren’t performing at their best, they use more energy to do their work, which means higher operating costs. A reliable control panel monitors system performance for proper functioning and identifies efficiency issues by design.
The result is greater operating efficiency for the entire electrical system monitored by the control panel. Greater efficiency means less energy used, which means lower costs. Enhanced efficiency also means less stress on components, extending their lifespans and saving you money by avoiding replacement costs.
Contact Salient to schedule electrical control panel services in the Charlotte area.