Panel Builder & System Integrator
Equipment and Solutions for Control and Automation
Published by Kerrwil Publications Limited
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Message From The Editor

Communication is key

Most of us still remember the days of snail mail and dial up internet. We have come a long way since then, and communication has been a key component of that progress. Whether communication between individuals, machines, or humans and machines, modern technology has and continues to change the way information is shared. Will Mapp clearly exemplifies how vital information exchange is in his article on MQTT. Information sharing has also opened the opportunity to view how others around the world are approaching issues we all face. Read Nick Boughton's article on how system integrators in the UK are managing energy efficiency. And change has not just come in the form of information but in product construction as well, take a look at Phoenix Contact's article on replacing standard metal connector housings with a modern plastic option.

Owen Hurst
Managing Editor
owenhurst@kerrwil.com

Changing Scene

Industry News

  • Innovative ABB Products Premier at Data Center World 2018
    ABB will unveil two of its latest products on Stand D1130 at this year's Data Centre World, at ExCel London, March 21-22.

  • Rockwell Automation HMI Improving Operator Efficiency
    Rockwell Automation has updated its HMI software to equip industrial workers with better information to run and maintain their systems. New features in the FactoryTalk View software version 10.0 include greater access to information, new mobile device support and better cross-software integration to improve productivity.

  • ISA and Beamex Release a New, Free Calibration eBook
    The International Society of Automation (ISA) and its Beamex partner have announced the release of a new, free eBook called Calibration Essentials. The eBook is an informative resource with 60 detailed pages covering all essential topics relating to calibration.

  • Empowering Smart Manufacturers with IIoT Centric Results: Harnessing the Power of IIoT Ebook
    The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) or Industry 4.0 as some call it is all about real-time data that can be shared by Operators and Engineering, Production and Management teams to improve productivity and ultimately profit

  • Food & Beverage Canada is launched
    A new organization representing food and beverage manufacturers in Canadahas been launched. "United to nourish the world", Food & Beverage Canada (F&BC) will work to be the national voice for this vital sector of Canada's economy.

Market Feature

What is MQTT, and Why Does it Matter?

By Will Mapp
In the world of Internet of Things (IoT) the main currency is messages. Even as you read this hundreds of thousands of devices are sending status reports, receiving orders (like "turn up the heat", "measure the room humidity" etc.), storing data from other devices or doing numerous other tasks that make our lives easier. And they all need to exchange information, as without connectivity, their usefulness is immensely reduced. But with the rapidly increasing number of devices that require Internet to communicate and be useful to individuals, businesses or governments, concerns like preserving bandwidth, ensuring that low-connectivity machines can also transmit data and even preserving battery life of gadgets need to be addressed. That is where MQTT comes in. Read More

Technical Paper

Phoenix Contact: Rugged Plastic Plug-in Connectors

Sponsored by Phoenix Contact
The development of plastic plug-in connector housings has created an effective alternative to standard aluminum housings.The new heavy-duty Heavycon Eco connectors from Phoenix Contact are not only more cost-effective than the metal version they are modeled after, but they also offer additional advantages thanks to their plastic construction. "If you have a choice between plastic and steel, choose steel." For years, this saying reflected the conventional wisdom. However, modern plastics have long been a viable substitute for metal, as evidenced by today's power drill housings, garden furniture, sports equipment, or Tupperware. Read More

Profile

Discussing New Electric's Panel Shop with Jon Kennedy

By Jon Kennedy
New Electric first opened its doors in 1970, in Burlington, Ontario. The electrical contracting company serviced electrical wiring in homes, shops, and factories. New Electric quickly earned a reputation for excellence, quality and quick response times, and soon became a major contractor throughout southern Ontario. Once established New Electric began to further specialize in the industrial sector, undertaking business in automation shops, whose projects increasingly involved building custom control panels. Read More

From the UK

Energy Efficiency Expectations

By Nick Boughton
According to the Data for the Public Good report by the National Infrastructure Commission (NIC) in December 2017, a digital twin of UK infrastructure is necessary to identify inefficiencies in national energy use. Nick Boughton, sales manager at systems integrator Boulting Technology explains how to manage energy efficiency across sectors.Inefficient machinery, which increases wasteful energy use, is a key area of improvement for many businesses, as a way of complying with the Carbon Trust's Industrial Energy Efficiency Accelerator (IEEA). Read More

Industry Input Poll

Helping to direct your news outlet!

Results in the next issue along with a new question

What is most affecting your client base?

1) Iot/IIoT
2) Complete Control System Integration
3) Upgrades to Legacy Systems
4) New industry Sectors Embracing Control and Automation

Industry Input Poll Results

Results from Last Issue

In our last poll we asked What influences your product purchases? The results determined a significant degree of loyalty exists within the control and automation industry. Product purchases from Specific Manufacturers ranked highest with 29% of respondents identifying that a specific manufacturer is the driving influence behind their purchases. 27% identified that Previous purchases also played a major role in determining purchases. Those in the industry seem to prefer to stick with a trusted brand and continue with previously used products. Direct product releases and application stories each received 22% from respondents, demonstrating that providing product knowledge is still a major influencer affecting 44% of all automation and control product purchases. Read More

Product News

Moxa EDS-P506E-4PoE Series

The Moxa EDS-P506E-4PoE Series are Gigabit managed PoE+ Ethernet switches that come standard with 4 10/100BaseT(X), 802.3af (PoE), and 802.3at (PoE+)-compliant Ethernet ports, and 2 combo Gigabit Ethernet ports. The EDS-P506E-4PoE Ethernet switches provide up to 30 watts of power per PoE+ port in standard mode and allow a high power output of up to 4-pair 60W for industrial heavy-duty PoE devices, such as weather-proof IP surveillance cameras with wipers/ heaters, high-performance wireless access points, and rugged IP phones. Read More

RiLine Compact- Rittal's Smart Power Distribution System

Standardisation of control gear and switchgear is one of the most effective ways to reduce engineering and configuration costs. This is true for products both large and small - as Rittaldemonstrates with its new RiLine Compact busbar system. These busbars do not require holders, and have end-to-end contact hazard protection. Switching and protective devices can be connected quickly and easily - saving time and effort during engineering and downstream installation. These save time and materials, and improve operator safety. Read More

EPLAN Syngineer

Mechatronics engineering is key to shorter development times and reductions in error. In the era of Industry 4.0, successful machine design also depends on integrated cooperation between the different engineering disciplines. Together with its affiliated company CIDEON, EPLAN has developed the ideal solution to meet these requirements − Syngineer, a newly developed mechatronics system for direct cooperation between mechanical engineering, electrical/controls engineering, and IT/software engineering. Read More

Pilz Safe Workstations with Collaborative Robot Systems

The use of collaborative robots without traditional protective devices such as fences and light guards requires the highest safety requirements. Which standards, rules and regulations must be complied? The DGUV has compiled a guidance document for manufacturers, system integrators, operators, accident insurance providers and certification bodies. Download the DGUV Information now free of charge! Read More

Wieland SNO 4083KM-A 1,5s_DC 24V

Base unit also for elevators EN 81-20/50 and heaters EN50156-1 single- channel or two-channel control, manual reset with reset switch monitoring, cross circuit monitoring, synchronous time 1.5s, 3 enabling current paths, 1 signalling output, DC 24 V, screw-terminals pluggable. Read More

The Electrical Stock Market

Track the stock market performance of 25 publicly traded electrical equipment suppliers and electrical wholesalers. Updated weekly.

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Published by Kerrwil Publications Limited
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