Lapp Takes On the Food and Beverage Market with the Launch of Skintop Inox Cable Connector | Behind the Scenes | New Equipment Digest

Lapp Takes On the Food and Beverage Market with the Launch of Skintop Inox Cable Connector | Behind the Scenes | New Equipment Digest

What is the difference between Bonding, Grounding and Earthing?

Introduction

One of the most misunderstood and confused concept is difference between Bonding, Grounding and Earthing. Bonding is more clear word compare to Grounding and Earthing, but there is a micro difference between Grounding and Earhing.

Earthing and Grounding are actually different terms for expressing the same concept.

 

Ground or earth in a mains electrical wiring system is a conductor that provides a low impedance path to the earth to prevent hazardous voltages from appearing on equipment. Earthing is more commonly used in Britain, European and most of the commonwealth countries standards (IEC, IS), while Grounding is the word used in North American standards (NEC, IEEE, ANSI, UL).

The earthing connection to switchboard rear door (metal parts)

We understand that Earthing and Grounding are necessary and have an idea how to do it but we don’t have crystal clear concept for that. We need to understand that there are really two separate things we are doing for same purpose that we call Grounding or Earthing. The Earthing is to reference our electrical source to earth (usually via connection to some kind of rod driven into the earth or some other metal that has direct contact with the earth).

The grounded circuits of machines need to have an effective return path from the machines to the power source in order to function properly (Here by Neutral Circuit).
In addition, non-current-carrying metallic components in a System, such as equipment cabinets, enclosures, and structural steel, need to be electrically interconnected and earthed properly so voltage potential cannot exist between them. However, troubles can arise when terms like “bonding”, “grounding”, and “earthing” are interchanged or confused in certain situations.

In TN Type Power Distribution System, in US NEC (and possibly other) usage: Equipment is earthed to pass fault Current and to trip the protective device without electrifying the device enclosure. Neutral is the current return path for phase. These Earthing conductor and Neutral conductor are connected together and earthed at the distribution panel and also at the street, but the intent is that no current flow on earthed ground, except during momentary fault conditions.

 Here we may say that Earthing and grounding are nearly same by practice.
But In the TT Type Power Distribution System (in India) Neutral is only earthed (here it is actually called Grounding) at distribution source (at distribution transformer) and Four wires (Neutral and Three Phase) are distributed to consumer. While at consumer side all electrical equipment body are connected and earthed at consumer premises (here it is called Earthing).
Consumer has no any permission to mix Neutral with earth at his premises here earthing and grounding is the different by practice.

In both above case Earthing and Grounding are used for the same Purpose. Let’s try to understand this terminology one by one....Click here for full article

Trends in system integration

Four system integration experts offer their insights on manufacturing and what lies ahead for the industry. System integrators are vital to sustaining growth in manufacturing.

After a decade of slow growth and recession, manufacturing finds itself today in the midst of a healthy turnaround, and the role of a system integrator is vital to sustaining that growth curve. The challenges of that growth is coming from and what technologies are in place to help drive that growth was the subject of CFE Media's discussions with 2014 System Integration Giants. 
 

Matt Puskala, project manager, DMC Engineering, Chicago (ranked #60 in the 2014 SI Giants): 
 
"Manufacturing seems pretty busy. We're starting to get bigger, but from a market share perspective. In general, we continue to have a lot of food and beverage work coming in, and packaging work. One thing worth noting is that we've seen more expansions of manufacturing into developing markets. In food and beverage in particular, you want to manufacture and package near where product is being sold. We've seen some interest in Africa.

"One of the trends we're seeing is integration into one central controller—doing motion and I/O all on one platform. We definitely run into companies who are looking to convert their legacy systems. Sometimes we see some really ancient stuff out there. If the hardware dies, they could potentially running to eBay to look for hardware. We've also seen a fair amount of expansion as well.
"It seems like more and more, in competitive global world, people are finally saying that we need start collecting data so we can see what systems are running well and which ones aren't. We need to light a fire under everyone from executives to the operators. We need to continue to refine or slice this at an even more nuanced level.
"There's more of a move toward agile manufacturing—configurable lines, programmed to be incredibly modular. We do see more complex vision systems these days—almost an agile vision system."

Dave Blaida, vice-president, Matrix Technologies, Maumee, OH (ranked #20 in the 2014 SI Giants): 
 
"There are a few things: First, on networking side, we see a lot more confidence in Ethernet I/O systems and Ethernet drive systems. There was some hestitency to rely on Ethernet network in a production environment. Now we see them going full force into the Ethernet world.
"The challenge is to design the network properly. As more people rely on those networks, they must be very robust.

"The virtualization of computers is something else. All our major customers are doing all of that work in analysis of existing networks, consult on proper design and segmentation of those networks.
"There's a lot of stratification within industries about how people are addressing networks. Some are very concerned they will have to lockdown access to systems. You'll have to use the company laptop; you can't bring own in. Others have no security whatsoever. People are concerned on both external and internal security trips, as they bring in vendors and OEMs who have access to their network."



Ed Diehl, executive director, Concept Systems Inc, Albany, Oregon. (ranked #22 in the 2014 SI Giants): 
 
"There's been a big surge in interest robotics-based technology, robotic work cells. We're finding that the price point for robots has come down and because skilled resources aren't available, companies who were not doing it before are now looking to automate.
"Intelligent robots using 3-D scanning are a little more adaptable. That's becoming a bigger part of what we do. We're also seeing some middle-market companies, companies that haven't automated in the past, looking at robotics.

"Our big push is to position ourselves to lead what we're calling this next era of automation. For us, that's providing more than just controls. Customers we're talking to don't have deep engineering resources. They don't have guys who can run the projects. They need us more than ever. They need that help, and they need it holistically, and we need to be able to offer that. It's becoming a much bigger part of our business.

"We're not doing a lot of pick and place, but an example would be if there were product randomly stacked or presented to robot and robot has to figure how to pick it up. If there's no pattern, the robot has to look at it and learn and go get it. Intelligence, that's where value-added is—when it comes to robots that can adapt to their environment.

"Retrofit is absolutely another big part of business. We're doing what we call a surgical retrofit. We just finished a food and beverage legacy DCS system and they know they have to replace it. For us it's a risk management situation. We need to manage the customer's risk so the system is only down in a scheduled period. You've got to know the technology, have to have an answer, and that's a big deal for these customers.

"They're going with platforms that are more open, and that brings up another piece: Big Data. That one's interesting; they know they need it, but they don't really know what questions to ask. Concept Systems set up another company focused on manufacturing intelligence, focused around solutions around manufacturing. We're developing solutions and products. We've found customers that say, 'I know I have to do this, but how do I do it?" That's why started the new company."



Rick Rhoten, vice-president of domestic operations for Mustang Automation & Control, Houston, TX (ranked #2 in the 2014 SI Giants): 
 
One big area we're focused on is functional safety. We've identified that as an area that we can improve and increase business opportunity. We've working with the clients to establish the functional safety requirements, and that leads to the implementation of safety systems. It's been there for a while and continue to go forward.

As far as customer resources, with all of the activity lately, they're strained resources. What that's doing is putting a lot more emphasis on us to make sure the early phases of design lifecycles are addressed. Customers are looking to us to fill some of these gaps.

Click here for full article 

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2015 Manufacturing Summit | NAM

2015 Manufacturing Summit | NAM

New Cable Bushing Maximizes Density, Minimizes Installation Headaches

More cables, less space. That’s the challenge faced by anyone trying to bring all the necessary power and signal connections into today’s increasingly complex electronics enclosures. But help is on the way, thanks to a new multi-cable bushing system that debuted last month at the Hannover Fair.

Called SKINTOP® Cube Multi, the new cable bushing allows combinations of up to 23 electrical cables or pneumatic lines to pass directly through the enclosure wall. Like our earlier multi-cable bushings, SKINTOP Cube Multi system places a rigid, glass-reinforced nylon frame into an standard-sized cutout in the enclosure wall. Inside this rectangular frame is an polycarbonate insert with gel-filled hole for the cables or lines to pass through.

Innovative Sealing Mechanism

The elastomeric gel represents SKINTOP Cube Multi’s key technical breakthrough and an industry first. The gel allows the cables to be easily inserted through the holes. Yet at the same time, the gel’s elastomeric properties create a lasting seal around the cables and provide strain relief.

Available in two versions for now with more sizes to come, Cube Multi maximizes wire density for a given size cutout. For example, one version can pack 23 cables, ranging in size from 6 to 9 mm, into 36 x 112 mm cutout, which is the standard size for a 24-pin industrial connector.

The second version squeezes two fewer cables—or pneumatic lines—into the same cutout. But it supports more varied combinations with room for nine 3 to 6 mm cables, nine 6 to 9 mm cables, two 9 to 13 mm cables and one 13 to 16 mm cable.

Technical Specifications Cube Multi is a new product, so you should expect its technical specifications to evolve over time. For now, the specs include: 

* Protection to IP 65. 

* Operating temperature range from –30 to 100ºC 

* UL 94 V–2 flame rating.

 

Hybrid Servo Cables Do More For Less

If you design servo systems, you may not pay much attention to the cost of the cabling. But you should.

The upfront and lifetime costs associated with power and signal cables can represent a significant portion of the total outlay for a servo system. And the smaller the servo system, the more the cable costs matter.

Fortunately, there’s an up-and-coming control architecture that can reduce the lifetime costs of servo cabling by more than 35%.

Called HIPERFACE DSL®, this digital servo architecture uses a single hybrid servo cable for both power and signal. This cable contains a shared signal pair for the motor feedback and temperature signals, both of which are modulated for transmission. This streamlined approach to cabling eliminates the need to buy, install and maintain standalone encoder and resolver cables.

Selecting Hybrid Servo Cables

In addition to its cabling advantages, HIPERFACE DSL® offers performance benefits from a servo control standpoint, and it has already gained support from the world’s leading drive manufacturers. So you may soon find yourself in the market for a cable compatible with HIPERFACE DSL.

When you do specify these hybrid power and signal cables, keep the following design considerations in mind to minimize cost while maximizing performance:

    •       Look for a tight bend radius. Many hybrid cables will see use in cable tracks. In these applications, look for cables with a tighter bend radius, which may allow you pick smaller, more economical cable tracks.

    •       Pay attention to the cable insulation. Hybrid servo cables tend to use either PVC or —about 20% smaller for this type of cable.

polypropylene core insulation systems. Each has advantages. PVC, for example, supports a slightly higher temperature rating. But polypropylene offers much better electrical properties. These include low capacitance and a relatively low dielectric constant, which limits leakage current to the shield and screen. The superior electrical properties mean that polypropylene insulation can be substantially thinner than PVC for a given characteristic impedance level. And thinner insulation means smaller cable diameters

    •       Go for durability. Hybrid servo cables vary widely in their durability. So it’s important to evaluate the resistance to temperature extremes, oil, UV light and flame. When using servos in cable tracks, add wear resistance and maximum travel length to the list of factors to consider. In general, you should lean toward polyurethane jacketed products for use in cable tracks and in harsh environments.

Single Cable Solutions

To serve the fast-growing HIPERFACE DSL market, we have developed two new hybrid servo cables:

•   OLFLEX® SERVO FD 7DSL features a polyurethane jacket for use in cable tracks.

•   OLFLEX® SERVO 7DSL is PVC jacketed for fixed installations.

Both products meet HIPERFACE DSL standards and have UL and AWM approvals. Download the full specifications here. 

Global Transfer Switches Market 2014-2018

Global Transfer Switches Market 2014-2018: Reportstack, provider of premium market research reports announces the addition of Global Transfer Switches Market 2014-2018 market report to its offering