The power electronics and controllers field are a key component of all major manufacturing plants, vehicles, and industrial equipment. In recent years, the need for more advanced controls has increased tremendously due to the complexities of modern technology and applications. Many jobs now require a jumpstart to a career in this increasingly important industry. This article highlights some of the most interesting stories of the week regarding power electronics and controllers.
Last week was the first holiday season since Hurricane Sandy hit the Northeast. Many Americans took advantage of unemployment assistance provided by the federal government to repair and restore their lives. Some areas saw more than double their normal snowfall last week alone. As control and maintenance personnel prepared to handle the situation, control systems specialists learned that their most valuable tool for years would be their ability to communicate effectively with the other components of the system.
A number of New England states experienced outages and down time due to the massive storm. Several factories within the region’s power supply relied on backup generators to keep operations running smoothly. When the system control experts arrived to assess the situation, they discovered that power had indeed been restored but that backup generators could not sustain the demand necessary to keep the facility operational. The team went into full action to find alternative solutions that would allow the plant to continue running while providing the much needed backup electricity during the process.
Power electronics experts have long known that improving the efficiency of manufacturing processes and lowering the costs of operations is crucial to growing a successful business. With so many power and lighting controls involved in manufacturing, it is imperative that these processes are efficient and reliable. The solution to this problem has been a joint effort between the company and the North American Industrial Council (NEC). The goal of the effort is to find new ways to make the process more efficient and lower the operating costs of the company. This effort has resulted in new features being added to some control systems allowing for even greater improvements.
Power electronics systems to produce the amount of power that is required to maintain the production line running smoothly. The increased efficiency brought about by the research efforts has resulted in more usable equipment. In turn, this has lowered production costs, which has lead to increased profits for the company. The new equipment has allowed the company to purchase new equipment at a reduced cost, allowing them to invest that savings back into the business.
Many businesses rely heavily on the power electronics equipment that is used to monitor and protect valuable material during the manufacturing process. Because of the sensitive nature of electronics this equipment must be protected from damage. Power electronics safety standards have developed over the years that aim to reduce damage to electronic equipment while also protecting the user. Manufacturers have worked closely with qualified personnel to design effective protective gear that meets these standards and is durable enough to stand up against the harshest conditions.
The extensive research done into the development of safe power electronics equipment has led to the emergence of many new options in protection options. While the original designs were only capable of protecting certain materials, modern designs offer protection from many different types of threats. These include electromagnetic radiation, thermal energy, shock, vibration, and extreme temperature changes.
For any company that wants to take advantage of advances in power electronics they will need to find a qualified electrician that can install and maintain the necessary equipment. With advancements in materials and newer technology it has become much easier to make changes to devices. Companies that want to keep up with the latest technology in power electronics may find it advantageous to seek the advice of a professional. Specialized care is needed when installing new equipment and even changing existing equipment. It is important to hire a power electronics expert that is qualified and experienced to ensure that your electronic devices remain safe.
