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5 Actionable Tips for Getting a PLC Programming Job with NO Experience
5 ACTIONABLE TIPS FOR GETTING A PLC PROGRAMMING JOB WITH NO EXPERIENCE The mindset that helped me find my ideal job as a PLC programmer with NO experience. Working as a PLC Programmer is one of the most attractive and highest paying jobs in the engineering industry....
What is a Functional Design Specification (FDS)?
A Functional Design Specification also is known as FDS is a document that describes how a process or a control system will operate. Functional Design Specification does not contain any highly technical detail. Rather, it describes how the proposed system will operate,...
Top 13 Automation Engineer Interview Questions & Answers (Part 2 of 2)
With this article, we will continue with where our previous article, What are the leading Industrial Automation Job types?, closed with beginning the discussion on Automation Job Interview questions. So now that we have learned about the Automation Job types let's...
SQL Cross Join, Inner Join, and Union Clause (Part 8 of 8)
In this article, What are the SQL Cross Join, Inner Join and Union Clause statement language elements, you will learn about some of the advanced SQL statements and clause commands for CROSS JOIN, INNER JOIN and Union language elements.In the previous article, "What is...
What are the Leading Industrial Automation Job Types? (Part 1 of 2)
Are you looking for an Industrial Automation job? And if so, in which functional area of automation, would you apply and use your talents and knowledge towards?Industrial Automation Job FunctionsThere are many automation job types for sure. And it doesn’t mean if you...
What is the SQL Create Table Clause Statement? (Part 7 of 8)
In this article, What is the SQL Create Table Clause statement language element, you will learn how to create a table in the database, using the Create Table statement. As we mentioned previously, our sample database used in this article series is named realparsmodel....
What is Binary Coded Decimal (BCD) and How is it Used in Automation?
In this article, we will learn about BCD, Binary Coded Decimal, which offers relative ease of conversion between machine-readable and human-readable numerals. As computers evolved from very early transistor-based models to the desktop personal computers using...
What are the SQL Subquery and Exists Clause? (Part 6 of 8)
In the previous article, What are the SQL INNER Join, And, OR, Having and Between Clause statement language elements, we learned about some of the more advanced SQL statements and clauses such as, AND, OR, BETWEEN, INNER JOIN and HAVING. We also learned about the SQL...
What is an Actuator?
Today we’re going to talk about actuators. There’s probably not a day that goes by where you don’t use or encounter an actuator at home, or at work. In this article, we’re going to: - Explain the purpose of an actuator - Discuss the 2 types of actuators - Look at the...
What are SQL Inner Join, And, Or, Having and Between Clause Statement Language Elements? (PART 5 of 8)
In the previous article, What are the SQL Order By Clause and Expression statement language elements?, we learned about the structure of SQL defining the clauses, expressions defining the overall statement. Also, we used the Select statement to retrieve the last names...
How to Read a P&ID?
In many of our RealPars articles, we discuss control system and instrumentation devices in great detail so you can understand exactly how they work. In this article, we will learn how to read a P&ID on a daily basis. P&IDs, or Piping and Instrumentation...
What are the SQL Order by Clause and Expression Statement Language Elements? (PART 4)
In this article, you will learn about some of the more advanced SQL statements and clause commands such as, SQL Order by Clause. You will also learn about SQL expression statement language elements. If you would like to follow along with us and perform these lessons...
What is Profibus-PA and How Does it Differ from Profibus-DP?
After reading this article, you’ll not only be able to explain the Profibus-PA like a pro, you’ll understand exactly how different it is from the Profibus-DP. So, let’s get started.This is a factory. Typically, in a factory, you have two key areas: - There’s the...
What are SQL Where and Like Statements Basics? (PART 3 of 8)
If you are just now joining along with this series of articles, please note that you are going to learn about SQL programming basics. If you would like to follow along with us, please review the RealPars article, How to install MySQL and import a sample database, on...
Differential Pressure Transmitter Explained
In this article, we are going to discuss differential pressure transmitters. Simply put, a differential pressure transmitter is a device that measures two opposing pressures in a pipe or vessel.To understand how a differential pressure transmitter works, we need to...
What are SQL Programming Basics? (PART 2 of 8)
If you would like to follow along with us, please review the RealPars SQL lesson, How to install MySQL and import a sample database, on how to download and setup MySQL database on your computer. The world of data is constantly changing and evolving every second. This...
What is AS-Interface?
The AS-Interface is usually shortened to AS-i, and its full title is Actuator-Sensor Interface. It is a simple networking system for devices found out in the field.AS-Interface is an intelligent cabling system that is designed to replace the discrete wires linking...
How to Install MySQL and Import a Sample Database (PART 1 of 8)
For the subsequent SQL lesson series that we are going to cover, you may want to install MySQL to follow along with the instructor. MySQL is open-source software; this means the software is free to most end-users. MySQL does offer a commercial license for more...
How to Follow an Electrical Panel Wiring Diagram
This article is unlike any of the articles we’ve done before. We’re going to delve into the world of panel drawings! This is an exceptionally useful weapon to have in your armory, as it not only helps you to build panels and understand the inner workings of them, but...
What is the Purpose of the Main Switch?
We’ve already covered some of the important aspects of a control panel, but some might say that what we’re going to cover today is the most important of all. The Main Switch is the one part of a control panel which has a large impact on progressing a project.When we...
What Does an Orange Wire Do in A Control Panel?
In a previous article, we covered the basics of an Electrical Control Panel. Now we’re going to take a closer look at some of the other important components that go towards making up the panel. Now, this article is a little different, as we’re going to look at...
Electrical Control Panel Cooling System (for Beginners)
In this article, we are going to be looking at the electrical panel cooling system. We’re going to cover the type of cooling used, how it functions, and why we use cooling in the first place. In a previous article, we covered the basics of an Electrical Control Panel....
Basics of an Electrical Control Panel (Practical Example)
We get many questions about the basics of electrical control panels, such as what devices and equipment we typically use, how the devices are wired, how to keep the control panel and the cabinet within a normal temperature range and so on. To answer some of these...
NEMA Ratings – The complete Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners
In this article, we are going to learn about NEMA Ratings, and how they are related to IP Ratings. NEMA is an American standard and IP is a European standard. You might have come across one of our earlier articles about IP ratings. If you haven’t, it would be good to...
What is IO-Link and How does it Work?
In this article, we’re going to learn about IO-Link. It is a communications protocol that works point-to-point.IO-Link BasicsIO-Link is a point-to-point communication protocol. A point-to-point connection is a communications connection between two separate endpoints...
PLCnext – Connecting Industrial Automation to the IT World
In this article, we’re going to get an insight into some new PLC technology courtesy of Phoenix Contact. Martin Boers had provided his expertise on this emerging product; the PLCnext.What is PLCnext?As you would expect, this PLC is capable of what you might typically...
How to Read a Spool Valve Schematic Drawing
In a previous RealPars article, we learned about what a spool valve is and how it works mechanically. In this article, we will continue this theme and learn about how a spool valve is represented in engineering and manufacturers drawings, how to understand what the...
What are the Differences between DCS and SCADA?
In previous articles, we have presented detailed information about both SCADA and DCS. In this article, we will contrast and compare both systems.Fundamentals of DCS and SCADA SystemsAs you have previously learned, a SCADA system is a collection of both software and...
What is SIMATIC TDC (Technology and Drives Control)?
In this article, we are going to take a good look at the purpose of Siemens SIMATIC Technology and Drives Control, or SIMATIC TDC for short, what makes it special, and how it stands out from a standard system. We’re going to throw in a couple of examples of where...
How to Control a VFD with a PLC – Part 5 (Configuring Communication Data in the Siemens Starter Software)
Welcome to Part 5 and the final lesson of How to control a VFD with a PLC. As a prerequisite, please take a look at lessons 1 through 4. We have created this series of lessons discussing the steps to configure and program communication between a Rockwell ControlLogix...
What is a Power Plant and How does it Work?
In this article, we’re going to look at what a Power Plant is, different types, and why automation is important in the Power Plant business.Different Types of Power Plants Based on the Energy SourcesIn its simplest form, a Power Plant, known also as a Power Station,...
How to Control a VFD with a PLC – Part 4 (Configuring Motor Data in the Siemens Starter Software)
Welcome to lesson 4 of How to control a VFD with a PLC. We have created this series of lessons discussing the steps to configure and program communication between a Rockwell ControlLogix PLC and a Siemens VFD. We will use the Siemens Starter software to setup the...
What is an Emergency Shutdown System?
Welcome to another article made by RealPars! Today we are going to learn about what an Emergency Shutdown or ESD system is. Emergency Shutdown vs. Emergency Stop Let us consider a small control system assembling a toy car. We have several parts that need to go in a...
What is a Load Cell? | Types of Load Cells
A lot of people have the morning routine of stepping on a scale to check their weight. What most people don’t know is that they are using a very simple “load cell” to find out their weight. Old scales used to use weights to try and level out the two sides of the...
What is a Boiler and How does it Work?
In this article, we are going to discover what an industrial boiler is, and how it works. But first, let us consider the term heat. Heat is vital in everyone’s day to day lives. Whether it be heat to warm up our surroundings, or heat to be able to cook food, we all...
How to Control a VFD with a PLC – Part 3 (Siemens VFD Configuration)
Welcome to lesson 3 of How to control a VFD with a PLC. We have created this series of lessons discussing the steps to configure and program communication between a Rockwell ControlLogix PLC and a Siemens VFD. As a prerequisite, please take a look at Part 1 and Part...
What is a Spool Valve and How does it Work?
A Spool valve can be found in almost every industry you can imagine performing a wide range of tasks. Spool valves can be used in both hydraulics (where the oil is the energy source) or Pneumatics (where the air is the energy source) and their job is to control the...
What is a UPS? (Uninterruptible Power Supply)
So, what is a UPS, or Uninterruptible Power Supply? An Uninterruptible Power Supply is a device that is used to keep computers and equipment safe when there is a loss, or a significant reduction, in the primary power source. To achieve this, the UPS houses several...
What is a Fire Alarm System? (Fire Detection System)
Fire Alarm System is designed to alert us to an emergency so that we can take action to protect ourselves, staff and the general public. Fire alarms are found in Offices, Factories, and public buildings, they are a part of our everyday routine but are often overlooked...
What is IP Rating? (Ingress Protection Rating)
In this article, we are going to discuss the international rating system that classifies devices for different environmental conditions. That rating system is called the Ingress Protection or IP rating as it is commonly referred to. Electrical devices are found all...
What are PID Tuning Parameters?
In this article, you will learn about PID Tuning Parameters through a few practical examples. PID is an acronym for Proportional, Integral, and Derivative. A PID controller is a device that is used to control a process. The controller can be a physical, stand-alone...
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