David PetersonDec 30, 20205 minEasily Identify Open and Short CircuitsIn the world of electrical troubleshooting, very few problems would be accused of being 'really simple'. But then, on the other hand,...
David PetersonDec 3, 20203 minWhy is "Arc Flash" such a Big Deal?In the world of electronics, safety is always a big deal - for good reason. Most people have gotten some small shock from an electric...
David PetersonNov 17, 20203 minA Bold Statement: All Electrical Problems Boil Down to One CauseThe title should cause some sparks, no pun intended. It really is a bold assumption - that we can summarize every electrical problem in...
David PetersonNov 3, 20203 minWhy Does a Motor Use So Much Current at Start-Up?Nearly every experienced industrial electrician has started up a motor at some point. When a motor starts, it consumes a lot of current -...
David PetersonOct 22, 20204 minThe Basics of Programming HMIsEver since touch-screen applications first appeared, the devices (notably phones and tablets) using this technology have gotten faster...
David PetersonOct 7, 20204 min3 Key Considerations to Future-Proof your AutomationWhether you are designing a new machine control system or retro-fitting an older machine into the 21st century, there is a looming...
David PetersonSep 28, 20203 minHumans and Machines InteractingUsing machines to accomplish tasks with more than mere human effort alone has been the goal of humanity for ages. Before motors and...
David PetersonSep 21, 20204 minWhat Makes 'Network Problems' so Terrifying?Of all the problems that can haunt an industrial technician, network problems can top the list of most intimidating. The main reason for...
David PetersonSep 4, 20205 minHow do Stepper Motors Work?This mysterious type of motor is found in all kinds of CNC machines and 3D printers, plus tons of other applications that require...
David PetersonAug 25, 20204 minVoltage vs Power - Different, But How?When we read the data sheets and instructions for electrical devices, there are a few words that we might expect to see - voltage,...
David PetersonAug 17, 20203 minThe Right Tool for the Right JobAs humans, we are interested in getting quick results - instant gratification. Plus, we're lazy and want to get things done without doing...
David PetersonAug 10, 20203 minDo I Need to be an Electrician AND a Programmer?Let's face the facts. We've seen the signs of changing technology. It shouldn't be any surprise that systems with big voltages and...
David PetersonAug 5, 20204 minWhy are there SO MANY Different Kinds of Motors?When it comes to providing motion in a system, there actually aren't a whole lot of options. We usually turn to either traditional fueled...
David PetersonJul 31, 20204 minBack to Basics - How AC Electricity WorksTo be honest, I've always had a hard time understanding Alternating Current (AC) voltage. Direct current (DC) is usually driven by a...
David PetersonJul 17, 20202 minBack to Basics - Buttons and SwitchesThere are many manual devices used to control an electrical system. We use the word 'Manual' to refer to how it's operated - not by...
David PetersonJul 13, 20204 minUnderstanding 3-Phase Motor Wiring3-phase synchronous motors are just about the simplest of all motors that can be created. The simplicity is due almost entirely to how...
David PetersonJul 8, 20202 minBack to Basics - What is a PLC?Until the late 1960’s, the hard-wired circuits were the only option for industrial control. These were often confusing and difficult to...
David PetersonJul 1, 20203 minVariable Frequency Motor DrivesThere is a wide variety of motors used for industrial equipment including both DC and AC, but the 3-phase synchronous AC motor is the...
David PetersonJun 24, 20203 minWhy is 'Programmable' such a Big Deal in Automation?The idea of automation has existed for many decades - way before the first computer circuits. The ability to allow the environment to...
David PetersonJan 13, 20204 minHow a Little Wiring Knowledge Leads to Huge Downtime SavingsIn this article, I’m going to explain several different ways in which training in the areas of wiring and electrical troubleshooting can...