PLC Pie Guy, as a fellow Canaderpian, you mention following the rules of control cabinet and machine building, have you found anything specific to Canada, or do you just use UL508A?
Actually I have the CSA standards. Id have to go look at the exact publication number, but yes, it ultimately aligns with UL508A.
The rules I'm referring to...
Label the components in the panel.
Spacing between components is important.
Don't use up 101% of the space and then start mounting on the inside of the door....
IP address and versions on everything preferably labeled or in a drawing somewhere.
Don't put Ethernet / low voltage and high voltage in the same trays.
Bond your cabinets and doors.
Don't mix and match brands of components, sure suits the builders needs but makes a maintenance nightmare on site.
Don't put all DC power on the same circuit without even using a main DC fuse, this drives me nuts, I separate and fuse all DC power to the specific circuits they service!
Size conductors according to the NEC.
Use tray, not simply sticky backs and tie wraps.
Test your panels so they are not riddled with mistakes!
Provide drawings!
Just the few things you notice when you first open a cabinet. Not even all rules per say, but certainly a person must be able to take some pride in their work. The machine that was just delivered to us is almost embarrassing to say the least. I'm living through a nightmare startup now for these dumb asses that broke every single rule on this list. To make matters worse, they cant come onsite to commission their own junk, so guess who is the lucky guy!
Their big excuse is the other department did that, we didn't have time to review it! So its now our problem? Sounds like a company that bit off more than they can chew and should sub out their panel building to me. Id blow their doors completely off in this game. Without all the wiring mistakes and lack of care.
Even my CSA inspector is impressed with my cabinets and sends me customers sometimes. To bad I cant catch a good customer though that would keep me somewhat busy building panels and get me out my day to day routine at the plant.. I only get to do a few a year outside the plant as I just cant seem to drum up the business. Its a small town/province here though with only a few established production facilities in the area. I'm hoping one day to find that OEM that likes my work to partner with and will take me to full time panel building for myself. Iv done a few control systems now for the Forestry machines locally, I was hoping it would catch on as the machines are so cool. Those guys hate spending money though.
Perhaps its a pipe dream but one can always hope.