A comprehensive guide on industrial panel design

Introduction

Industrial control panels are critical components for automating and controlling industrial processes and machinery. These panels contain closed metal boxes that enclose electrical components like switches, relays, controllers, and circuit breakers. An industrial control panel centralizes connections to peripheral devices, allowing experts to control and organize production objectives. An intelligently designed industrial control panel optimizes operational efficiency and reduces downtime. This guide discusses the essential factors to consider when planning an industrial control panel.

Types of industrial control panels

Different types of industrial control panels cater to various manufacturing facilities. Each type of control panel comprises distinct components where an individual component is assigned a particular function, such as turning the machine on or off, regulating motor speed, guiding various movements, controlling valve openings or closures, and performing numerous other operations. Some of the commonly found industrial control panels are:

Motor control center (MCC) panels: The MCC is a consolidated assembly designed to oversee the operation of one or more electrical motors. MCC panels pack control components such as variable frequency drives (VFDs), programmable logic controllers (PLCs), electrical metering devices, pushbuttons, and indicator lights. A common bus bar interconnects multiple enclosed sections where each section houses power contactors, protective relays, isolators, and other control and indication devices. The MCC also houses protection and safety devices such as an iron reactor, earth fault relays, phase reversal relays, circuit breakers, fuses, and a power disconnect switch.
Programmable logic controller (PLC) control panels: A PLC control panel consists of PLC, analog and digital I/Os, HMIs, power supplies, ethernet switches, pushbuttons, relays, circuit breakers, and terminal blocks. Based on the input signals from sensors and other devices, these PLC panels control the essential functions of monitoring and controlling outputs, generating alarms, regulating valve operation, and stopping/starting a process.
Power distribution panels: The power distribution panels distribute electricity from the source to where the current is used. A typical power distribution panel packs circuit breakers, transformers, and other devices that protect equipment from electrical problems. Other peripheral devices include connectors, terminal blocks, voltage regulators, power distributor modules, wires, and power factor correction equipment to ensure the power supply's quality.

Inside view of Industrial control panel with necessary components

Figure 1: An industrial control panel

Parameters to be considered while designing an industrial control panel

A well-designed control panel should align with functional requirements, application specifications, and regulatory standards. Some of the key considerations involved in a control panel design are:

Right enclosures: It is essential to choose an enclosure of an appropriate size to hold the panel components. The panel designer needs sufficient space for component wiring and installation. Although increased volumes raise costs, a small enclosure is rarely the best choice and may only save money initially, disallowing future expansion. Furthermore, the heat produced by the electrical components may overheat the control panels. These panels should thus be of adequate volume and be appropriately designed. They must allow sufficient airflow among components for heat dispersal. The correct enclosure for industrial control panels will shield the components from hostile environmental conditions, ensure safety, and comply with regulatory standards. Some common types of enclosures used for industrial control panels are:
- Polycarbonate plastic enclosures are more affordable than metal enclosures. Their high impact resistance property makes them suitable for indoor and outdoor applications. The NEMA ratings for polycarbonate plastic enclosures range between 1, 3R,4, and 4X.
- Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) is a common thermoplastic polymer known for its toughness, impact, and heat resistance. ABS enclosures protect electronic components, devices, and equipment from environmental factors such as dust, moisture, and impact. They come in various shapes and sizes, and their design may include features like mounting tabs, ventilation slots, and connector openings.
- Fiberglass-reinforced plastic (FRP), or glass-reinforced plastic (GRP), is a composite material of a polymer matrix reinforced with glass fibers. It has high impact strength and rigidity with a working temperature range between-31˚F to 300˚F. It is cost-effective and has excellent electrical properties, moisture, and chemical resistance.
- Polyester is a thermoplastic known for its high performance, produced through injection molding. It exhibits notable impact resistance, though it is less resilient in cold temperatures than polycarbonate. With outstanding electrical properties and superior resistance to chemicals and moisture, polyester maintains its functionality across a temperature range spanning from -40˚F to 248˚F.
- Mild steel is a type of carbon steel that contains a low amount of carbon, making it relatively malleable and easy to give desired shapes. It is commonly used in electrical enclosures and protects control panels in wet, non-corrosive spaces. These enclosures come with NEMA ratings 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12, and 13.
- Stainless steel enclosures are durable, long-lasting solutions for protecting your industrial control panels. These panels are fire-resistant and perform well in wet environments. Stainless steel enclosures are highly durable and attractive and can provide grounding for metal conduit and metal-sheathed cables. Stainless steel enclosures NEMA ratings range across 1, 3R, 4X, and 12.
- Aluminum is highly reliable and corrosion-resistant, suitable for indoor and outdoor applications. Additionally, aluminum alloys can withstand high temperatures and offer natural EMI/RFI shielding to prevent interference. It has 3, 3R, 4, 4X, 12, and 13 NEMA ratings.
Thermal Management: Electrical, electronics, and control items are usually vulnerable to high temperatures and thermal failures. The heat generated by electrical devices in enclosures can directly affect the reliability and service life of the equipment. Depending upon the environmental conditions, the size of the cabinet, and the heat load, several thermal management products like filtered fans, heat exchangers, and air conditioners can be considered for a particular application.
Wireway Design: Choosing the right type and amount of wireway design is essential. The correct choice of wireway allows easy termination of internal wiring to internal panel components and makes the wire labels legible. Devices should be free of any wires in front of them. Wires should not run diagonally, as horizontal and vertical runs add useful slack and help keep the panel neat. Also, the rightly sized wireway leaves room for future wiring additions when components are added to the panel. Devices and wires should be kept separate from high-power elements. For example, CAN bus and Profibus wires should not be near the main power supply cables. Electromagnetic noise from these cables can affect the transmission capabilities of control and bus cables.
Component Placement and Layout: Components and component groups should be functionally and logically organized as necessary for any control panel. For instance, components with a high voltage rating should be placed at the top right of the panel, aligning with the standard positioning of the main incoming power disconnect switch in most control panels. As the panel designer descends the control panel, power components will feature progressively lower voltage levels. To facilitate straightforward troubleshooting, power distribution components should be accompanied by a breaker to the left for the specified power level, followed by distribution breakers, fuses, and terminals. Consistency and organization are maintained, reflecting the hierarchy depicted in schematics. Enough space should be left between groups to allow for convenient expansion when necessary. Below the power distribution components, I/O terminals and PLC racks should be positioned. Since components at the top emit more heat due to their higher voltage, sensitive or heat-sensitive components should be placed near the bottom. This arrangement enables most heat to escape towards the top of the control panel. Additionally, since field instrument I/O wiring is typically directed toward the bottom of the control panel, placing I/O terminals at the bottom facilitates easier wiring.
Labelling: Labeling the wires, terminals, and components inside a control panel is essential as such an action makes them easy to maintain and repair. Labeling is a time-saving strategy that allows technicians to perform routine maintenance and repairs efficiently on the panel. For PLC, outputs and inputs should have a label with a syntax corresponding to the PLC address. However, for non-PLC I/O wiring, the label is assigned according to the line number in the schematics. The wire should be labeled per terminal number if the wiring is connected to a power distribution terminal. Power supplies, breakers, and other panel components are often labeled with abbreviated prefixes identifying the component. For example, "AC120" is used for 120VAC power distribution, and "DI" is used for digital input. After that, a number is added to identify the terminal group.
Documentation: Creating a comprehensive document at the end of the control panel design process is essential to capture all necessary information. It is crucial to control panel modifications and repairs and helps save money and time. Correct documentation includes electrical schematics, test results, installation instructions, program copies, functional specifications, panel drawings, and maintenance procedures. It should also contain the information needed to troubleshoot issues, make modifications, and perform maintenance.

Regulatory standards for industrial control panels

An industrial control panel follows different standards and regulations for design, production, and installation. These standards are due to the different types of components present inside the panel. Compliance with these standards is essential for all control panels for guaranteed safety and optimal performance. Some of the popular regulatory standards for industrial control panels are as follows:

NFPA 70: The National Fire Protection Association 79 (NFPA 70) establishes guidelines for wiring standards within the National Electrical Code (NEC). This section focuses on electrical and electronic components used in industrial machinery, particularly those operating at or below 600 V. The regulation includes associated electrical equipment, including industrial control panels and other distributed components integrated into the machinery. NFPA 79 protects machinery operators and facilities from electrical hazards and fires, ensuring equipment safety and ongoing work processes.
National electric code (NEC): This regulation is widely used to ensure electrical equipment and wiring installation. The NEC requires a specific radius for incoming and outgoing power connections for wiring clearance. Once an industrial control panel is ready, NEC® Article 409 applies. NEC® Section 409.22 requires that an industrial control panel cannot be installed at a location in the circuit where the Available Fault Current (AFC) exceeds the control panel's short-circuit current rating (SCCR).
Underwriters laboratory (UL)508A: The UL 508A standards for control panels are designed to give clearance for devices that produce heat, including Variable Frequency Drives and Programmable Logic Controllers. The main aim is to ensure there’s adequate room for ventilation. It also includes recommendations for protecting individual control circuits, maximum permitted loads, proper internal and external wiring, and display location. The UL 508A certification protects quality and integrity while meeting public safety standards.

Key components of a control panel

An industrial control panel assembles different components or parts in standard and systematic arrangements. The connection of components determines the overall design, operation, and control of the machine or process function. Figure 2 represents the key components present inside the control panel enclosures.

Front view of industrial control panel with necessary components

Figure 2: Inside view of Industrial control panel with necessary components

1. Programmable controllers: A Programmable Controller is a specialized digital computer in industrial automation and control systems. PLCs are designed to perform control functions, automate processes, and manage machinery in manufacturing plants, factories, and other industrial settings.

Product	Productkey suppliers	Buy link
Fluid level controllers	Omron industrial automation	Buy now
Controller accessories	Phoenix contact	Buy now
PLC processors (IEC 61131)	Siemens	Buy now
PLC processors (Arduino based)	Industrial shields	Buy now
Cable assemblies for PLCs	Advantech	Buy now
Software & starter kits for PLC	IDEC	Buy now
Analog input card	Siemens	Buy now
Digital input card	Omron industrial automation	Buy now
Digital output card	Phoenix contact	Buy now

2. Variable frequency drives: A variable frequency drive (VFD), alternatively referred to as Variable Speed Drives (VSDs) or Adjustable Speed Drives (ASDs), is a motor controller that regulates the speed of an electric motor by adjusting the frequency and voltage of its power supply. The VFD can manage the ramp-up and ramp-down of the motor during start and stop operations, respectively.

Product	Key suppliers	Buy link
VFDs	Delta electronics	Buy now

3: Industrial connectivity: It is needed for transmitting process data from field-level devices or machines to industrial automation control systems. Industrial connectivity also allows central control rooms to tap into the extensive data generated across factory floors, facilitating remote factory management, centralized production planning, and real-time diagnostics.

Product	Key suppliers	Buy link
Ethernet switches / modules	Brainboxes	Buy now
Networking cable	Amphenol cables on demand	Buy now
Ethernet cables	Eaton tripp lite	Buy now

4: Motor starters and control: A motor starter is an electrical device that makes the motor start-up and stop stable and provides electric motor protection. It is essential in industrial and commercial applications where electric motors are employed. Motor starters offer a controlled and safe way to initiate and interrupt the power supply to the motor.

Product	Key suppliers	Buy link
Contactors	ABB	Buy now
Contactor auxiliary contacts	Schneider electric	Buy now
Contactor accessories	Schneider electric	Buy now
Monitoring relays	Carlo gavazzi	Buy now
Motor starters	Phoenix contact	Buy now

5.Surge protection Devices: They protect electrical and electronic equipment from voltage surges or transient voltage spikes. These surges can have various sources, including lightning strikes, power grid switching, and other electrical disturbances. Surge protection devices divert excess voltage from sensitive equipment and protect them from damage.

Product	Key suppliers	Buy link
Mains surge protectors	Phoenix contact	Buy now

6.Smart relays: They are compact and programmable control devices that combine the functionality of traditional relays with advanced programmability and communication capabilities. Smart relays are commonly used in automation and control applications where a level of intelligence is required to manage and coordinate various processes.

Product	Key suppliers	Buy link
Smart relay	Schneider electric	Buy now

7. Circuit breakers: Circuit breakers are devices that protect electrical circuits and equipment from damage caused by excessive current flow or short circuits. This crucial component in electrical systems interrupt the flow of electricity in the event of a fault or overcurrent.

Product	Key suppliers	Buy link
Thermal magnetic circuit breakers	Eaton moeller	Buy now
RCBO, RCD, GFCI, AFDD circuit breakers	BG electrical	Buy now
Load centre / distribution board / consumer circuit breaker	Wylex	Buy now
Electronic circuit breakers	ETA	Buy now
Circuit breaker accessories	Eaton cutler-hammer	Buy now

8.Safety controllers: These are specialized devices that manage and ensure the safety of machinery and processes in industrial settings. Safety controllers are designed to monitor and control safety-related functions, help prevent accidents, protect personnel, and maintain compliance with safety regulations.

Product	Key suppliers	Buy link
Safety controller	ABB	Buy now

9.Relays: These are electromagnet activated and electronically operated. Relays pull a set of contacts to either connect or disconnect a circuit. They have a vital role in various applications, providing a mechanism for the remote control of circuits, automation, and protecting electrical systems.

Product	Key suppliers	Buy link
Electronic overload relays	Schneider electric	Buy now
Thermal overload relays	Eaton moeller	Buy now
Relay accessories	Finder	Buy now
Safety relays	Phoenix contact	Buy now
Time delay relays - solid state	Weidmuller	Buy now
Solid state contactors	Sensata/Crydom	Buy now
Time delay relays - electromechanical	Finder	Buy now
Voltage monitoring relays	Broyce control	Buy now

10.Power supplies: Power supplies provide electrical power to various components within a control panel and play a vital role in energy management and automation technology. They ensure that the electronic and electrical elements inside the panel receive the necessary voltage and current for efficient operation.

Product	Key suppliers	Buy link
AC / AC power supplies	Dantech	Buy now
AC / DC DIN rail mount power supplies	TDK-Lambda	Buy now
Isolated DIN rail mount DC / DC converters	Mean well	Buy now
DC / DC UPS - uninterruptible power supplies	Phoenix Contact	Buy now
Power supply accessories	Traco power	Buy now

11. Manual motor starters: Manual motor starters serve as electromechanical protective devices within the main circuit. You can use them to control the activation and deactivation of motors manually. Manual motor starters offer fuseless protection against short circuits, overloads, and phase failures.

Product	Key suppliers	Buy link
Manual motor starters	Eaton cutler-hammer	Buy now

12: Contacts and connectors: Contacts and connectors play pivotal roles in the design and functionality of control panels. These in-panel elements ensure effective electrical connections and signal transmission.

Product	Key suppliers	Buy link
Circular connectors & components	Amphenol industrial	Buy now
Circular DIN valve connectors	Molex	Buy now
Connector contacts	AMP - TE connectivity	Buy now
Crimp terminals / solder terminals & splices	ABB - thomas & betts	Buy now
Electrical connectors & power outlet strips	Hubbell wiring devices	Buy now
Heavy duty connectors & components	Harting	Buy now
MIL-STD-1553B connectors & components	Milltek	Buy now
Power entry connectors	Schurter	Buy now
Rectangular power connectors & components	Hirschmann	Buy now
Sensor connectors & components	Alpha Wire	Buy now
Terminal blocks & accessories	Camdenboss	Buy now
USB connectors & adapters	Amphenol socapex	Buy now

13. Wires & Cables: Wires and cables help in seamless transmission of electrical signals and power between various components. They provide the necessary connections for switches, relays, and other devices, ensuring effective communication and control within the panel.

Product	Key suppliers	Buy link
Cable assemblies	Belden	Buy now
Fiber optic cable	Broadcom	Buy now
Networking cable	Alpha wire	Buy now
Multipair cable	Lapp kabel	Buy now
Multicore cable	Pro Power	Buy now
Hook up wire	Brand-rex	Buy now
Wire & cable kits	Velleman	Buy now
Cable & wire markers	Panduit	Buy now
Cable blanking plugs	Lapp kabel	Buy now
Cable clamps / cable clips	Essentra components	Buy now
Cable glands, locknuts & fixing tools	Hummel	Buy now
Cable grommet kits	Pro Power	Buy now
Cable harness components	Panduit	Buy now
Cable hook and loop fasteners	3M	Buy now
Cable joints	Raytech	Buy now
Cable management tools	Glenair	Buy now
Cable protectors	Vulcascot	Buy now
Cable ties	Concordia technologies	Buy now
Trunking, fittings & accessories	Betaduct	Buy now
Sleeving & tubing	Sleeve It	Buy now

14. Fans and fan accessories: Panel fans precisely cool heat sources within an enclosure, effectively preventing the creation of hot spots. These fans can be horizontally or vertically mounted and can cater to various applications. Fans are equipped with guards to safeguard against accidental blade contact, and often feature speed controls or thermostats for airflow regulation. In some applications, air filters are employed alongside panel fans to enhance air quality by eliminating dust, pollen, and other particulate matter. This helps safeguard equipment from damage and contributes to minimizing maintenance costs.

Product	Key suppliers	Buy link
AC axial fans	Ebm-papst	Buy now
Blowers	Orion fans	Buy now
DC axial fans	Panasonic	Buy now
Fan filter assemblies	Qualtek electronics	Buy now
Fan hardware	Orion fans	Buy now
Finger guards	Sepa	Buy now

15. DIN rails: DIN rail is a standardized metal strip commonly used in control panels, distribution boxes, and automation systems. You can use the DIN rail for mounting electrical and industrial control devices within equipment enclosures. DIN rail terminal blocks help to connect and organize electrical wires on the DIN rail securely. These terminal blocks provide a convenient and efficient means for wiring in industrial applications, ensuring a reliable and structured electrical connection.

Product	Key suppliers	Buy link
DIN mounting rail	Weidmuller	Buy now
Barrier panel mount terminal blocks	Molex	Buy now
DIN rail terminal blocks	Phoenix contact	Buy now
Fused terminal blocks	Entrelec - TE connectivity	Buy now
Power distribution blocks	Marathon special products	Buy now
Terminal block accessories	Wago	Buy now
Terminal block interface modules	M Jay	Buy now
Terminal block markers	Wieland electric	Buy now

Figure 3: Front view of industrial control panel with necessary components

16.Human machine interfaces (HMIs): An HMI presents a textual or graphical representation of system conditions and operations, offering essential information not available with basic pushbutton panels or switch banks. HMIs provide robust capabilities for monitoring, control, status reporting, and various other functions.

Product	Key suppliers	Buy link
Character displays	Omron	Buy now
Graphics meters	Lascar	Buy now
Touch screens	Mitsubishi	Buy now

17. Panel instrumentation: Panel instruments are devices or tools integrated into control panels or instrument panels to monitor, measure, or display various parameters, processes, or information relevant to a system or operation. These instruments provide real-time data, feedback, or control functionalities within a specific panel or control setup.

Product	Key suppliers	Buy link
Analogue panel meter	Crompton - TE connectivity	Buy now
Digital panel meter	Amphenol wilcoxon	Buy now
Energy meters	ABB	Buy now
Hour meters	Curtis instruments	Buy now
Analogue timers	Finder	Buy now
Digital timers	Crouzet	Buy now
Counters	Hengstler	Buy now
Splash proof cover for panel meters	Omega	Buy now

18. Data acquisition systems: These are components and processes that collect, measure, and record data from various sources. These systems typically include sensors, signal conditioning equipment, data acquisition devices, and a computer or controller for data processing and storage. The primary purpose of data acquisition systems is to capture information from the physical environment, transform it into digital format, and provide accessibility for analysis or control applications.

Product	Key suppliers	Buy link
Data logger	Testo	Buy now

19. Emergency stop switches: These are also known as E-stop or kill switches. E-stops are safety devices designed to interrupt power to a machine or system quickly and easily in emergencies. These switches are prominently placed and easily accessible, allowing operators or personnel to shut down equipment in a hazardous or critical situation rapidly.

Product	Key suppliers	Buy link
Emergency stop switches / E stop	ABB	Buy now
Safety interlock switches	C&K components	Buy now
Cable pull switches	Honeywell	Buy now

20. Enclosures: These are boxes that house the control panel, and usually made from metals or plastics. The enclosure ensures the safety of the panel. Enclosures come with a UL safety rating, an IP rating, and an NEMA classification.

Product	Key suppliers	Buy link
Metal enclosures	Deltron enclosures	Buy now
Plastic enclosures	Schneider electric	Buy now
Subracks	Event schroff	Buy now
Open frame relay racks	Hammond	Buy now
Enclosure handles	Davies molding	Buy now

21.Tower light: Tower(stack) lights indicate the status of machines, systems, or processes in illuminated and audible forms. They are available in various colors, in blinking or continuous mode, LED, or filament lamp, and with audible alarm options.

Product	Key suppliers	Buy link
Signal towers	Eaton moller	Buy now
Audio signal indicator units	ABB	Buy now
Beacon / sounders	Clifford and snell	Buy now
Visual signal indicator units	Werma	Buy now
Signal indicator accessories	Banner engineering	Buy now

22.Indicators: A panel indicator or simply indicator is a device or component on a control panel that provides visual information about a particular aspect of a system. Operators can use the indicator to quickly and easily assess the status or condition of a specific component or process.

Product	Key suppliers	Buy link
Incandescent indicators	VCC (Visual communications company)	Buy now
Indicator bases	Schmersal	Buy now
Indicator lenses	Dialight	Buy now
LED multicolour indicators	CML innovative technologies	Buy now
LED single colour indicators	Mallory	Buy now
Neon indicators	Camdenboss	Buy now

23.Switches: Panel switches are connecting/disconnecting switches affixed directly to distribution panelboards and switchgear. They activate and deactivate electrical loads using a swiftly responsive external operating handle.

Product	Key suppliers	Buy link
Joystick switches	CH products	Buy now
Keylock operated switches	Lorlin	Buy now
Keypads	Storm interface	Buy now
Detector switches	Alcoswitch - TE connectivity	Buy now
Microswitch snap action switches	Marquardt	Buy now
Navigation switches	E-switch	Buy now
Pushbutton switches	NKK switches	Buy now
Touch buttons	Banner engineering	Buy now
Toggle switches	Honeywell	Buy now
Wireless command devices	Omron industrial automation	Buy now
Anti vandal switches	Schurter	Buy now
Thumbwheel switches	Apem	Buy now
Switch components	Eaton cutler-hammer	Buy now
Switch accessories & switch assortments	TE connectivity / partner stock	Buy now

24.Panel Knobs: Control knobs or panel knobs are manually operated devices typically found on electronic or mechanical equipment. These can be rotated or turned to adjust settings, parameters, or values associated with the device. Panel knobs often have markings or indicators to show the current setting, and can be a crucial interface component for users to fine-tune or control different functions of the equipment.

Product	Key suppliers	Buy link
Knobs	Elma	Buy now
Knobs accessories	Mentor	Buy now

25.Locks and keys: They secure access to a control panel or enclosure. These locks restrict unauthorized access to the internal components of electrical panels, machinery, or other equipment housed within an enclosure. The system typically includes the lock mechanism installed on the panel and a corresponding set of keys to open the lock.

Product	Key suppliers	Buy link
Electromagnetic locks	Eclipse magnetics	Buy now
Escutcheons / accessories	Eclipse magnetics	Buy now
Hasp / staple locks	Master lock	Buy now
Steel cable locks	Sterling security products	Buy now
Padlocks	Kasp security	Buy now

MRO tools for control panels

Maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) tools for control panels are crucial for efficient functioning of industrial equipment. These tools are indispensable for the upkeep, troubleshooting, repair, and installation of components in the control panels. Common MRO tools for control panels include:

Product	Key suppliers	Buy link
Calibrators	Fluke	Buy now
Test leads & test probes	Hioki	Buy now
Test equipment kits & assortments	Pico technology	Buy now
Temperature measurement & thermal imaging	Brannan	Buy now
Multimeters & clamp meters	Keysight technologies	Buy now
Task & inspection lighting	Native lighting	Buy now
Personal protection & safety equipments	Apache	Buy now
ESD protection products	Desco	Buy now
Tools - power & machine tools	Dewalt	Buy now
Tools - hand & workholding	Eclipse magnetics	Buy now
Tape	Advance tapes	Buy now
Tool accessories	Fortex	Buy now
Soldering stations & accessories	Chemtronics	Buy now
Measurement & inspection	Mitutoyo	Buy now

Industrial control panel solutions from Multicomp Pro

Farnell also stocks a versatile collection of affordable components, tools, and test equipment under the Multicomp Pro brand. This collection helps control panel design engineers, technicians, and production facilities to identify high-value alternatives whilst assuring production-grade quality they can rely on. Customers purchasing from the Multicomp Pro brand can benefit from reduced upfront costs and product-lifetime savings. Here are some key components that facilitate design and development of control panels:

Product	Buy link
Enclosures	Buy now
Enclosure, rack & cabinet accessories	Buy now
AC / DC DIN rail mount power supplies	Buy now
Digital multimeters	Buy now
Clamp meters	Buy now
Cutters	Buy now
Pliers	Buy now
Screwdriver kits	Buy now
Industrial pushbutton switches	Buy now
Emergency stop switches	Buy now
Circuit breakers	Buy now
Panel displays & instrumentation	Buy now
Ethernet cables	Buy now
Sensor connectors	Buy now
Cable glands, locknuts & fixing tools	Buy now
Cable blanking plugs	Buy now
Power cords / electrical power cables	Buy now
Barrier panel mount terminal blocks	Buy now
Crimp terminals / solder terminals & splices	Buy now
Relays	Buy now
Cable ties	Buy now
Cable & wire markers	Buy now
Standard heat shrink tubing	Buy now
Cable clamps / cable clips	Buy now
Hook up wire	Buy now
Fans & fan accessories	Buy now
Cable sleeving	Buy now
Switches	Buy now
PPE kits	Buy now

Conclusion

Industrial control panels play an important role in the operation of industries, factories, and various applications by overseeing the diverse electrical processes within a system. The intricate nature of control panel design involves numerous individual components and elements. This guide aims to present a concise overview of the fundamental design considerations. Recognizing the depth and complexity inherent in control panel design, as well as the significance of adhering to application specifications and regulatory requirements, Farnell has forged partnerships with suppliers. This will help facilitate the design and development of industrial control panels, offering valuable support to engineers and technicians, ultimately saving time and costs.