It is always necessary to protect personnel from contact with electrical hazards, both inside and outside the control or power panel of a machine. All drivers must be protected from personal contact. Most power distribution devices are designed to facilitate this level of protection, but active components, such as power buses, distribution blocks, and other power terminals, must be covered with a transparent, non-conductive cover. Machine automation systems consist of several subsystems and components to provide the necessary energy distribution, safety and real-time control.
Each of these subsystems and components must work together, and many of them are often networked together by cabling or, increasingly, by digital communication links. Careful design, selection, integration and testing will ensure that the automation system works as required, both initially and throughout the machine's life cycle.
