Automation Chat

Best of 2021! #4: Proper Termination and Grounding of VFD Cables

As 2021 winds down, we’re re-sharing our top episodes of the year. This is my chat with my buddy Steve at Southwire about termination and grounding of VFD cables.

And be sure to follow us, and rate us and give us a review — it really helps, and we appreciate it. Now enjoy this #4 episode of 2021!

Host Theresa Houck, Executive Editor of The Journal From Rockwell Automation and Our PartnerNetwork magazine, talks with Steve Wetzel, Senior Product Engineer with Southwire Co., about terminating and grounding variable-frequency drive (VFD) cables. Learn why cable termination is so important, why cables often are terminated incorrectly, and how to achieve proper termination. Discover the best way to terminate a VFD cable’s shield and ground wires, and how to terminate VFD cable coming into and going out of intermediate termination boxes such as quick disconnects.

And find out one concept Steve wishes all users understood about VFD cables.

And of course, you get your family-friendly, silly Joke of the Day.

Additional resources:

• Podcast: “How VFD Cable Really Affects Motor Performance” on your favorite podcast app or watch on YouTube.
• White Paper: “All About VFD Cables.”
• Southwire Company.

Video of this podcast chat is available on our YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/0kkInWUQczg.

Proper Termination and Grounding of VFD Cables

Host Theresa Houck, Executive Editor of The Journal From Rockwell Automation and Our PartnerNetwork magazine, talks with Steve Wetzel, Senior Product Engineer with Southwire Co., about terminating and grounding variable-frequency drive (VFD) cables. Learn why cable termination is so important, why cables often are terminated incorrectly, and how to achieve proper termination. Discover the best way to terminate a VFD cable’s shield and ground wires, and how to terminate VFD cable coming into and going out of intermediate termination boxes such as quick disconnects.

And find out one concept Steve wishes all users understood about VFD cables.

And of course, you get your family-friendly, silly Joke of the Day.

Access more resources here:

• Podcast: “How VFD Cable Really Affects Motor Performance” on your favorite podcast app or watch on YouTube
• White Paper: “All About VFD Cables”
• Southwire Company

If you like “Automation Chat,” please leave us a 5-star rating, and subscribe so you don’t miss an episode.

Video of this podcast chat is available on our YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/0kkInWUQczg.

How Digital Twins are Used for Automation Design — and Why Users Love Them

You’ve heard of digital twins, but do you really know how they work? It’s a big deal. Find out how they’re used for industrial automation design, in this chat with Chris Harduwar, Vice President of Automation with Maplesoft, and Theresa Houck, Executive Editor of The Journal From Rockwell Automation and Our PartnerNetwork magazine.

Also learn why designers swear by digital twins for virtual modeling because of how they streamline production and commissioning. Get examples of them at work in injection molding, food, packaging and other applications. Chris also addresses reasons some people hesitate to use digital twins. And get his insights about digital twins’ next evolution.

And of course, get your family-friendly, silly Joke of the Day.

Access more resources here:

• White Paper: Using Virtual Commissioning to Develop Faster, Safer Machines for Less
• Products Mentioned: MapleSim Software by Maplesoft
• Learn more about Virtual Commissioning with MapleSim and Rockwell Automation Studio 5000

If you like “Automation Chat,” please leave us a 5-star rating, and subscribe so you don’t miss a single episode.

Video of this podcast conversation is available on our YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/NzsobIIauqo.

Remarkable Warehouse Automation Digital Transformation & What Manufacturers Can Learn

Warehouse automation is an early adopter of smart technologies that enable innovative digital transformation. Host Theresa Houck, Executive Editor of The Journal From Rockwell Automation and Our PartnerNetwork magazine, chats with Mike Berg, Solutions Marketing Manager - Industrial Automation with Panduit, about industry trends putting increased pressure on warehouses and distribution centers.

They examine new technologies that make them more efficient, reliable, and better equipped to handle demand – especially with the substantial growth in online ordering since COVID-19 hit. You might be surprised at the high-tech operations inside a fulfillment center.

Also learn about the network infrastructure required to support those technologies, and what manufacturers can learn from warehouse automation.

And of course, you get your family-friendly, silly Joke of the Day.

Access more resources here:

• Panduit Warehouse Automation Solutions
• Rockwell Automation and Panduit Strategic Alliance
• Special Report: How to Keep Up with - and Contribute to - Single Pair Ethernet Standards

If you like “Automation Chat,” please leave us a 5-star rating and a review.

Video of this podcast chat is available on our YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/GvjJD2btcq4.

Tech Spotlight: HMI Systems for Hazardous Locations

In this special “Tech Spotlight” episode of Automation Chat, host Theresa Houck, Executive Editor of The Journal From Rockwell Automation and Our PartnerNetwork magazine, chats with Aaron Severa, Product Manager for HMI, FieldConnex and Remote IO at Pepperl+Fuchs, a Rockwell Automation Technology Partner. They discuss two of the company’s HMI systems.

The new VisuNet GXP HMI for Zone 1 hazardous applications, and an option for Zone 2 and for Division 2 locations, is a modular platform comprised of a few individually protected and certified components. Also see the VisuNet Edge HMI for Division 1 areas. Learn how they both integrate with Rockwell Automation ThinManager thin client software.

Access more resources here:

• Pepperl+Fuchs
• VisuNet GXP HMI
• VisuNet Edge HMI
• Rockwell Automation ThinManager Thin Client Software

If you like “Automation Chat,” please leave us a 5-star rating and a review.

Video of this podcast chat is available on our YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/wZidwxGdiY8.

The Journal From Rockwell Automation and Our PartnerNetwork magazine online: http://rok.auto/thejournal.

How to Use Protective Relay Data to Cut Costs

Host Theresa Houck, Executive Editor of The Journal From Rockwell Automation and Our PartnerNetwork magazine, chats with Mark Zeller, sales and customer service director at Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL), a Rockwell Automation Digital Partner.

They discuss how digital protective relays gather and use data for electrical protection in manufacturing plants, and how to download the data. Also see examples of how the information can help you monitor health of devices connected to your power system, and thus predict problems before they occur, such as a circuit or motor failure.

And of course, you get your family-friendly, silly Joke of the Day.

Access more resources here:

• Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc. (SEL)
• Webinars from SEL
• White Papers from SEL

If you like “Automation Chat,” please leave us a good rating and a review.

Video of this podcast chat is available on our YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/ny1NukGKfaA.

The Journal From Rockwell Automation and Our PartnerNetwork magazine online: http://rok.auto/thejournal.

Smart Water Initiatives for the Water Wastewater Industry

Host Theresa Houck, Executive Editor of The Journal From Rockwell Automation and Our PartnerNetwork magazine, chats with Damon Sepe, Business Development Manager at Rockwell Automation, about digital transformation and smart water initiatives for the water wastewater industry.

They discuss why we need smart water initiatives, and where investments are increasing across hardware, software and services. You’ll also learn what 3 key areas comprise digital solutions for smart water plants; why cyberthreats are a real concern; and how the COVID pandemic has affected water infrastructure.

And of course, you get your family-friendly, silly Joke of the Day.

Access more resources here:

• Rockwell Automation Automated Water Wastewater Systems
• Case Study: City of Lima Wastewater Treatment Plant’s Operations Flow Smoothly After DCS Migration: https://bit.ly/3dccroL.

If you like “Automation Chat,” please leave us a good rating and a review.

Video of this podcast chat is available on our YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/4ci3r3FXcfs.

The Journal From Rockwell Automation and Our PartnerNetwork magazine online: http://rok.auto/thejournal.

Lessons from the Colonial Pipeline Cyberattack & Steps to Take

The ransomware attack that shut down the Colonial Pipeline on May 7, 2021, is considered the most impactful cyberattack against U.S. critical infrastructure to date, but it’s not the only one. Many infrastructure and manufacturing facility cyberattacks occur that we don’t hear about.

So in this episode, host Theresa Houck, Executive Editor of The Journal From Rockwell Automation and Our PartnerNetwork magazine, chats with Grant Geyer, Chief Product Officer at Claroty, a leading industrial cybersecurity firm and a Rockwell Automation Digital Partner. They examine how the Colonial Pipeline ransomware attack happened, as well as how the February 2021 Oldsmar, Florida water treatment cyberattack occurred, and the far-reaching effects. Also learn about the importance of the asset operator as the first line of defense.

Also learn about the asset operator’s role as the first line of defense; how converged IT/OT networks are vital for ICS efficiency, but also increase the attack surface available — and what to do about it; the technical and organizational features of a well-thought-out cyber defense; lessons learned that are useful for every industrial firm and critical infrastructure facility. And much more.

And of course, you get your family-friendly, silly Joke of the Day.

Access more resources here:

• Blog: Ongoing Colonial Pipeline Attack Unprecedented Against U.S. Critical Infrastructure: https://claroty.com/2021/05/10/blog-research-colonial-pipeline
• Blog: Implications of the Cybersecurity Executive Order for Industrial Enterprises: https://claroty.com/2021/05/13/blog-cybersecurity-executive-order
• ICS Risk & Vulnerability Report, with data points pertaining to the energy sector: https://security.claroty.com/biannual-ics-risk-vulnerability-report-2H-2020
• Claroty website: https://claroty.com  

If you like “Automation Chat,” please leave us a rating and a review.

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Video of this podcast is available on our YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/rFxa2-wyquw.

The Journal From Rockwell Automation and Our PartnerNetwork magazine: http://rok.auto/thejournal.

What is Edge Computing, and Is It for You?

**Video of this podcast is available on our YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/SVEzPU5TVGU.**

Host Theresa Houck, Executive Editor of The Journal From Rockwell Automation and Our PartnerNetwork magazine, chats about all things edge computing with Jason Andersen, Vice President of Strategy and Product Management at Stratus Technologies, a Rockwell Automation Encompass Product Partner. 

We answer the question many people have: What is edge computing, and how is it different from the cloud? You’ll learn how to know if it will help you, with considerations for types of applications and the amount and speed of data collection. We chat about what’s involved in implementing edge computing and examples of edge computing at work in real companies. Jason also describes how OEMs are using edge computing to provide new capabilities for customers.

And of course, get your family-friendly, silly Joke of the Day.

Additional resources:

• Edge Computing Trend Report: https://bit.ly/35vTmKY
• eBook: Edge Computing for Dummies: https://bit.ly/3f2MtUH
• Stratus Technologies Website: www.stratus.com

If you like “Automation Chat,” please leave us a rating and a review on your podcast app.

And tell your friends and peers about us. You can even hit the share symbol to share your favorite episode with others.

Video of this episode is available on our YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/SVEzPU5TVGU.

Visit The Journal From Rockwell Automation and Our PartnerNetwork magazine online at http://rok.auto/thejournal.

Machine Vision Camera Trends and How They Affect Your Production Line

**Video of this podcast is available on our YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/u0KHNsflR-E.**

In this episode of “Automation Chat,” Executive Editor Theresa Houck talks with Dave Sexton with Rockwell Automation Encompass Product Partner Imperx, Inc. We talk about trends in machine vision — specifically, industrial camera technology trends happening now, the exciting advancements to come, and what those developments mean to you and your production line.

And of course, get your family-friendly, silly Joke of the Day.

Additional resources:

• Imperx, Inc.: www.imperx.com
• White Paper — Advantages of Using Rugged Integrated IP67 Cameras in Industrial Applications: https://bit.ly/tj2020imperxwp

If you like “Automation Chat,” please leave us a good rating and review on your app.

And tell your friends and peers about “Automation Chat.” You can even hit the Share symbol to share your favorite episode with others.

Video of this podcast is available on our YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/u0KHNsflR-E.

Visit The Journal From Rockwell Automation and Our PartnerNetwork magazine online at http://rok.auto/thejournal.