What is electrical Control panel?

Inside our bodies, we have vital organs that control and monitor our surroundings.

Similarly, an electrical control panel is a metal box which contains important electrical devices that control and monitor a mechanical/electrical process.

Control panel is used to accommodate (combine) instruments for the purpose of measurement, monitoring, protection, detection, control and manage the processes. 

The panels are located in a control room as well as a field termed as a local control panel (LCP) for operational convenience.

The control panels are designed based on the type of energy and dynamics associated. Panels are named based on a functional media such as electrical, electronic, air, and oil.

• If the panel is Pneumatic controller/ Indicators which are operated by air is called pneumatic control panel with associated controllers, transducers gauges, etc.,

• If a panel is called hydraulic, if it is operated by oil with associated pressure gauges, directional control valves, etc.,

Types of Control Panels

There are three basic types of control panels.

1. Flat Control Panels
2. Breakfront Control Panels
3. Console type Control Panels

Flat-face  Control Panel

The flat control panel is the least expensive and easiest to construct and simple design of all types.

straightand vertical plane of the panel allows an orderly layout of tubing, electrical ductwork, and miscellaneous equipment.

Instruments can be arranged as per the operator’s convenience and requirement. Flat control panels are best suitable for PLC/DCS system installation.

for many years flat flat panels have been the most popular design. they probably will remain popular for a long time.

flatface designs are subdivided into three types that,

(1) Turn back 

(2)Angle frame 

(3)Angle frame modular

Breakfront Panel(stand-up-console)

The panel front is form or broken into several panels to effectively increase the usable area of the panel front without a corresponding increase in overall height.

The back front panel design lends itself to high density instrumentation which utilizes miniature or multicased instruments and requires many push buttons and pilot lights that must be observed by operators. 

This panel configuration is perhaps best suited to electronic instrumentation.

Breakfront panels allow greater use of the front plane of the board. 

top portion of the panel is swung downwards to an angle normal to the line of sight allowing better visibility.

Console

The console is defined as a panel or desk on which are mounted dials , switches and other apparatus used in centrally controlling electrical and mechanical devices.

Two typical designs and configuration are given below

(1)Desk type

(2)Custom type

The console appears to be eye-catching and very pleasing to most people.

their length is set by the operator’s unit responsibility limits. i.e operator for one console and one console for one operator.

The length varies from 4 to 12 feet.

Consoles are often coupled with ‘’flat backup” panels which contain large-sized instruments and auxiliary components.

Auxilliary equipment such as pressure switches, transducers. As the console is built with limited area, troubleshooting of instruments becomes a real problem with limited area to work for the maintenance team.