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What’s the Difference Between a PLC and a PAC?
In industrial automation, choosing the right control system is crucial—but the line between PLCs and PACs isn't always clear. Are they the same thing? Is one just a newer version...
Industrial Automation Co Blog
Industrial Automation Co, located in Raleigh, NC, is a global reseller of hard-to-find and obsolete industrial automation parts. We offer comprehensive customer support and a top-tier warranty on all products
What’s the Difference Between a PLC and a PAC?
In industrial automation, choosing the right control system is crucial—but the line between PLCs and PACs isn't always clear. Are they the same thing? Is one just a newer version of the other? The short answer: not quite. While both PLCs (Programmable Logic Controllers) and PACs (Programmable Automation Controllers) are designed...
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How Ladder Logic Works: A Beginner’s Guide to PLC Programming
Ladder logic is the universal language of PLC programming—and it’s not going anywhere. Whether you're working with an Allen-Bradley MicroLogix or...
Sinking vs. Sourcing Explained: Wiring PLC Inputs the Right Way
If you’ve ever wired a proximity sensor to a PLC input and gotten unexpected results—or worse, damaged a module—you’re not alone. The terms sinking and sourcing are among the most misunderstood...
Smart Motor Controllers vs. Traditional Starters: What’s the Better Choice for Your Motors?
The choice between smart motor controllers and traditional starters isn’t just a matter of technology—it’s a strategic decision that can impact your facility’s uptime, energy use, and long-term operating costs. While...
Top 10 Allen-Bradley PLC Errors (And How to Fix Them)
Allen-Bradley PLCs are trusted worldwide, but even the best control systems can run into trouble. Whether you’re working with CompactLogix, ControlLogix, or MicroLogix, this...
Migrating from Siemens S7-300 to S7-1500 with Industrial Automation Co.
A Northeast chemical plant risked production delays when their Siemens S7-300 PLC began failing after 20 years of service. They turned to Industrial Automation Co., a veteran-owned distributor in Raleigh, NC,...
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PowerFlex 700 Maintenance Guide: How to Extend the Life of Your VFD
In industrial environments, maintenance isn’t optional—it’s essential. That’s especially true for components like the Allen-Bradley PowerFlex 700, a high-performance variable frequency drive (VFD) used across manufacturing and processing lines. Downtime...
Why the PowerFlex 700 Is Still a Top Automation Drive in 2025
In an industry racing toward smarter, faster, and more connected automation, some hardware still stands the test of time. The Allen-Bradley PowerFlex 700 is one of those rare drives that continues...
April 2025 Tariff Update: How U.S. Manufacturers Can Protect Their Automation Projects
Executive Summary:Tariffs on critical factory components, including PLCs, HMIs, drives, motors, and automation parts, are surging in 2025. With trade tensions between the U.S., China, and Europe escalating, supply chains...
Tariff Trouble: How U.S.–China Tensions Are Driving Up Automation Part Costs in 2025
Sky-high tariffs are forcing a reset on how U.S. manufacturers source automation parts. With U.S.–China tensions escalating and Chinese imports facing up to 145% duties, essential components such as PLCs,...
Integrating PowerFlex 525 with CompactLogix: A Step-by-Step Ethernet/IP Guide
If you’re working with Allen-Bradley’s CompactLogix PLCs and PowerFlex 525 drives, integrating them over EtherNet/IP unlocks powerful advantages, like real-time status monitoring, tag-based control, and faster diagnostics. But setting it...
PowerFlex 525 Fault Codes: What They Mean and How to Fix Them
Even the most reliable drives can throw fault codes—and when they do, production can grind to a halt. Whether you’re an engineer commissioning a system, a technician supporting a plant,...
PowerFlex 523 vs 525: Which VFD Should You Choose?
If you’ve landed here, you probably already know that the Allen-Bradley PowerFlex 520 series offers two main models: the 523 and the 525. But picking the right one isn’t always straightforward....
How to Set Up and Program Your Allen-Bradley PowerFlex 525 VFD: A Complete Engineer’s Guide
The Allen-Bradley PowerFlex 525 is more than a motor controller—it’s a configurable, compact workhorse used in thousands of automation systems worldwide. From HVAC fan control to bottling conveyors, this VFD...
🌎 Global Tariffs Are Shifting—Here’s What It Means for U.S. Manufacturers and Automation Part Buyers
As of mid-April 2025, the global tariff landscape has changed dramatically. For U.S. manufacturers and sourcing teams who depend on industrial automation parts like drives, motors, HMIs, PLCs, and power...
Tariffs, Inflation, and Automation: How Factory Budgets Are Being Rewritten in 2025
🏭 Introduction: Budgeting in the Age of Uncertainty It’s 2025, and for factory leaders, budgeting is no longer just about what’s needed—it’s about what’s possible. Tariffs on industrial imports from...
The Real Cost of Waiting: How Supply Chain Hesitation Is Hurting U.S. Factories
🚨 Introduction: Hesitation Is the Hidden Threat Manufacturers are facing major disruptions in 2025—but the biggest threat may be indecision itself. Delaying automation and MRO purchases can have cascading effects...
Global Sourcing vs. Local Stock: Where to Buy Automation Parts During a Trade War
🌍 Introduction: The Trade War’s New Reality In 2025, U.S. manufacturers are facing a new kind of pressure—not just to find the right parts, but to find them in the...