Control Desk Panel

The speed of operator response is dependent on the ease with which the necessary controls are located directly in front of him. Accordingly, in very fast processes there is no time available to find a selector switch or read a label on a pushbutton. The design of our Control Desk Panels is therefore based upon the operator's normal working position. The operational sequence, the angle of view, the movement of the hand and the method of cabling are examined in relation to the operator before finalising the fabrication drawings. The Control Desk Panels (and associated components) are not treated simply as 'furniture'; rather they serve as the primary human machine interface for the plant area.

These Control Desk Panels will be located at a single position where there are several drive units, field sensory signals and alarms that require monitoring. Pushbuttons, indicator lamps, mimic diagrams, meters and HMI stations are all grouped logically to provide operators with the best opportunity for responding to events and providing maximum amount of time in which to prepare for their response without confusion. The internal wiring has been constructed with standard ferrules and terminal segregation that assists in the maintenance of these on/off controls in the event of a failure during production when minutes are of absolute importance.

Continuous operation and sealed control environments produce significant heat and must be taken into account when calculating ventilation systems or the amount of space needed for individual components. Rear access doors and removable gland plates provide easy maintenance and facilitate signal cable entry.

Prior to shipment, each control command and associated lamp along with alarm acknowledgment will be tested as well as the proper functionality of any devices used for communication with a PLC or SCADA if applicable. The Control Desk Panels have been supplied for installed systems throughout the U.S., where centralized control, fast operator response time and clear status indication are required for non-stop process operation.