Automated control systems have increased in popularity over the last couple of decades. The main reason behind this trend is that companies, and consumers alike, are looking to cut costs and at the same time improve efficiency of their systems. Home automation, for instance, is incredibly popular all over the world. Most of these systems have custom controls, so the installers normally have in-depth knowledge of control systems engineering and can come up with custom automation systems on request. It is important to note that no control system can work without a power system. When looking for the best custom control and power systems, there are many factor that you need to consider.
Choosing the Right Engineering Firm
Control systems are designed, manufactured and installed by electrical engineers. For this reason, you should only look for electrical engineering firms that design custom systems. The ideal firm must have done similar jobs in the past. For instance, if you are looking for a custom automation system to control the operations of a multi-story office or apartment building, you should only shortlist firms that have handled similar projects in the recent past. On the other hand, if you have a unique system or equipment that needs a control system, the ideal firm must have handled projects that involved unique or specialized equipment.
Designing a power system for any type of building, equipment or system is not difficult for any qualified engineer. However, what most people normally want is power redundancy. This is usually achieved by installing an automatic standby generator. If the power goes out, the generator must be able to turn on immediately and pick up the load in a matter of seconds. To ensure critical systems enjoy zero percent downtime, Uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems should be connected to computers, PLC’s and SCADA systems, where necessary. Obviously, nobody wants to spend a lot of power on non-essential systems when there is a power outage. For this reason, the ideal backup power supply system should only supply power to essential systems.
Factors to Consider When Hiring a Engineering Firm
While experience and reputation are key factors to consider, what is much more important is licensing. The ideal contractor should be licensed to offer electrical contracting services. Furthermore, they should be insured against all possible risks. Ideally, the right firm should also have a performance bond. In case the firm fails to complete the project or delays the completion, you should be compensated for your losses. Lastly, the ideal firm should be highly rated by previous clients as well as industry experts.
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