Once the electrical design is complete, a layout for the controls cabinet is developed, as shown in See A Physical Layout for the Control Cabinet. The physical dimensions of the devices must be considered, and adequate space is needed to run wires between components. In the cabinet the AC power would enter at the terminal block, and be connected to the main breaker. It would then be connected to the contactors and overload relays that constitute the motor starter. Two of the phases are also connected to the transformer to power the logic. The start and stop buttons are at the left of the box (note: normally these are mounted elsewhere, and a separate layout drawing would be needed).

A Physical Layout for the Control Cabinet

The final layout in the cabinet might look like the one shown in See Final Panel Wiring.

Final Panel Wiring

When being built the system will follow certain standards that may be company policy, or legal requirements. This often includes items such as;

hold downs - the will secure the wire so they don't move

labels - wire labels help troubleshooting

strain reliefs - these will hold the wire so that it will not be pulled out of screw terminals

grounding - grounding wires may be needed on each metal piece for safety

A photograph of an industrial controls cabinet is shown in See An Industrial Controls Cabinet.

An Industrial Controls Cabinet