Age of those who can build a control panel and control a process

[SheffSimon]

Why would I want the control panel wireman to write the PLC software?

Why would I want the control panel designer to physically build the panel?

My own background is PLC/DCS software design, writing and commissioning, and general control system design including panel and safety system design. The companies I've worked for either had a panel shop or subbed it out. There are a million panel bashing companies out there.

Likewise with the installation, we design it in-house and sub out the supply and install.

I don't think its a dying industry, in fact there seems to be loads of work out there at the minute.

I'm 44 BTW....

 

[Badged01]

As a poll result, yep to all and I'm over 50 -- nearer to the 60 end but Im not giving exacts away!!.

Though it may take me some time to get back into the swing of things and my sware programming skills are probably pretty rusty'ish now! I can still remember some ADA 83 code ......

 

[Knobhead]

One thing I learnt very early on. Production muppets are a bloody site more inventive than me. If there’s way to screw a machine up, they’ll find it.

 

[ElectroChem]

I'm 32 and a year into my apprenticeship, I'm just getting into wiring some panels now and my master wants me able to design my own by the time I'm done.

 

[Spoon]

I'm 46. Wired panels in the past, but mainly design them now. Still like to wire them up every now and then.
I have done some PLC programming but only with AB stuff. Other guys at work do the programming of our PLC's.
Done some safety training as well.

 

[WaterSparky]

Im 21, working in the utilities industry, doing maintenance I currently make small control panels for small processes, I can program low level PLCs like your Zelios (Primarily schneider gear) and to high level structured text on M340, with a little help on the more complex control. Safety systems am I ok at to a basic level I usually have to ask for a bit of guidance on how more complicated panels/systems should be setup which the more mature guys help with. Ive got miles more to learn in my field of instruments and automation. But love all of it.

 

[Deleted member 26818]

Don't do any of the things listed now, but have done.

 

[snowhead]

There's nothing to fear for the future.

The Internet will come to the rescue with forums;

How to Design and build control panels in 5 weeks.

How to program PLCs in 5 weeks.

How to design safety systems in 5 weeks.

The 5 weeks was just an arbitrary figure plucked from nowhere, it may be more or less in reality.

 

[spark 68]

Over 45 but under 50, done most things listed at one time or another, worked for a couple of multi-national panel builders at different times, worked in a car plant for a while, only stuff I haven't done is the big stuff like what Tony and Rob has, nor managed large projects like E54, not qualified nor insured enough to actually design SIL systems like Netblind Paul or DW, but have wired them up as per spec and some fault finding experience with them, nothing on HV, nor hazardous stuff, I have done some fairly basic PLC programming. Also some testing and commissioning of switch gear, oh! and a bit domestic lol.

Always eager to learn more, I tend to stay in my comfort zone these days, I know my limitations and when I need outside expertise for either legislative reasons, or simply because I know enough to know that I don't know enough.
Every day is still a school day.

 

[Darkwood]

Over 45 but under 50, done most things listed at one time or another, worked for a couple of multi-national panel builders at different times, worked in a car plant for a while, only stuff I haven't done is the big stuff like what Tony and Rob has, nor managed large projects like E54, not qualified nor insured enough to actually design SIL systems like Netblind Paul or DW, but have wired them up as per spec and some fault finding experience with them, nothing on HV, nor hazardous stuff, I have done some fairly basic PLC programming. Also some testing and commissioning of switch gear, oh! and a bit domestic lol.

Always eager to learn more, I tend to stay in my comfort zone these days, I know my limitations and when I need outside expertise for either legislative reasons, or simply because I know enough to know that I don't know enough.
Every day is still a school day.

OP only asked your age bracket :smartass2:.... but as you name dropped me Ill say I enjoyed the post lol

 

[Knobhead]

There's nothing to fear for the future.

The Internet will come to the rescue with forums;

How to Design and build control panels in 5 weeks.

How to program PLCs in 5 weeks.

How to design safety systems in 5 weeks.

The 5 weeks was just an arbitrary figure plucked from nowhere, it may be more or less in reality.

It’s only a 3 day add on to the domestic installer course for industrial.

 

[bcm_spark]

I don't post on this forum very often but I do have a browse every now and then. This topic caught my eye, Mr Skelton, you are correct, it only seems to be the old boys that have any experience at this type of thing and very few of the younger lads including so called engineers who's excuse is always, "the computer says it'll be ok". Yes but your computers not installing it is it you stupid boy!

Myself, I am 34 and I can say that I am competent in putting together a control panel complete with beta duct of various sizes laid out appropriately to accommodate relays, contactors, em stops, LCD displays, TC's etc etc.

Panels with 110v, 24v, 48v with different coloured insulation for different voltages all in the same panel no problems.

I can wire all of this from drawings and terminate using the correct crimps (or ferrules depending on where your from) bootlace crimps, pin crimps, hook crimps etc. Complete with cable idents on all cores. The back plate earthed to the panel etc. And, and this is a big AND, no pen marks on the back plate. How many times have you seen a plate that has been marked out using a big black sharpie and when it is complete, the first thing you see when you open the panel door is black bloody lines everywhere!

I am not much good a PLC work but it's easy enough with instructions.

36

I'd probably suck at wiring a house, I'd be too slow to make any money.

Lee, yeah me to mate, I'd spend the first day looking round, drinking tea planning the job. The second day getting the gear together and the third day, well there probably wouldn't be a third day as I'd have been binned!!

I once worked with a house basher and I asked him how long to wire a 3 bed semi, "one day"!!

Ben

 

[D Skelton]

The results of this poll are pretty alarming to be honest!

That said, mega bucks in years to come in this side of the industry! Supply and demand!

 

[shanky887614]

I don't post on this forum very often but I do have a browse every now and then. This topic caught my eye, Mr Skelton, you are correct, it only seems to be the old boys that have any experience at this type of thing and very few of the younger lads including so called engineers who's excuse is always, "the computer says it'll be ok". Yes but your computers not installing it is it you stupid boy!

Myself, I am 34 and I can say that I am competent in putting together a control panel complete with beta duct of various sizes laid out appropriately to accommodate relays, contactors, em stops, LCD displays, TC's etc etc.

Panels with 110v, 24v, 48v with different coloured insulation for different voltages all in the same panel no problems.

I can wire all of this from drawings and terminate using the correct crimps (or ferrules depending on where your from) bootlace crimps, pin crimps, hook crimps etc. Complete with cable idents on all cores. The back plate earthed to the panel etc. And, and this is a big AND, no pen marks on the back plate. How many times have you seen a plate that has been marked out using a big black sharpie and when it is complete, the first thing you see when you open the panel door is black bloody lines everywhere!

I am not much good a PLC work but it's easy enough with instructions.



Lee, yeah me to mate, I'd spend the first day looking round, drinking tea planning the job. The second day getting the gear together and the third day, well there probably wouldn't be a third day as I'd have been binned!!

I once worked with a house basher and I asked him how long to wire a 3 bed semi, "one day"!!

Ben

3 bed semi?

im guessing that is without making good or all surface stickyback minitrunking

 

[rapparee]

There was an old fella who was from shrewsbury who was in his seventies he was officially retired before i started, but our company took him out of retirement every six months or so to come back over to ireland to program/build robots etc but in the end he had to tell us he was definetly retiring ( i still remember him racing out of the yard in his big jag to catch the ferry), he is replaced now with a young gun in his sixties