Selecting the Right Control Panel for Your Application: A Free Guide

From water treatment plants and data centers to manufacturing lines and military installations, industrial operations depend on reliable control systems to function safely and efficiently. But when it comes to choosing the right control panel — the stakes are high.

Whether you're building from scratch, retrofitting, or scaling production, this guide breaks down the essential criteria for selecting the ideal control panel for your specific application.

 1. Define the Application and Environment

Every control panel must be purpose-built for its operating environment. Ask:

• What is the function of this panel? (e.g., motor control, process automation, lighting, HVAC, SCADA)

• What conditions will it operate in? (humidity, temperature extremes, dust, vibration, exposure to chemicals or water)

💡 Tip: For harsh environments, opt for NEMA 4X or stainless-steel enclosures with climate control components.

2. Consider Regulatory and Safety Compliance

Compliance is non-negotiable. Choose a panel built to meet:

• UL 508A for industrial control panels (standard for general use)

• UL 891 for switchboards (when large-scale power distribution is involved)

• NEC (NFPA 70) and NFPA 79 for electrical standards in industrial machinery

• Industry-specific standards (e.g., FDA for food-grade, MIL-SPEC for defense)

Infinity Industrial Controls is certified in both UL 508A and UL 891 — so you know you're in safe hands.

3. Select Components Strategically

Panel performance depends on the quality and compatibility of its internal components. Common components include:

• PLCs (Allen-Bradley, Siemens, Schneider)

• VFDs and soft starters

• Relays, contactors, and terminal blocks

• HMIs and communication modules

• Surge protection and power supplies

🔍 Evaluate component life cycles, vendor support, and ease of integration with your existing system.

4. Plan for Expansion and Maintenance

Think beyond Day One. Will this system:

• Need remote access or IoT connectivity?

• Be integrated into a SCADA or MES platform?

• Require frequent troubleshooting or maintenance?

Designing with modularity, cable management, and labeling standards makes a massive difference in long-term cost of ownership.

5. Work with an Experienced, Custom-Built Panel Shop

A trusted control panel shop should offer:

• Engineering support from concept through commissioning

• CAD documentation and schematics

• Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT)

• UL and ISO certifications

• Nationwide delivery and support

At Infinity Industrial Controls, our team collaborates closely with customers to deliver custom, code-compliant, and application-specific solutions — with lead times as fast as 10 weeks.

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