Why Electrical Panel Manufacturing and Automation Integration Should Be Considered Together

The electrical panel is treated as a standard component in many automation projects — yet having panel design handled by a different supplier than the automation and control design is one of the most common causes of delays that surface during commissioning.

Risks created by separate execution

• I/O count mismatches are discovered on site, at the most expensive moment
• Cable entry points and layout may not match the actual mechanical arrangement
• Brand/model standardization may be incompatible with the maintenance team's existing stock

The advantage of designing together

When panel manufacturing is carried out by the same team as the automation and control design, within the same project schedule, such mismatches are caught at the drawing stage rather than on site. This makes a significant difference in both time and cost.

What to watch for in the specification

• Leaving spare capacity based on possible future expansion, not just the current load
• An IP protection class suited to the installation environment
• Type-test documentation compliant with IEC 61439

When starting an automation project, the question of who will carry out panel manufacturing and how should be one of the fundamental decisions settled at the very beginning of the project.