Control Systems That Monitor and Respond Automatically

Arc Electric Inc designs, builds, and programs PLC control panels and automation systems for industrial applications in Butte, Montana.

When a motor overheats or a pump runs dry without anyone noticing until damage occurs, the problem usually comes down to the absence of sensors, alarms, or automated controls that monitor equipment conditions and respond before failures happen. Industrial operations in Butte and the surrounding area often rely on equipment spread across multiple buildings or remote locations where manual monitoring is impractical or impossible.

Arc Electric Inc operates a panel shop where programmable logic controllers and automation control panels are designed, wired, and tested before installation. The work includes integrating sensors that monitor motor temperature, pressure, flow, and other conditions, programming logic that generates alarms when equipment reaches fault thresholds, and building systems that allow operators to monitor and control equipment from a central location or remotely. Every system is tailored to the specific application and built to withstand the vibration, dust, and temperature extremes common in industrial environments.

Talk with Arc Electric Inc about automation and PLC control solutions in Butte to monitor equipment conditions, reduce downtime, or integrate new sensors and alarms into existing systems.

How Automation Systems Are Built and Integrated

Your electrician will meet with your operations team to understand what equipment needs monitoring, what conditions indicate a problem, and how alarms should be delivered when faults occur. The panel is then built in the shop with all wiring labeled, tested for continuity, and programmed with the logic required to monitor inputs, evaluate conditions, and trigger outputs such as alarms, shutdowns, or notifications sent to your phone or email.

After installation, your system will continuously monitor sensor readings, compare them to programmed thresholds, and alert you the moment a motor reaches unsafe temperature, a tank level drops too low, or any other fault condition occurs. You will be able to view live data from a touchscreen panel, a computer on your network, or remotely from a phone, and your equipment will shut down automatically if conditions exceed safe operating limits.

The electrician will also provide documentation showing wiring diagrams, ladder logic programs, and instructions for adjusting setpoints or adding sensors as your operation changes. If your facility already has a PLC system that needs troubleshooting, upgrades, or integration with new equipment, existing programs can be modified and tested without replacing the entire control panel.

What to Ask Before Installing Automation

Operators and facility managers often want to know what sensors are required, how alarms are configured, and whether existing equipment can be integrated into a new control system.

What does a PLC control panel include?
A PLC control panel includes a programmable logic controller, input and output modules for connecting sensors and devices, a power supply, circuit protection, and all internal wiring labeled and terminated. The panel is mounted in a NEMA-rated enclosure suitable for your environment and tested before installation.
How do sensors monitor motor temperature?
Temperature sensors are installed directly on motor windings or housings and wired back to the PLC, which continuously reads the temperature and compares it to a programmed threshold. If the temperature exceeds the safe limit, the PLC triggers an alarm, sends a notification, or shuts down the motor to prevent damage.
What happens when a fault condition is detected?
When a fault condition is detected, the PLC executes the programmed response, which may include activating an alarm light or horn, sending an email or text message, shutting down the affected equipment, or logging the event for review. You define the response based on the severity of the fault and your operational requirements.
Can automation systems work with equipment in multiple locations?
Automation systems can monitor and control equipment spread across multiple buildings or remote sites by using networked PLCs, wireless radios, or cellular modems that transmit data back to a central controller. Sensors at each location report conditions in real time, and you can view all data from a single interface.
How long does it take to build and install a control panel?
Building a custom control panel typically takes one to three weeks depending on complexity, and installation usually takes one to two days once the panel is delivered to your site. Programming and startup testing are included, and your electrician will train your staff on how to operate the system and adjust settings.

Arc Electric Inc builds automation and control panels for industrial operations throughout Butte and the surrounding region, including facilities where equipment monitoring and alarm integration are critical to preventing costly downtime. If your operation needs sensors installed, alarms configured, or a new PLC system designed to monitor conditions across multiple locations, get in touch to discuss your application and receive a detailed proposal that includes panel design, programming, and installation.