A Distributed Control System (DCS) is a type of automated industrial control system (ICS) used to control geographically distributed processes, such as those in factories, power plants, and other large industrial settings. DCS systems rely on a network of controllers distributed across a facility, allowing for real-time monitoring and control of multiple processes simultaneously. These systems are integral in industries where precise, continuous control is essential. Read on to learn more about the meaning of DCS.
What is a DCS?
A Distributed Control System (DCS) is a computerized control system that streamlines the functionalities of industrial devices used throughout a workspace. A DCS utilizes a wide range of controllers to permit all the parts to converse with one another just as PCs do. These controllers are distributed geographically across a plant to allow for high-speed communication to the control process. When utilizing various kinds of modules, the framework may require diverse correspondence norms, for example, Modbus and Profibus.
In today’s tech-driven world, many of our most valuable devices rely on a clean and stable power supply. But what happens when the power running through your home is less than ideal? This is where “dirty power” comes into play. Dirty power refers to any irregularities or distortions in your electrical supply that can cause serious issues for electronics and appliance.
Harmonic distortion – Alterations in the waveform of electricity.
Electrical noise – High-frequency interference from other sources.
Power surges – Brief bursts of excess power.
These irregularities can be caused by several factors, such as faulty wiring, poor grounding, nearby heavy machinery, and even power grid fluctuations. Appliances like solar inverters or other power-generating equipment can also introduce distortions into your electrical system.
This drawing represents the sine wave differences in clean vs dirty power.
Dirty Power’s Impact on Industrial Automation
Dirty power can have particularly severe consequences for industrial equipment, as these systems often rely on precise electrical inputs to operate efficiently. Voltage sags or spikes can cause motors to overheat, leading to premature wear and tear on critical components. This not only shortens the lifespan of expensive machinery but can also result in unexpected downtime for repairs, disrupting production schedules. Additionally, sensitive industrial equipment like programmable logic controllers (PLCs) and automated systems may malfunction or produce faulty outputs when exposed to harmonic distortion or electrical noise, increasing the risk of operational errors and product defects.
The financial impact of dirty power on industrial operations can be significant. Frequent power irregularities can lead to higher energy consumption as machines work harder to compensate for unstable electrical inputs, driving up utility costs. Furthermore, unplanned equipment failures can incur expensive repair and replacement costs. In industries where precision is paramount—such as manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, or data centers—dirty power can cause costly errors, affecting product quality and regulatory compliance. Protecting industrial equipment with solutions like power line conditioners, voltage regulators, and uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) is essential to ensuring both the reliability and efficiency of operations.
Protecting Your Equipment from Dirty Power
Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to safeguard your home and electronics from the negative effects of dirty power.
Install Surge Protectors
One of the easiest ways to protect your devices from voltage spikes is by using surge protectors. These devices absorb excess energy before it can reach your electronics, preventing damage from sudden power surges.
Use an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS)
A UPS is a backup power system that kicks in during power sags or outages, keeping your devices running smoothly. Many UPS units also include built-in power conditioning features that filter out dirty power to ensure a steady electrical flow.
Invest in Power Line Conditioners
Power line conditioners are designed to regulate and stabilize voltage, filtering out any irregularities in the electrical supply. By using these devices, you can ensure that your electronics receive consistent, clean power.
Use Dedicated Circuits for Sensitive Equipment
Sensitive electronics like computers, home theater systems, and medical equipment can benefit from being placed on dedicated circuits. These circuits help to minimize interference from other devices and reduce the likelihood of voltage fluctuations.
Schedule Regular Electrical Maintenance
Having an electrician inspect your facility’s wiring and grounding system periodically can help identify potential problems before they cause serious damage. Proper maintenance of your electrical system is key to preventing issues associated with dirty power.
Conclusion
The effects of dirty power can have a significant impact on the performance and lifespan of your electronics and equipment. By understanding what dirty power is and how it affects your facility, you can take steps to protect your devices from its negative effects. Implementing the right safeguards will ensure your equipment remain functional, safe, and energy-efficient for years to come.
Need to Replace Equipment Due to Dirty Power?
If you have a servo motor or amplifier that has been heavily affected by dirty power, our team of experts are ready to help you ensure that your business is back up and running in no time. Our customer service team can be reached by email: sales@mroelectric.com or by phone: (800) 691-8511.
Alternatively, you can find out more about extending the life of your servo motor here.
The game is almost over, and your team is losing. You can feel the crowd’s energy dropping as you look around at sad faces painted with team colors. But just as you’re about to give up hope, someone comes out to pump up the crowd and save the day: the mascot.
For any team, mascots are crucial for boosting morale and keeping fans engaged. They’re famous symbols of team spirit that appear on merchandise, inspire game-day outfits, and become iconic figures with big personalities. It’s easy to see how beloved mascots are while they’re on the field, but many do just as much off the field to keep fans entertained. In this blog, we’ll explore which college mascots are the most popular based on their social media followings. Read on to see if your favorites made the cut!
College Mascots with the Highest Social Media Following
So who takes the cake, Biff, the Michigan Wolverine or Brutus Buckeye? The Duke Blue Devil or Rameses the Tar Heel? We turned to X, Instagram, and TikTok to analyze followers of mascots at over 70 major universities across the U.S. So, lay the debates to rest because we crunched the numbers.
Fans of Brigham Young University or the University of Oregon are in luck thanks to Cosmo the Cougar and The Oregon Duck. These mascots are leagues ahead of their social media competition, and we can see why. They both keep up with trends and maintain consistent posting schedules—and people love to watch Cosmo dance.
Although The Ohio State University’s Brutus Buckeye is in third place, the contest isn’t very close. The Duck’s combined follower count is almost double that of Brutus Buckeye’s, while Cosmo’s count is over triple.
The three highest-followed mascots can attribute much of their success to TikTok. Fourth-ranked Mike the Tiger of Louisiana State University, on the other hand, is best known for his purple and gold-themed Instagram page. Mike is joined by other Instagrammers like Aubie (Auburn University), Reveille (Texas A&M University), Jonathan the Husky (University of Connecticut), and Big Al (University of Alabama). These mascots are in the majority, as Instagram is the biggest platform for most of the mascots we researched.
While most mascots tend to do their best on TikTok and Instagram, others thrive on X. That’s where Bucky Badger, Golden Gopher, and Cocky all boast their biggest platforms. Even so, Brutus Buckeye has the most X followers of any college mascot, followed closely by The Oregon Duck.
Conferences with the Highest Social Media Following
Next, we wanted to see how the conferences stack up to each other, all mascots considered.
The Big 12 Conference might have the highest social media following, but it only has one mascot in the 20 highest-followed list. That just goes to show the sheer social media power of the most popular college mascot overall, Cosmo the Cougar.
The Big Ten Conference and the SEC have the next highest social media followings. As the oldest NCAA Division I conferences today, it’s no surprise that together they contain 16 of the 20 highest-followed mascots.
Following in fourth place is the ACC, with Sebastian the Ibis leading the conference in social media followers. Hailing from the University of Miami, Sebastian holds the ACC’s only spot on the top 20 list. Similarly, UConn’s Jonathan the Husky is the only mascot from an NCAA football-independent school to appear on the list.
Representing Washington State University, Butch T. Cougar has the most followers in the Pac-12 Conference. He may not have enough followers to make it on the top 20 list, but he has enough to beat Oregon State University’s Benny Beaver, the only other mascot in the conference.
Closing Thoughts
So there you have it! Whether your mascot made our list or not, we can all agree that game days wouldn’t be the same without them.
College mascots are an essential part of any team, bringing fans together both on the field and online. At MRO Electric, we understand the importance of a solid team. Without a collective effort, we wouldn’t be able to deliver our electric supplies on time and intact to keep your operations running smoothly. Contact us today to see how our team can help you find the right industrial automation supplies!
Methodology
Our analysis of the most popular collegiate mascots includes schools in the Power 5 conferences, as well as FBS independent schools. We analyzed each of the primary mascots’ accounts on Instagram, TikTok, and X in July of 2024. Secondary mascots or school spirit accounts that feature the mascot were not included in this analysis.
