Looking Forward to 2023
Welcome to the new year, 2023! As we embark on a new journey, it's important to reflect on the past and look forward to the future.This year has the potential to bring about significant changes and advancements for Marshall Wolf Automation, as we begin our 39th year...
2022 in Review!
Does is seem like 2022 was just a blur? Between moving warehouses, new product releases, and constant vendor updates; MWA was able to make 2022 a year to remember! Let's review some of our best highlights throughout the year. January We kicked off the year featuring...
Season’s Greetings and Holiday Hours 2022
It's that time of year again where we get cozy around a fire, spend time with loved ones and do our best to eat, drink and be merry! From all of us at Marshall Wolf Automation, we wish you all a season of joy and look forward to a bright New Year!Our offices will be...
I Spy Thanksgiving at MWA
Everyone loves a good I Spy puzzle! Can you find all twelve industrial products in the image below? Bonus points if you can correctly guess the vendor of each item!I spy with my little Thanksgiving Eye one: Light Tower Thru-Beam Sensor Beacon VFD Pilot Light Solid...
AC Tech/Lenze SMV Series Video Resources
Instruction manuals are great, they're chock full of the technical data we need to get a drive set up......after maybe 120+ pages of information you weren't looking for, right?AC Tech/Lenze has made things easy by creating an extensive library of video guides for...
A Spook-tacular Halloween at MWA!
We're getting into the spirit of Halloween at Marshall Wolf! The costumes are eerie-sistible and the pumpkins are waay ahead of the carve! Let us know which costume really struck a gourd with you in the comments below. Hallow-queen of Halloween?We'd tell you a joke,...
Carlo Gavazzi Solid State Relay Resources
Solid State Relays are found in almost every industrial application and Carlo Gavazzi is a leader in this market.What Makes Carlo Gavazzi Solid State Relays Stand Out?Carlo Gavazzi SSRs are available in a wide range of input ratings, output switching options, and...
How Do Solid State Relays Work?
Electrical relays, in one form or another, have been around for over 100 years. It wasn’t until 1971 when Crydom invented the solid state relay that we had our next big step in relay technology. Whether you’re switching something from on to off, managing signal...
What is a Soft Starter and Why Do I Need One?
If you’re here, you may be wondering what a soft starter is and why it’s a good idea to consider installing one. The first thing you need to know is the relationship between soft starters and inductive motors.A good analogy for using a soft starter with an inductive...
A Simple Explanation: The Difference Between a Soft Starter and a Variable Frequency Drive
This is a common question and, full disclosure, this is a very basic blog on the differences.A VFD (variable frequency drive) can increase/decrease the speed of a motor. If you need motor speed control a variable frequency drive is what you need. What does VFD really...
How to Read a Motor Nameplate
Ordering an electrical motor can seem complicated, but understanding the nameplate may save you some confusion.Motor nameplates in North America are required to supply certain electrical specifications thanks to the National Electrical Manufacturers Association...
We Now Offer Extend Protection Plans!
You know that feeling when buying a product? When something is new and shiny? Protection plans are often an afterthought...until you wish you had one.Marshall Wolf Automation has partnered with Extend Inc. to provide protection plans directly through any online...
What do all those motor acronyms even mean?!?
TEFC, TEAO, ODP, TENV, EXP(L), C-Face, Footed, Footless, and Resilient Base....what do those even mean? Imagine this; you need to buy a motor and you already know your torque and horsepower requirements. You begin your search online only to be bombarded with acronyms,...
Flying High with VFDs
Summertime for many means visiting the the local fair. Fried foods, petting zoos, and carnival rides! Recently we had an especially fun customer reach out to us and we just had to highlight their story! CL Shows of Pennsylvania contacted us with a very special rush...
What does IO-Link mean in Smart Manufacturing?
We’ve all heard of the industrial revolution, but have you heard of Industry 4.0?We’ve entered the fourth revolution in automation technology and IO-Link is at the forefront. Since 2006, when the term “Smart Manufacturing” was first coined, industrial manufacturers...
All About Photoelectric Sensors
Let's talk about sensors! As the automation industry becomes, well…more automated, photoelectric sensors have become a necessity to almost any production line. Whether sensing temperature, fluid levels, or minute quality details, photoelectric sensors continue to...
Did you know we accept PayPal?
Shopping has gotten so much easier...with Pay in 4 and credit options!What does that mean for you, the customer? That means we've added additional payment features at checkout: Standard Checkout with debit/credit cards Standard PayPal PayPal Pay in 4 PayPal Credit...
Best of Luck in Retirement Fred!
It is a bittersweet moment for all of us at Marshall Wolf Automation. As of July 1st our long time friend and key sales engineer, Fred Swanke, is retiring. We wish him well!After 27 years of representing Marshall Wolf Automation, Fred has built long lasting...
Branch Circuit Breakers (UL 489) vs Supplementary Circuit Protection (UL 1077)
Circuit protection is a relatively simple concept in any electrical application, but what KIND of protection you install may not be as simple. Circuit protection is a relatively simple concept in any electrical application, but what KIND of protection you install may...
A Quick Guide to Circuit Breakers
Circuit breakers, we’ve all seen one... Whether the application is in your home or an industrial factory, breakers have become the standard. Until now you may have never had to learn more about them besides what to do when one is tripped, but let’s take a look at some...
How Switches Improve Safety Standards
Machinery has always had one purpose, to simplify the lives of users.While advancing technology allows for improved production, it also leaves room for potential safety risks. These risks can range anywhere from a broken finger to complete loss of life. In fact, the...
What is Direct on Line (DOL) Motor Control?
Considered the most simple motor start option, Direct on Line (DOL) starting directly connects an induction motor to a 3-Ph power supply with the addition of a contactor and an overload relay, providing overload protection. This direct connection can cause the motor...
How Do You Decorate Your Easter Eggs?
Easter is almost here and for many of us, that means decorating eggs.While some of us are a little more traditional and stick to onion skins and cabbage leaves, yes that's a thing, others go incredibly elaborate or downright rainbow colored with *shudder* GLITTER....
Basic Construction & Sizing for Contactors
So you’re looking to purchase a contactor switch, great!There's some basic criteria to follow when looking for the right switch and it's our goal to make that process as simple as possible. When first looking into contactor switches, it may be helpful to have a...
Definite Purpose Contactors 101
Let’s start at the beginning. What are definite purpose contactors? DP contactors are electronically controlled switches that are used for switching a power circuit. Originally designed for the HVACR industry, their use has expanded to a variety of other market...
Limit/Position vs Safety Interlock vs Coded Magnetic Switches
The term “switch” can have many connotations in our industry. The actual type of switch you happen to be dealing with breaks down into how the switch functions and its construction. We wanted to clarify the differences between Limit/Position Switches, Safety Interlock...
We’re Moving….Down the Street!
You read that right! Marshall Wolf Automation is moving our primary office down the road.Same city, bigger and much more modern facilities. We're finally consolidating our new warehouse with our shipping and receiving, making everyone's lives so much easier. New...
What to Consider When Buying an Enclosure
Industrial Enclosures, a.k.a. panels, cabinets, racks, electrical enclosures, or wall boxes, are used to mount electrical components while also protecting them and preventing electrical shock to users.On the surface this sounds like an easy product to shop for, find...
Protecting VFDs from Overheating
An easy way to calculate cooling requirements By Christopher Marlow & Blaine Witt, Pfannenberg USAVariable frequency drives are a hot topic. Advancements in VFD technology and reductions in price are driving rapid market adoption. Dramatic energy savings can...
Can You Solve This Light Tower Puzzle?
Time to get that high school algebra hat from the closet, as dusty is it may be, 'cause we're solving a math puzzle!Now don't you all get too excited all at once...ok, maybe "excited" isn't the first word that comes to your mind when you think math puzzle, but this...