Industrial Automation Technician
March 29, 2024
Updated April 13, 2025
15 minute read
Exploring a Career as an Industrial Automation Technician
Industrial Automation Technicians are the skilled professionals who bridge the gap between machinery and intelligence in modern industrial settings. They install, maintain, troubleshoot, and repair the automated systems—like robots, programmable logic controllers (PLCs), and sophisticated sensor networks—that keep factories, power plants, and other industrial facilities running efficiently and safely. Think of them as the essential troubleshooters and implementers ensuring the complex dance of automated production happens without a hitch.
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Find a path to becoming a Industrial Automation Technician. Learn more at:
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Reading list
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Provides a comprehensive overview of the principles and applications of radiation detection and measurement, covering topics such as detector materials, detector design, and data analysis.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the principles and applications of medical imaging detectors, covering topics such as detector materials, detector design, and image processing.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the particle detectors used in high energy physics, covering topics such as detector materials, detector design, and data analysis.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the fundamentals of detectors used in medical imaging, covering topics such as detector physics, image quality, and signal processing.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the optical detectors used in astronomy, covering topics such as detector materials, detector design, and data analysis.
An industry-leading textbook covering electrical, motor, and mechanical devices in automated systems and industrial control circuits. provides detailed information on the use of contactors within integrated systems, including their interaction with PLCs and other modern control components. It comprehensive resource for understanding contemporary applications.
This textbook covers electric motors and the systems used to control them, including a thorough explanation of contactors and their applications in various control circuits. It is designed for students and provides a clear explanation of fundamental concepts and practical applications. This good resource for gaining a broad understanding and is often used as a textbook.
Provides a comprehensive overview of electric motors and control systems, including a chapter on contactors. It's a good resource for anyone who wants to learn more about the topic, and it's suitable for both beginners and experienced professionals.
Offers a practical, real-world approach to learning motor control devices, including contactors. It covers installation, troubleshooting, and testing, making it highly valuable for those seeking hands-on knowledge. It is suitable for building a strong foundation and useful reference for basic control circuits.
Provides a comprehensive overview of industrial automation, using Studio 5000 as the programming environment.
Focuses on practical know-how and troubleshooting techniques for electrical equipment and control circuits. Contactors are fundamental components in such circuits, making this book highly relevant for understanding common problems and their solutions in real-world applications. It is particularly valuable for those seeking to deepen their understanding through practical application and useful reference for professionals.
Likely focuses on the fundamental principles of controlling electric motors, which heavily involves the use of contactors and other switching devices. It would be suitable for beginners and those looking to build a strong understanding of the basics of motor control circuits. This good resource for gaining a broad understanding.
While not solely focused on contactors, the NEC Handbook is an essential reference for anyone working with electrical installations, including motor control circuits that utilize contactors. It provides the safety standards and regulations that govern the proper installation and application of these components. This must-read for professionals and provides crucial context for the practical application of contactors.
This international standard provides the general rules and common safety requirements for low-voltage switchgear and controlgear, which includes contactors. It crucial document for engineers and designers working with these components to ensure compliance with international standards. While not a textbook, it is an essential reference for contemporary practices and regulations.
This standard provides electrical safety requirements for industrial machinery, which commonly utilizes contactors for motor control and other functions. It is an essential reference for designers, builders, and maintainers of industrial machinery to ensure the safe application of electrical components like contactors.
Covering a broad range of industrial electrical topics, this book includes significant content on motor controls and the components used, such as contactors. It provides a good overview of the electrical principles and practical applications in an industrial environment. is suitable for gaining a broad understanding and serves as a helpful reference.
Covers the control circuits and devices, including electro-mechanical components like contactors, used in industrial automation systems. It offers a practical approach to circuit design and component selection, providing valuable context for how contactors fit into larger automated systems. It useful reference for those interested in the design aspects of systems using contactors.
Working with contactors and motor control circuits involves significant electrical hazards. This handbook provides essential information on electrical safety practices, which are paramount when dealing with the systems where contactors are used. It crucial reference for anyone involved in the installation, maintenance, or troubleshooting of these systems.
Provides a comprehensive overview of electrical distribution engineering, with a focus on the application of contactors in industrial and commercial settings. It's a good resource for anyone who wants to learn more about the topic, and it's suitable for both beginners and experienced professionals.
Provides a comprehensive overview of PLC controls, with a focus on the use of structured text (ST). It includes a chapter on contactors, and it's a good resource for anyone who wants to learn how to use contactors in PLC applications.
Contactors are a type of relay, specifically designed for switching higher power loads. provides a deep dive into the principles and applications of electrical relays, which will greatly enhance the understanding of how contactors function and are applied. It is more specialized but offers valuable foundational knowledge for those wanting to truly deepen their understanding.
Provides a practical introduction to programmable logic controllers (PLCs), using Studio 5000 as the programming environment.
Provides a practical guide to PLC programming using RSLogix 5000, covering topics such as ladder logic, function block diagram, and troubleshooting.
Delves into the modeling and control of electric machines and drives. While it covers advanced topics, it provides crucial context on how contactors and other switching devices are utilized within motor drive systems for control and protection. It is suitable for graduate-level students and professionals seeking a deep understanding of motor control dynamics.
For more information about how these books relate to this course, visit:
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