The Complete Handbook of Automation Control Components

It's a solid reference, but not quite what I expected. I was hoping for more detailed wiring diagrams and ladder logic examples, since that's where I lack confidence. The chapter on choosing components is thorough, and the business section was a nice surprise. But the installation chapter felt too general for someone who's already wired a few panels. Keep a manufacturer datasheet handy because you'll still need it for exact hardware details.

Finally, a book that treats control components like actual engineering objects instead of marketing fluff. The explanation of how a photo-eye, PLC, and contactor work together on a conveyor line is exactly the kind of example I wish I had ten years ago. I knocked off one star because a few tables—like the sensor selection chart—felt compressed and could have been expanded with more model numbers. Still, this lives on my bench now, next to my multimeter.

Decent for someone entering the field, less useful for a veteran. The overview of component types is accurate and the troubleshooting logic in Chapter 5 matches what I've seen in the field over 12 years. But Chapter 1 is a bit slow, and the future trends chapter feels speculative. I understand the handbook format, but I'd have preferred more real-world failure case studies and less foresight. That said, it's a fair desk book, not a waste of money.

As a controls contractor, I appreciate that this book doesn't waste my time with intro paragraphs that say nothing. The specification summaries are practical—hysteresis, IP ratings, sink-source terminology are actually defined with usable thresholds and examples. I specifically found the maintenance chapter useful for training my younger technicians on how to approach a faulted sensor. My only complaint is the printing quality of the photographs in the installation section; they're a bit dark and grainy.