Industrial Automation Component Supplier UK | Charter Controls

[INSERT IMAGE: Genuine Charter Controls photograph or real installation image showing automation components in use, for example an HMI, PLC and drive in a machine control cabinet.]

Automation components from manufacturers we represent

Charter Controls is a manufacturers' agent and direct OEM importer. We work with the manufacturers behind the products we supply and hold key ranges in the UK, so you deal with one team rather than several overseas suppliers.

The automation range covers the layers of a typical machine control system: logic and visualisation, motor control, communications and networking, signal handling and protection.

Control and visualisation

• PLCs. Programmable controllers for machine and process automation, from compact units for stand-alone machines to systems that need expansion and networking.
• Human machine interfaces (HMI). Operator touchscreens and panels for displaying machine status, alarms and process values, available in sizes to suit the machine and the operator.
• Smart relays. Intelligent relays suit smaller applications where a full PLC is more than the job needs, such as simple sequencing, timing and basic logic.

[INSERT IMAGE: Genuine PLC, HMI and smart relay product photographs from the Charter Controls catalogue.]

View the Charter Controls automation range.

Motor control and drives

• Inverters (VFD). Variable frequency drives for speed control of three-phase motors in pumps, fans, conveyors and general machinery.
• Soft starters. Reduce mechanical and electrical stress at motor start-up and stopping where full speed control is not required.
• Stepper motor controllers. Positioning control for applications that need accurate, repeatable movement.

Choosing between a soft starter and an inverter is one of the most common selection questions we answer. Send us the motor rating and the application and we can discuss which suits it.

View drives and motion control.

Load monitoring and protection

Unipower HPL and APM motor load-monitoring products detect load changes that current monitoring alone can miss, which makes them relevant to pumps, conveyors, mixers and other machinery where protecting the process matters as much as protecting the motor.

Charter Controls also supplies fuses, fuse holders and wider motor and machine protection products.

View protection products.

Networking and connectivity

• Industrial Ethernet switches for connecting controllers, drives, HMIs and remote I/O on the plant network.
• Gateways for translating between protocols, so that equipment from different manufacturers can share data.
• IIoT products for bringing machine data to monitoring and reporting systems.

View networking products.

Signal handling and process indication

Process indicators and signal conditioning modules for displaying, isolating and converting analogue process signals.

View process products.

One supplier for the wider automation bill of materials

Machine builders and integrators often source the PLC from one supplier, drives from another and networking from a third. Charter Controls can review an existing specification and identify which parts we can support, so you can reduce the number of purchase orders, deliveries and supplier accounts without compromising the design.

Where an alternative is proposed, rating is only the start. Communication protocols, mounting, accessories, software compatibility and the application itself all need to be checked before any change is approved.

Cross-reference support

If your specification already contains manufacturer part numbers, send them to us. Our technical team can identify products in the Charter Controls range that may be relevant and explain the differences to consider.

This helps when a component is hard to source, lead times no longer suit your programme, you are reviewing the cost of an established machine design, or you want to standardise across several machines.

UK stock and technical support

Charter Controls holds UK stock across core ranges and supplies machine builders, panel builders, OEMs and system integrators throughout the UK. Technical support covers product selection, accessories, compatibility and application suitability. For repeat builds, we can discuss forecast demand and which ranges are worth holding against your programme.

[INSERT IMAGE: Authentic Charter Controls warehouse or stock photograph.]

Why Charter Controls?

• Manufacturers' agent and direct importer: we work with the factories behind the ranges we represent.
• UK stock: core automation and control products held locally.
• Technical support: discuss the application or a proposed substitution with people who know industrial control.
• Consolidation: combine several product families through one account.
• Cross-reference support: send existing part numbers for review.
• Rated Excellent on Trustpilot: independent feedback on the service behind the products.

Frequently asked questions

What does an industrial automation component supplier provide?

Typically the building blocks of a control system: controllers, operator interfaces, drives, soft starters, networking, protection and signal conditioning. Charter Controls supplies these from the manufacturers it represents, with UK stock and technical support.

Can Charter Controls help me choose between a soft starter and an inverter?

Yes. The right choice depends on whether you need speed control or only controlled starting and stopping. Send us the motor and application details and we can discuss the options.

Can you supply alternatives to brands I already use?

Yes. Send your specification or part numbers and we will identify products in our range that may be relevant, and explain the differences that need checking before any change.

Do you supply control panel components as well?

Yes. See our control panel component supplier page for timers, relays, DIN rail terminals, cooling, power supplies and indication.

Send us your specification

If you have a machine specification, bill of materials or project brief, send it to Charter Controls. We will identify the parts we can support and look for practical ways to consolidate your purchasing.

Send your BOM or project brief for review