Timer controls are used to turn on, shut down or adjust the use of an application based on a programmed cycle. Industrial timer controls often cycle pumps and valves. Other types of timer controls include instruments to control lighting, heaters and air conditioners and water pumps.

Timer controls can be safety measures, particularly when they are preventing machinery or equipment from starting during scheduled downtimes. These controls can also lower a business's operating costs by limiting energy usage. When purchasing timer controls, consider the following:

1. Buy specialty timers for industrial applications.

2. Control lighting usage with lighting timer controls.

3. Reduce heating and air conditioning costs with HVAC timer controls.

4. Use timer controls to maintain commercial swimming pools and spas.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Buy industrial timer controls

Industrial timer controls manage applications such as environmental ovens, water treatment pumps and printing. Typically, industrial timer controls shut down the application after a specified time has lapsed. Some companies offer user-friendly electrical timer controls that you can program remotely or from a control panel.

I recommend: Purchase an industrial timer control from Omega Engineering. This timer control is ideal for industrial applications such as environmental ovens, window sealing and hot foil printing. Carlon Meter offers programmable timer controls for a variety of industrial applications, including chemical feed pumps and valves.

Order from lighting timer control manufacturers

Lighting timer controls are a simple way to cut overhead costs. This type of control prevents lights from staying on when workers aren't using the room. Occupancy sensors are a type of lighting timer control that automatically turns on the lights when someone enters the room and shuts the lights off after the room has been vacant for a pre-determined amount of time.

I recommend: Order lighting timer controls from Leviton. The timer control manufacturer offers products for box-mounted lighting, occupancy sensors, architectural lighting control systems, theatrical equipment and energy management systems. Browse an inventory of lighting timer controls at Electrodepot. The timer control distributor's products are available for purchase online.

Find timer control distributors for HVAC applications

Timer controls for heating, ventilating and air conditioning applications are also used to prevent wasteful energy usage. These controls automatically shut down, turn on, reduce or increase usage of heater and air conditioners based on the time of day. You can also program HVAC controls to respond to other elements, such as outside temperature.

I recommend: Buy timer controls online at ProheatDirect.com. The company offers products for both heating and cooling applications. Browse the Heat-Timer online catalog of HVAC timer controls. The manufacturer designs control products for a wide variety of HVAC applications.

Purchase timer controls for swimming pools

Swimming pool control timers turn on pumps and other cleaning and maintenance equipment based on programmed cycles. These timer controls eliminate the need for a worker to manually start equipment and ensure that the pool or spa remains clean according to health code regulations.

I recommend: Aqua Pool Warehouse sells discounted timer controls for swimming pools and spas, including hand-held wireless remote systems. Browse Pool Supply Pros online inventory of swimming pool timer controls. The timer control supplier offers products that are available for purchase online.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When purchasing industrial timer controls, be sure the instruments are housed in corrosive- and heat-resistant materials, such as cast iron and stainless steel.