INSTRUMENTATION TOOLS

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WHAT IS INSTRUMENTATION AND CONTROL ?

Basics March18,2015

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Instrumentation isthebranchofengineeringthatdealswithmeasurementandcontrol.
According to ISA or known as Instrumentation and Systems Automation Societyformerly known
as Instrument Society of America, the official definition of Instrumentation is a collection of
Instruments and their application for the purpose of Observation, Measurement and Control. Reference:
ISAstd.S51.1(InstrumentSocietyofAmerica)
An instrument is a device that measures or manipulates process physical variables such as flow,
temperature,level,orpressureetc.Instrumentsincludemanyvariedcontrivanceswhichcanbeassimple
as valves and transmitters, and as complex as analyzers. Instruments often comprise control systems of
variedprocesses.Thecontrolofprocessesisoneofthemainbranchesofappliedinstrumentation.
Control instrumentation includes devices such as solenoids, valves, circuit
breakers,andrelays.Thesedevicesareabletochangeafieldparameter,and
provideremoteorautomatedcontrolcapabilities.
Transmittersaredeviceswhichproduceananalogsignal,usuallyintheformof
a 420 ma electrical current signal, although many other options using
voltage,frequency,orpressurearepossible.Thissignalcanbeusedtocontrol
otherinstrumentsdirectly,oritcanbesenttoaPLC,DCS,SCADAsystem,or
othertypeofcomputerizedcontroller,whereitcanbeinterpretedintoreadable
valuesandusedtocontrolotherdevicesandprocessesinthesystem.
Instrumentationplaysasignificantroleinbothgatheringinformationfromthefieldandchangingthefield
parameters,andassuchareakeypartofcontrolloops.

Measurement
Instrumentationcanbeusedtomeasurecertainfieldparameters(physicalvalues):
Thesemeasuredvaluesmayinclude:

pressure,eitherdifferentialorstatic
flow
temperatureTemperature_measurement
levelLevelMeasurement
density
viscosity
radiation
frequency
current
voltage
inductance
capacitance
resistivity
chemicalcomposition
chemicalproperties
variousphysicalproperties
processinstrumentation

Control
In addition to measuring field parameters, instrumentation is also responsible for providing the ability to
modifysomefieldparameters.

Instrumentationengineering
Instrumentationengineering istheengineeringspecializationfocusedontheprincipleandoperationof
measuring instruments which are used in design and configuration of automated systems in electrical,
pneumatic domains etc. They typically work for industries with automated processes, such as chemical
ormanufacturingplants,withthegoalofimprovingsystemproductivity,reliability,safety,optimizationand
stability. To control the parameters in a process or in a particular system, devices such as
microprocessors,microcontrollersorPLCsareused,buttheirultimateaimistocontroltheparametersofa
system.

ValueofInstrumentationEngineer:
The purpose of an instrumentation engineer is to Conceptualize, Design, Detail, Maintain and Trouble
shootcontrolsystemforitsclient/industry.Changedmindsetandgovernmentscomplianceputeffortsto
makesafetyasfirstpriorityagainstprofitsandproduction.Whenthewordsafetycomes,Iusuallycompare
it with a vehicle which I am driving and suddenly I have to apply brakes. A good vehicle will immediately
comestoahaltwithoutskidandwithoutharmtoanypassenger.
1. WhatbeinganInstrumentationEngineerMeans
KnowThyselfAninstrumentationengineerItmakeseyesandearsofindustryshappenings.Itsan
art and science of measurement and control. To list a few duties, the sensors selection and
implementation,troubleshootingofallitsfunctioninginstruments&tuningitsbrain(controlsystem)forbest
performanceandresponse.

1. ThevalueofDesignEngineerwhoDESIGNS
Rewards are just tokens, its the HardWork that counts Automation is the buzz word in process
industry, and automation is the core job of instrumentation engineers. Hence, the demand for
instrumentationwillalwaysbethere.But,howmuchyoucancashonyourjob,itentirelydependsupon,
whereyoustandinthecrowdofthisfield.Largelyoncountry,companyandspecialization.e.g.Avendor
may be paying lesser to an automation engineer than a commissioning engineer from engineering and
constructionconsultant,thoughbotharedoingsamenatureofjob.
1. AmongTheMenbehindthesuccessfulprofitsofIndustry
MoneysavedistheMoneyEarnedSafety=$$$$$Instrumentationengineersdesignsafetysystem,
maintaincontrolsystemsandtroubleshootinginindustryandresponsibleforsmoothoperationofplant.If
anyofthesystemfails,industryhastofaceproductionloss,systemsdamage,plantshutdown,penalties
and losses due to failure of compliance and loss of lives of people and image of industry in society also
degrades.
1. LearnfromWorstIncidentshappenedearlier
PlanningforsaferFuture Most helpful thing while designing could be the lessons from the past, and
techniques which didnt work and the manmade mistakes, or the responses which didnt work for which
those were designed. These lessons could help to design a robust control system which works flawless
andisflexibleformoreaddoncontrolactionswhichworkerslearnfromtheirdailyactivities.
1. UpgradeandUptodate
ChangeReplacetheexistingforbetter,elsegetreplacebythebetter,keepyoursustenanceItis
oneofthemostversatilebranchofengineeringandchangingarehappeningatveryfastpacewithglobal
competition.Technologyweusedtouseabouttenyearsagoarenowbeingreplacedbymorereliableand
highspeeddatacommunicationprotocols.Similarly,technologybeingusedbyindustryaregettingupdated
at regular intervals and responsible person should update himself for changes to understand and
implement.
Instrumentationtechnologistsandmechanics
Instrumentation technologists, technicians and mechanics specialize in troubleshooting and repairing and
maintenance of instruments and instrumentation systems. This trade is so intertwined with electricians,
pipe fitters, power engineers, and engineering companies, that one can find him/herself in extremely
diverseworkingsituations.Anoverarchingterm,InstrumentFitterisoftenusedtodescribepeopleinthis
field,regardlessofanyspecialization.

In todays modern world, the top target of every plant management or plant ownership is to
achievethesafestandmaximumproductionoutoftheirequipment,machineryanddevices.In
ordertoreachthattarget,oneofthemajorstepsitfollowsistoinstallgoodinstrumentationin
theplant.Whenwewalkthroughamoderndayplant,wefindmanytransmitters,gauges,trolls,
controlvalves,motors,solenoidvalvesetc.ThisisallnothingbutInstrumentation.Butthefact
is,thatinstrumentationcantdoanythingalone.Itneedssomebrainthatcanconstantlymonitor
thereadingsprovidedbyitandtakesactionsaccordinglytooperatethefinalcontrolelements
likevalves,motorsetc.Atthesametime,theseactionsmustensuretooperatethesedevices
atoptimalparametersastoensuretheirhealthandlonglife.Thisiswheretheworldofcontrol

comesin.
Control System enables the instrumentation to operate in a way to give you the safest and
optimumproduction.Nowadays,itisfullyautomatic.Onceconfigured,itbringsyourwholeplant
overthescreensofcontrolroom.
This blog has been developed in order to discuss about these two greatest technologies of
industrialplants.Wewillbesharingourexperiences,ourideasandourobservations.Weinvite
youtobethepartofittocontributeittobetheworldsbestresourceoflearningandsharingthe
experiencesofinstrumentationandcontrol.
Letscontrolitnow!
Regards,
SBharadwajReddy

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POSTED BY S BHARADWAJ REDDY

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