Instrumentation

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For other uses, see Instrumentation (disambiguation).

Instrumentation is defined as "the art and science of measurement and control". Instrumentation can be used to refer to the field in which Instrument technicians and engineers work, or it can refer to the available methods of measurement and control and the instruments which facilitate this.

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[edit] Measurement

Instruments are devices which are used in measuring attributes of physical systems. The variable measured can include practically any measurable variable related to the physical sciences. These variables commonly include:

Instruments can often be viewed in terms of a simple input-output device. For example, if we "input" some temperature into a thermocouple, it "outputs" some sort of signal. (Which can later be translated into data.) In the case of this thermocouple, it will "output" a signal in millivolts.

SCADA is the term used to denote large-scale, distributed measurement systems.

[edit] Output

Instruments communicate with some sort of signal, often adhering to a standard. This signal may be defined by standards associations, or it may be a proprietary standard. Some standards include:

[edit] Control

These devices are used to provide an input to a process controller, which may either take the form of a PID controller or Programmable Logic Controller. These devices perform a decision based upon their own configuration and the input, also known as the process variable, and output a desired response.

[edit] Instrumentation Engineering

Instrumentation Engineering is the engineering specialization focused on the design and configuration and automated systems.

Instrument engineers usually have degrees in instrumentation engineering, chemical engineering, electrical engineering, or mechanical engineering and sometimes in the newer field of Control engineering/control systems engineering, engineering physics, and [industrial physics]. They typically work for industries with automated processes, such as chemical or manufacturing plants, with the goal of improving system productivity, reliability,safety, optimization and stability.

[edit] Instrumentation technologists and mechanics

Instrumentation technologists, technicians and mechanics specialize in troubleshooting and repairing instruments and instrumentation systems. Installation, on the other hand, is normally performed by industrial electricians. This trade is so intertwined with electricians, pipefitters, power engineers, and engineering companies, that one can find him/herself in extremely diverse working situations.

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

[edit] Further reading

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