Instrumentation is the branch of engineering that deals with measurement and control.
According to
ISA or known as
Instrumentation and Systems Automation Society formerly 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: ISA std. S 51.1 –
(Instrument Society of America)
An instrument is a device
that measures or manipulates variables such as flow, temperature,
level, or pressure. Instruments include many varied contrivances which
can be as simple as valves and transmitters, and as complex as
analyzers. Instruments often comprise control systems of varied
processes. The control of processes is one of the main branches of
applied instrumentation.
Control instrumentation includes devices such as
solenoids,
valves,
circuit breakers, and
relays. These devices are able to change a field parameter, and provide remote or automated control capabilities.
Transmitters are devices which produce an
analog signal, usually in the form of a 4–20
mA electrical
current signal, although many other options using
voltage,
frequency, or
pressure are possible. This signal can be used to control other instruments directly, or it can be sent to a
PLC,
DCS,
SCADA
system, or other type of computerized controller, where it can be
interpreted into readable values and used to control other devices and
processes in the system.
Instrumentation plays a significant role
in both gathering information from the field and changing the field
parameters, and as such are a key part of
control loops.
Measurement
Instrumentation can be used to measure certain field parameters (physical values):
These measured values include:
Control
In
addition to measuring field parameters, instrumentation is also
responsible for providing the ability to modify some field parameters.
Instrumentation engineering
Instrumentation engineering
is the engineering specialization focused on the principle and
operation of 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 or
manufacturing plants, with the goal of improving system
productivity,
reliability, safety, optimization and stability. To control the
parameters in a process or in a particular system, devices such as
microprocessors, microcontrollers or PLCs are used, but their ultimate
aim is to control the parameters of a system.
Instrumentation technologists and mechanics
Instrumentation
technologists, technicians and mechanics specialize in troubleshooting
and repairing and maintenance of instruments and instrumentation
systems. This trade is so intertwined with electricians, pipefitters,
power engineers, and engineering companies, that one can find
him/herself in extremely diverse working situations. An over-arching
term, "Instrument Fitter" is often used to describe people in this
field, regardless of any specialization.
