Instrumentation
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2008-07-04T06:53:20Z
154.20.185.155
Paragraph on thermistors is too specific for an introductory paragraph
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'''Instrumentation''' is an electrical or [[pneumatic]] device placed in the field to provide measurement and/or control
capabilities for the system.
Control instrumentation includes devices such as [[solenoid]]s, [[valve|Electrically Operated Valves]],
[[Circuit breaker|breakers]], [[relay]]s, etc. These devices are able to change a field parameter, and
provide remote control capabilities.
Transmitters are devices which produce an [[analog signal]], usually in the form of a [[4-20]] m[[Amperes|A]] electrical [[current (electrical)|current]] signal, although many other options are possible using [[voltage]], [[frequency]], or [[pressure]]. This signal can be used to directly control other instruments, or sent to a [[PLC]], [[DCS]], [[SCADA]] system or other type of computerized controller, where it can be interpreted into readable values, or 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 loop]]s.
== Measurement ==
Instrumentation can be used to measure certain field parameters (physical values):
These measured values include:
*[[pressure]], either [[differential pressure|differential]] or [[static pressure|static]]
*[[Rate of fluid flow|flow]]
*[[temperature]]
*[[level]]
*[[density]]
*[[viscosity]]
*[[radiation]]
*[[current (electricity)|current]]
*[[voltage]]
*[[inductance]]
*[[capacitance]]
*[[frequency]]
*[[resistivity]]
*[[conductivity]]
*chemical composition
*chemical properties
*various physical properties
*force applied by a liquid <!-- Is this the same as pressure?? -- User:Spillin_dylan -->
== Control ==
In addition to measuring field parameters, instrumentation is also responsible for providing the ability to modify some field parameters.
Some examples include:
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Device
! Field Parameter(s)
|-
| [[Valve]]
| [[Flow]], [[Pressure]]
|-
| [[Relay]]
| [[Voltage]], [[Electric current|Current]]
|-
| [[Solenoid]]
| Physical Location, Level
|-
| [[Circuit breaker]]
| [[Voltage]], [[Electric current|Current]]
|}
== 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.
They typically work for industries with [[automated]] processes, such as [[Chemical plant|chemical]] or [[manufacturing]] plants, with the goal of improving system [[productivity]], reliability, safety, optimization and stability.
== 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.
==External links==
*[http://www.isa.org Instrumentation Society of America], see [[Instrument Society of America]] for more information.
*[http://www.engineersedge.com/instrumentation/instrumentation_table_content.htm Instrumentation and Control Devices - Engineers Edge]
*[http://openticle.com/instrumentation-and-control/ Instrumentation and Control] Free Online Article
[[Category:Sensors]]
[[Category:Resistive components]]
[[Category:Thermometers]]
[[es:Instrumentación electrónica]]
[[fr:Instrumentation (science)]]
[[id:Elektronika dan instrumentasi]]
[[ja:計測]]
[[nn:Instrumentering]]
[[pt:Instrumentação]]
[[fi:Mittaustekniikka]]