Null-balance Voltage Measurement

A number of different sensors used in instrumentation generate DC voltage signals proportional to the process…

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Disassembling a Globe Valve

The following collection of photographs chronicles the complete disassembly of a Fisher E-body globe valve…

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Metric Prefixes and Prefix Scale

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Teaching Technical Theory

Learning is not merely a process of information transfer. It is first and foremost a transformation of…

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Electrical Sensors: Potential Transformers (PTs) and Current Transformers (CTs)

The two “process variables” we rely on most heavily in the field of electrical measurement and…

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The Concept of Differentiation

Suppose we wished to measure the rate of propane gas flow through a hose to a torch: Flowmeters appropriate…

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Safety Gas Analyzers

Process analyzers measure the concentration of specific substances for the purpose of measuring and/or…

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Valve Failure Modes

An important design parameter of a control valve is the position it will “fail” to if it loses…

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Introduction to Optical Analysis

Light is known to interact with matter in very specific ways, which may be exploited as a means of measuring…

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Symbolic Versus Numerical Calculus

Calculus has a reputation for being difficult to learn, and with good reason. The traditional approach to…

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Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and User Datagram Protocol (UDP)

At the next OSI Reference Model layer (layer 4) is a set of protocols specifying how reliable communication…

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Conservation Laws

The Law of Mass Conservation states that matter can neither be created nor destroyed. The Law of Energy…

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FOUNDATION Fieldbus H1 Protocol Data Link Layer

Like so many other industrial data networks, FOUNDATION Fieldbus is an “unswitched” or…

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References

Lipták, Béla G. et al., Instrument Engineers’ Handbook – Process Measurement and Analysis Volume I,…

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AC Motor Braking

There are several different methods useful for causing an AC induction motor to brake, or slow down: DC…

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P, I, and D Responses Graphed

Visualizing the actions of P, I, and D tuning parameters using graphs is extremely useful in predicting the…

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National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Traceability

As defined previously, calibration means the comparison and adjustment (if necessary) of an instrument’s…

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Dimensional Analysis

An interesting parallel to the “unity fraction” unit conversion technique is something referred to…

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Introduction to Power System Automation

Those familiar with industrial instrumentation will find much within the electric power industry remarkably…

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4-wire “Passive” Versus “Active” Output Transmitters

Some self-powered (4-wire) analog electronic transmitters are designed to behave as electrical loads rather…

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