Human-Machine Interfaces (HMIs)

Human-machine interfaces, or HMIs, are a critical part of nearly all control systems, complementing the…

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Dimensional Analysis

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

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Concepts and Laws of Probability

While the term “probability” may evoke images of imprecision, probability is in fact an exact…

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Dampers and Louvres

A damper (otherwise known as a louvre) is a multi-element flow control device generally used to throttle large…

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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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Understanding the “Normal” Status of a Process Switch

Perhaps the most confusing aspect of discrete sensors is the definition of a sensor’s normal status.…

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Analog Signal Conditioning and Referencing

Modern analog-to-digital converters are phenomenally accurate, dependable, repeatable, and surprisingly…

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Instruction List (IL) Programming

(Will be addressed in future versions of this book)

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Control Valve Actuators

The purpose of a control valve actuator is to provide the motive force to operate a valve mechanism. Both…

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High-reliability Control Systems

As discussed at the beginning of this chapter, instrumentation safety may be broadly divided into two…

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FOUNDATION Fieldbus H1 Protocol Device Configuration and Commissioning

Fieldbus devices require far more attention in their initial setup and commissioning than their analog…

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Instrument Turndown (Rangedown)

An important performance parameter for transmitter instruments is something often referred to as turndown or…

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Non-dispersive Luft Detector Spectroscopy

Non-dispersive analysis, while newer in discovery than dispersive analysis (Isaac Newton’s 17th-century…

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2-wire (“loop-powered”) Transmitter Current Loops

It is possible to convey electrical power and communicate analog information over the same two wires using 4…

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Fundamental Principles of Industrial Instrumentation

Shown here is a partial listing of principles applied in the subject matter of this chapter, given for the…

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Memory Maps and I/O Addressing

A wise PLC programmer once told me that the first thing any aspiring programmer should learn about the PLC…

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Sequential Function Chart (SFC) Programming

(Will be addressed in future versions of this book)

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Periodic Table of the Ions

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Valve Positioners

The reason why a pneumatic control valve’s stem position corresponds linearly to the amount of air…

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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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