Over four consecutive weeks, the ISA Houston Section will host ISA’s Technical Training Camp.  The Section will be sponsoring a three-part training event, marking the first time ISA has offered its newest in-depth training events – Technician Training Boot Camp, Automation Engineering Survival Training, and Safety Instrumented Systems (SIS) Boot Camp – all in one location .

Here’s the Houston schedule:

• ISA Technician Training Boot Camp (TTBC), 3–7 June
• ISA Automation Engineering Survival Training (AEST), 10-14 June
• ISA Safety Instrumented Systems (SIS) Boot Camp, 17-28 June (In two segments: Part I, 17-21 June and Part II, 24-28 June)

This is a great opportunity for automation and control professionals throughout Houston and the surrounding area to take one or more of ISA’s most comprehensive training events with the convenience of a single location, over a very short time period, and at a reduced rate for those attending more than one event.

In addition, there are other of bonus features:

• Personal interaction with ISA’s industry subject-matter experts and instructors
• The opportunity to take an ISA84 SIS Certificate exam. Qualified applicants can choose to sit for one of the ISA84 SIS Certificate programs on Friday, 28 June
• Pre-arranged local plant tours, which demonstrate how the instruction and skills taught are being applied in actual work environments
• Complimentary ISA technical publication libraries (varies per course)
• After-class networking events

Please note that class size is limited, and registrations will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

To register or get more information on ISA’s June 2013 Technical Training Camp in Houston, click here.

Topics include:

• Approaches for new and existing systems
• Seven steps to a highly effective alarm system
• Alarm management justification
• An overview of ISA-18.2, the alarm management standard

Webinar Bonus: Reserve your seat now and you’ll receive “Alarm Management Best Practices: Highly Condensed,” the first chapter of Bill R. Hollifield’s book, Alarm Management: A Comprehensive Guide.

Meet the Webinar Presenters:

Bill R. Hollifield is principal alarm management and HMI consultant at PAS

Paul Berwanger is principal abnormal situation management consultant and project manager at MAVERICK Technologies

To reserve your seat for Alarm Management Bootcamp, click here.

• Failure rate data – where it comes from and how it is calculated
• Fire and gas detector coverage – what it means, new metrics, and how to calculate it
• Safety system performance – a performance calculation including which equation components to apply and how to apply them

In an effort to emphasize how important it is to keep your knowledge and qualifications current, the three safety experts are sharing their expertise to keep you up to date on this timely topic.

Bill Goble, managing partner and co-founder of Exida, and author of the ISA book Safety Instrumented Systems Verification – Practical Probabilistic Calculations, will present on the different sources of failure rate data and the pros and cons of each. “Techniques commonly used to optimize safety system design use probabilistic analysis to match solutions with risk,” says Goble. “This allows designs that are optimal in terms of the tradeoff between cost and safety. The analysis also requires realistic failure rate data. Fortunately, there are several sources for this data, including end-user failure analysis, manufacturer failure analysis, FMEDA and B10 testing. As each of these techniques becomes better understood, techniques are combined to improve our data.”

Ed Marszal, president of Kenexis and author of the ISA book Safety Integrity Level Selection, emphasizes that the design of fire and gas systems can and should be done in accordance with the ISA-84 (IEC 61511) standards, though safety integrity level (SIL) alone is not enough, as discussed in the ISA-84.00.07 technical report on the topic. Marszal explains: “In addition to SIL, another metric called ‘detector coverage’ is required to fully specify the performance requirements of a fire and gas system. Fire and gas mapping is the process by which the detector coverage is calculated, and it is an exercise in analytical geometry that is greatly facilitated by using sophisticated software. Performance-based design is in its infancy, but end users are rapidly incorporating it into their design practices because of the value generated by this process, which leads to a repeatable and consistent design of FGS that is not typically occurring when existing subjective techniques are used.” More information on performance-based FGS design is being developed by ISA along with a new ISA book planned for publication later this year.  The ISA fire and gas system engineering (EC56) course also covers this subject.

Paul Gruhn, global process safety consultant and co-author of the ISA book Safety Instrumented Systems: Design, Analysis and Justification, Second Edition, will present on how to use failure rate data in performance calculations, what different portions of the PFD (probability of failure on demand) formulas are, how to use the formulas, and the impact the different portions have. The webinar provides an overview of the topic and Gruhn encourages those who need additional in-depth knowledge to look at the ISA safety instrumented systems (EC50) course, ISA technical papers and webinars, and ISA Safety & Security division activities.

Source: Safety Instrumented Systems: Design, Analysis and Justification by Paul Gruhn

If you are responsible for overseeing the design and maintenance of safety systems and fire and gas systems in process facilities, you don’t want to miss this important webinar.

Click here to register for the free safety instrumented systems webinar.

Advanced System Programming Languages (IEC 6-1131-3) Utilized By PLC/PAC Systems (TC36P)
Today’s PLC/PAC systems are powerful computers that can be programmed in five different languages, and these various languages can co-exist on the same operating platform. All five languages conform to the IEC 6-1131-3 specification. This course was developed for those responsible for selecting the proper language or languages for an application. The five-day course starts on May 6 in Houston, Texas.

Applying Instrumentation in Hazardous (Classified) Locations (ES10)
This course provides a detailed, systematic approach to specifying and implementing instrumentation in hazardous locations. The two-day class will be held starting May 8 at ISA headquarters in Research Triangle Park, N.C.

Industrial Pressure, Level, and Density Measurement Engineering (EI05)
This two-day course presents the principles and applications of modern pressure, level, and density measurement systems. Emphasis is placed on instrument design technologies; system performance and design; and specification, selection, installation, and maintenance requirements. The class will be held starting May 13 at ISA headquarters in Research Triangle Park, N.C.

Industrial Wireless Systems (IC85C)
This course will cover the most relevant details associated with industrial wireless systems with an emphasis towards how the various technological choices coexist, interoperate, and interact with each other. Numerous examples of real-world deployments are covered for facilities such as supervisory control and acquisition (SCADA) systems, petrochemical plants, electrical power generation, and transmission systems. The one-day class will be held May 13 in Cleveland, Ohio.

Transducer/Transmitter Installation for Nuclear Safety Applications Using ANSI/ISA-67.01.01 (IC67)
This course will cover the ANSI/ISA-67.01.01 standard relating to the installation of transducers for nuclear safety-related applications. The course emphasis will be a review of established requirements and recommendations for the installation of transducers and auxiliary equipment for nuclear applications outside of the main reactor vessel. The class is two days and starts on May 13 at ISA headquarters in Research Triangle Park, N.C.

Developing and Applying Standard Instrumentation and Control Documentation (FG15)
This course will present the methodology for designing and developing control systems documentation. The development of piping and instrument diagrams (P&IDs) and related ISA drawings are emphasized. This course covers both the development and the reading/interpreting of these documents, making it beneficial to engineers, designers, software programmers, system integrators, and technicians. The two-day class starts May 14 in Newark, Del.

ANSI/ISA-67.04-2006: Setpoints For Nuclear Safety-Related Instrumentation (IC68P)
The latest version of the ANSI/ISA67 standard is focused on performance monitoring. The course will discuss the terminology and the appropriate use of the standard and the steps necessary for the development of safety-related setpoint analysis. ANSI/ISA-67.04.01 has been used as the basis for many plant specific setpoint programs and setpoint calculations. The changes to this standard should be reflected in all programs where compliance to NRC requirements is necessary. The three-day class starts May 15 at ISA headquarters in Research Triangle Park, N.C.

Industrial Flow Measurement Engineering (EI10)
This three-day course presents the principles and applications of modern flow measurement systems. Emphasis is on flowmeter accuracy, performance, system design, sizing, specification, installation, and maintenance requirements. The class starts May 15 at ISA headquarters in Research Triangle Park, N.C.

Implementing Business to MES Integration Using the ANSI/ISA95 Standard (IC55)
Many manufacturing firms have made significant investments in flexible shop-floor execution systems as well as sophisticated enterprise planning (ERP) systems. Those investments, however, cannot yield their full potential until each has access to the information and capabilities of the other. The ANSI/ISA95 standard addresses that coordination problem by providing a sound, robust definition of business activities and of the information that must flow between those two realms. The two-day class will be held on May 16 in Eindhoven, Netherlands and again on May 23 in Perk, Belgium.

Advanced Operation of Digital (Smart) Transmitters and Digital Valve Controllers (TS16)
This lab-intensive course focuses on the configuration fundamentals, the calibration process, the measurements of multiple variables, and the utilization of computer-based configuration tools for both digital transmitters and digital valve controllers. This course offers you hands-on, working knowledge of smart field devices with an emphasis on measurement accuracy, advanced information gathering, decreased maintenance time, ease-of-configuration and calibration, and diagnostic capabilities. The 4.5-day class, which is part of ISA TechTour, starts May 20 in Freeport, Texas.

Installing, Calibrating, and Maintaining Electronic Instruments (TI25)
This popular course offers a combination of practical information and hands-on experience, covering proper installation, calibration, and maintenance of electronic instruments. You will examine characteristics of electronic control systems; techniques for installing electronic instruments; and procedures for configuring and calibrating transmitters, transducers, and controllers. Approximately 40 percent of your time in this course is spent working with equipment. The 4.5-day class, which is part of ISA TechTour, starts May 20 in Freeport, Texas.

Introduction to Industrial Automation and Control (FG07)
This course combines lecture and hands-on labs to provide an overview of industrial measurement and control. Technicians, engineers, and managers are provided with a foundation for communication with other control system professionals. This class serves as a solid fundamental course for introduction to other ISA courses. The 4.5-day class will be held in two locations starting May 20: Houston, Texas and ISA headquarters in Research Triangle Park, N.C.

LDAR Best Practices – Advanced Edition (SP13PC)
This one-day short course will provide a fast-paced, advanced overview with expert instruction and interpretation in a fun and relaxed environment covering frequently asked compliance questions encountered by the regulated community and LDAR contractors. It will be held on May 20 in New Orleans, La.

Process Safety Fundamentals (EC50CT)
This one-day course is a quick reference for technicians and operators to understanding the principles governing the use of safety instrumented systems (SIS). Students will learn basic definitions and concepts, the different types of standards, and the role of personnel in the safety life cycle of such systems. It also serves as an introductory preparation for the more comprehensive ISA EC50 multi-day course covering design, analysis and justification of SIS and its related certificate programs. It will be held in Columbia, Ill. on May 20.

Fire and Gas System Engineering – Performance-Based Methods for Process Facilities (EC56P)
Fire and gas detection and suppression system design techniques that are currently in use are often considered to be unsatisfactory due to their nature of being rule of thumb and experience-oriented without any real ability to quantify risk. This has resulted in systems that are either over-designed or under-designed. Only after the ISA TR 84.00.07 was a comprehensive framework for performance-based fire and gas design established. This three-day course describes the techniques recommended in the technical report, along with hands-on use of the techniques and associated software tools. It will be held in Columbus, Ohio on May 21.

Implementation and Maintenance of LDAR Programs for Oil and Gas Sites (SP12PC)
This seminar is designed for the LDAR coordinator or individual responsible for the implementation and maintenance of the LDAR program at an upstream and/or midstream oil and natural gas site.  The focus will be on definition of fundamental regulations, practical implementation strategies and quality assurance/control programs, in order to appropriately comply with federal/state regulations. The one-day class will be held May 21 in New Orleans, La.

Safety Instrumented Systems–Design, Analysis and Justification (EC50)
This course focuses on the engineering requirements for the specification, design, analysis, and justification of safety instrumented systems for the process industries. Students will learn how to determine safety integrity levels and evaluate whether proposed or existing systems meet the performance and documentation requirements defined in the ISA 84 (IEC61511) standard. The four-day course starts on May 21 in Columbia, Ill.

Using the ANSI/ISA99 (IEC 62443) Standards to Secure Your Industrial Control System (IC32)
This two-day course provides a detailed look at how the ANSI/ISA99 standards can be used to protect your critical control systems. It also explores the procedural and technical differences between the security for traditional IT environments and those solutions appropriate for SCADA or plant floor environments. The course will be held May 22-23 in Burbank, Calif.  It also will be held May 23-24 in Den Haag, Netherlands.

The process manufacturing industries are undergoing constant change as a result of the introduction of new systems or corporate mergers and acquisitions. Technical staff and project management can often smooth out the rough spots resulting from corporate and technological flux through the development of a common set of documents for instrumentation and control systems.

Investment in control system documentation has become critical for overall project as well as business success. Manufacturing, utility and energy processing facilities often have differing and conflicting documentation standards, experience increased use of new hardware and software automation technologies and also must adhere to strict regulatory compliance for quality, health and safety.  Add to this the challenge of technology transfer between different plant sites, different companies and plant sites operating in different countries. A focus on the quality of control documentation has become an important and often strategic mission for a variety of automation industry disciplines such as process manufacturing, mechanical engineering and electrical engineering.  Proper documents also benefit civil engineers, designers and industrial project managers.

ISA standards including piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs), control software functional requirement specifications, interlock and sequence logic diagrams, loop diagrams, instrument installation and location diagrams are essential methodologies for designing and developing complete and comprehensive control systems documentation for any facility in any industry.

The topic of control systems documentation attracts interest from a variety of industries, such as oil and gas, water and wastewater, power utilities, food and pharmaceutical manufacturing and the specialty chemicals industries.

At one of my training classes in control systems documentation, a power generation and distribution company requested guidance on deploying the most up-to-date ISA standards to document its control systems for a new project. The project team, which included process and instrumentation engineers and design engineers, wanted to learn the most current ISA standards to document the control system. The goal of such training is to ensure that an entire team can effectively communicate the design and build requirements to anyone associated with project implementation.

In another case, managers at a petrochemical refinery that had been recently acquired by a multinational corporation needed to establish a uniform set of documentation standards for a new control system that was on a fast track project schedule to go from concept to implementation without interruption.  The project team, which included process and instrumentation engineers, electrical engineers and designers, credited a completely revised and uniform set of project documents with an implementation on time and on budget.

Control systems documentation is your blueprint for a successful project implementation. Are your documents in order?

In today’s tough economy, many employees are searching for ways they can stand out from the crowd, both strengthening their hold on their current jobs and boosting their prospects for career advancement.

On the other side of the coin, employers—facing tight hiring budgets and fierce marketplace competition—are expecting that workers have the proven experience and skills to safely and effectively perform required job responsibilities.

Amid this backdrop, certification programs play a pivotal role in meeting the needs and objectives of both workers and the companies that employ them.

Certification provides a formal recognition of individuals who have demonstrated proficiency within, and comprehension of, a specialized body of knowledge at a particular point in time. Generally, qualification criteria for such programs include specific requirements of education, experience, and examination.

ISA offers two outstanding certification programs: the Certified Control Systems Technician^® (CCST^®) program—offered in three levels with increasing qualification requirements—and the Certified Automation Professional^® (CAP^®) program.

CCSTs calibrate, document, troubleshoot, and repair/replace instrumentation for systems that measure and control level, temperature, pressure, flow, and other process variables. CAPs are responsible for the direction, definition, design, development/application, deployment, documentation, and support of systems, software, and equipment used in control systems, manufacturing information systems, systems integration, and operational consulting.

Both programs are increasing in popularity. In 2012, new applications received for CAP were 28 percent higher than in 2011, and the highest level recorded since the establishment of the program. In the CCST program, new applications received in 2012 were 10 percent higher than in 2011.

It’s evident that automation and control professionals and technicians and their employers are recognizing the value and benefits of these programs. For employees, CAP and CCST certification:

• Distinguishes individual achievement, knowledge, and experience
• Provides third-party endorsement of professional skills and knowledge
• Documents professional credibility and provides recognized proof of ability
• Improves career options and opportunities
• Encourages life-long learning and professional development
• Enriches self-image and self-confidence

For employers, CAP and CCST certification:

• Delivers documented evidence of employee qualification and capabilities
• Provides an unbiased employee assessment tool for advancement and hiring decisions
• Supports development of a better-trained and experienced workforce
• Encourages employees to attain high standards and remain on the cutting edge
• Promotes safe, efficient, and high-quality work practices
• Enhances company image both internally and externally

Take note of important CCST and CAP application deadlines in May 2013

If you are interested in taking a CCST (Level I, II, or III) or CAP exam, please be aware of some upcoming application deadlines and exam changes.

In regard to the CCST program, all levels of the CCST exam will be changing July 2013 to reflect updates to the content domains and test requirements as outlined by a recent CCST job task analysis study. The last day to pass a current version of a CCST exam is 30 June 2013. To sit for the current versions of the CCST Level I, II, or III exam, you must submit your application by Wednesday, 15 May 2013, and if approved, take the exam before the 30 June 2013 deadline.

After the May application deadline date, all applications received, regardless of the level, will be for the new versions of the CCST exams. Visit ISA’s CCST web page for more details.

If you’re planning to apply for the CAP exam, the application deadline for the next CAP exam window (Window 2: 1 July 2013 – 30 June 2014) is also Wednesday, 15 May 2013. Visit ISA’s CAP web page to learn more.

I encourage all ISA members and all automation and control professionals and technicians to take advantage of these great professional development opportunities. Remember, they are only available through ISA. If you have any questions, please contact ISA customer service at info@isa.org or +1 919-549-8411.

Certified Automation Professional, CAP, Certified Control Systems Technician, and CCST are registered trademarks of ISA.

About the Author
Terrence G. Ives is the third-generation president and owner of Ives Equipment Corporation in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, a process control manufacturing representative and stocking distributor. Terry has been actively involved in ISA leadership for many years. He has held numerous positions at the local and Society level including Society Treasurer, Executive Board Parliamentarian, Finance Committee Chair, Investment Committee Chair, District 2 Vice President, and Philadelphia Section President and Exhibit Chairman. He received a bachelor of science degree in industrial systems engineering from Ohio University.

Certified Automation Professional® (CAP®) Exam Review Course (EC00)
This three-day course reviews the knowledge and skills areas included on the CAP examination. The intent is to prepare an automation professional who meets the exam criteria to take the exam. The content is based on the job analysis domains, tasks, knowledge areas and skill areas developed as the basis for the CAP certification exam. The course starts on April 9 at ISA headquarters in Research Triangle Park, N.C.

Ethernet and TCP/IP on the Plant Floor (FG21C)
Ethernet is fast becoming the new standard for industrial control networking worldwide. Using process control concepts, this seminar explains both Ethernet and TCP/IP as they apply to the plant floor. Included are topics such as the various types of copper and fiber-based Ethernet, how to design Ethernet cabling systems and principles of network security. The one-day class will be held April 9 in New Haven, C0nn.

Fire and Gas System Engineering – Performance-Based Methods for Process Facilities (EC56P)
Fire and gas detection and suppression system design techniques that are currently in use are often considered to be unsatisfactory due to their nature of being rule of thumb and experience-oriented without any real ability to quantify risk. This has resulted in systems that are either over-designed or under-designed. Only after the ISA TR 84.00.07 was a comprehensive framework for performance-based fire and gas design established. This three-day course describes the techniques recommended in the technical report, along with hands-on use of the techniques and associated software tools. It will be held in Columbus, Ohio on April 9.

Process Safety Fundamentals (EC50T)
This one-day course is a quick reference for technicians and operators to understanding the principles governing the use of safety instrumented systems (SIS). Students will learn basic definitions and concepts, the different types of standards, and the role of personnel in the safety life cycle of such systems. It also serves as an introductory preparation for the more comprehensive ISA EC50 multi-day course covering design, analysis and justification of SIS and its related certificate programs. It is scheduled for April 15 in Newark, Del.

Practical Financial Fundamentals and Project Investment Decision-Making for Engineers and Technicians
This two-day course, offered in conjunction with IDC Technologies, will help you learn about the financial workings of your company, read and understand financial statements and drill down on economic evaluation techniques in project proposals.  The course start date is April 15 in Raleigh, N.C.

Boiler Control Systems Engineering (ES15)
This three-day course covers boiler components and their purpose. Additionally, the course explains the ISA symbols used in boiler control, how to identify the engineering and control of boilers using theses symbols, and a method of presenting the engineering. The class will start on April 15 at ISA headquarters in Research Triangle Park, N.C.

Safety Instrumented Systems — Design, Analysis and Justification (EC50)
This course focuses on the engineering requirements for the specification, design, analysis and justification of safety instrumented systems for the process industries. Students will learn how to determine safety integrity levels and evaluate whether proposed or existing systems meet the performance and documentation requirements defined in the ISA 84 (IEC61511) standard. The four-day course will start on April 16 in Newark, Del.

Advanced Safety Integrity Level Selection (EC52)
This three-day course focuses on further hands-on examples of safety integrity level (SIL) selection using a variety of different techniques. Students will be better able to save their companies time and money through the optimization of system performance requirements.This course is a follow-on to EC50 (Safety Instrumented Systems—Design, Analysis, and Justification). The course is required for the ISA84 Safety Instrumented Systems Certificate Program 2. You can register for the course only or for the certificate program which includes course and exam. The course starts on April 16 at ISA headquarters in Research Triangle Park, N.C.

Practical Project Management for Engineers and Technicians
This one-day class teaches you how to plan to meet deadlines and complete projects within budget and on time, manage resources effectively and develop personal skills needed for effective project management. The class, co-sponsored by IDC Technologies, will be held in Raleigh, N.C. on April 17.

Burner Management Systems Engineering Using NFPA Code 85 and ANSI/ISA77 Standards (ES16)
This two-day course covers the safe start-up, monitoring and shut-down of multiple burner boiler furnaces. It also discusses causes of furnace explosions and the relationship between burner management systems and boiler control systems. Prior attendance at ISA ES15: Boiler Control Systems Engineering Course or an understanding of boilers and boiler control is assumed. The class starts April 18 at ISA headquarters in Research Triangle Park, N.C.

Advanced Design and SIL Verification (EC54)
This two-day course focuses on more detailed design issues and further hands-on examples of system analysis/modeling. Students will be better able to perform system design and analysis thus saving their companies time and money in optimizing system designs. This course will enable you to analyze any system technology and configuration to see if it will meet the required SIL (safety integrity level) and determine if existing systems are safe enough, if they need to be upgraded, and whether proposed systems will meet the performance requirements. The class will be held at ISA headquarters in Research Triangle Park, N.C. starting April 18.

Practical Specification and Technical Writing for Engineers and Technical People
In this two-day course co-sponsored by IDC Technologies you will learn how to design and write accurate and comprehensive technical specifications, and improve project management and performance by developing realistic specifications. The class teaches how to collect, organize and evaluate information and transfer technical content into powerful graphs, flowcharts and tables as well as create captivating oral presentations. The course will be held in Raleigh, N.C. starting April 18.

Using the ANSI/ISA99 Standard to Secure Your Control System (IC32)
This course provides a detailed look at how the ANSI/ISA99 standards can be used to protect your critical control systems. It also explores the procedural and technical differences between the security for traditional IT environments and those solutions appropriate for SCADA or plant floor environments. This two-day course will be held starting April 22 in Columbia, Ill.

Advanced Industrial Cybersecurity (TS13)
This advanced course will expand your practical knowledge of cybersecurity technologies as applied to an industrial setting. The course will familiarize you with the latest developments in cybersecurity, including practical guides to design, implementation and testing industrial networks and applications to ensure their security and reliability in an industrial production environment. The course will discuss the functions and purposes of the elements used to create and protect an industrial network. The course will be held April 22-26 in Burbank, Calif.

ISA Technician Training Boot Camp (TTBC)
This five-day training program combines a unique technical training course—minimum lecture and maximum hands-on experience—with bonus features, including a plant tour, technical library and social events, to enhance the learning experience and to maximize knowledge gained. More than 75 percent of your time will be spent on equipment labs. This week of intensive training will cover a broad range of technical topics needed to get the job done right. Starting with basic instrumentation fundamentals and ending with the advanced and ultimate in smart technology, this comprehensive program will serve as a vital building block to your professional development and skills enhancement efforts. It will be held at ISA headquarters in Research Triangle Park, N.C. starting April 22.

Sizing, Selecting and Applying Process Control Valves (EI30)
You will gain a practical understanding of control valves, actuators and positioner designs and their applications. This course also provides methods that can be used to identify specific valve problems and to arrive at acceptable solutions within engineering tolerance. The three-day class will be held starting April 24 in Columbia, Ill.

ISA TechTour — Bringing ISA’s expert trainers and premier instructional resources to a city near you
ISA’s TechTour in April comes to Pasadena, Tex. ISA’s newest mobile training initiative brings world-class, in-depth technical training to locations throughout the U.S. If you are looking to strengthen your career skills and prospects, ISA wants to get you on the fast track during ISA TechTour. The April 29-May 3 “tour stop” delivers courses on  Tuning and Troubleshooting Control Systems (TC15) and Installing, Calibrating and Maintaining Electronic Instruments (TI25).

Certified Control Systems Technician® (CCST®) Level I Review Course (TS00)
This is a fast-paced review of the knowledge and practical skills necessary to install and maintain standard measurement and control instrumentation. It is intended for practicing technicians preparing for the CCST Level I  exam. An explanation of the examination process and practice certification-type exams are provided. The course will be held April 30-May 2 at ISA headquarters in Research Triangle Park, N.C.

The rapid developments and innovations in automation, control and remote monitoring have increased the levels of production while shortening the time and lowering the cost of designing and deploying complex systems.

One of these developments, the growth of AC-based automation and control systems, is due to a number of factors. As control systems migrate from the factory floor to remote oil & gas, transportation and green energy systems, DC-based systems lose their ability to power remote nodes. To increase power availability, designers opt for an AC-based system due to the dramatically higher efficiencies and lower cost to power these systems.

To explore power design challenges, green approaches and retrofitting existing systems, ISA is sponsoring a free webinar in conjunction with Falcon Electric titled “Protecting Automated Systems in Harsh Environments.” The presentation will provide key insights on how to eliminate weak links in the power continuity scheme and introduce UL-listed power protection solutions specifically tailored to operate in operating environments.  The webinar will be held April 30 at 1 p.m. Eastern time.

Even though manufacturers of PLCs, computers, controllers, VFDs, cables, enclosures and printed circuit boards have increased the durability of their products to operate in harsh -30°C to 65°C temperatures, some components such as uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) are not up to this spec and do not meet UL, cUL or CE standards for use in harsh temperatures.

The use of a UPS designed for office environments (0°C to 40°C) is not the right solution for demanding power loads and temperatures – especially for automation systems in remote locations.

Extreme cold or high heat present challenges. For high heat situations where air conditioning is not feasible, the system designer will typically integrate a “Band-Aid” strategy of over-sizing the UPS so that higher ambient temperatures won’t affect the UPS’s ability to operate for the short term.

However, this is not a smart strategy as the UPS battery and internal electronics can fail after only months of operation. Since owners and managers of automated systems rely on high availability, not using the properly designed UPS decreases operation continuity and increases the risk of expensive control system shutdowns. In addition, frequent UPS maintenance and replacement significantly increases the total cost of ownership.

For further details on the free ISA webinar, click here.

As a result of the ISA Mentor Program, I have had the personal pleasure of seeing firsthand the enthusiasm and talent of new automation engineers. These engineers have incredible positive energy and computer skills. However, the challenges facing a person entering this profession are considerable. I had company training programs, technical presentations, in-house standards and best practice development, plant testing, a mentor resource of a dozen or more engineers, and time to develop skills, but these advantages are largely gone.

When I started at Monsanto, I was immediately put in an intensive eight-week electrical and instrument (E&I) school. I spent most of the next six years on location. I gained the knowledge of extensive instrument testing at a large Texas plant. I then developed a unit operation lab for the school to provide hands-on experience of what it is like to control a distillation column and neutralizer.

I worked on standards and best practices. In E&I section meetings, the director would get a hand count of who attended the local ISA meeting. I was encouraged to attend and write papers for the ISA technical conference each year. I was then given time to find process control improvement opportunities in the plants. All along the way, I had access to the best minds in automation and process control.

I acquired quite a library of essential books by Béla Lipták, Bill Luyben, and Greg Shinskey. Today I wonder if the new automation engineer is given the time and technical knowledge to do a considerably more demanding job than what I faced when I started 44 years ago. Technology has advanced tremendously and the expertise required to learn new tools and to keep up with developments in diagnostics, networks, software, smart instrumentation, and standards is more than a job.

What little “how to” information that does exist is spread over hundreds of publications and tens of thousands of pages, with no guide as to what to even look for. The procedural and paperwork requirements for operation support and small projects can be a full-time job in itself, leading to little free time for reading and developing skills and innovative solutions.

To get a closer view of how the new user is dealing with this change in the automation career, I presented questions to fellow mentor Hunter Vegas and protégés Héctor Torres and Danaca Jordan.

To read the full Q&A article, click here.

Automation Engineering Survival Training is a class that asks “Do you have what it takes to survive in the world of process automation?” This unique educational experience is designed to hone your process automation knowledge and skills. The intensive technical training boot camp for automation engineers combines lecture and hands-on labs with bonus features, including a plant tour, technical library and networking events, to maximize your learning experience.  The course will be held March 18-22 at ISA headquarters in Research Triangle Park, N.C.

Advanced Industrial Cybersecurity
This advanced course will expand your practical knowledge of cybersecurity technologies as applied to an industrial setting. The course will familiarize you with the latest developments in cybersecurity, including practical guides to design, implementation and testing industrial networks and applications to ensure their security and reliability in an industrial production environment. The course will discuss the functions and purposes of the elements used to create and protect an industrial network. The course will be held March 18-22 at ISA headquarters in Research Triangle Park, N.C.

Process Safety Fundamentals
This course is a quick reference for technicians and operators to understanding the principles governing the use of Safety Instrumented Systems (SIS). Students will learn basic definitions and concepts, the different types of standards, and the role of personnel in the Safety Life Cycle of such systems. It also serves as an introductory preparation for the more comprehensive ISA EC50 multi-day course covering design, analysis and justification of Safety Instrumented Systems and its related certificate program(s). The course will be held March 18 in Burbank, Calif.

Safety Instrumented Systems — Design, Analysis and Justification
This course focuses on the engineering requirements for the specification, design, analysis and justification of safety instrumented systems for the process industries. Students will learn how to determine safety integrity levels and evaluate whether proposed or existing systems meet the performance and documentation requirements defined in the ISA 84 (IEC61511) standard. The course will be held March 19-22 in Burbank, Calif.

PLC/PAC Automation: PLC Structure, Programming, Installation and Maintenance
This course will help you understand Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) architecture, configuration, installation, maintenance and ladder logic programming with over 50 percent hands-on training. It will be held March 25-29 at the University of Houston, Texas.

ISA TechTour — Bringing ISA’s expert trainers and premier instructional resources to a city near you
ISA TechTour, ISA’s newest mobile training initiative, brings world-class, in-depth technical training to locations throughout the U.S. If you are looking to strengthen your career skills and prospects, ISA wants to get you on the fast track during ISA TechTour. Two of ISA’s most acclaimed courses will be conducted as part of the “tour stop” in Beaumont, Texas, March 25-29. The courses are Introduction to Industrial Automation and Control, and Advanced Operation of Digital (Smart) Transmitters and Digital Valve Controllers.