Abstract: While it is widely recognized that total quality is a cost problem for production systems, it is less well recognized that alarm system efficiency is also an important cost problem. Practically, a well-designed alarm system is an essential tool in to maintain effective plant operations. Poorly designed alarm systems cause unnecessary disturbances, a waste [...]
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TUNE YOUR LOOP: Mathematics for Instrumentation Technicians
1. When the AC voltage is at 45 degrees of it travel what is the voltage at that instant.(sine value@45 degrees =.707) The maximum voltage of the circuit is 169VAC. (Formula is maximum voltage (E max) times sine of 45 degrees = point voltage.) 2. On three phase power each phase is separated from the [...]
What are the types of Dynamic Simulators and the pro and cons?
In the ISA Automation Week Mentor Program, I am providing guidance for extremely talented individuals from Argentina, Brazil, Malaysia, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, and the USA. We will be sharing a question and the answers each week. If you would like to provide additional answers, please send them to Susan Colwell at ISA. The twenty-first question [...]
Choosing a Calibration Provider
In late March, the ISA Oakridge Section in Knoxville, TN hosted a meeting around the topic of metrology and how to choose a Calibration provider. They invited speaker Mike Duncan to share his expertise on the topic. We were lucky to get the link to his presentation and wanted to share it with you. Summary [...]
How do I check out DCS I/O at the panel shop?
In the ISA Automation Week Mentor Program, I am providing guidance for extremely talented individuals from Argentina, Brazil, Malaysia, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, and the USA. We will be sharing a question and the answers each week. If you would like to provide additional answers, please send them to Susan Colwell at ISA. The twentieth question [...]
TUNE YOUR LOOP: Fundamentals of Industrial Process, Measurement, and Control
1. Which of the following types of valves has the highest gain when the valve is nearly closed? 2. A controller in which an increase in output to the manipulated variable results in a decrease in the controlled variable is called? 3. Which of the following control modes causes the controller output to increase or [...]
TUNE YOUR LOOP: OPC: The Windows to the World are Open
1. The OPC Charter: 2. The OPC Security Reference Model includes: 3. The current OPC standards include all except: 4. All these are features of an OPC server except: 5. The OPC Foundation: What are your answers before you read ahead? 1. d 2. d 3. b 4. c 5. d From the [...]
Is a VFD or Valve Faster?
In the ISA Automation Week Mentor Program, I am providing guidance for extremely talented individuals from Argentina, Brazil, Malaysia, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, and the USA. We will be sharing a question and the answers each week. If you would like to provide additional answers, please send them to Susan Colwell at ISA. The nineteenth question [...]
ISA Automation Week 2012 Program Chair Q&A
This year’s ISA Automation Week will be held in Orlando, Fla., on 24–27 September at the Orange County Convention Center. It will offer a world-class, unbiased technical program built around “operational and technical excellence.” ISA Insights recently sat down with Peter Martin, ISA Automation Week 2012 program chair, to find out more about this year’s [...]
What are the factors that affect VFD rangeability?
In the ISA Automation Week Mentor Program, I am providing guidance for extremely talented individuals from Argentina, Brazil, Malaysia, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, and the USA. We will be sharing a question and the answers each week. If you would like to provide additional answers, please send them to Susan Colwell at ISA. The eighteenth question [...]