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Author Profile
Joel Don
345 Results Found
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FeatureAutoQuiz: Why Must Voltage Be Reduced Along with Frequency in a Variable Frequency Speed Controller?
To maintain a constant (rated) flux density, the applied voltage must also be changed in the same proportion as the frequency (per Faraday’s law). -
FeatureAutoQuiz: What Process Confirms That a Company Meets the Needs of Customers and Complies With Statutory and Regulatory Requirements?
ISO 9000 is a family of international quality management systems standards designed to help organizations ensure that they meet the needs of customers and other stakeholders while meeting statutory an -
Feature
AutoQuiz: What is “Slip” in an AC Induction Motor?
Slip is usually expressed as a percentage, and varies by motor, from nominally 0.5 percent for very large motors to about 5 percent for small, specialized motors.. -
Feature
AutoQuiz: What Factors Affect the Reynolds Number for a Flowing Fluid?
The Reynolds Number for a flowing fluid can be generalized as the ratio of kinetic (or inertial) forces divided by viscous forces. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: Identify Three Levels Within the Manufacturing Computer Systems Hierarchy
The manufacturing computer systems hierarchy is defined in ISA-88 and ISA-95 by Level 0 through Level 4. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: What Are the Limitations of an Analog Multimeter?
An analog voltmeter works by passing a current through a coil that is suspended between two permanent magnets. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: How Are the Maintainability and Maintenance of Automation Systems Related?
Maintainability is the probability that a device will be restored to an operating condition within a specified period when maintenance is done with prescribed resources and procedures. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: How to Use the Parity System to Detect Data Transmission Errors
Parity is a simple method using a binary code (“1” or “0”) to detect data transmission errors by making the sum of the “1” bits in the source data either an odd or an even number. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: What Electrical Event Can Occur With a 24 VDC Open-Collector Output Sinking Configuration?
An NPN (sinking) open-collector, when “energized,” switches the load side of the relay (at terminal “A”) to ground (terminal “B”). -
FeatureAutoQuiz: What Device Is Used to Convert an Analog Signal From a Transmitter to the Signal Required by a Digital Controller?
A digital controller requires a digital signal as its input. A 4-20 mA transmitter outputs an analog signal. Therefore, a device to convert an analog (A) signal to a digital (D) is required. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: What Are the NPV and IRR Methods for Evaluating Industrial Automation System Capital Investments?
Net present value (NPV) by itself is not a good indicator of the viability of a project or a good differentiator between two competing projects. -
Feature
AutoQuiz: What Is the Logical Analysis Troubleshooting Method for an Industrial Process?
Once a problem is identified in an industrial process, data must be gathered and analyzed to determine a viable set of potential actions and solutions. -
Feature
AutoQuiz: What Should an Engineer Include in a Final Automation Project Report to Senior Management?
An executive summary and bullet-item lists for an automation project allows managers them to understand the basic outcomes and conclusions of your project. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: What Is the Purpose of an Instrument Location Plan?
Instrument location plans are most often used to support new plant installations and give the installer information about the actual physical location of the installation of an instrument. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: What Is the Significance of the Fieldbus Intrinsic Safety Concept?
The fieldbus intrinsic safety concept simplifies the rules governing energy storage in field cables and makes more power available to the fieldbus trunk. -
Feature
AutoQuiz: Which Valve Actuation Method Is Best for a Very Large Force and a Small Actuator?
Hydraulic actuators are driven by a high-pressure fluid (up to 4,000 psig) that can be delivered to the actuator by a pump that is remote from the actuator itself. -
Feature
AutoQuiz: What Are the Benefits of Self-Study Workbooks for Operator Training?
Self-study workbooks ensure that all students have been exposed to the same learning objectives and material. -
Feature
AutoQuiz: How are Pressure Changes Measured in Industrial Applications?
For most pressure applications, changes in pressure are detected by the change in deflection of a measuring diaphragm. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: What Are the Cybersecurity Risks to a Geothermal Plant?
Automation systems are vulnerable to many cybersecurity risks, but email viruses pose the least risk to disrupt operations and create an emergency situation. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: Technical Characteristics of the Open Systems Interconnection Model
The presentation layer for protocols used in control systems provides the translation of data received into a usable format, such as binary data from a programmable logic controller into floating poin -
FeatureAutoQuiz: How to Install Thermocouple Extension Wires
Proper installation of thermocouple extension wires requires special terminal blocks to prevent additional junctions from being formed. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: How Are Errors Corrected in Industrial Network Data Communications?
Cyclic redundancy checking is a method of checking for errors in data that has been transmitted on a communications link. -
FeatureLessons Learned From a Forensic Analysis of the Ukrainian Power Grid Cyberattack
The Ukrainian power grid cyberattack was triggered when an employee opened an Excel spreadsheet attachment of an email. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: How to Calibrate a High-Range Electronic Pressure Transmitter
A dead-weight tester apparatus uses known traceable weights to apply pressure to a fluid for checking the accuracy of readings from a pressure gauge or pressure transmitter. -
Feature
AutoQuiz: What Is Receipt Verification in Industrial Processes?
Receipt verification is an industrial systematic process by which a site verifies that what was specified and ordered is actually what is received. -
Feature
AutoQuiz: What Industrial Troubleshooting Technique Can Help Replace a Bad Component?
The substitution method may reveal the component that is the cause of the problem. -
Feature
AutoQuiz: What is a Database Record?
A database record is a single row of information in a table. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: Characteristics of an Industrial Controller
For a direct-acting controller, the resulting output movement is in the same direction as the movement of the process variable. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: When Does Cavitation Occur in Liquid Flow?
In cavitation, when the liquid drops below the vapor pressure around the vena cava, the liquid vaporizes. -
Feature
AutoQuiz: What Happens When a Reset Action Is Added to an Industrial Controller Tuned for a Fast Control Loop?
Both gain and reset (integral action) act upon the error in the same direction, per a simplified proportional, integral, derivative (PID) control algorithm. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: What is the Risk in Using Standard ROI Ratios to Invest in an Automation System?
ROI equations do not account for lost opportunity to collect investment interest on money diverted to fund an automation project or the time value of money. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: How to Calculate Steady State Gain for a Standard Pneumatic Instrument Loop
Gain is defined in industrial control theory as the change in input divided by the change in output. -
Feature
AutoQuiz: What Are Common Terms Used to Quantify Dangerous Industrial Failures?
Spurious trips and nuisance trips are indicative of “safe” failure modes, not “dangerous” failures. -
NewsBook Excerpt + Q&A: Situation Management for Process Control
Situation management is the competency, ability, and willingness of the human operator to properly and successfully manage the enterprise or activity under his or her charge. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: How to Measure the Resistance in a Circuit
Resistance is an electrical quantity that measures how a device or material reduces the electric current flow through it. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: How to Calculate Uptime for an Automation System
The most important measure for production equipment support is operational availability, or “uptime.” -
FeatureAutoQuiz: How to Troubleshoot a System Failure Due to a Bad Component
Troubleshooting is often an iterative process. If the proposed solution is not the correct one, further analysis and data collection are warranted. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: What Is the Purpose of a Markov Model Computation?
Systems that exhibit a Markov property are ones in which the future does not depend on the past. -
NewsBook Excerpt + Q&A: Security PHA Review for Consequence-Based Cybersecurity
In process industries, mechanical safeguards have been replaced with digital devices. Problem: They have created gr3eater risk from cyberattack. -
Feature
AutoQuiz: Characteristics of a Loop Diagram
Instrument loop diagrams are very detailed depictions of an industrial control or process -
Feature
AutoQuiz: Characteristics of a Fuzzy Logic Controller
A PI controller is tuned by adjusting gain or proportional band & integral time settings. Fuzzy logic controller is tuned by adjusting scale factors. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: What Is the Best Method for Measuring the Level of a Highly Corrosive Media?
Ultrasonic level detectors use the principle of reflection of an acoustic wave from liquid to vapor phase and vapor to liquid phase. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: Which Signal Type Indicates Direction and Velocity in a Motion Control Application?
To indicate both direction & velocity, a signal with both positive and negative characteristics is required. Motion controls use either ±10 V or ±5 V signals to accomplish this. -
Feature
AutoQuiz: What Type of Switch Is Designed to Detect the End of Travel of a Valve?
Limit switch is a general term to describe the class of devices that are used to detect the end of travel of a valve, louver, or any other item that may be in motion. -
Feature
AutoQuiz: What Is the Benefit of Industrial RFID Tags Over Barcode Systems?
RFID tags consist of silicon chips and an antenna that can transmit data to a wireless receiver. -
Feature
AutoQuiz: When Should Operating Instructions Be Developed for an Industrial Process?
Operating instructions may be included in a functional specification or operating description and may range from a few pages describing how to operate one part of a plant to a complete set of directio -
FeatureAutoQuiz: Cold Junction Compensation Is Required for Which Type of Temperature Measurement Device?
A thermocouple is comprised of two wires of dissimilar metals, connected at one end, which is placed in the process to be measured. This is called the measuring junction. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: What Security Property Is Affected If a Hacker Intercepts and Changes Set Point Data?
Data integrity implies that the data received is the same (value, format, quality) as the data sent. -
Feature
AutoQuiz: What Is a Schematic Representation of a Complete Hydraulic, Electric, Magnetic, or Pneumatic Circuit Called?
A loop diagram shows complete details of a hydraulic, electric, magnetic, or pneumatic circuit, showing all of the interconnections, components, and devices that participate in that circuit. -
Feature
AutoQuiz: What Is the Fastest "Electronic" Method to Bring a DC Motor to a Full Stop?
In regenerative braking, all of the motor's energy is fed directly back into the AC power line. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: Unique Feature of a Pneumatic Differential Pressure Sensor/Transmitter
In a pneumatic transmitter, the nozzle faces a baffle, so, as the measured pressure increases, the baffle moves toward the nozzle. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: What Is the Definition of Restore Time in Industrial Maintenance?
The restore time includes all activities required to diagnose and repair the device. This includes diagnosing the problem, isolating the device from the system, traveling to the device, and repairing -
Feature
AutoQuiz: What Is the Condition When Controller Output Increases in Conjunction With a Controlled Variable Increase?
As pressure increases (controlled variable), the valve output would increase to open the valve in order to relieve the pressure. -
NewsBook Excerpt + Author Q&A: Fluid Mechanics of Control Valves
ISA's up-to-date work on final control valve elements presents theoretical and practical information in an easy, conversational style, -
Feature
AutoQuiz: How to Program the Correct PLC Equation for a Pressure Transmitter
To scale the analog input, calculate the "% of the raw counts range" that is represented by the analog input, and multiply by the EU100% range, since the EU0% value is 0. -
Feature
AutoQuiz: How to Perform PLC Raw Count Calculations for Pressure Transmitters
A pressure transmitter is connected to the analog input card of a PLC. The 4-20mA input value from the transmitter is converted into equivalent raw counts. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: What Is the Purpose of an Optical Isolation Circuit on a Digital Input Card in a PLC I/O System?
An optical isolation circuit is used to provide a barrier between the field wiring & associated field wiring issues (shorts, ground loops, transients, etc.) -
FeatureAutoQuiz: What Is the Best System for Analyzing Multiple Sources of Data in an Industrial Plant or Facility?
A well-designed, integrated building automation system seamlessly integrates lighting, elevators, boilers, chillers, fire protection, generators, access control, and HVAC control systems, which may al -
Feature
AutoQuiz: How to Convert a Transmitter's Current Output Signal to a Voltage Input Signal
Place a resistor across the input terminals of the controller to convert a transmitter's current output signal. -
Feature
AutoQuiz: What Flow Sensor Naturally Generates a Pulsed Output to Represent Flow Rate?
Turbine meters almost universally use a magnetic pickup to determine the number of rotations of the spinning turbine element. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: What Information Is Typically Included in a Loop Diagram?
Tag numbers, wire numbers and terminal numbers, and indication of the interrelation to other instrumentation loops, are the essential elements of a loop diagram. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: What Is the Purpose of Forward Decoupling?
A forward decoupling algorithm can be used to cancel out MIMO interactions, making more traditional control methods applicable to complex systems. -
Feature
AutoQuiz: What Is the Minimum Course of Action to Take Before Replacing Damaged Wiring?
All circuits to be worked on should be tested with a multi-meter prior to performing work to ensure that no voltage or current is present. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: Which Flow Measurement Device Does Not Require Square Root Extraction?
The output from a magnetic flowmeter is a linear signal that is proportional to the velocity of the flowing fluid. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: What Is the Purpose of a Valve Positioner?
A valve positioner adjusts the pneumatic output to a valve actuator so that the requested position of the valve from a controller is achieved. -
Feature
AutoQuiz: Models of Control to Describe a Batch Process
A process stage in the process model can be mapped to a unit procedure in the procedural model, which in turn is mapped to a unit in the physical model. -
Feature
AutoQuiz: Which Type of Electrical Wires Would Normally Be Shielded in Control Systems?
Cable shield, connected to an isolated zero potential, is required to prevent nearby inductive loads and EMF fields from altering the low-level voltage or current levels in the signal wiring. -
Feature
AutoQuiz: What is Common Mode Noise?
Common noise must be in phase between conductors, or it converts to normal mode or differential noise. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: What Happens When a Controller Receives an Error Signal for Significant Periods of Time?
The integral term of the PID control algorithm increases (or decreases) at a rate inversely proportional to the integral time of the controller. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: What Are the Advantages of Cascade Control?
Cascade control does very little to improve upon control loops that were previously stable. Examples are liquid level and gas pressure control loops. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: Characteristics of a Flowmeter
For a turbine flowmeter, the rotor is supported by the hubs and bearings inside of a flowmeter body, and as the rotor spins, the number of revolutions is determined with a magnetic pickup. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: How to Measure the Temperature Between Two Dissimilar, Joined Metals
A thermocouple contains two different conductors that produce a voltage proportional to a temperature difference between the ends of a pair of conductors. -
Feature
AutoQuiz: How to Measure Fluid Velocity Through a Pipe
The constant between pipes of differing diameters is the flow rate (and other fluid properties) is the same in both pipe lengths. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: Design Specifications for Building Automation Systems
Energy management, access control, lighting control, asset management, communications, life safety, fire alarm, and HVAC controls are all of interest when designing a building automation system -
Feature
AutoQuiz: What Is the Continuous Sequence of Steps Performed by a PLC Processor?
The time it takes for the PLC to complete its scanning of all program steps in one operating cycle is called the scan time. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: What Network Security Technology Does Not Use Encryption?
A virtual local area network (VLAN) is achieved through configuration of Ethernet switches and not encryption. It divides a physical network into smaller logical networks to increase performance, impr -
Feature
AutoQuiz: What Is the Purpose of the Proper Grounding of Electrical Devices?
Proper grounding provides safety, over-current protection, electrical noise reduction, lightning protection, and static electricity reduction. -
Feature
AutoQuiz: How to Calculate the Pressure Recovery Factor for Valves
Pressure recovery factor is the increase in fluid static pressure that occurs as fluid moves through a valve from the vena contracta to the valve's outlet and downstream piping. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: What Are the Four Key Activities in the Maintenance Cycle of a Control System?
Documentation of the "as left" condition of the control system is a basic requirement for all maintenance, calibration, commissioning, and testing tasks. -
Feature
AutoQuiz: What Are Multiple Independent Protection Layers in Relation to Industrial Safety?
A consequence of the concept of multiple independent protection suggests minimization of risk occurs when safety instrumented systems are completely independent from process control systems. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: What Is the Response in Level Control System If the Process Liquid Medium Changes?
For a capacitance probe installed in a metal tank, the measured level is proportional to the measured capacitance between the level probe (one capacitor plate) and the tank wall (second capacitor plat -
FeatureAutoQuiz: How to Determine Cause of the Apparent Discrepancy in Flow
Periodic visual inspection of orifice plates is required to ensure the integrity of measurement with a digital flow transmitter. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: Which Flowmeter Type Does Not Operate on the Principle That a Differential Pressure Is Developed Across a Flow Restriction?
A Coriolis flowmeter develops a flow measurement by measuring the degree of deformation (twisting) of a vibrating tube(s) as the fluid moves through the tube. -
NewsBook Excerpt + Q&A: Safety Instrumented Systems, A Life-Cycle Approach
This book leverages the performance and documentation requirements defined in the ISA/IEC 61511 functional process safety standard coupled with the authors' nearly 80 years of safety system experience -
FeatureAutoQuiz: What Is an Example of Adaptive Control?
A controller uses a quantitative process model and modifies controller tuning based on how the process responds in relation to the model prediction. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: P&ID Determination for Temperature and Pressure Sensors
Instrument technicians often use P&ID diagrams as a reference to identify what type of instrumentation is installed and how the instrumentation is installed in the process. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: What is Tree Topology in Fieldbus?
Tree Topology concentrates the connection of several field devices to couplers/junction boxes. Tree topology is also known as "Chickenfoot" or "Star" configuration. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: What P&ID Symbol Is Used to Indicate a Temperature Regulator?
The symbol reflects a temperature regulator, filled thermal system. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: How to Assess the Optimal Alarm Deadband Setting
Learn to assess the alarm deadband setting on a high alarm. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: What Is the Purpose of an Intrinsic Safety Barrier?
An intrinsic safety barrier prevents excess voltage and current from reaching the hazardous area. -
Feature
AutoQuiz: How to Assess the Hazard/Risk Category for an Industrial Electrical Panel
Work on energized electrical conductors and circuit parts, including voltage testing on panelboards, or other equipment rated 240V and below would be classified as Hazard/Risk Category 1. -
NewsBook Excerpt + Q&A: New Edition of Guide to the Automation Body of Knowledge
ISA's book is a key resource for preparing for certification, including the ISA Certified Automation Professional, the ISA Certified Control Systems Technician, and the Professional Engineer (P.E.) ex -
FeatureAutoQuiz: How is the Reynolds Number Used in Flow Measurement?
For the Reynold's number, the inertial forces in the numerator are given by the product of mass (density), fluid velocity, and pipe diameter. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: What Is the Best Tuning Method for a Catalyst Feed Flow Controller?
Only a closed-loop tuning method can be used with an exothermic reaction where the reactor can "run away" (increasing speed of reaction as the reaction progresses, catalyzed by its own heat of reactio -
FeatureAutoQuiz: Plotting Control Valve Characteristics
For an equal percentage valve characteristic, each increment of valve movement provides the same percentage increase in flow. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: What is the Lifecycle Economic Model?
All lifecycle costs should be considered over the entire expected life of a project, with all costs calculated on a net present value basis. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: Characteristics of a Full-Wave Bridge Rectifier Circuit
A bridge rectifier consists of diodes in a bridge circuit configuration. It features the same output polarity for either input polarity, and is used for converting an alternating current (AC) input in -
FeatureAutoQuiz: What Is the Cause of Cavitation in a Liquid Flow Stream?
When fluid drops below a liquid's vapor pressure, a gas is formed. As fluid moves downstream to where the fluid pressure is greater than the vapor pressure, it "collapses" back into a liquid. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: How to Read a Gauge Pressure Transmitter
At zero gauge pressure in the steam line, you are essentially suppressing (pushing) the transmitter output back down to zero after the system reaches equilibrium. The transmitter will read that impuls -
FeatureAutoQuiz: Failures of Complex Systems in SIS Design and SIL Selection
A fault tree analysis begins with the "top event," which is the result of a number of basic events that contribute to, or initiate, the system failure. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: Loop Tuning Terminology for Change in Amplitude
The common method of judging tuning is known as the "quarter wave decay" method. It has been shown if a loop is tuned so the oscillation decays with each wave being one quarter of the previous wave, i -
Feature
AutoQuiz: Industrial Applications for Nonincendive-Rated Field Wiring
Nonincendive is allowed in Class 1, Division 2; Class 1, Zone 2, and Non-hazardous rated areas. Use in higher hazard areas, such as Division 1, Zone 1, or Zone 0 areas, is not allowed. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: Standard Wiring Color for Type K Thermocouple
Type K (chromel–alumel) is the most common general purpose thermocouple with a sensitivity of approximately 41 µV/°C. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: What Is the Liquid Flow Condition Where Falling Static Pressure Causes Formation of Vapor Bubbles?
The first stage of cavitation is the formation of vapor bubbles within the liquid system because of the fluid's static pressure falling below the fluid vapor pressure -
FeatureAutoQuiz: What are the Advantages and Disadvantages of RTDs?
Resistance temperature detectors require a temperature transmitter to function. This is not a disadvantage of an RTD, since its function does not require a temperature transmitter to be installed. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: How to Interpret Relay Logic for a Pump Control Switch
When a pump control switch is in auto, the storage tank low level switch or the pressure tank high level switch can stop the pump. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: How to Diagnose Industrial Pressure Sensor Errors
If a pressure sensor/transmitter is giving a non-linear response, replacement of the sensor and/or the transmitter will be required. -
NewsBook Excerpt + Author Q&A: Mission Critical Operations
Mission-critical specialists are in-demand in a variety of critical infrastructure areas, focused on events that could result in serious consequences, such as loss of life, harm to the environment or -
FeatureAutoQuiz: Motor Shaft Speed Relationship to Frequency and Number of Poles
The shaft speed of a motor is directly proportional to the frequency and is inversely proportional to the number of poles. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: How to Measure Tank Differential Pressure
A tank level is measured using a differential pressure transmitter (DPT-1) and a bubbler tube. The tank is vented to atmosphere. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: Nonhazardous Pressurization Systems
A Type X pressurization system reduces the classification within the enclosure from Division 1 to nonhazardous and, therefore, permits the use of ignition-capable equipment inside the enclosure. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: Identify the Function of a P&ID Symbol
In a P7ID diagram, a "circle" enclosed in a "square" indicates it is an instrument that has a shared display or a shared control. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: What Is the Best Location in an HMI for the Graphic Display of a Distillation Column?
A distillation column refers to one piece of equipment in the distillation process, which will contain several loops. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: Can You Identify the P&ID Symbol?
A "circle" enclosed in a "square," which indicates it is an instrument with a shared display or a shared control. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: What Is PID in a Control Loop?
The PID term as described refers to the loop control technique used in controllers. A PID control loop includes proportional, integral, and derivative functions to control the process. -
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FeatureAutoQuiz: Can You Identify Instrument Line Symbols?
ISA-5.1-1984 (Revised 1992) - Instrument Symbols and Identification. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: How to Minimize Electrical Interference with AC Power and DC Signal Wiring in a Control Panel
Crossing the wires at 90 degrees will minimize the exposure of the wires to each other and therefore minimize the effects of interference. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: What Is an Industrial Process Variable?
The controlled variable by definition is the variable that the control system attempts to keep at a "set point" value. -
NewsBest ISA Webinars of 2017
An ISA roundup of some of the best educational industrial automation industry webinars presented in 2017. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: How to Choose Best Method for Level Measurement
Radar does not depend on temperature or composition of a fluid as long as the beam is narrow and the dielectric constant of the fluid is greater than two. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: How to Measure Pressure in a Tank
Perform the calculation using dimensional analysis from conversion tables 33.9 ft water equals one atmosphere equals 14.696 lbf /in2 (psi). -
FeatureAutoQuiz: How to Calculate the Rated Torque for a Motor
The volts-per-hertz ratio (V/Hz) controls the torque of a motor. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: Standard Range for Pneumatically Transmitted Signals
For the sake of ease and safety, Industry recognized it is better for an operator to monitor and control processes in a more convenient and protected place -
FeatureAutoQuiz: How to Measure the Resistance of a Conductor
The resistance of a length of a conductor can be determined using the specific resistance and the cross-sectional area by using the equation R = r L/A -
FeatureAutoQuiz: Level Reading with a Differential Pressure Cell
If a differential pressure cell is not at an elevation that corresponds to zero percent level in a tank, calibrate to account for difference in elevation. -
News
Book Excerpt + Author Q&A: Condensed Handbook of Measurement and Control
ISA book is an authoritative resource for anyone responsible for selecting & implementing measurement & control devices for process automation applications. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: Which Control Valve Style Is More Likely to Develop a Blockage?
Ball, butterfly, and pinch valve body style have straight-through flow, and they are less likely to develop blockage. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: How to Calibrate a Magnetic Flowmeter
Magnetic flowmeters use Faraday's law of magnetic induction as the basis of their operation. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: What Are Acceptable Hazardous Location Protection Techniques for Industrial Areas?
Hazardous location protection techniques are defined by NEC 500.7 (NEC 2002 Code). -
News
Book Excerpt + Author Q&A: Process Analyzer Systems Project Engineering and Management
ISA book helps ease the engineering and design burden for new and experienced engineers who work on process analyzers. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: When Does an Instrument Need to Be Recalibrated?
Analysis of a calibration plot will help you determine when an industrial instrument needs to be recalibrated. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: What Is the Standard for Embedded Software for a SIL 3 Certified Safety System?
According to IEC 61511-1, embedded software, which is part of the safety device/ controller, should follow software guidelines in IEC 61508-3. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: How to Calculate the Inherent Flow Characteristic of a Valve
The inherent flow characteristic is the relationship between valve capacity and valve travel, and it is usually expressed graphically. -
NewsBook Excerpt + Author Q&A: Safety Instrumented System Design
ISA book on safety instrumented system design helps industrial automation professionals meet the requirements of international safety standards. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: Industrial Electrical Standards for Emergency Operations
The reset of an emergency stop circuit will not initiate a restart. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: What Are the Characteristics of a Piston Actuator?
An actuator is a device that applies the force necessary to cause a valve's closure member to move. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: What Is the Length Limitation for Fast Ethernet Cable?
Because of the high speed of fast Ethernet, the use of twisted pair cable is limited to 100 meters (330 feet). -
FeatureAutoQuiz: How Is Fluid Velocity Affected When the Pressure Drop Across a Valve Increases?
The pressure drop refers to the change or drop in pressure from the upstream side of the valve to the downstream side. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: What Is the Most Appropriate Technique for Modeling Linear Relationships?
The multivariate statistical-process control excels at modeling unknown linear relationships for a large number of inputs that could be correlated. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: What is the Inherent Flow Characteristic of a Valve?
The "inherent flow characteristic" is the relationship between valve capacity and valve travel, and it is usually expressed graphically. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: How to Minimize the Effect of Feed Upsets to the Top of a Distillation Column
A distillation tower has feed upsets that are measured and used to create a feed forward signal. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: How to Install an Electromagnetic Flowmeter
The magnetic flowmeter conductor (fluid in pipe) moves through a magnetic field; a voltage is produced relative to speed of the conductor & magnetic field. -
News
Book Excerpt + Author Q&A: Calibration Handbook of Measuring Instruments
This is a handy reference and consultation handbook written mainly for operators who verify and calibrate measuring instruments. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: How to Calculate the Transfer Function
A transfer function is a mathematical representation of the relationship between the input and output of a system. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: Which Orifice Plate Is Used to Eliminate Damming of Material at the Top or Bottom of a Pipe?
Orifice plates are in a straight run of smooth pipe away from valves and fittings so they do not interfere with the restrictor and readings. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: Which Fuse Has the Quickest Response to Over Currents?
Certain types of fuses have a very high speed of response to over currents. They provide excellent short-circuit component protection. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: Optimal Beveled Orifice Angle for Flow
An orifice plate inserted in the line causes an increase in flow velocity and a corresponding decrease in pressure. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: What Is the Maximum Level of Precision Available Using Modbus?
To achieve more precision special programming or a specialized version of Modus is necessary. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: What is the Most Common Pressure Tap?
The purpose of pressure taps is prevent gas or vapor accumulations in the connections between the pipe and differential-pressure (dP) measuring device. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: Standard NFPA Wire Colors
NFPA's mission is to reduce fire and other hazards via scientifically based consensus codes and standards, research, training, and education. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: Characteristics of a Control Valve
A rotary valve has a flow closure member that rotates in the flow stream to modify the amount of fluid passing through the valve. -
NewsBook Excerpt + Author Q&A: Basic and Advanced Regulatory Control
This intermediate-level book explains the application of basic and advanced regulatory control strategies for the wet process industries. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: What Type of Electrical Enclosure Resists Corrosion and Provides Protection?
NEC 2002 defines an enclosure Type 4x as ideal for outdoor use and resistant to splashing water, windblown dust, hose directed water, and corrosion. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: What is the Coriolis Effect?
Using the Coriolis effect that causes a laterally vibrating tube to distort, a direct measurement of mass flow is obtainable using a Coriolis flowmeter. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: What Flowmeter Does Not Use an Obstruction?
A magnetic flowmeter is a volumetric flowmeter, which does not have any moving parts and is ideal for wastewater applications or any dirty liquid. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: Best Strategy for Finding Efficient Operating Points with Complex Shifting Process Conditions
Real-time optimization with a detailed process model is the best approach to fining the most efficient operating points. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: What Is the Application for an Impulse Line in Fluid Flow?
Impulse lines connect the process to the pressure transmitter, to reduce the effect of ambient temperature on the transmitter's operability and life span. -
News
Book Excerpt + Author Q&A: Driving Business Value in Industrial Innovation
The emerging frontier for industrial innovation points at exciting changes likely to revolutionize the business of manufacturing. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: Why Are Gathering Requirements Critical to the Success of an Automation Project?
Gathering requirements are important because they define the objectives, purpose, scope, needs, and other key meters. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: What Is the Process for a Continuity Check of a Field Transmitter?
A continuity check is performed on a length of finished wire or cable to determine if the electrical current flows continuously throughout the length. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: How to Measure and Compensate for Disturbances to Prevent Set Point Deviance
The objective of feedforward control is to measure disturbances and compensate for them before the controlled variable deviates from set point. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: What Is the Dead Band of an Instrument?
The dead band is the range through which an input signal may vary, upon reversal of direction, without initiating an observable change in output signal. -
NewsBook Excerpt + Author Q&A: Detecting Leaks in Pipelines
Successful leak detection depends on a productive confluence of several situationally dependent technologies. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: How to Simultaneously Optimize an Interacting Dead-Time Dominant Process with Multiple Constraints
Model predictive control excels at dead-time dominance and simultaneous optimization while accounting for future prediction of proximity to constraints. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: What are the Closure Members in Globe and Butterfly Valves?
A butterfly valve has a circular body and a rotary-motion disk-closure member. The physical blocking mechanism in a globe valve is a plug. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: How Do You Assess Peak Performance for an Operating Unit?
Cost sheets show the best periods of operation, and data historians explain the conditions and relationships. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: How to Define the Flow Characteristic for a Valve
A linear flow characteristic is when flow capacity or (Cv) increases linearly with valve travel. Flow is directly proportional to valve travel. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: How to Detect a Fault in a Safety System
A proof test on a system may reveal faults that would otherwise not be mentioned by internal diagnostic measures and is therefore correct. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: How to Calculate the Output Signal Value of a Pneumatic Transmitter
There is a straightforward linear relationship between the units of pounds per square inch (psi) and degrees F (Fahrenheit). -
FeatureAutoQuiz: What is the Cause of a High Process Variability?
An oversized control valve will operate next to the seat where the friction and stick slip is greatest. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: How to Calculate Temperature for an Electronic Transmitter
There is a straightforward linear relationship between the units of milliamps and degrees. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: What is the Operating Principle of an AC Motor?
An AC motor consists of a rotor (rotating portion) with a laminated iron core containing copper bars in the slots. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: What is a Thermowell?
A thermowell is a closed-end tube that surrounds the measuring junction of a thermocouple. -
News
Book Excerpt + Author Q&A: Measurement Uncertainty
The new, expanded fifth edition of ISA's book on measurement uncertainty presents a variety of uncertainty experiments as well as several new appendices. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: How to Calculate Dead Time from Transportation Delay for Thickness Control
The time it takes the sheet to go from the diebolt actuators to the thickness gauge that transverses the sheet is the transportation delay -
FeatureISA Training and Education: First Quarter 2017
The first half of 2017 saw ISA offer many different training and education programs. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: What is the Purpose of a Breadboard in Electronics Applications?
A breadboard is a construction base for prototyping of electronics. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: What Device Is Used to Change an Analog Signal to a Digital Signal?
An analog-to-digital converter is a function that converts an analog signal (current, voltage, or electric charge) into digital data (usually binary) -
FeatureAutoQuiz: How Do You Compensate for Thermowell Lag Time?
Thermowell and temperature processes have multiple interacting thermal lags. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: What Type of Wire Is Used in a Process Control Loop?
The major components of a control system include a sensor, a controller and a final control element. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: Tuning the Temperature Controller for an Exothermic Reactor
The temperature controller for an exothermic reactor must stay in automatic to prevent a runaway reaction. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: What Does a Low Resistance Reading from an Ungrounded Signal Lead Mean?
A low resistance reading from an ungrounded signal lead connected to a ground indicates a problem of a lead having an unwanted connection to ground. -
Feature
Infographic: Tune Your (LinkedIn) Loop
If you haven't updated your LinkedIn profile in a while, you may be missing on professional networking, career and new business opportunities. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: When Is the Best Time to Perform Operator Training?
The best time to train operators for an automation project is after acceptance testing and prior to startup. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: How to Calculate the Speed of a Four-Pole Synchronous Motor
Synchronous speed in RPM = (two × frequency × 60) / (number of poles) -
NewsBook Excerpt + Author Q&A: Industrial Ethernet
Industrial Internet is a guidebook for people who need to fully understand factory floor Ethernet and features new sections on Industrial Internet of Things -
FeatureAutoQuiz: How Do You Avoid a Ground Loop on Shielded Cable?
The best way to avert the ground loop in this question is to ground the shield at only one end of the circuit. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: What Does the Function of the Preset Value Determine in a PLC Timer?
A timer preset for a PLC is a programming value for the timing function. -
FeatureHow to Live Stream Any Meeting or Event Worldwide (Almost) for Free
You can live stream any meeting or event with a smartphone, a good WiFi connection and an account at one of the popular social media platforms. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: Changing the Point of Origin for Input Data and Output Signal Destination with a DCS
A DCS is that class of instrumentation that executes stated control functions and enables transmission of control, measurement and operating information. -
FeatureLearn, Advance and Succeed with ISA Training in November and December
Read this complete roundup of ISA education and training programs for November and December 2016. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: What Type of Actuator Responds to a Pneumatic Signal?
An actuator is a hydraulic, electric, or pneumatic device that moves an object or device. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: What is the Average Human Response Rate to Signals?
ISA's CAP certification provides a non-biased, third-party, objective assessment and confirmation of an automation professional's skills -
FeatureAutoQuiz: In What Position Does a Control Valve with a Direct Acting Actuator Fail?
A direct acting valve travels to the closed position when the signal increases. When there is a failure, there is no signal and power. -
FeatureIndustrial Marketing Tips for 'Distracted' Engineers Gone Mobile
The increasing use of mobile devices means industrial marketers must focus on content optimized to be noticed, consumed and acted upon. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: How to Optimize HMI Screen Design
For HMI screen design, studies show people can remember only a select number of new things for about 20 seconds. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: What Is the Final Control Element in a Process Control System?
A final control element is a device that directly controls the value of the manipulated variable of a control loop. -
FeatureTechnical Training from ISA for October and November
A look at the late-Fall offerings from ISA in 2016. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: What Part of an Industrial Test Procedure Should Be Performed First?
Looking at a mechanical and electrical situation globally to spot obvious and safety threats first is always best.