©2026 Automation.com, a subsidiary of the International Society of Automation.
-
ISA provides technical resources and standards to help industrial automation professionals advance their careers and the field. We enable automation professionals worldwide to solve problems and enhance their skills by bringing people together to create new technologies and share best practices with future automation professionals.-
ISA Resources
-
Upcoming Events
-
Industry Insights
-
Consortia
-
Author Profile
Joel Don
345 Results Found
-
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. -
News
Book Excerpt + Author Q&A: Automation Network Selection
The third edition of Automation Network Selection can help you make better decisions about the selection of equipment and communications networks. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: What Does a Solid Line with 3 Marks Represent on a P&ID?
The symbolism and identification methods provided in this standard are applicable to all classes of process measurement and control instrumentation. -
FeatureHow Industrial Engineers Use Social Media
Engineers typically use social media as an information resource, but they complain that most platforms are inefficient. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: What Is the Value of Data Sheets for Instrumentation?
AutoQuiz: Data Sheets and Instrumentation -
FeatureISA Technical Education and Training for September and October
What tech education opportunities are provided by ISA in the Fall of 2016. -
Feature
AutoQuiz: How to Measure the Level of a Liquid with a Dielectric Constant
Radar can detect the smallest change in surface level. It does not depend upon the temperature or composition of the fluid as long as the beam is narrow and the dielectric constant. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: What Is a Mandatory Standard in Industrial Automation?
How is a mandatory standard defined for industrial automation and related industries? -
FeatureAutoQuiz: What is the Best HMI Graphic Display Level for a Distillation Column?
AutoQuiz: A distillation column refers to a piece of equipment in the distillation process that contains several loops. -
News
Book Excerpt + Author Q&A: Industrial Automation and Control System Security Principles
The second edition of Industrial Automation & Control System Security Principles offers the latest approaches to industrial automation security. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: What is the Definition of a Design Standard?
Standards define quality and methods of fabrication or installation of materials and equipment -
FeatureWhat’s It Like to Work Today as an Industrial Engineer?
Engineering and industrial automation jobs offer stable employment plus opportunities to develop innovative solutions to technical and business challenges. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: What Does the P&ID Acronym Stand For?
AutoQuiz: What Does the P&ID Acronym Stand For? -
FeatureAutoQuiz: What are the Continuous Sequence of Steps Performed by a PLC?
AutoQuiz: Continuous Sequence of Steps Performed by a PLC -
FeatureEducation and Training Opportunities for August and September
New opportunities from ISA in the late Summer and early Fall of 2016. -
News
Book Excerpt + Author Q&A: Control Systems Engineering Exam Reference Manual
This comprehensive book helps you prepare for exams for the ISA Certified Control Systems Technician credential or license as a Professional Engineer (PE). -
FeatureAutoQuiz: What is the Definition of a PID Control Loop?
AutoQuiz: PID Control Loop Definition -
FeatureAutoQuiz: What Information Can Be Extracted from an Electronic Database?
AutoQuiz: Information Extracted from an Electronic Database -
FeatureHow to Overcome Challenges of the Industrial Content Marketing Production Line
Tips for producing blog posts, newsletters and other marketing content for your industrial business when you are short on time and resources. -
FeatureOpto-Isolator Based Linearization Solution for a Thyristor-Driven Pump
In this paper, an opto-isolator based linearization technique of a typical thyristor driven pump has been proposed. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: How Do You Minimize Electrical Interference in a Control Panel?
AutoQuiz: How to minimize electrical interference when AC power and DC signal wiring meet in a control panel. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: What is the Impact of a Loss of Power in a Flow Control Mechanism?
AutoQuiz: Loss of Power in a Flow Control Mechanism -
News
Book Excerpt + Author Q&A: Applying FOUNDATION Fieldbus
Applying FOUNDATION Fieldbus is authored by professionals who have extensive experience in implementing the largest adaptation of the technology. -
FeatureISA Training and Education Programs for July and August
The late summer of 2016 offered many programs from ISA. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: How to Calculate Rated Torque with Variable Frequency Drives
The volts per hertz ratio (V/Hz) controls the torque of a motor. As long as this ratio is in proportion with the nameplate rating, the motor will develop rated torque. -
FeatureAutoQuiz: How Do You Change from Single Loop Control of a Process Variable?
AutoQuiz: Change DCS from single loop control of a process variable to cascade, ratio, feedforward, adaptive, or multi-variable control