Posts Tagged technology
Five Key Features Required for a Perfect Fit Distributed Control System
Posted by danstips in Batch Control, Communications, Control, Honeywell, Process Automation Controllers, Safety Control on October 26, 2015
If you work in the industrial sector, you understand the never-ending push to increase uptime and improve reliability at your plant. Today’s processes require faster and more accurate engineering. Because of this, most companies are looking for ways to boost operational effectiveness and increase maintenance efficiency at their plants.
A distributed control system (DCS) is a control system where control elements are distributed throughout the system, as opposed to using a single controller at a central location. But how do you choose the right DCS? And how do you decide what functions are critical to your process?
Honeywell recently released a white paper that discusses five key features for a perfect fit DCS if you’re thinking about implementing one at your plant.
Understanding Level Readings & the Truth about Level Measurement Instruments
Posted by danstips in Air Bubbler, Honeywell, Level, Level Technology, Measurement, Radar, Siemens, Ultrasonic, WIKA on September 30, 2015
In order to understand level readings, you must first comprehend how the instrument works. Three of the most common level-measuring techniques involve using a displacer, float, or differential pressure instrument.
Here’s the catch.
While each of these instruments can be used to report a level reading, none of them actually measure level.
I know what you’re thinking…
If none of these instruments measure level, how do we end up with a level reading? Read the rest of this entry »
HART communications without busting the budget
Posted by danstips in Communications, Configuration, Cost Issues, HART, Level Technology, Service, Siemens, Software, Transmitters on March 15, 2013
The HART communication protocol has been firmly established as the standard means of configuring field instruments for some years. But talking to a field instrument needs a communicator.
There are the handheld communicators, Rosemount’s x75s and the “budget-priced” Meriam MFC 4150, but at a cost that’s more a capital appropriation than an MRO expense. Even the Meriam, with a 3-year field device description subscription starts at more than $4000.
People continue to ask me if there isn’t a more budget conscious approach to HART configuration.
How do I get an RTD signal to two different devices?
Posted by danstips in API, Communications, Honeywell, Installation, Loop Controllers, Measurement, Modbus, Precision Digital, Recorders, RTDs, Siemens, Temperature, Temperature Transmitters, temperature transmitters, Transmitters on November 28, 2012
RTDs are great temperature sensors – accurate and easy to install. But they are not friendly when it comes to trying to get a single RTD to go to two places, like when an RTD temperature measurement has to go to both a controller and a recorder. People call and ask, “How do I split an RTD signal?” The short answer is, “You can’t.”
An RTD cannot be wired in parallel or in series to a second device. Any RTD input supplies a known, regulated ‘excitation’ current to the RTD. Mixing RTD inputs would mix currents and that’s a Big No-No.
There’s also a lead wire compensation circuit for 3- or 4-wire RTDs that would create problems if a single RTD were connected to two different RTD inputs. There’s just no feasible means of making two RTD analog inputs play nice together.
But all is not lost. There are several ways to achieve your goal.
Lesman Tech Tips 