Within the manufacturing or production area are process variables. Now, the measurement and control of these variables is known as instrumentation. Control systems are comprised of instruments which are usually used in factories, vehicles, and refineries. By definition, an instrument regulates or measures physical process/quantity variable like that of level, temperature, flow, or pressure.
In some cases, instrumentation may pertain to devices that are used to measure desired variable. Handheld instrumentation is often used in laboratories but it can also be used in households.
There is also the so called output instrumentation which pertains to devices like valves, solenoids, circuit breakers, regulators, and relays. The output instrumentation provides automated or remote control capabilities. A control system or remote control is considered final control elements.
Measurement instruments are of three classes based on their usage, which are as follows – the monitoring or checking of processes/operations, controlling of such processes/operations, and analysis of experimental engineering.
There is no clear boundary when it comes to using ‘instrumentation’. Control system and instrumentation can be used in households, automotive, aircraft, and laboratory.
There is also instrumentation engineering which is focused on instruments that measure the configuration or design of automated systems in pneumatic domains, electrical, and others. To control a system’s parameters, PLCs, microcontrollers, or microprocessors are used. Domain-dependent tasks are required in instrumentation engineering.
In a typical control system and instrumentation, specialized mechanics, technologists, and technicians troubleshoots, repairs, and maintain the instruments or instrumentation systems. This kind of profession is relevant to power engineers, pipefitters, and electricians.
Do you want to be part of a control system and instrumentation? Identifying the job that you love and where you can excel is important. You need to have the right education background and experience in working with schematic systems, power boards, and electronic equipment. These things are used to monitor or control a full-scale system’s operation. In most cases, these systems are highly related to HVAC, industrial equipment, nuclear generation, and electric power facilities.
When you decide to pursue an instrumentation job or career, you should expect to work in the operational aspect or the implementation and/or design of electronic instrumentation. In these jobs, you will need to obtain an instrumentation or electric engineering degree.
Conducting a search for control system and instrumentation jobs is quite easy these days, thanks to the internet. It would be a good idea to determine the area or specialization that you prefer. After this, you can check out what instrumentation jobs are available in the different industries.
Hands-on experience is also an advantage. You can get into jobs within the field which involves designing industrial equipment, imaging cameras, meters, calibrators, and many others.
You can start your search in companies that produce such equipment because they are usually in search of designers with the knowledge and experience in control system and instrumentation. Watch out for ads posted by companies that are in need of instrumentation specialists. With a background in in-field testing, you can get hired easily.
For most people, control system and instrumentation is a complicated field. Well, it is like any other field as long as you have the passion and desire to learn.