Instrumentation and Control Training Online

Process Controls - Foundation

Process Controls - Foundation Courses

Instrumentation Control Training

Duration: 0.25 Hrs

Course Level: Intermediate
Languages: English
Capability: Audio, Video

Many production facilities use process control charts to track and visually show the behavior and stability of a process over time. This course covers the benefits of using process control charts, the importance of consistency, the many kinds of process control charts, the different elements of process control charts, and how to continually improve the production process.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

  • Describe the importance of reducing variation in a production process 
  • Define what a process control chart is 
  • List the benefits of using process control charts 
  • Differentiate between special cause variation and common cause variation 
  • Describe why variation is inevitable 
  • Differentiate between in-control and in-specification 
  • Read and make determinations based on sample process control charts

Duration: 0.25 Hrs

Course Level: Intermediate
Languages: English, French, Polish
Capability: Audio, Video

Process control simply refers to the control of a process. The main goal of process control is to stabilize process operations in order to consistently produce the desired results, and it can be automatic or manual. In modern processing and manufacturing industries, process control is frequently implemented by automated, computer- based control systems which utilize a number of different “tools.” The fundamental building block of these systems is the “process control loop.” This module discusses open and closed loop controllers, as well as specific examples of each.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

  • Define “process control” 
  • Differentiate between open loop and closed loop control systems 
  • List the elements of a simple feedback loop 
  • Describe the difference between continuous controls and discrete controls

Duration: 2.00 Hrs

Course Level: Intermediate
Languages: English
Capability: Audio, Video, MobileReady

This course is designed to familiarize participants with the basic principles associated with the calibration of input field devices and control loops. After completing this course, participants should be able to explain how to test, adjust, and calibrate various types of gauges and transmitters. They should also be able to explain how to test, set up, and adjust input field devices and calibrate control loops.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

  • Explain how to decide the best time to test and calibrate
  • Describe the proper steps involved in a lockout/tagout procedure
  • Describe how to perform basic calibration procedures on a typical pressure gauge, pressure transmitter, and thermocouple
  • Describe how to adjust a typical sensor that switches in response to discrete position
  • Describe how to test and adjust a typical sensor that switches at a temperature, pressure, or control signal set point
  • Describe how to test and calibrate a typical sensor that responds to concentrations
  • Describe how to test, set up, and adjust a typical sensor that responds to flow
  • Describe how to perform basic calibration procedures on a typical output field device
  • Describe how to perform basic calibration procedures on a typical control loop

Duration: 2.00 Hrs

Course Level: Intermediate
Languages: English
Capability: Audio, Video, MobileReady

This course is designed to familiarize participants with the role of information systems in plant operations and the elements of modern information systems. After completing this course, participants should be able to identify the information needs of typical plant functional elements and explain how information gets into an information system. They should also be able to describe system architecture and explain how to use environment software and application software.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

  • List the information needs of typical plant functional elements
  • Explain how alarms work in modern plants
  • List the routes by which information gets into the system
  • Explain I/O bus, local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), client-server, and the role of network standards
  • Explain the function of an operating system
  • Describe the characteristics of common operating systems
  • Explain the role of operating system and network software
  • Explain virtual instrumentation
  • Explain programmable logic controller (PLC) program creation
  • Describe how to use graphical objects to create the system data structure and human-machine interface (HMI)
  • Describe password hierarchy and the need for security
  • Describe the functions and architecture of a supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system

Duration: 0.40 Hrs

Course Level: Intermediate
Languages: English
Capability: Audio, Video, MobileReady

This course is designed to familiarize participants with the basic elements, terminology, and functions of control systems. After completing this course, participants should be able to identify and describe the various types of input and output devices that are commonly used with automated control systems. They should also be able to identify and describe common types of control devices and control loop arrangements.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

  • Define terms commonly associated with the input side of a control system
  • Identify and describe common types of temperature sensors that provide input information to a control system
  • Identify and describe common types of position sensors
  • Identify and describe common types of pressure sensors, flow sensors, and level sensors
  • Identify and describe common types of electric instruments, timers, counters, recorders, and pneumatic sensors
  • Identify and describe common actuating devices used in the output side of a control system
  • Describe common decision-making devices that connect the input and output elements in a control system
  • Describe common control loop arrangements used in automatic control systems

Duration: 2.00 Hrs

Course Level: Intermediate
Languages: English
Capability: Audio, Video, MobileReady

This course is designed to familiarize participants with the different types of human-machine interfaces (HMIs) that are likely to be found in a modern plant. After completing this course, participants should be able to obtain process information using typical instruments, operate typical switch controls, use smart I/O devices and controller interfaces, and perform common computer operations.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

  • Read typical instruments
  • Use typical switch controls
  • Configure smart I/O devices
  • Operate portable instruments
  • Operate and program a variable frequency drive
  • Take readings from and program a loop controller
  • Use dedicated graphics terminals
  • Describe the role of software in computer operation
  • Describe the main functional components of a computer
  • Use common disk operating system (DOS) and character-based keyboard/screen functions
  • Use common graphical user interface (GUI) keyboard/screen functions
  • Turn a computer on and log on
  • Find and run a program, enter data, save, print, exit, and shut down a computer