Ashok Verma
Instrumentation is a branch of engineering that deals with the study of advance Instruments like PLC, Drives, SCADA etc which are used to control the parameters of machines, motors and gives accurate result in a short duration of time. These instruments or devices are generally used in Industries to control the Process Plant. This branch is more related to Electrical Engineering or we can say that it is part of Electrical Engineering with some advance techniques and further modification which gives more accuracy, reduce manpower, reduce work time, increase workability, etc. There are so many instruments which are used in the field of Instrumentation engineering but there are some of them which are mainly used for Automation.
PLC
A PLC or Programmable Controller is a device used to program whatever is required. This technique is basically used in industries to control the heavy machinery through programming. Once PLC is insalled no manpower is required because it works according to your needs.
It is a digital computer used for automation of electro-mechanical processes, such as control of machinery on factory. PLCs are used in many industries and machines. Unlike general-purpose computers, the PLC is designed for multiple inputs and output arrangements, extended temperature ranges, immunity to electrical noise and resistance to vibration and impact. Programs to control machine operation are typically stored in battery backed up or non-volatile memory.
Early PLCs were designed to replace relay logic systems. These PLCs were programmed in “ladder logic’’, which strongly resemble a schematic diagram of relay logic.
DRIVES –
It is a device used to control the speed of the motor with this technique we will control the speed of coveyor belt by just changing the parameters of drive.
Whenever the term electric motor or generator is used, we tend to think that the speed of rotation of these machines is totally controlled only by the applied voltage and frequency of the source current. But the speed of rotation of an electrical machine can be controlled precisely also by implementing the concept of drive.
The main advantage of this concept is, the motion control is easily optimized with the help of drive. In very simple words, the system which controls the motion of the electrical machines, are known as electrical drives.
A typical drive system is assembled with a electric motor (may be several) and a sophisticated control system that controls the rotation of the motor shaft. Now a days, this control can be done easily with the help of software. So, the controlling becomes more and more accurate and this concept of drive also provides the ease of use.
This drive system is widely used in large number of industrial and domestic applications like factories, transportation systems, textile mills, fans, pumps, motors, robots etc. Drives are employed as prime movers for diesel or petrol engines, gas or steam turbines, hydraulic motors and electric motors.
SCADA
This is a controlling technique used to control all the process Plant and we will watch or control all the process parameters through a computer. It is a type of industrial control system (ICS). Industrial control systems are computer controlled systems that monitor and control industrial processes that exist in the physical world. SCADA systems historically distinguish themselves from other ICS systems by being large scale processes that can include multiple sites, and large distances. The term SCADA usually refers to centralized systems which monitor and control entire sites, or complexes of systems spread out over large areas (anything from an industrial plant to a nation). Most control actions are performed automatically by PLCs. For example, a PLC may control the flow of cooling water through part of an industrial process, but the SCADA system may allow operators to change the set points for the flow and enable alarm conditions, such as loss of flow and high temperature, to be displayed and recorded.
In J&K this branch was introduced 1st time in 2004 as Instrumentation and Control Engg. in Govt Polytechnic Bikram Chowk, Jammu and in 2005 this branch was accepted in Jammu University as a degree course. Initially people were not aware of this but slowly this branch is emerging as a great attraction for students here and now last year this branch was extended to different polytechnic colleges in J and K.
SCOPE
In India no technical work is done without Automation, from homes to houses from fields to industries people find automation in every field of life. After completing diploma the students can seek jobs in fields, Industries, hydro-electric projects, dams etc and handle automatic machines. These days Automation is like the backbone of Engineering. Various students of this branch are working in different projects, companies outside as well as in the state. This year students were also short listed for JKPDC and JKPDD and various state level projects.
(The author is Lecturer I&C Deptt. Govt. Polytechnic, Jammu)
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