Field Instrumentation Glossary Terms

Looking for a comprehensive list of instrumentation and control automation glossaries? Our page has got you covered! Browse and learn key field instrumentation terms and definitions to stay ahead in the industry.

Glossary Term	Definition
Distributed control system (DCS)	A distributed control system (DCS) is a comprehensive control and automation framework that integrates a network of sensors, controllers, and interconnected computers strategically deployed throughout a plant or industrial facility.
As Built Documentation	As-built documents, also known as record drawings, are a type of record-keeping documentation that keeps track of how any building is made. As-built documentation can be drawings or a 3D dataset that depicts how the building in question was exactly built.
Control systems engineering	Control engineering or control system engineering is an engineering discipline that deals with automation processes such as knowledge of control systems, control theories that help build machinery that shows desired behavior under a controlled environment, etc.
Programmable logic controllers (PLC)	A programmable logic controller (PLC) is a ruggedized computer that is used for industrial automation to automate a range of electro-mechanical processes.
Supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA)	Supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA), is a system architecture comprising hardware and software that helps in controlling industrial processes.
Industrial process control	Industrial process control or process control is a strategy used for monitoring and adjusting control variables of an industrial process to achieve desired outputs. This approach is used for improving performance and maintaining quality.
Field instrumentation	Field instrumentations are the pieces of equipment that are made up of different sensors, actuators, and signal processors for the purpose of communication and automation task operations.
Instrument Calibration	Instrument calibration is the process of comparing a measurement instrument to a known standard to determine the accuracy of the instrument.
Smart Plant Instrumentation (SPI) Intools	Smartplant instrumentation (SPI) Intools is an advanced instrumentation engineering database developed by Intergraph (now known as Hexagon PPM). Smartplant instrumentation helps in accessing and updating a wide range of instruments that are used in a plant.
Safety Integrity Level (SIL) Verification	SIL verification is an important step in evaluating safety systems within hazardous industries to ensure that the appropriate level of safety integrity is achieved.
Instrumentation in project management	Instrumentation in project management or process instrumentation is a holistic approach where sensors, monitors, and various other instruments are used together to make an eco-system that maintains process control for improved production.
Instrument Index	An instrument index is a document that consists of a list of instruments and devices and their details that are used in a process industry setting.
Industrial automation	Industrial automation is the process of using advanced technologies and control systems to operate and control various industrial processes and machinery without much human involvement.