Instrumentation and Control: Introduction to Process Control

This course provides an introduction to the fundamental elements of instrumentation and automatic control systems used in industrial operations.

The course covers common input field devices, including temperature, position, pressure, flow, and level sensors, as well as actuating devices such as relays, contactors, solenoids, and fluid power actuators. Students will examine controllers and control systems that connect inputs to output actions, and learn about control loop arrangements, including open-loop, closed-loop, and feedforward systems. This foundation prepares learners to recognize, troubleshoot, and support real-world industrial control applications effectively.

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

• Define key terms associated with instrumentation and automatic control systems, including input devices, controllers, output devices, and control loops.
• Differentiate between discrete (digital) and analog devices and signals.
• Identify and describe common types of input field devices, including temperature, position, pressure, flow, and level sensors.
• Describe the purpose and operation of electric instruments, timers, counters, recorders, and pneumatic sensor-transmitters.
• Identify and describe common actuating devices used in electric and fluid power systems.
• Explain how decision-making devices such as relays, PLCs, and industrial controllers connect inputs to outputs.
• Describe common control arrangements used in automatic systems, including open-loop, closed-loop, and feedforward control.