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Instrumentation and control engineering (ICE) is a branch of engineering that studies the measurement and control of process variables, and the design and implementation of systems that incorporate them. Process variables include pressure, temperature, humidity, flow, pH, force and speed.

ICE combines two branches of engineering. Instrumentation engineering is the science of the measurement and control of process variables within a production or manufacturing area.^[1] Meanwhile, control engineering, also called control systems engineering, is the engineering discipline that applies control theory to design systems with desired behaviors.

Control engineers are responsible for the research, design, and development of control devices and systems, typically in manufacturing facilities and process plants. Control methods employ sensors to measure the output variable of the device and provide feedback to the controller so that it can make corrections toward desired performance. Automatic control manages a device without the need of human inputs for correction, such as cruise control for regulating a car's speed.

Control systems engineering activities are multi-disciplinary in nature. They focus on the implementation of control systems, mainly derived by mathematical modeling. Because instrumentation and control play a significant role in gathering information from a system and changing its parameters, they are a key part of control loops.

As profession

High demand for engineering professionals is found in fields associated with process automation. Specializations include industrial instrumentation, system dynamics, process control, and control systems. Additionally, technological knowledge, particularly in computer systems, is essential to the job of an instrumentation and control engineer; important technology-related topics include human–computer interaction, programmable logic controllers, and SCADA. The tasks center around designing, developing, maintaining and managing control systems.^[2]

The goals of the work of an instrumentation and control engineer are to maximize:

Productivity
Optimization
Stability
Reliability
Safety
Continuity

As academic discipline

Instrumentation and control engineering is a vital field of study offered at many universities worldwide at both the graduate and postgraduate levels. This discipline integrates principles from various branches of engineering, providing a comprehensive understanding of the design, analysis, and management of automated systems.

Typical coursework for this discipline includes, but is not limited to, subjects such as control system design, instrumentation fundamentals, process control, sensors and signal processing, automation, robotics, and industrial data communications. Advanced courses may delve into topics like intelligent control systems, digital signal processing, and embedded systems design.

Students often have the opportunity to engage in hands-on laboratory work and industry-relevant projects, which foster practical skills alongside theoretical knowledge. These experiences are crucial in preparing graduates for careers in diverse sectors including manufacturing, power generation, oil and gas, and healthcare, where they may design and maintain systems that automate processes, improve efficiency, and enhance safety.

Interdisciplinary by nature, the field is accessible to students from various engineering backgrounds. Most commonly, students with a foundation in Electrical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering are drawn to this field due to their strong base in control systems, system dynamics, electro-mechanical machines and devices, and electric circuits (course work). However, with the growing complexity and integration of systems, students from fields like computer engineering, chemical engineering, and even biomedical engineering are increasingly contributing to and benefiting from studies in instrumentation and control engineering.

Furthermore, the rapid advancement of technology in areas like the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning is continuously shaping the curriculum of this discipline, making it an ever-evolving and dynamic field of study.

References

^ "Instrumentation Engineering Technology". Northern Alberta Institute of Technology. Retrieved 17 October 2012.
^ "Instrumentation and Control Engineering is for Perfectionists", Diksha P Gupta

External links

[1] "Instrumentation Engineering Technology". Northern Alberta Institute of Technology. Retrieved 17 October 2012.

[2] "Instrumentation and Control Engineering is for Perfectionists", Diksha P Gupta

[1]

[2]

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+{{Short description|Branch of engineering studying process variables}}
-{{Multiple issues|
+{{Multiple issues|{{Original research|date=November 2019}}
-{{Copy edit|date=November 2019|reason=Reads like a school paper, good information but is poorly written}}
-{{Lead too long|date=November 2019}}
+{{More citations needed|date=November 2019}}}}
+'''Instrumentation and control engineering''' (ICE) is a [[List of engineering branches|branch of]] [[engineering]] that studies the measurement and control of [[process variable]]s, and the design and implementation of [[system]]s that incorporate them. Process variables include [[pressure]], [[temperature]], [[humidity]], [[Fluid dynamics|flow]], [[pH]], [[force]] and [[speed]].
-{{More citations needed|date=November 2019}}
-}}
-'''Instrumentation and control engineering''' is a [[List of engineering branches|branch of]] [[engineering]] that studies the measurement and control of [[process variable]]s, and the implementation of such control to design [[system]]s. It combines two branches of engineering. [[Instrumentation#Instrumentation engineering|instrumentation engineering]] is the science of the measurement and control of the [[process variable]]s within a production or manufacturing area.<ref>[http://www.nait.ca/program_home_78211.htm "Instrumentation "], ''The Northern Alberta Institute of Technology.'', Retrieved 17 October 2012.</ref> Process variables include [[pressure]], [[temperature]], [[humidity]], [[Fluid dynamics|flow]], [[pH]], [[force]], and [[speed]]. Meanwhile, [[control engineering]], also called control systems engineering, is the engineering discipline that applies [[control theory]] to design systems with desired behaviors. Control engineers are responsible for the research, design, and development of control devices and systems, typically in manufacturing facilities and [[Oil production plant|process plants]]. Control methods employ sensors to measure the output variable of the device being controlled and provide feedback to the controller so that it can make corrections toward desired performance. When a device is designed to perform without the need of human inputs for correction, such as cruise control for regulating a car's speed, it is called automatic control. Control systems engineering activities are multi-disciplinary in nature. They focus on the implementation of control systems, mainly derived by mathematical modeling of systems of a diverse range. Because instrumentation and control play a significant role in gathering information from a system and changing its [[parameter]]s, they are a key part of [[control loop]]s.
+ICE combines two branches of engineering. [[Instrumentation#Instrumentation engineering|Instrumentation engineering]] is the science of the measurement and control of process variables within a production or manufacturing area.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nait.ca/program_home_78211.htm|title=Instrumentation Engineering Technology|publisher=Northern Alberta Institute of Technology|access-date=17 October 2012}}</ref> Meanwhile, [[control engineering]], also called control systems engineering, is the engineering discipline that applies [[control theory]] to design systems with desired behaviors.
-==Nature of Job==
-An instrumentation and control engineer is required to<ref>[http://electronicsforu.com/resources/instrumentation-control-engineering-perfectionists "Instrumentation and Control Engineering is for Perfectionists"], ''Diksha P Gupta''</ref>
-# Design and develop control systems
-# Maintain the existing control systems
-# Manage the control systems
-# Collaborate with design engineers, purchasers and other staff members involved in the production processes
-# Manage projects within the given restraints including cost and time
-# Troubleshoot
-# Ensure that the instruments comply with health and safety regulations
-# Ensure that quality standards are maintained
-# Provide consultancy support
+Control engineers are responsible for the research, design, and development of control devices and systems, typically in manufacturing facilities and [[Oil production plant|process plants]]. Control methods employ sensors to measure the output variable of the device and provide feedback to the controller so that it can make corrections toward desired performance. Automatic control manages a device without the need of human inputs for correction, such as cruise control for regulating a car's speed.
-==Requirement==
-Instrumentation and control engineers have a role to play in all the fields where there is automation. The instruments created by control engineers to automate the processes, thus reducing the involvement of manpower.
+Control systems engineering activities are multi-disciplinary in nature. They focus on the implementation of control systems, mainly derived by mathematical modeling. Because instrumentation and control play a significant role in gathering information from a system and changing its [[parameter]]s, they are a key part of [[control loop]]s.
-An instrumentation and control engineer is expected to learn subjects like:
-* Industrial Instrumentation
-* [[System dynamics]]
-* [[Process control]]
-* Control system
-Knowledge of PLC programming, Panel view HMI screens, [[SCADA]] Application programming preferred.
+== As profession ==
-==Goal of Instrumentation and control engineers==
+High demand for engineering professionals is found in fields associated with process automation. Specializations include [[Industrial engineering|industrial]] [[instrumentation]], [[system dynamics]], [[process control]], and [[control system]]s. Additionally, technological knowledge, particularly in computer systems, is essential to the job of an instrumentation and control engineer; important technology-related topics include [[human–computer interaction]], [[programmable logic controller]]s, and [[SCADA]]. The tasks center around designing, developing, maintaining and managing control systems.<ref>[http://electronicsforu.com/resources/instrumentation-control-engineering-perfectionists "Instrumentation and Control Engineering is for Perfectionists"], ''Diksha P Gupta''</ref>
-Instrumentation and control engineers work with the goal of improving:
+The goals of the work of an instrumentation and control engineer are to maximize:
 * Productivity
 * Optimization
-* Stability, dedication
+* Stability
 * Reliability
 * Safety
 * Continuity
-These engineers design, develop, maintain, and manage the instruments and the instrumentation systems.
-== Future developments ==
+== As academic discipline ==
+Instrumentation and control engineering is a vital field of study offered at many universities worldwide at both the [[graduate school|graduate]] and [[postgraduate]] levels. This discipline integrates principles from various branches of engineering, providing a comprehensive understanding of the design, analysis, and management of automated systems.
+Typical coursework for this discipline includes, but is not limited to, subjects such as [[control systems|control system design]], instrumentation fundamentals, [[process control]], sensors and [[signal processing]], automation, [[robotics]], and industrial data communications. Advanced courses may delve into topics like intelligent control systems, [[digital signal processing]], and embedded systems design.
-The Instrumentation Technology, being an inter-disciplinary branch of engineering, is heading towards development of new & intelligent sensors, smart transducers, MEMS Technology, Bluetooth Technology. This discipline finds its origin in both electrical and electronics engineering, and it covers subjects related to electronics and electrical streams. In short, it deals with [[measurement]], [[automation]] and control processes.In today's scenario, there are many people who are willing to make a career in this stream. Almost all process and manufacturing industry such as steel, oil, petrochemical, power and defense production will have a separate instrumentation and control department, which is manned and managed by instrumentation and control engineers. “Automation is the buzz word in process industry, and automation is the core job of instrumentation and control engineers. Hence, the demand for instrumentation will always be there."<ref>[http://www.thehindu.com/features/education/instrumentation-engineering-in-demand/article3320296.ece "Instrumentation engineering in demand"], ''The Hindu'', April 16, 2012</ref>
+Students often have the opportunity to engage in hands-on laboratory work and industry-relevant projects, which foster practical skills alongside theoretical knowledge. These experiences are crucial in preparing graduates for careers in diverse sectors including [[manufacturing]], [[power generation]], oil and gas, and healthcare, where they may design and maintain systems that automate processes, improve efficiency, and enhance safety.
-== As academic discipline ==
-{{expand section|date=November 2019}}
+Interdisciplinary by nature, the field is accessible to students from various engineering backgrounds. Most commonly, students with a foundation in [[Electrical Engineering]] and [[Mechanical Engineering]] are drawn to this field due to their strong base in [[control systems]], system dynamics, electro-mechanical machines and devices, and electric circuits (course work). However, with the growing complexity and integration of systems, students from fields like [[computer engineering]], [[chemical engineering]], and even [[biomedical engineering]] are increasingly contributing to and benefiting from studies in instrumentation and [[control engineering]].
-Many universities teach instrumentation and control engineering as an academic discipline at the [[graduate school|graduate]] and [[postgraduate]] levels.
+Furthermore, the rapid advancement of technology in areas like the Internet of Things (IoT), [[artificial intelligence]] (AI), and [[machine learning]] is continuously shaping the curriculum of this discipline, making it an ever-evolving and dynamic field of study.
 ==See also==
@@ Line 54: / Line 39: @@
 * [[Measurement]]
 * [[Programmable logic controller]]
+* [[International Society of Automation]]
 ==References==
@@ Line 59: / Line 45: @@
 == External links ==
+* [https://web.archive.org/web/20140517130918/http://iicta.org/ Industrial Instrumentation and Controls Technology Alliance]
-* [[International Society of Automation]]
+* {{cite web|url=https://instrumentationandcontrol.net|title=Instrumentation and Control}}
-* [http://www.iicta.org Industrial Instrumentation & Controls Technology Alliance]
 [[Category:Process engineering]]