ISA Interchange

Welcome to the official blog of the International Society of Automation (ISA).

This blog covers numerous topics on industrial automation such as operations & management, continuous & batch processing, connectivity, manufacturing & machine control, and Industry 4.0.

The material and information contained on this website is for general information purposes only. ISA blog posts may be authored by ISA staff and guest authors from the automation community. Views and opinions expressed by a guest author are solely their own, and do not necessarily represent those of ISA. Posts made by guest authors have been subject to peer review.

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ISA Education and Technical Training in June

This education & training roundup was compiled by Joel Don, ISA's social media community manager.

June features a comprehensive program of education and training opportunities, including on-site training, webinars and exam preparation courses. You also have a special opportunity to register for one or more of the five consecutive weeks of ISA’s most popular automation engineering, safety and security courses in Houston, Tex. ISA’s Houston Section training-education-june-2015is sponsoring Technical Training Camp featuring Technician Training Boot Camp, Engineering Survival Training as well as programs in safety instrumented systems and cybersecurity.

If you are planning to attend ISA's 58th Annual Power Industry Symposium (POWID) from June 11-12 in Kansas City, Mo., you can participate in one of three technical training courses on boiler controls systems, industrial automation security and nuclear safety-related instrumentation.

Special Discount Course Offering: Would you like to take a deep dive into the control valve’s mechanical composition, actuation and positioning accessories? Consider enrolling in ISA’s new course,Control Valve Mechanics and Operations from Analog to Digital, scheduled for June 22-26. The class, which includes a detailed study of digital valve controllers, is hands-on and lab intensive. It is designed to offer a real-world, working knowledge of valve mechanical configurations, valve operations and positioner calibrations. Use coupon code JUNTS18 when you register for the Control Valve Mechanics and Operations class and get a special 50% discount. Register at this page link: https://www.isa.org/training-certifications/isa-training/instructor-led/course-descriptions/ts18/?utm_campaign=smm-training-TS18-Control-Valve-Mechanics-and-Operations-from-Analog-to-Digital-landingpage&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=blog

Onsite Training

In addition to taking ISA classroom training at ISA headquarters, regional locations and industry events, you can also receive customized ISA training at your facility through ISA Onsite Training.  This option can bring any ISA course or combination of courses – along with ISA’s world-class instructors, training materials and portable laboratories – directly to you.  Simply pick the time and place.  Contact ISA at +1 919-549-8411 or info@isa.org.

Note: If a class date is not showing in the course offerings page or registration appears closed, contact ISA at info@isa.org or call customer service at +1 919-549-8411 to get a registration update or waiting list status.

Classroom Courses

Introduction to Industrial Automation and Control (FG07)
This course combines lecture and hands-on labs to provide an overview of industrial measurement and control. Technicians, engineers, and managers are provided with a foundation for communication with other control system professionals. The class serves as a solid fundamental course for introduction to other ISA courses. The 4.5-day class starts June 15 in Cerritos, Calif.

New_80x80Instrument Calibration and Documentation for FDA-Regulated Industries (TI24)
Do you want an untrained technician working on equipment that directly affects the quality and integrity of the product being manufactured at your facility? This course offers a combination of practical information and hands-on experience, covering fundamental principles of electronic process control instrumentation used in pharmaceutical and other life science industries. Proper calibration will be covered in hands-on lab exercises using common electronic instrumentation including analyzers. You will examine characteristics of electronic control systems and procedures for configuring transmitters, transducers, and controllers. A good portion of time is spent working hands-on with typical industry equipment. The 4.5-day class starts June 1 at ISA headquarters in Research Triangle Park, N.C.

Installing, Calibrating, and Maintaining Electronic Instruments (TI25)
This popular course offers a combination of practical information and hands-on experience, covering proper installation, calibration, and maintenance of electronic instruments. You will examine characteristics of electronic control systems; techniques for installing electronic instruments; and procedures for configuring and calibrating transmitters, transducers, and controllers. Approximately 40 percent of your time in this course is spent working with equipment. The 4.5-day class starts June 8 at ISA headquarters in Research Triangle Park, N.C.

fifty-percent-discountControl Valve Mechanics and Operations from Analog to Digital (TS18)
This course offers the student a comprehensive study of the control valve's mechanical composition, actuation and positioning accessories including a detail study of digital valve controllers (DVCs). The class is hands-on, lab intensive leading the student to a real-world working knowledge of valve mechanical configurations, valve operations and positioner calibrations. In addition the student will gain a working knowledge of DVC operations including configuration, calibration, tuning and diagnostics utilizing the latest communication tools (HART communicators, AMS software, etc). The 4.5-day class starts June 22 at ISA headquarters in Research Triangle Park, N.C.

Use coupon code JUNTS18 when you register for the Control Valve Mechanics and Operations (TS18) class and get a special 50 percent discount.

New_80x80Electrical Controls for the Controls System Technician (TI23)
This course will focus on electrical controls that are frequently overlooked in a formal training program. The content will begin with Ohm's Law and cover content all the way through technical troubleshooting aspects.  The course is geared toward any level technician who wants a thorough review of electrical process concepts to reinforce their knowledge of basic electricity and develop skills required to install and maintain electrical control devices. The 4.5-day class starts June 22 at ISA headquarters in Research Triangle Park, N.C.

Tuning Control Loops (TC05)
This course is directed to anyone who would like to gain a better understanding of how to tune control loops − whether they have tuned loops but would like to become more proficient or they have never tuned a loop before. Registrants are expected to have a basic understanding of instrumentation and controls (either by working experience or taking fundamental courses such as ISA’s FG07: Introduction to Industrial Automation and Control) as this course does not cover that material. The three-day course starts June 1 in King of Prussia, Penn.

Troubleshooting Instrumentation and Control Systems (TC10)
This course presents a systematic approach to troubleshooting and start-up of single- and multi-loop control loops. You'll see how pressure, level, flow, and temperature loops operate to maintain good process control systems. Knowledge of instrumentation and control is assumed. The two-day class starts June 4 in King of Prussia, Penn.

Industrial Networking & Security (TS12)
This five-day course focuses on the latest developments in networking, including practical tips on designing, implementing and testing TCP/IP-based networks and how to apply them securely and reliably in an industrial environment. You will discuss the functions and purposes of the elements used to create and protect an industrial network including switches, routers, firewalls and intrusion detection/prevention systems. This course will expand your practical knowledge of LAN, WAN and Web technologies. It illustrates what is safe and practical for today’s plant floor, including Internet technologies such as Web servers, TCP/IP and fiber optics. Special focus will be placed on the questions of security in the industrial setting drawing on the work of the SP-99 committee and NIST. The course will cover the details of IP addressing and how functions and protocols such as DHCP, DNS, ARP/RARP and fast spanning tree are essential to make such networks function.  The course will include network troubleshooting and the use of network diagnostic tools. The class starts June 8 in Cerritos, Calif.

Sizing, Selecting, and Applying Process Control Valves (EI30)
You will gain a practical understanding of control valves, actuators, and positioner designs and their applications. This course also provides methods that can be used to identify specific valve problems and to arrive at acceptable solutions within engineering tolerance. The three-day class starts June 8 in Cerritos, Calif.

Certification and Licensure Preparation 

ExamPrepChecklist_80x80Certified Control System Technician (CCST) Level II Exam Review Course (TS02)
This is a fast-paced review of the knowledge and skills necessary for technicians with 7+ years of practical experience who are preparing to sit for the CCST Level II exam. An explanation of the requirements, examination process and practice certification-type exams are provided. The four-day course starts June 1 in Cerritos, Calif.

ExamPrepChecklist_80x80Certified Maintenance and Reliability Technician (CMRT) Exam Review Course (TM00)
This course is designed as a fast-paced review for the experienced maintenance mechanic. It provides a thorough overview of the knowledge and mechanical skills required in today’s industrial maintenance environment. It is designed specifically for industrial maintenance mechanics preparing for the CMRT exam. An explanation of the examination process and practice taking a certification-type exam is provided. The three-day class starts June 17 in Columbia, Ill.

ExamPrepChecklist_80x80 Control Systems Engineering (CSE) PE Exam Review Course (EN00)
This course reviews the knowledge and skills areas that are included on the Control Systems Engineer (CSE) Professional Engineer (PE) examination produced by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) and administered by U.S. state professional license boards each October. The intent of the class is to prepare an engineer with four or more years of experience to take the exam by providing instruction in the broad range of technical areas that will be tested. . The content is based on the CSE Exam Specification that went into effect in October 2011. The three-day course starts June 23 in Cerritos, Calif.

Special Training Events

ISA Technician Training Boot Camp (TTBC)
(Part of ISA Technical Training Camp–Houston 2015)
ISA Technician Training Boot Camp (not just for technicians) combines a unique technical training course − minimum lecture and maximum hands-on experience − with bonus features, including a plant tour, technical library, and social events, to enhance the learning experience and to maximize knowledge gained. More than 75 percent of your time will be spent on equipment labs. This week of intensive training will cover a broad range of technical topics needed to get the job done right. Starting with basic instrumentation fundamentals and ending with the advanced and ultimate in smart technology, this comprehensive program will serve as a vital building block to your professional development and skills enhancement efforts. This course also serves as a solid introduction to other ISA courses that will help you advance your automation and control career. ISA Technician Training Boot Camp starts June 1 in Houston, Tex.

Automation Engineering Survival Training – Integrator Version (AESTIV)
Do you work for a system integrator? Do you support client projects? Do you need to expand your skills in working in a project design or commissioning environment? ISA’s new Automation Engineering Survival Training: Integrator Version (AESTIV), designed specifically for system integrators, focuses on concepts important to automation engineers and others involved in a project design and commissioning role. This unique process automation engineering experience is designed to hone your process automation knowledge and skills. ISA’s seasoned “Survival Expert” will guide you through a fast-paced and rigorous course of topics from process measurement through advanced automation. Whether you are new to the system integration industry or are a seasoned professional, this course will challenge you and enhance your knowledge in key concepts beneficial to system integrators and allow you to perform at a higher level and will help you deliver superior value to your clients. The five-day course starts June 1 at ISA headquarters in Research Triangle Park, N.C.

ISA Automation Engineering Survival Training (AEST)
(Part of ISA Technical Training Camp–Houston 2015)
Sharpen your process automation know-how with this intensive week of expert-led lecture and hands-on exercises covering practical, real-world automation survival skills. Automation Engineering Survival Training is a unique process automation engineering experience designed to hone your process automation knowledge and skills. This intensive technical training boot camp for automation engineers combines lecture and hands-on labs with bonus features, including a plant tour, technical library, and networking events, to maximize your learning experience. The five-day class starts June 8 in Houston, Tex.

Process Automation Boot Camp For Non-Maintenance Personnel (PABC)
This course was specifically developed for non-maintenance personnel with little or no background in the field of process measurements and control. The class focuses on the physical measurement technologies, the communication signals and the various applications of instrument equipment to achieve common process measurements and control. The course is strategically designed around lab demonstrations and in depth class discussions. The course offers a fundamental knowledge for operations, technicians and engineers working in the process control industry. The five-day course starts June 8 in Houston, Tex.

Process Safety Fundamentals (EC50CT)
This one-day course is a quick reference for technicians and operators to understanding the principles governing the use of safety instrumented systems (SIS). Students will learn basic definitions and concepts, the different types of standards, and the role of personnel in the safety life cycle of such systems. It also serves as an introductory preparation for the more comprehensive ISA EC50 multi-day course covering design, analysis and justification of SIS and its related certificate programs. The one-day class will be held June 15 in Houston, Tex.

Tactics for Advanced Troubleshooting Boot Camp (TATC)
This intensive boot camp course details the techniques required to troubleshoot today's instrument loops and equipment. From understanding loop fundamentals to employing built-in equipment diagnostics, this class will give the student an advantage in problem identification via the latest in test equipment and communicators used in the process control industry. The class is hands-on intensive with student exercises and instructor demonstration designed to simulate loop and equipment malfunctions, thus requiring the student to follow established troubleshooting techniques. The various equipment built-in diagnostics will be discussed and employed to aid in equipment troubleshooting. The 4.5-day class starts June 15 in Houston, Tex.

Safety Instrumented Systems − Design, Analysis and Justification (EC50)
(Part of ISA Technical Training Camp–Houston 2015)
This course focuses on the engineering requirements for the specification, design, analysis, and justification of safety instrumented systems for the process industries. Students will learn how to determine safety integrity levels and evaluate whether proposed or existing systems meet the performance and documentation requirements defined in the ISA 84 (IEC61511) standard. The four-day class starts June 16 in Houston, Tex.

Advanced Safety Integrity Level Selection (EC52)
(Part of ISA Technical Training Camp–Houston 2015)
This course focuses on further hands-on examples of safety integrity level (SIL) selection using a variety of different techniques. Students will be better able to save their companies time and money through the optimization of system performance requirements. This course is a follow-on to EC50 (Safety Instrumented Systems − Design, Analysis, and Justification). The course is required for the ISA84 Safety Instrumented Systems Certificate Program 2. You can register for the course only or for the certificate program which includes course and exam. The two-day course starts on June 22 in Houston, Tex.

Advanced Design and SIL Verification (EC54)
(Part of ISA Technical Training Camp–Houston 2015)
This two-day course focuses on more detailed design issues and further hands-on examples of system analysis/modeling. Students will be better able to perform system design and analysis thus saving their companies time and money in optimizing system designs. This course will enable you to analyze any system technology and configuration to see if it will meet the required SIL (safety integrity level) and determine if existing systems are safe enough, if they need to be upgraded, and whether proposed systems will meet the performance requirements. The class will start June 24 in Houston, Tex.

Using the ANSI/ISA99 (IEC 62443) Standards to Secure Your Industrial Control System (IC32)
(Part of ISA Technical Training Camp–Houston 2015)
The move to using open standards such as Ethernet, TCP/IP, and Web technologies in supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) and process control networks has begun to expose these systems to the same cyberattacks that have wreaked so much havoc on corporate information systems. This course provides a detailed look at how the ANSI/ISA99 standards can be used to protect critical control systems. It also explores the procedural and technical differences between the security for traditional IT environments and those solutions appropriate for SCADA or plant floor environments. The two-day course starts June 29 in Houston, Tex.

Overview of Industrial Wireless Systems (IC85H)
(Part of Honeywell Users Group Americas Symposium 2015)
This ISA short course will provide specific background on ISA100 Wireless (IEC 62734) and the pertinent specifications surrounding the standard and how its unique features including ease of installation and operation, and applications supported by multi-use wireless technologies can lead to user and operational success. This is not a marketing brief on ISA100. It is a technology overview placing ISA100 in the context of supporting wireless devices and systems operating in an industrial setting. Comparisons with other technologies and standards/specifications are natural, but this course will focus on a science and engineering-grounded technology overview. The course will be held June 26 in San Antonio, Tex.

ISA Symposium Training Courses

Introduction to Boiler Control Systems (ES15C)
(Part of ISA POWID Symposium)
This seminar will give process control system engineers, managers, project engineers, operators, and technicians in boiler houses and power plants a basic understanding of boiler operation and control. The one-day class will be held on June 11 in Kansas City, Mo.

Introduction to Industrial Automation Security and the ANSI/ISA99 (IEC 62443) Standards (IC32C)
(Part of ISA POWID Symposium)
Understanding how to secure factory automation, process control and supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) networks is critical if you want to protect them from viruses, hackers, spies and saboteurs. This seminar teaches you the basics of the ANSI/ISA99 Security for Industrial Automation and Control Systems standards and how these can be applied in the typical factory or plant. In this seminar, you will be introduced to the terminology, concepts and models of ANSI/ISA99 cybersecurity. In addition, the elements of creating a cybersecurity management system will be explained along with how these should be applied to industrial automation and control systems. The one-day course will be held June 12 in Kansas City, Mo.

Overview of Setpoints For Nuclear Safety-Related Instrumentation (IC68PD)
(Part of ISA POWID Symposium)
The course will discuss the terminology and the appropriate use of the ANSI/ISA67 standard and the steps necessary for the development of safety-related setpoint analysis. ANSI/ISA-67.04.01 has been used as the basis for many plant specific setpoint programs and setpoint calculations. The changes to this standard should be reflected in all programs where compliance to Nuclear Regulatory Commission requirements is necessary. The two-day class will start June 11 in Kansas City, Mo.

Online, Instructor – Assisted Courses

ExamPrepChecklist_80x80 OnlineCourse_80x80 Certified Automation Professional® (CAP®) Online Exam Review Course (EC00E)
This self-paced, online course reviews the knowledge and skill areas included on the Certified Automation Professional® (CAP®) certification program examination. The intent is to prepare an automation professional who meets the exam criteria to take the exam. The content is based on the job analysis domains, tasks, knowledge areas, and skill areas developed as the basis for the CAP certification exam. This course is the recommended replacement for the discontinued CAP Learning System preparation tool, as it incorporates content similarly included in that tool. The online course starts June 1.

OnlineCourse_80x80Implementing Wireless Industrial Automation Systems (IC85E)
This course will cover the most relevant details associated with industrial wireless systems with an emphasis towards how the various technological choices coexist, interoperate, and interact with each other. Numerous examples of real-world deployments are covered for facilities such as SCADA systems, petrochemical plants, and electrical power generation and transmission systems. The operational differences posed to the wireless systems' performance by discrete manufacturing needs, monitoring of devices, and even control systems are addressed. Considerable emphasis is placed specifically on ISA100 (the standard for industrial wireless) including deep dives into some of the standard's most pertinent details. Comparisons of ISA100 with other protocols and specifications (e.g., Industrial Bluetooth, ZigBee, Wireless HART) are provided. The seven-week online course starts June 1.

OnlineCourse_80x80Overview of Industrial Flow Measurement Engineering (EI10E)
This course presents an overview of the principles and applications of modern flow measurement systems. Emphasis is on flow meter accuracy, performance, system design, sizing, specification, installation, and maintenance requirements. The nine-week online course starts June 8.

OnlineCourse_80x80Certified Control System Technician® (CCST®) Level III Exam Review Course (TS03E)
This online course reviews the knowledge and skills areas included on the new Certified Control Systems Technician® (CCST®) Level III examination. The intent is to prepare an automation professional who meets the exam criteria to take the exam. The content is based on the latest job analysis domains, tasks, knowledge areas and skill areas developed and regularly reviewed and updated as the basis for the CCST certification exam. The 15-week course starts June 22.

Live Webinar Series

Webinar_80x80Introduction to ISA100-A Universal Family of Wireless Standards for Industrial Automation (IC85W1)
This course provides insight into the architecture of the ISA100 family of standards, future directions, and how the family will provide an integrated approach to industrial wireless. The webinar will be held May 20.

Webinar_80x80 Introduction to ISA100.11a-The First Standard of the ISA100 Universal Family of Wireless Standards for Industrial Automation (IC85W2)
This course provides an understanding of the ISA100.11a standard, an understanding of future directions, and how the standard fits an integrated approach to industrial wireless for the process industries. The webinar will be held May 27.

Webinar_80x80Deployment of ISA100.11a − The First of the ISA100 Family of Standards for Wireless Industrial Automation (IC85W3)
This course provides participant an understanding of deployment approaches for ISA100.11a, expected performance, and site issues. The webinar will be held June 3.


Control Systems Security & ANSI/ISA99 Series

Webinar_80x80Cybersecurity Risk Assessment for Automation Systems (IC32CW1)
Risk analysis is an important step in creating a cybersecurity plan for your automation system. Risk analysis not only identifies security vulnerabilities but also provides the business case for the countermeasures that reduce risk. This course introduces control engineers to the concepts of risk analysis and how they are applied to industrial manufacturing and control systems based on the ANSI/ISA99 standards. This course is also valuable for IT professionals who wish to learn the special considerations of automation systems in performing risk analysis. The webinar will be held June 10.

Webinar_80x80Using Firewalls and Security Zones on the Plant Floor (IC32CW2)
The network firewall is one of the most important tools in any cyber security designer’s tool box. This seminar introduces the industrial controls engineer to the world of firewall system design, focusing on how these devices can be effectively deployed on the typical plant floor to help meet the ANSI/ISA99 security standards. The webinar will be held June 17.

Webinar_80x80A Tour of the ANSI/ISA99 Security Standards (IC32CW3)
This webinar introduces you to the ANSI/ISA99 Security for Industrial Automation and Control Systems standards and how these are organized. You will be given a brief introduction to the terminology, concepts, and models of ANSI/ISA99 cybersecurity and elements of creating a cybersecurity management system. The webinar will be held June 24.

ISA Training Partners

ISA has teamed up with IDC Technologies & EIT to bring an array of technical-related training courses to various U.S. locations as well as online courses, with special discounts for ISA members.

Upcoming topics:

Engineering Leadership: Making the Transition from Engineer to Leader
June 16

Practical Earthing, Bonding, Lightning and Surge Protection
June 30

Professional Certificate of Competency in Safety Instrumentation Systems for Process Industries
June 2, Duration: 3 months

Advanced Diploma of Industrial Automation
June 2, Duration: 18 months

When you become an ISA member, you’ll join thousands of automation and control professionals who collaborate to share ideas and insights, and solve technical challenges. And, you’ll receive up to 20 percent off on ISA products, including training courses. To review the complete array of ISA member benefits, click the link below or contact ISA customer service at +1 919-549-8411 or info@isa.org.

Click here to join ISA ... learn, advance, succeed!

Joel Don
Joel Don
Joel Don is an independent content marketing, social media and public relations consultant. Prior to his work in marketing and PR, Joel served as an editor for regional newspapers and national magazines throughout the U.S. He earned a master's degree from the Medill School at Northwestern University with a focus on science, engineering and biomedical marketing communications, and a bachelor of science degree from UC San Diego.

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