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 Training and Education in July: Learn, Advance, Succeed

In July ISA TechTour, the newest traveling technical training program that brings ISA’s expert trainers and premier instructional resources straight to you, comes to Oklahoma. The month also features the Training Short Course Special Event, featuring 20 short automation and control courses at ISA's North Carolina headquarters, from 29 July through 2 August.  You can also take advantage of other training and educational opportunities in motor controls and drives, boiler control systems, batch control, electrical noise effects on instrumentation, and industrial data communications systems.Taking Notes

Safety Instrumented Systems: Design, Analysis, and Justification (EC50E)
This online course utilizes online training modules, additional text materials, online evaluations, and email discussions. Students will have access via email to an instructor and have an opportunity to participate in live Q&A sessions with the instructor and other class participants. The 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 requirements. The online eight-week course  starts 8 July.  The Spanish version of the course, EC50ESP, starts 9 July.

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 9 July at ISA headquarters in Research Triangle Park, N.C.

Applying Motor Controls and Drives (SP15)
This course gives you a broad perspective of DC motors, AC motors (single and three-phase), and Variable Speed Drives (for AC Induction Motors and DC Motors). Industrial applications of Variable Speed Drives for constant torque, constant horsepower, and variable torque/variable horsepower are included. Also covered are Motor Starter Circuits and Reduced Voltage Starting techniques. Stepper Motors and Servo Motors are discussed along with their advantages and applications. The three-day class starts 15 July at ISA headquarters in Research Triangle Park, N.C.

Batch Control Using the ANSI/ISA88 Standards (IC40)
This course presents an approach to developing functional requirements/specifications using the models and terminology defined in the ANSI/ISA88 batch control standards. A review of the characteristics of batch manufacturing systems is included. Participants will explore the ANSI/ISA88 concept that separates the recipe from the equipment. This course includes a methodology that defines an object approach based on ANSI/ISA88 that promotes the reuse of these objects from one project to the next. The three-day class starts 15 July in King of Prussia, Penn.

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. This class serves as a solid fundamental course for introduction to other ISA courses. The 4.5-day class will be held in two locations starting 15 July at ISA headquarters in Research Triangle Park, N.C.  The class, which is part of the July Oklahoma ISA TechTour, also starts 29 July in Oklahoma City, Okla.

Burner Management Systems Engineering Using NFPA Code 85 and ANSI/ISA77 Standards (ES16)
This course covers the safe start-up, monitoring, and shut-down of multiple burner boiler furnaces. It also discusses causes of furnace explosions and the relationship between burner management systems and boiler control systems. Prior attendance at ISA ES15: Boiler control Systems Engineering Course or an understanding of boilers and boiler control is assumed. The two-day class starts 18 July in Columbia, Ill.

Electrical Noise Effects on Instrumentation Control Equipment (TI21)
This course provides an understanding of electrical grounding from an electrical and instrumentation loop relationship. It also covers grounding for personnel/equipment protection as well as for electrical noise. Signal wiring and noise reduction methods are also presented. The material assumes the student has a basic understanding of electrical principles and signal wiring. The National Electrical Code (NEC) is referenced throughout the course. The two-day class starts 18 July at ISA headquarters in Research Triangle Park, N.C.

Implementing Business-to-MES Integration Using the ANSI/ISA95 Standard (IC55)
Many manufacturing firms have made significant investments in flexible shop-floor execution systems as well as sophisticated enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems. Those investments, however, cannot yield their full potential until each has access to the information and capabilities of the other. The ANSI/ISA95 standard addresses that coordination problem by providing a sound, robust definition of business activities and of the information that must flow between those two realms. The two-day class starts on 18 July in King of Prussia, Penn.

Using the ANSI/ISA99 (IEC 62443) Standards to Secure Your Industrial Control System (IC32)
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 wrecked so much havoc on corporate information systems. This course provides a detailed look at how the ANSI/ISA99 standards can be used to protect your 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 18 July at ISA headquarters in Research Triangle Park, N.C.

Industrial Data Communications Systems (TS06)
Starting from the basics, this course gives you the tools to design and maintain industrial communications systems on your plant floor. You'll learn the underlying principles behind today's industrial communications systems, including Modbus, Data Highway Plus, Ethernet, and TCP/IP. Real-life examples and case histories provide insight into the facts behind control networks and how to apply and maintain them effectively in your plant. The five-day class starts 22 July at ISA headquarters in Research Triangle Park, N.C.

Certified Control System Technician® (CCST®) Level III Exam Review Course (TS03)
This course reviews the knowledge and skills areas included on the 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 Job Analysis Domains, Tasks, Knowledge Areas, and Skill Areas developed as the basis for the CCST certification exam. The four-day class starts 22 July at ISA headquarters in Research Triangle Park, N.C.

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 in King of Prussia, Penn. on 22 July.

Safety Instrumented Systems--Design, Analysis and Justification (EC50)
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 23 July in King of Prussia, Penn.

Cyber Security 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. This webinar will be held 27 July.

ISA Training Short Course Special Event
This is your chance to take high-value, resource-rich ISA courses over a short time period, at a reasonable rate – and, all in one location. Each day, you can choose from four expert-led ISA courses to quickly ramp up your knowledge in key technical areas, gauge your need for additional training in a particular area, and explore ISA’s more in-depth and comprehensive course offerings and related resources. The short course five-day special event starts 29 July at ISA headquarters in Research Triangle Park, N.C.

Advanced Operation of Digital (Smart) Transmitters and Digital Valve Controllers (TS16)
This lab-intensive course focuses on the configuration fundamentals, the calibration process, the measurements of multiple variables, and the utilization of computer-based configuration tools for both digital transmitters and digital valve controllers. This course offers hands-on, working knowledge of smart field devices with an emphasis on measurement accuracy, advanced information gathering, decreased maintenance time, ease-of-configuration and calibration, and diagnostic capabilities. The 4.5-day class, which is part of the July Oklahoma ISA TechTour, starts 29 July in Oklahoma City, Okla.

Certified Control Systems Technician® (CCST®) Level I Review Course (TS00)
Take this review course and schedule an electronic CCST exam on the date and at the location of your choosing − at no additional fee. (Note: The exam fee will be waived only if you attend the review course and you meet CCST qualifications.) You must submit a CCST application and your course registration form six weeks prior to your course date to be eligible for this offer. Upon approval of your application, you will receive an eligibility letter with instructions on when and how to schedule your exam electronically. The three-day class has two location offerings in July.  A class starts 22 July in Marietta, Ga. An alternate course offering starts 29 July in Westwood, Mass.

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 29 July in Houston, Tex.

Industrial Wireless Systems (IC85C)
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 supervisory control and acquisition (SCADA) systems, petrochemical plants, electrical power generation, and transmission systems. The one-day class will be held 29 July at ISA headquarters in Research Triangle Park, N.C.

Boiler Burner Management Systems − Meeting NFPA Standards (ES16C)
Boiler explosions have resulted in loss of major facilities as well as loss of life. With emphasis in industry on process safety, the design of burner management systems is now more important than ever. This seminar provides a quick overview of the requirements for single and multiple boiler burners using the 85 Code. This one-day class will be held 30 July at ISA headquarters in Research Triangle Park, N.C.

Fundamentals of ISA100.11a (WCI01)
The ISA100.11a standard is an open framework for wireless sensors and actuators targeted at industrial environments.  Target applications include process monitoring, equipment monitoring, and some types of control. This course provides an opportunity for users and suppliers to be efficiently briefed on a broad range of technical topics related to ISA100.11a, in sessions led by designers of the standard. It is intended for product designers and technically sophisticated users who would benefit from an efficient introduction to the technical design principles underlying the ISA100.11a standard. Students will be introduced to the key concepts underlying ISA100.11a, especially related to reliability, scalability, openness, security, deployment, and development tools.  Following this course, students can “hit the ground running” with their real-world projects to evaluate, develop and apply ISA100.11a technology. This one-day class will be held 30 July at ISA headquarters in Research Triangle Park, N.C.

Implementing Enterprise/Control Integration Using ANSI/ISA95 Standards (IC55C)
This seminar defines an approach to integration of manufacturing systems with other business logistics systems using the models defined in the ISA95 Standards. You will be better prepared to integrate your manufacturing systems into the corporate supply chain. The seminar defines the activities associated with manufacturing control business logistics systems and describes, in detail, the information that must be shared between enterprise and control systems. This one-day class will be held 31 July at ISA headquarters in Research Triangle Park, N.C.

Industrial Flow Measurement Overview (EI10C)
This course will present applications of modern flow measurement systems. In addition, flowmeter accuracy, performance, sizing, specification, selection, and installation considerations are covered. Focus is on productivity improvement and cost efficiencies of measurement and control. Also, you will also focus on whether, when, and how to use the technologies that measure flow; the effect of fluid properties; and engineering practices required to optimize flowmeter performance. This course includes practical examples of flowmeter selection and problem solutions, with emphasis on basic principles or alternative technologies based on class preference. This one-day class will be held 31 July at ISA headquarters in Research Triangle Park, N.C.

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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