Instrumentation and Control Systems

Course Description

This course introduces students to the fundamental principles of industrial instrumentation and control systems as applied in electronic engineering technology. Students explore the theory, operation, and application of sensors, transducers, signal conditioning circuits, and control system components used in modern industrial and process environments. Laboratory work reinforces lecture concepts through hands-on measurement, calibration, wiring, and troubleshooting activities. This is a combined lecture/laboratory course (designated by the C suffix in the course number).

This course is part of the Electronic Engineering Technology (EET) program sequence within the Engineering Technologies taxonomy and may apply toward the Engineering Technology – Advanced Manufacturing A.S. degree at participating Florida colleges.

Learning Outcomes

Required Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Identify and describe the operating principles of common sensors and transducers used to measure temperature, pressure, flow, level, and position.
• Interpret and apply instrument tags, symbols, and loop diagrams per ISA/ANSI standards (ISA 5.1).
• Explain the principles of open-loop and closed-loop control systems, including feedback, feedforward, and cascade configurations.
• Describe the function and tuning of proportional, integral, and derivative (PID) controllers in process control applications.
• Perform signal conditioning tasks including amplification, filtering, and conversion of analog signals (e.g., 4–20 mA, 0–10 VDC).
• Connect and test instrumentation wiring using standard industrial wiring practices and safety procedures.
• Calibrate and verify the accuracy of instrumentation devices using appropriate test equipment and procedures.
• Demonstrate safe laboratory and industrial practices in compliance with OSHA and workplace safety standards.

Optional Learning Outcomes

Depending on the offering institution and available laboratory resources, students may also be able to:

• Configure and program a basic Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) for simple instrumentation and control tasks.
• Explain the fundamentals of SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) and DCS (Distributed Control Systems) architectures.
• Apply data acquisition (DAQ) hardware and software (e.g., National Instruments LabVIEW) to collect and analyze process data.
• Describe smart instrumentation and digital communication protocols such as HART, Fieldbus, and Profibus.
• Analyze basic pneumatic and hydraulic control components as used in industrial control loops.

Major Topics

Required Topics

• Introduction to Instrumentation: Measurement system fundamentals, accuracy, precision, resolution, range, span, and error analysis.
• ISA Standards and Documentation: Instrument identification, tagging, P&ID drawings, and loop diagrams per ISA 5.1 standards.
• Temperature Measurement: Thermocouples, RTDs (Resistance Temperature Detectors), thermistors, and infrared sensors.
• Pressure Measurement: Bourdon tubes, diaphragm gauges, manometers, and electronic pressure transducers.
• Flow and Level Measurement: Orifice plates, venturi meters, rotameters, ultrasonic, float, and capacitance level sensors.
• Signal Conditioning and Transmission: Operational amplifiers, bridge circuits, current loops (4–20 mA), voltage signals, and noise filtering.
• Control System Theory: Open-loop vs. closed-loop control, block diagrams, transfer functions, system response.
• PID Control: Proportional, integral, and derivative control modes; controller tuning methods (Ziegler-Nichols, trial-and-error).
• Final Control Elements: Control valves, actuators (electric, pneumatic, hydraulic), valve sizing, and positioners.
• Calibration Procedures: Zero/span adjustment, calibration equipment (deadweight testers, loop calibrators), and documentation.
• Electrical Safety and Industrial Wiring: Grounding, shielding, conduit wiring, NEC codes relevant to instrumentation, lockout/tagout (LOTO).

Optional Topics

• Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs): PLC architecture, ladder logic programming, I/O modules, and basic automation sequences.
• SCADA and HMI Systems: System architecture, operator interfaces, alarm management, and data historians.
• Digital Communication Protocols: HART, Fieldbus, Modbus, Profibus, and Industrial Ethernet basics.
• Data Acquisition Systems: DAQ hardware, software interfaces (e.g., LabVIEW), sampling theory, and digital signal processing basics.
• Analytical Instrumentation: pH, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, and other analytical measurement devices used in process industries.
• Motion and Position Control: Encoders, resolvers, LVDTs, and servo/stepper motor control fundamentals.
• Pneumatic Control Systems: Air supply systems, pneumatic controllers, positioners, and I/P transducers.

Resources & Tools

• Textbook: Instrumentation for Technicians or equivalent text covering industrial measurement and process control (e.g., Bela Liptak's Instrument Engineers' Handbook abridged editions; Thomas Hughes' Programmable Controllers).
• Laboratory Equipment: Multimeters, loop calibrators (e.g., Fluke 789), process trainers, thermocouple/RTD simulators, pressure gauges and deadweight testers.
• Software: PLC programming software (e.g., Rockwell Studio 5000 / RSLogix, Siemens TIA Portal), data acquisition software (National Instruments LabVIEW), AutoCAD for P&ID drawings.
• Standards References: ISA (International Society of Automation) standards, ANSI/ISA-5.1 (Instrumentation Symbols and Identification), OSHA 29 CFR 1910 (General Industry Safety).
• Online Resources: ISA Learning (isa.org), Florida Department of Education workforce resources, Khan Academy circuits fundamentals.

Career Pathways

Graduates who complete this course as part of the EET program are prepared for entry-level and advanced positions in industries including manufacturing, utilities, petrochemical processing, water/wastewater treatment, food and beverage production, and pharmaceuticals.

• Instrumentation Technician – Install, calibrate, and maintain measurement and control devices in industrial facilities.
• Process Control Technician – Monitor and adjust automated production processes using PLC, DCS, and SCADA systems.
• Automation Technician – Program and troubleshoot PLC-based control systems and robotic equipment.
• Field Service Technician – Provide on-site installation, startup, and maintenance for instrumentation OEMs and system integrators.
• Electrical/Instrumentation (E&I) Technician – Support plant operations combining electrical maintenance and instrumentation skills.
• SCADA/HMI Technician – Configure and maintain supervisory control and data acquisition systems for utilities and industrial clients.

Special Information

Certification Preparation

This course supports preparation for nationally recognized industry certifications that enhance graduate employability:

• ISA Certified Control Systems Technician (CCST) – Level I: Offered by the International Society of Automation; validates competency in calibration, maintenance, and troubleshooting of instrumentation and control systems.
• MSSC Certified Production Technician (CPT) 4.0: Florida colleges in the Engineering Technology – Advanced Manufacturing pathway align coursework to CPT standards, and students may pursue this credential alongside the A.S. degree.
• OSHA 10-Hour General Industry Card: Many Florida EET programs incorporate or recommend OSHA 10 certification to meet employer safety training requirements.
• National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) Instrumentation: Some Florida technical centers offer NCCER-aligned instrumentation credentials that complement EET coursework.

Students interested in transfer should consult their academic advisor, as EET courses may articulate toward B.S. programs in Engineering Technology at Florida universities including Florida Tech, University of Central Florida (UCF), and Florida International University (FIU).