Author: John Mulindi
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Basic Elements of a Digital Controller for a Steam-Turbine Driven Generator
The block diagram below illustrates the basic elements of a minicomputer system for speed and voltage control as well as data acquisition of a steam-turbine driven generator unit. Typical output variables of the generator are speed, rotor angle, terminal voltage, field (excitation) current, armature current, and real & reactive power. A number of output variables…
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The Role of IO-Link (Single Drop Communication Technology) in Industrial Networking
The increasing application of microcontrollers in low cost sensors and actuators has provided opportunities for adding diagnosis and configuration data to support increasing function requirements. The chief reason for the development of a new technology called IO-Link has been the need for these low-cost sensors and actuators to exchange the diagnosis and configuration data with…
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Features of Popular Fieldbuses used in Industrial Networking
The commonly used fieldbuses are: Ethernet TCP/IP Modbus DeviceNet ControlNet Modbus TCP PROFIBUS-DP AS-I The Table below outlines the key features of popular Fieldbuses that are commonly used in Industrial Networking: Related articles: What is Fieldbus in Industrial Communication Networks? Typical Technical Aspects of Foundation Fieldbus Features of HART Communication Protocol Basic Features of Foundation…
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How Controllers are used in Industrial Automation Systems
In many process control systems, microprocessor based programmable logic controllers are used for decision making due to the sophistication of the system and the large number of process variables involved. The PLC can be configured to receive a small number of inputs (both analog and digital) and control a small number of outputs or the…
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Types and Operations of Wired Ethernet Networks
Ethernet plays an important role as a communication platform for automation systems. The Key strength of Ethernet is in its ability to run many protocols simultaneously on the same network. Ethernet enables flexibility, scalability and performance of industrial networks in a way not seen before in automated systems. Principle of Operation of Ethernet Network Ethernet…
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Features & Configuration of a Smart Pressure Transmitter
Smart/Intelligent pressure transmitters are microprocessor-based, and they provide additional functional capabilities beyond their basic role of just sensing and representing a process variable; for example they provide computing, diagnostics, and networking capabilities . We shall consider a capacitive sensing pressure transmitter with a typical functional diagram illustrated below: The process pressure is transmitted through the…
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Basic Features of Controller Area Network (CAN)
Controller Area Network (CAN) is a serial communication protocol developed primarily for applications in the automotive industry. It is also capable of offering good performance in other time-critical industrial applications. The CAN protocol is optimized for short messages and uses a carrier sense multiple access (CSMA)/Arbitration message priority (AMP) medium access control technique. Therefore CAN…
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Key Factors to Consider In Substation Design
Substations are the points in the power network where transmission lines and distribution feeders are connected together through circuit breakers or switches via busbars and transformers. This permits the control of power flows in the network and the normal switching operations for maintenance purposes. We discuss the key factors to consider when designing substations as…