PIC 11 The Feedback Control Loop:
This course covers the mechanical and electronic feedback control loop. The four fundamental control loop components (transmitter, controller, final control element, and the process) are defined and covered in depth. This course explores electronic controls using a variety of controllers. The student will learn how to hook up a two-wire transmitter to a controller, then learn how to tune a feedback control loop using Ziegler Nichols, a fundamentally sound method. (21 hours)

PIC 12 Industrial Measurements and Installation Techniques:
Students will be introduced to the pressure measurement (gage, absolute, and differential pressure). Level, one of the most common industrial measurements, is discussed in depth. Hydrostatic level measurement using zero based, suppression, elevation, reverse suppression techniques is covered. Sight glass, float and cable, bubble pipe, buoyancy, capacitance, conductance, nucleonic and weight are discussed. This course deals with the principles of flow and temperature measurements. (21 hours)

PIC 13 Tuning Styles and Troubleshooting:
Many tuning styles will be covered including the following: trial and error, Ziegler/Nichols closed and open loop method, ultimate sensitivity, ¼ amplitude decay method, 3C, Cohn/Coon, Lamda, and ExperTune. Each style will be explained and demonstrated. This course is designed for anyone involved with optimizing control systems. Several methods will be discussed including trial and error, equipment history logs, sequential or series approach, logical approach method, half-split, and the tri-method. (21 hours)

PIC 14 Control Strategies and Tuning:
Strategies used in this course include feedback, cascade, feed-forward, ratio, split-range and the detuning of control loops. The student will learn to model various feedback control loops and learn to connect them together using a variety of control strategies. The student, with the aid of the instructor, will build a model using pressure, level, flow and temperature measurements with an objective of optimizing a simple control system. (21 hours)

PIC01 Fundamentals I: Mechanical Pneumatic Instruments
This course covers the mechanical feedback control loop. Students are introduced to the mechanical components seen in the world of instrumentation. Even though electronics dominates the industry, air operated devices will always be around in terms of I/P's, actuators and valve positioners. The requirements of pneumatic fundamentals will be necessary today and in the future. ISA and SAMA symbology will be studied. Manometers, bourdon tubes, diaphragms, capsules, bellows, pressure measuring devices, links and levers, calibration principles, mechanisms, controllers, actuators, positioers, force balance equipment, and valves are covered. This course is 50% lab; 50% lecture. Students will build a pressure control loop and will be introduced to the term pressure measurement. Recommended prerequisites: algebra, basic electricity, and physics.

PIC02 Fundamentals II: Level and Electronic Controls
This course explores electronic transmitters using a variety of electronic controllers. The student will hook up a two wire transmitter to a controller, then learn to tune how to tune a feedback control loop using a fundamentally sound method (Ziegler Nichols). The industrial measurement of level is discussed. Level measurement using zero based, suppression, elevation, reverse suppression techniques are covered. Bubble pipe, buoyancy, controller principles and I/P's are discussed. Strategies learned in this course include feedback control. This course reinforces the Fundamentals I course. 50% lab; 50% lecture. Recommended Prerequisite: PIC01 Fundamentals I

PIC03 Implementation III: Flow and Electronic Controls
This course deals with the principles of flow measurements (orifice plates, magnetic flow meters), controller tuning (closed and open loop), process characteristics, basic control valve selection and sizing. Strategies covered in this course include feedback and cascade control. Valve selection and sizing is also covered. This course reinforces the instrumentation concepts learned in Fundamentals I and II. 50% lab; 50% lecture. Recommended Prerequisites: PIC01 Fundamentals I and PIC02 Fundamentals II

PIC04 Implementation IV: Temperature and Electronic Controls
This course focuses on temperature measurements. Feedback, cascade, feedforward, ratio, split-range and the detuning of control loops will be used as strategies. The student will model various feedback control loops and learn to connect them together using a variety of control strategies. Tuning methods from simple to complex are covered. The student will build a model using pressure, level, flow and temperature measurements. This course introduces troubleshooting techniques, both serial and half-split. This is the final course in the series of four recommended which reinforces the knowledge and skills learned prior to Implementation IV. 50% lab; 50% lecture. Recommended Prerequisite: PIC01 Fundamentals I, PIC02 Fundamentals II and PIC03 Implementation III

PIC05 Equipment Maintenance and Calibration:
This is a course designed for technicians who are responsible for field devices. Valves, transmitters, I/Ps will be discussed in terms of maintenance. Manufacturers equipment used in this course are as follows: Transmitters--Foxboro, Rosemount, Honeywell, Taylor, and Khrone. I/Ps and P/Is- Bellophragm, Fisher, Moore, Foxboro, and Dahl. Valves and Positioners-- Samson, Fisher, Masoneilan, Jamesbury, Research, Cashco, and Bauman. The student will reassemble, align, and calibrate devices according to manufacturers' specifications. 50% lab; 50% lecture. Recommended Prerequisites: None

PIC06 Tuning Styles:
Simple to High Tech The tuning styles that will be covered in this course include trial and error, Ziegler/Nichols closed and open loop method, ultimate sensitivity, ¼ amplitude decay method, 3C, Cohn/Coon, ProTuner, Lamda, and ExperTune. The many different styles will be explained and demonstrated. This course is ideal for technicians involved with optimizing control systems. 40% lab; 60% lecture. Recommended prerequisite: Five year of instrumentation experience

PIC07 Troubleshooting Equipment and Systems From the Inside Out:
We are all getting paid to keep equipment running with fewer people while at the same time reducing down time. Several methods for troubleshooting equipment will be discussed including trial and error, equipment history logs, sequential series approach, logical approach method, half-split, and the tri-method approach (output, input, controller approach). This course uses HART and Honeywell communicators. 50% lab; 50% lecture.

PIC08 The Big Picture: An Overview of Instrumentation
This course is an overall picture of measurements, controllers, transducers, valves and positioners, control strategies, feedback, cascade, feed-forward and ratio. Tuning, troubleshooting and problem solving are key components. This course is not a replacement for the four course series. It is designed as a refresher course for supervisors or other management personnel who work closely with instrument and electrical maintenance. The course can also be used as a supplement to certification. 100% lecture and demonstration. Recommended prerequisites: None

PIC09 Automatic Valves:
The Generic Picture This course emphasizes the device called an automatic control valve. The first step is to understand the operation of the actuator, bonnet, valve, valve body, and valve positioner for a sliding stem or linear motion valve. Rotary actuators both piston and diaphragm are discussed. A variety of positioners from pneumatic to smart are demonstrated. Actuator sizing and choosing valve characteristics are included. 70% lab; 30% lecture. Recommended Prerequisite: Five years of instrumentation experience

PIC10 Fundamentals of the Programmable Logic Controller:
The objective of this course is to provide the participant a thorough understanding of the hardware configuration, software instructions of the PLC, and elements of application programming. Electrical ladder diagram concepts, ladder logic programming, and the use of programming software will be explained. Fundamentals of digital and analog input and output modules will be explored. Application programming will include single and dual motor control and process applications using on-off control logic. Analog input scaling and calibration of analog input and output modules will be explored. 50% lab; 50% lecture. Prerequisite: Five years of industrial electrical/instrumentation experience

Here are other topics that can be offered upon request. We recommend a two-day format.

• Pneumatic Mechanical
• Valve Principles
• Controller Principles
• Troubleshooting and Problem Solving
• Pressure and Level Measurement
• Flow and Temperature Measurement
• Documentation
• Control Strategies
• Process Characteristics and Controller Tuning Styles
• Equipment Maintenance and Calibration and Validation
• DCS Principles
• Basic Electronics
• Smart Devices
• Proper Installation Practices
• The Art of Running and Connecting Tubing
• Applied Math for Instrumentation
• Applied Physics for Instrumentation
• Applied Chemistry for Instrumentation
• Analytical Measurements and Control

To contact the instructor, email at info@pic4i.com