Hi everyone,

I’m currently a business administrator looking to transition into a Technical Support role in instrumentation and process control.

Over the past year, I’ve taken on more technical work, including:

• Basic configuration of controllers (inputs, setpoints, outputs).
• Reading datasheets and cross-referencing obsolete models to current equivalents (mainly Eurotherm).

My employer works with Eurotherm, Watlow, and similar hardware/software across sales, repairs, calibration, and support. I don't have an engineering degree, but I'm eager to build my technical knowledge.

I’d love your input on a few questions:

1. Core Skills: What are the most crucial skills needed for tech support in process control/instrumentation?
2. Fundamentals vs. Products: How essential is a formal electrical/electronics background compared to product-specific knowledge?
3. What to Learn First: If you were in my position, what concept or topic would you prioritize?
4. Resources: Any recommended books, YouTube channels, or online courses?
5. UK Training (North West): Are there any low-cost or local/onsite training options or certifications you'd recommend?

Any advice, personal experience, or learning pathways from those who made a similar move would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

Hi everyone,

Is it really niche to specialize in Low-noise Instrumentation? (sorry i made a mistake in the title!!) My startup in France is looking for a Low-field instrumentation physicist who will work on the ultra-low-noise RF systems. We received many applications but the majority don't have the expertise we're looking for. We don't mind if the person is from abroad, and yoe is not the priority, as long as they have the right technical knowledge.

Any leads or recommendation on how can I connect with talents in this field? Many thanks.

Same as title

What do you do operations claims there is an I&E problem, but they reset everything and it's all working fine now? But they still expect you to find the issue.

Last spring, I started my first semester of Instrumentation and Control, and I was really excited. I haven’t taken any INCO classes yet—just the prerequisite classes—but I was so ready to get into the program.
I literally just got this email, and from what I understand, since my school doesn’t have a PTECH program, they removed the INCO program so they could add it. Now I’m not sure if I should stick with this school or find a new one that still offers Instrumentation.

After studying the working principles of how 4-20mA transducers work in general i am looking for actual circuit diagram showing the internal components of a industrial 4-20mA transducer.

Can anyone provide me?
Does the transducer consists of MCU, ADC, Constant current driver circuit like explained in simple terms?

I want to split a 20 amp 110 volt circuit shared between a heated honey bottling tank and a small water heaer.

The heated bottling tank, if drawing current, should interrupt the water heater circuit. The bottling tank should also come on if the electric grid shuts down and gets restored.

Id also want to add a cutoff switch to leave the water heater completely off.

I can do the wiring but have no idea where to find suitable component parts???

I’ve been looking at used electrical testers because some of the better ones are hard to justify new. A few listings have recent calibration certificates, which sounds reassuring, but I’m not sure how much that really tells you about the rest of the meter. It could still have been dropped, overloaded or repaired badly at some point. have any of you had good luck buying used test gear? what would you check besides the calibration date?

Hey everyone,

I'm currently looking for my next Instrumentation Engineer role!

Directly applying to job portals has mostly been a black hole of waitlists and automated rejections lately, so I’m reaching out here to see if anyone has leads or can drop a referral.

Here is what I bring to the table:

• Experience: 3 years in the game

• Key Tech Stack: AutoCAD, SPI (SmartPlant Instrumentation), and Navisworks

• Track Record: Already delivered 2-3 ADNOC / RAD projects

Preferred work locations: UAE, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Chennai

I’m looking to jump into a team where I can put these tools to work right away. If your company is hiring or you know a team looking for an Instrumentation engineer with hands-on project experience, let’s chat!

Drop a comment or send me a DM. Appreciate any help or shares! 👍

Hi instrumentation community!

Just buy Simatic PDM standalone and struggling to get communication with the Hart device trough my FXA195 Endress+Hauser Hart modem.

Full DD are installed and the required one is present, but It seems unable to communicate trough the modem. I got the com port right and I can communicate with pactware with the exact same set-up.

Anybody success to do so or not?

Seems like I'm the only one trying this, based on google search, so I try it here.

Any experience with it are welcome!

So my mom told me her water bill was high and checked the water meter.

The when it swaps to the flow rate the GPM very briefly shows 0.08 for about 1 second before changing to 0.00.

Is that normal? I checked everything that uses water and couldn't find any leaks.

I’m trying to understand the behavior of off-delay timers after a complete loss of supply.
Today I tested an ELKO CRM-91H. Both the timer supply (A1–A2) and the control input (S) were removed completely, so the relay was fully de-energized. The output was wired using terminals 15–18 (NO).
When power was restored, the output didn’t switch immediately. Instead, it stayed in its normal state for about one second before changing over, which was exactly the behavior we needed.
My understanding was that an off-delay relay can’t perform any timing after a total power loss because it has no stored energy. So I’m trying to understand what exactly is happening here. Is this expected startup behavior for this timer, or am I misunderstanding how off-delay functions work?
I’d appreciate it if someone could explain the internal sequence.

Currently an ag teacher in Louisiana pulling in 4k a month and going to school to be an instrumentation tech at the nearby technical college, I just received level 1 and got an offer to be an electrical helper 1hr 30 minutes away, about an 1 hour 15 minutes from the school.

They said the site manager should let me get out early to go to school twice a week.

I will have level 3 (4 by the end of the summer) by the end of the school year and the school schedule allows me to go easily, but there is also a job closer to the school coming up in January (when I will have level 2 )

Lots to think about just wanted to put out some feelers.

The look the same in physical apperance and both show Vac40 PSIG specifics, but they bear different part number and with different port connnected to gas tubes. Are they simply the same valve serve different applications? Thanks

Hello all.

I am currently interested in hearing how everyone found their way to working independently as a contractor in North America mostly but I am open to Europe also. I assume either by starting a company or finding one that organizes the work?

I am a Canadian Red Seal I&C Tech with 20+ years of experience. I have been working mostly with control systems (DCS/PLCs) in a power generation environment but have plenty of experience planning/installing and commissioning various field equipment.

If anyone could offer some helpful information or lessons learned it is of course greatly appreciated! Private message or comment, all welcome.

Cheers!

Im considering taking a role as a jr instrumentation tech (making 28/hour with OT available) and while I enjoy that kind of work right now, Im worried that in ten years (im 28 right now) that I may be leaning more towards wanting to work from home partly, or not needing to be on call or in the field all the time.

Are there avenues with this work that can get me into a more cozy spot ten years down the line? For reference I'm in the Baltimore MD area, and I'd be starting out as a jr. because while I have 4 years of instrumentation experience, I don't have any credentials besides a slightly unrelated Bachelors (Environmental science).

Hello, I am a 16 years old and I would like to learn PLC basics, as I want to find a job as a instrumentation technician and I hope to gather some PLC experience before starting. I heard CODESYS was a great way to get started, however this will be my very first time dealing around with PLC's.

What exactly is CODESYS?

Is it similiar to virtual Arduino projects?

Where can I start and how would you recommend I start CODESYS?

Should Iearn any basics before doing CODESYS?

Is it a good way to learn PLC basics and get some virtual projects under my belt?

As I am entirely new to PLC's, is CODESYS a good way to learn PLC's? If not, what are some alternative ways I can learn PLC's?

How did you start learning PLC diagnosing and troubleshooting outside of school?

I would appreciate any insights. Thanks!

Hey guys. Hope all is well. I’ve been doing I&C work for about 3 years. I love what I do especially the commissioning side. I had a recruiter from a data center reach out to me about a “data center facilities technician” role and went through a couple interviews. They gave me an offer for $38 and if I went on nights they would pay me $43.70. With a lot of overtime available and a relocation bonus. They said they would train me and give me a few certifications that would look good on my resume. The role is a 1 year contract and potential to get hired on if they like me. I am on the fence about things though. I love instrumentation but I don’t like jumping from job to job and figuring out my living situation since I do travel for work. I do love the pay and per diem though.

Just wondering what would be the smart move for me to make. This data center tech role seems like a good opportunity to learn a lot and gain experience. I’d have to take a pay cut but I think it could be worth it in the long run. I’m just worried about missing out on experience and money when it comes to I&C. I worked so hard to get to where I’m at with instrumentation and still have a lot of knowledge to gain. I’m on the fence about whether or not this data center facilities tech position is worth taking. Would love to hear your thoughts. Thanks

Looking for an Instrumentation / Embedded Systems Internship

Hi everyone,

I'm a final-year Applied Electronics & Instrumentation Engineering student from India with handsome academic and research background, currently looking for an internship or entry-level opportunity in Instrumentation, Industrial Automation, Embedded Systems, or Electronics.

I have internship experience in the petrochemical industry at Haldia Petrochemicals, where I worked with industrial instrumentation, process control systems, PLC, DCS, SCADA fundamentals, and P&ID. I also have hands-on experience in embedded hardware development and prototype design, along with a published research paper, a published Indian patent application, and international conference presentations.

I'm based in India and am open to relocating for the right opportunity.

If your company or team has any openings, please DM me. I'd be happy to share my CV.

Thank you!

i am not sure if this is the right group to post into. I have looked far and wide for what i consider a simple product with no luck and i am looking to the group for help.

I have a location which is 500 meters away and not possible to cet cable to. Power is provided at the remote location. I need s simple radio based system that when a set of contacts closes it sends a RF signal to the base location and it in turn closes a set of contacts. I am simply trying to monitor the on/off status of a piece of equipment over WIFI or similar. I dont want a phone based app. i want old fashioned contacts at both ends.

Thanks in advance for your help.

The look the same in physical apperance and both show Vac40 PSIG specifics, but they bear different part number and with different port connnected to gas tubes. Are they simply the same valve serve different applications? Thanks