Controls training

[FiltrationEngineer]

I'm a chemical engineer and design equipment that uses pumps, flow meters, pressure transducers, etc. We use PLC's and SCADA systems in our product.

I know how to wire and troubleshoot electrical equipment and do controls programming on Allen Bradley PLCs. We use PLCs from different manufacturers depending on the customer.

My employer is kind enough to send me to any training I would like to do, and they want me to get more training with controls.

My questions is: What do you think is the best training to get? I'm not sure if I should do some SCADA training, advanced PLC programming (I'm kind of a novice) or some other type of training?

Any recomendations are appreciated.

 

[itsmoked]

Get it all!!!

First thing, check with all the companies that provide your PLC's as this will give your company good bang for the buck.

PLC companies usually have a bunch of different levels. If you understand the basics then take an intermediate course offering. Schedule up a course every couple of months. Maybe take a beginning course for one brand you haven't messed with. Always try to take away "the big picture" from the courses you take. Only worry about the little things if you are, say, struggling with a new controller on a job you're working on.

Consider writing one or two page synopsises of each course you've taken. Include the handouts into a binder you can refer back to. Good stuff that!

And tell your boss about how the courses are helping you as he has to feel good about them as he goes to bat for the $$ to send you.

Lucky deal you got there.

Keith Cress
Flamin Systems, Inc.-

http://www.flaminsystems.com

 

[richs]

Hiya-

Thinking "outside the box" or more specifically, "between the boxes", a networking class might be of interest. You might have IT personnel that already perform that function, then this information might duplicate. If not, however, getting a rough idea of the tools, concepts and techniques used in computer networking might be an area of interest to you.

Also, there are classes that are readily available. I would suggest classes NOT regarding programming, rather classes in the basic concepts of ethernet, routers, packet sniffers and general overview. I would suggest that you don't have to go to the level of say a Cisco certification or anything like that, just a general understanding. Just using ping for example can go a long way in troubleshooting an architecture.

Cheers,

Rich S.

 

[FiltrationEngineer]

Thanks for the replies.

I really like the idea of learning networking. We have a controls company do all our panel fabrication and programming, so while advanced programming training is good to have, I will hardly ever use it.

I deal with networking problems all the time. Our IT guy just does the office computers and stuff. I need to interconnect PLCs with SCADA systems & PC's, do remote monitoring over the internet, etc.

Do you have a recommendation of where I can get some good networking training? Along with that, I think I will get some training in SCADA systems.

 

[richs]

Hiya-

There are several classes devoted to networking. Depends on what, when, and how much you want to spend.

You might find some information from the local Jr. college,
there are a couple of references on line that might help. The one that I was going to reccomend is no longer a free download, so that's out......

You might want to google search, or you might want to hit up your local IT guy (allbeit that he does only office stuff) and see what sort of resources are available in your area.

Darn, I'm sorry to see that the pair of lab manuals that I was going to reference are no longer a free download. Although lab manuals, they did an o.k. job of stuff.

As an "alternative" you might want to google for linux networking and see what pops up. Usually, it's sysadmin stuff, but they might have some additional information on their site.

As for SCADA systems, boy is that out of my league. I'm going to let that go for another poster. I'm learning myself!

As a start you might want to point your browser to:

http://www.cisco.com/univercd/cc/td/doc/cisintwk/ito_doc/ethernet.htm

Which might lead to some more information. Hope this helps!

Cheers,

Rich S.

 

[catserveng]

Try the ISA at

http://www.isa.org

The have some engineer and technician level certification programs, and offer a lot of good courses in the areas that are related to industrial automation.

Good publications and resources too.

Take a look at their Certified Automation Professional program, might fit into to what you are looking for.

 

[FrancisL]

Rather than learning one PLC, I would recommend that you learn about the S88.01 standard, it is highly relevant.
You could start here.

http://www.batchcontrol.com/s88/01_tutorial/index.shtml