Industrial Maintenance and Troubleshooting
Expert-defined terms from the Global Certificate Course in Industrial Automation Engineering course at London School of Planning and Management. Free to read, free to share, paired with a globally recognised certification pathway.
Absorption Chiller #
A type of chiller that uses heat to create a cooling effect, often powered by waste heat from industrial processes.
Actuator #
A device that moves or controls a mechanism or system, such as a valve or damper, in response to a signal from a controller.
Analog Input #
A type of input that measures a continuous signal, such as temperature or pressure, and converts it into a digital signal for use by a controller.
Analog Output #
A type of output that controls a continuous signal, such as the speed of a motor or the position of a valve, based on a digital signal from a controller.
Automation #
The use of technology and control systems to operate and monitor industrial processes without human intervention.
Belt Drive #
A type of drive that uses a belt to transmit power between two shafts, often used to transmit power between a motor and a machine.
Boiler #
A closed vessel in which water is heated to produce steam for use in industrial processes.
Capacitor #
A device that stores electrical energy in an electric field and releases it when needed, often used in power electronics circuits to filter or regulate voltage.
Control Valve #
A valve that is used to control the flow, pressure, or temperature of a fluid in an industrial process.
Controller #
A device that monitors and controls a process or system, often using sensors and actuators to adjust the process based on predefined parameters.
Current Transformer (CT) #
A device that produces a secondary current proportional to the primary current, used for measuring and protecting electrical circuits.
DC Drive #
A type of motor drive that converts DC power into variable voltage and frequency to control the speed and torque of a DC motor.
Differential Pressure #
The difference in pressure between two points in a system, often used to measure the flow rate of a fluid.
Direct Online (DO) Starter #
A type of motor starter that connects the motor directly to the power supply without any intermediate control, often used for small motors.
Electrical Panel #
A unit that houses electrical components and protects them from environmental factors, often used to control and protect industrial machinery.
Electromechanical #
A device or system that uses both electrical and mechanical components to perform a function.
Fail #
Safe: A feature that ensures the safe operation of a system in the event of a failure, often by moving to a safe state or shutting down the system.
Frequency Inverter #
A device that changes the frequency of the power supplied to a motor to control its speed and torque.
HMI (Human #
Machine Interface): A device that allows operators to interact with and control machines and processes, often using a graphical user interface.
Inductive Load #
A load that generates a magnetic field when current flows through it, such as a motor or transformer.
Instrumentation #
The measurement and control of industrial processes, often using sensors, actuators, and controllers.
Inverter Duty Motor #
A type of motor designed for use with frequency inverters, often with specialized insulation and windings to withstand the voltage and current spikes generated by the inverter.
Level Control #
The measurement and control of the level of a liquid or solid in a tank or vessel.
Load Cell #
A device that measures the force or weight applied to it, often used in industrial scales and process control systems.
Motor Control Center (MCC) #
A large panel that contains motor starters, overload protection, and control circuits, often used in industrial facilities.
Motor Starter #
A device that controls the starting and stopping of a motor, often with overload protection and speed control.
NEMA (National Electrical Manufacturers Association) #
An organization that sets standards for electrical equipment in the United States.
Overload Protection #
A safety feature that protects motors and other electrical equipment from overcurrent conditions that could cause damage or a fire.
PID (Proportional #
Integral-Derivative) Control: A type of control algorithm that adjusts the output based on the error between the setpoint and the measured value, often used in industrial process control.
PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) #
A digital computer used for automation of industrial processes, often with a ladder logic programming language.
Power Factor #
The ratio of real power to apparent power in an electrical circuit, often expressed as a decimal or percentage.
Pressure Control #
The measurement and control of the pressure of a fluid in an industrial process.
Process Control #
The measurement and control of industrial processes, often using sensors, actuators, and controllers.
Proximity Sensor #
A sensor that detects the presence or absence of an object without physical contact, often used in industrial automation.
Pump #
A device that moves fluid, often used in industrial processes.
Relay #
An electrically operated switch, often used in industrial control circuits.
SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) #
A system for remote monitoring and control of industrial processes, often using graphical user interfaces and communication networks.
Sensor #
A device that detects and measures physical phenomena, such as temperature, pressure, or position, often used in industrial automation.
Soft Starter #
A type of motor starter that gradually increases the voltage and current to a motor, reducing the starting torque and wear on the motor.
Solenoid #
An electromagnetic device that converts electrical energy into mechanical energy, often used in industrial control circuits.
Star #
Delta Starter: A type of motor starter that connects the motor in a star configuration during starting and then switches to a delta configuration for normal operation, reducing the starting current and wear on the motor.
Temperature Control #
The measurement and control of the temperature of a substance in an industrial process.
Transducer #
A device that converts one form of energy into another, often used in industrial automation to convert physical phenomena into electrical signals.
Transformer #
A device that changes the voltage and current of an electrical circuit, often used to step up or step down voltage in industrial power systems.
VFD (Variable Frequency Drive) #
A device that changes the frequency and voltage of the power supplied to a motor to control its speed and torque, often used in industrial automation.
Vibration Sensor #
A sensor that detects and measures vibrations in a machine or structure, often used in industrial maintenance and condition monitoring.
Voltage Transformer (VT) #
A device that produces a secondary voltage proportional to the primary voltage, used for measuring and protecting electrical circuits.
This glossary is intended to provide a comprehensive overview of the key terms a… #
By understanding these terms, learners will be better equipped to diagnose and solve problems in industrial automation systems, improving the efficiency, reliability, and safety of these systems. Through the use of practical applications and challenges, learners will be able to apply their knowledge of these terms to real-world scenarios, further enhancing their understanding and skills in industrial maintenance and troubleshooting.