Now it is simply impossible to find any area of human activity in which the means for measurement and control are not used, which are collectively called instrumentation equipment - constantly improving and developing.
The value of instrumentation for modern man
A person’s need to transform the environment into his own desires has become the reason that he must constantly measure, count, weigh, etc. In order to unify all these processes, the simplest ones began to be created, and over time even more complex ones instruments for various measurements.
Then, when he mastered natural processes and launched many new technological chains, he needed other special devices capable of controlling them. Complex devices for monitoring and measurement have appeared. As a result, a man tried - and in many areas of his activity very successfully - to learn how to manage natural and created technologies by himself, and then to automate some of its types, which required the creation of new representatives of instrumentation. Automation of technological chain management has become a real transition of society to a whole new level of development.
What are instrumentation (instrumentation)?
Not a single technological process can do without measuring instruments. The quality of products and materials and the safety of those
biological decisions depend on compliance with many parameters, which are controlled by instrumentation.
In other words, instrumentation are devices for measurements, on the basis of which a person receives information from the environment about the set of physical quantities in certain ranges, measured by specific units belonging only to a given measured medium.
It follows that a careless attitude to the development and improvement of instrumentation equipment, neglect of the rules for their operation, as well as poor training of specialists, such as an instrumentation engineer, not only puts the society before the fact of receiving low-quality products, but also threatens the safety of its citizens.
Classification of Instrumentation
Instrumentation is a huge range of various mechanisms, devices and instruments, the device of which can be either very simple or quite complex. A person from school years is familiar with a ruler, square, protractor and compass. But many do not even think that this is the instrumentation, only the simplest.
The classification of instrumentation tools is very extensive, and it is completely impossible to cover all of them within the framework of this article. But to single out from the mass of information the main classes and characteristics of this type of equipment is quite realistic.
Existing instrumentation can be divided into two large classes. A class of analog instruments, vivid examples of which can be an ordinary mercury thermometer used in every family, and a manometer are a more sophisticated device for measuring pressure, used both in everyday life and in production. This group is characterized by the fact that the output continuously shows all environmental changes.
Another class of instrumentation is digital instruments. In them, the output signal - or measurement result - is converted to digital values. An example of such devices is an electronic device for measuring pressure, in which the indicator displays data in figures on the pressure and pulse rate of a person.
Varieties of instrumentation
In each class of equipment there is a division into instrumentation recording, showing and printing. An example of a indicating device can be called the same thermometer.
The operating principles of the control and measuring equipment distribute it into comparing devices - equal-arm scales, summing up - a wattmeter that adds up the power of several generators, direct-acting manometer and ammeter - and integrating - electric and gas meters.
Spheres of application of instruments for monitoring and measuring in everyday life
Instrumentation is not only equipment for industrial use. Their domestic use is intended for high-quality performance of any work. Take an ordinary repair, which everyone knows and understands.
Without the use of a special tool and instrumentation it is impossible to do it. Even if you try, the result will be appropriate. How to measure the area of the ceiling or walls without a "meter"? And evenly lay drywall boards without a level? It is simply impossible to detect old or repair damaged wiring without using a multimeter.
For example, you need to find out how strong the walls made of concrete or brick are, as well as the freshly prepared mortar. For this, a sclerometer in electric or mechanical design is used. A hygrometer will help determine the level of moisture contained in concrete and plaster, as well as the moisture content of wood and wood-shaving materials. And the use of the laser level is not necessary. With its use, repair goes to a whole new level.
And to take another use of instrumentation? Determining the weather in the short term has been a real problem for many years. Now, with the advent of such a device as a digital weather station, it has become available to everyone. Atmospheric pressure, air temperature for up to a week, the direction of the winds and the amount of expected precipitation in the form of digital data make it possible to organize a person both his vacation and work week. This is especially important in rural areas.
Instrumentation is human everything!
It is very difficult to cover the whole variety of human activities in which instruments for monitoring and measurement are used. But the fact remains: there will be none - the person’s life will become so complicated that you will have to return to the caves. And this is unlikely for anyone to want. And therefore, the desire of young people to get acquainted with this huge and interesting world under the name of instrumentation, which makes it possible to fully realize their desire to acquire new knowledge, is becoming increasingly popular.