ISA Technician Training Boot Camp (not just for technicians) combines a unique technical training course—minimum lecture and maximum hands-on experience—with bonus features, including a plant tour, technical library, and social events, to enhance the learning experience and to maximize knowledge gained. Over 75% of your time will be spent on equipment labs!
This week of intensive training will cover a broad range of technical topics needed to get the job done right. Starting with basic instrumentation fundamentals and ending with the advanced and ultimate in smart technology, this comprehensive program will serve as a vital building block to your professional development and skills enhancement efforts. This course also serves as a solid introduction to other ISA courses that will help you advance your automation and control career.
Who Should Attend?
Newbie and veteran technicians
New and seasoned automation professionals
Technicians and/or other automation and control professionals
Individuals wanting to learn more about instrumentation and control
Note: A general knowledge of instrumentation and control is recommended.
Boot Camp Training Objectives:
Provide an overview of industrial measurement and control in order to communicate appropriately with other control system professionals
Define a process to properly tune control loops
Present a systematic approach for troubleshooting and start-up of single- and multi-loop control loops to maintain good process control systems
Describe the operation and maintenance of pneumatic instruments employed in modern process facilities with an emphasis on valves, positioners, controllers, and transmitters
Perform proper installation, calibration, and maintenance of electronic instruments
Deliver a working knowledge of smart field devices including both digital transmitters and digital valve controllers
Boot Camp Bonus Features
5-Day Intensive Hands-on Training Curriculum
See details below.
Real-World Plant Tour
All students will participate in an after-class field trip to a local manufacturing facility demonstrating automation in action and to relate concepts learned in class to the real-world environment.
Class Networking Special Event
All students will have the opportunity to participate in an after hours group networking event to mingle with other classmates in a fun, informal atmosphere.
Class Graduation*
As a culmination to an intensive week of training, students will receive their certificates of successful completion for a job well done and the right to say, "I SURVIVED ISA TECHNICIAN BOOT CAMP!"
ISA Technical Library
All students will receive a library of four ISA technical books—A $450 value! (See list of publications below.)
*Note: Students must attend the entire week of lab-intensive exercises and lecture in order to receive their certificate.
Course Includes ISA Technical Library (A $450 Value!):
Measurement and Control Basics, Fourth Edition by Thomas A. Hughes
Calibration: A Technician's Guide by Mike Cable
Fundamentals of Process Control Theory, Third Edition by P.W. Murrill
Troubleshooting: A Technician's Guide, Second Edition by William L. Mostia, Jr., P.E.
Intensive Hands-on Training Curriculum:
CEUs: 3.6
PDHs: 36
Day 1 - Instrumentation Basics
You Will Cover
Conventional analog field devices: Sensor Technologies | Measurement Fundamentals | Standard Signals
Loop Characteristics: Current Loop | Power Source
Smart Field Devices: Current Practice | Typical Smart D/P Transmitter | Configurations
Classroom/Laboratory Exercises:
Calibrate process measurement devices
Current loop construction and measurements
Configure smart transmitters
You Will Be Able To:
Describe the operation of a pneumatic differential pressure transmitters
Calibrate a pneumatic d/p transmitter
Describe the operation of the 4-20 ma current loop
Perform voltage and current measurements in a 4-20 ma current loop
Describe the operation of an electronic differential pressure transmitter
Calibrate an electronic d/p transmitter
Describe the configuration process for a digital transmitter
Configure a digital transmitter
Day 2 - Calibration and Maintenance
You Will Cover
Temperature Measurements and Sensor Fundamentals
D/P Level Applications: Hydrostatic Head Level Measurement | Bubbler Level Measurement | Level Transmitter | Open and Closed Tank Installation | Remote Seals
Calibration and Configuration: Configuring Smart Temperature Transmitters
Classroom/Laboratory Exercises:
Calculate span and range values for various level measurement applications
Calibrate differential pressure, RTD, and thermocouple transmitters
View a three-wire RTD demonstration and identify errors
D/P Liquid Level Measurement with elevation/suppression applications
You Will Be Able To:
Connect various transmitters for measurements of level, flow, and temperature
Calculate measurement ranges for d/p level applications
Calibrate various d/p transmitters for level measurements
Describe temperature measurements utilizing various sensors and transmitters
Calibrate various temperature transmitters utilizing various sensors
Day 3 - Digital (Smart) Transmitters
You Will Cover
Analog vs. Digital Instruments: Analog Limitations | Calibration of Analog vs. Digital Instruments
Serial Digital Communications: Modem | FSK | Protocol
HART™ Communication: Features | Master/Slave | Point-to-Point | Capabilities of HART
Classroom/Laboratory Exercises:
Configure digital transmitters and digital valve controllers and control valves
Perform sensor trims and calibrations
Use various communication tools to configure smart field devices
You Will Be Able To:
Differentiate between analog and digital instruments
Configure, re-range, and calibrate smart/digital field devices
Communicate with digital devices utilizing computer-based software
Day 4 - Control Valves, Positioners, and DVCs
You Will Cover
Analog Positioners: Operation of Analog Positioners | Calibration
Smart Control Valves: Digital Positioners | Diagnostic Tools | Control Valve Tuning
Diagnostics: Features | Capabilities
Classroom/Laboratory Exercises:
Calibrate and split-range analog positioners
Configure, calibrate, and split-range DVCs
Use various communication tools to configure DVCs
Perform diagnostic tests on smart control valves
You Will Be Able To:
Differentiate between analog and digital positioners
Configure, split-range, and calibrate analog positioners
Configure and calibrate control valves fitted with digital valve controllers
Communicate with DVCs utilizing computer-based software
Test diagnostic capabilities of digital valve controllers
Day 5 - Tuning and Troubleshooting Control Systems
You Will Cover
Review of Feedback Control Concepts and Components: History of Control Operation | Concepts | Pictorial Representation | Disturbances in the Loop
Control Modes: Proportional | Integral | Derivative
Introduction to Troubleshooting: Purpose of Troubleshooting | Reasons for Troubleshooting
Approaches to Troubleshooting: Equipment History | Input/Output (Serial) | Shotgun Approach | Logical Analysis
Logical Analysis Troubleshooting: Verify | Identify | Repair | Test | Follow-up on Problems
Classroom/Laboratory Exercises:
Demonstrate the operation of components required for closed loop control
Tune feedback control loops via a number of different methods
Tune using PC-based simulation software
Observe operation and tuning of a feedback control loop
Diagnose and solve problems with single-loop control loops
Troubleshoot several single control loop problems
You Will Be Able To:
Define the concepts of PID control
Explain component operation in a closed loop control system
Use the trial-and-error methods to tune a control system for stated quality control
Develop a systematic approach to troubleshooting
Identify why a systematic approach to troubleshooting is most effective
Follow specified procedures for proper loop check-out
Verify, locate, and identify performance problems and the causes of the problems
Your Drill Instructor
Manuel Garza has extensive work experience in the areas of project development, engineering, construction, and start-up. His professional background includes positions from Instrument Trainee to I&E Technologist to Engineering Technologist with Dow Chemical Company since1967. He holds an Associates of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Del Mar Technical Institute of Corpus Christi, TX. He started teaching for ISA in 1998.
What Past Students Have Said
"[Mr. Garza was] very knowledgeable and interesting."
"Mr. Garza was able to help with any questions we had and explain the proper way to do [the labs]."
"[Mr. Garza] was the best I've had so far. He made the class very interesting even though I don not work with smart xmitters at all."
"Very exceptional instructor. Attitude was very good. Helped further everyone's understanding."
"Manuel is the best instructor...he teaches and makes it very easy to understand—would love to take more classes taught by him."
Manuel Garza has extensive work experience in the areas of project development, engineering, construction, and start-up. His professional background includes positions from Instrument Trainee to I&E Technologist to Engineering Technologist with Dow Chemical Company since1967. He holds an Associates of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Del Mar Technical Institute of Corpus Christi, TX. He started teaching for ISA in 1998.
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