Who can handle the maintenance part at his best in the field of Industrial automation? Is it electrical/electronics/instrumentation engineer?

Dear Sohail, It would be more accurate to say:"Automation engineer" who is specialized in networking, automation, switches and communication, But if you limit the choice to the mentioned one above; of course the instrumentation engineer is the most suitable for the job.

Instrumentation Engineer, and i'm sure because i'm an instrumentation technician...

In my opinion, electronic engineer is not able to perform this job (unless it has been DCS training), in the limit of the obove mentioned specialities, instrumentation engineer is the best for this job but except those specialities automation engineer is the best of the best.

The instrumentation engineer,

Because - unlike others - he must be familiar with most technologies and complex operational processes of the facilities.

The instrumentation is the most vast industrial speciality.

In addition of instrumentation speciality, the instrumentation engineer must be familiar with another specialities such as: electronic, metering, electricity, mechanic, telecommunication,  programming...etc

Normaly an automation engineer, but also an electronics engineer has the same skills and knowledges for theses problems.
In the limit of the above mentioned specialities, instrumentation engineer matches the best.

I may add that an electrical engineer is more broad in defintion ; in other words an electrical engineer is able to work in instrumentation , electronics and automation its all a matter of work experince .

 

Hi guys,

 

It all depends on the specific part you talk about. A complete loop of control system consists of sensing elements, controller and final control element while data communication, analog communication, HMI, SCADA are on top or in-between them.

Also, what kind of mantenance activities you mean ? If you talk about calculating MTBF, define restoration schedule, define what part categorized as run to failure, etc... then none of them are the best. Give it to maintenance engineer. This is another part professional job.

Back to the question, field instrumentation devices are sized, selected, engineered by instrument design engineer.. but how to maintain them, are instrument desgin engineer the best to maintain them ? maybe not.... may the best is instrument technician. There are many isntrment engineer do not know how to calibrate flowmeter in proper manner but very excellent in sizing flowmeter.

In the real industrial world, all people shall give their best contribution to the organization.. because there are many specific task then it is very difficult to select the best engineer for a specific job.

hope this helps.