irondesk40
Member
Have a question about controlling a 4-20ma steam valve by the use of a temperature process controller instead of a plc.
This is something that we have always done through the PLC, but we are going to put some new equipment in a plant in El Salvador and the management folks that we have been discussing this with do not want a plc to control the temperature, only use the plc to control the machine functions,etc, but use a temperature process controller to control a proportional steam valve.
Each machine will have about 6 areas to control the temperature in, so each machine would require 6 temperature controllers.
The maintenance folks in the El Salvador plant say it is easier for them to change out a temperature controller mounted in the front of a panel. I have to agree with them based on the fact that so far, I have not had any conversations with anyone from the plant that would be able to use a plc if they had a problem or had to autotune, etc.. With the panel mounted temperature controller, all that would be needed would be a simple document to explain how to enter the values you needed in the controller through its front display when needed.
Have used some simple Watlow controllers in the past to control simple electric heaters, and was wondering if there was any recommendation on which brand or model of process temperature controller would be the best for this type of application based on experience you may have had with them.
This is something that we have always done through the PLC, but we are going to put some new equipment in a plant in El Salvador and the management folks that we have been discussing this with do not want a plc to control the temperature, only use the plc to control the machine functions,etc, but use a temperature process controller to control a proportional steam valve.
Each machine will have about 6 areas to control the temperature in, so each machine would require 6 temperature controllers.
The maintenance folks in the El Salvador plant say it is easier for them to change out a temperature controller mounted in the front of a panel. I have to agree with them based on the fact that so far, I have not had any conversations with anyone from the plant that would be able to use a plc if they had a problem or had to autotune, etc.. With the panel mounted temperature controller, all that would be needed would be a simple document to explain how to enter the values you needed in the controller through its front display when needed.
Have used some simple Watlow controllers in the past to control simple electric heaters, and was wondering if there was any recommendation on which brand or model of process temperature controller would be the best for this type of application based on experience you may have had with them.