e-training course on 'Pneumatic Valve Actuation'

The popular K Controls e-training course "Pneumatic Valve Actuation" is now available free of charge to qualifying engineers working in the process industries

K Controls is announcing that its popular e-training course "Pneumatic Valve Actuation" is now available free of charge to qualifying engineers working in the process industries.

The course explains how pneumatic actuators function, how they are selected for use on particular types of valves or dampers and how they can be accurately monitored and controlled.

Part of the course is likely to be of more general interest as the subjects of ingress protection, hazardous areas, fieldbus systems, and safety integrity levels are also introduced.

When your request to receive the course material has been processed you will receive an e-mail that summarises all the documents that are available.

To receive the document you require simply request it by clicking on the relevant link.

These links are repeated at the end of each document that is sent to you.

This gives you the option to study only the subjects that are of interest, in the order that you choose and at your own pace.

A further link in each document allows you to ask questions of the K Controls technical team.

Some documents also contain links to other sites where you can study a subject in further depth.

* "Operating characteristics and sizing of pneumatic actuators" examines the design characteristics of double acting and spring return, scotch yoke, rack and pinion, diaphragm and vane actuators.

It also defines the main factors that determine the torque or thrust requirements various different valve types.

* "Pneumatic actuator speed control" explores the most significant factors that affect actuator operating times.

* "Introduction to the different switch types used for actuator monitoring" covers mechanical micro switches, magnetically operated reed switches and solid state inductive proximity switches.

* "Switches that rely on mechanics for their operation" defines terms such as single and double pole, single and double throw and changeover.

It also explains switch ratings, inductive versus resistive loads and the reasons for specifying different contact materials.

There is also a section on pneumatic switches.

* "Inductive proximity switches" introduces capacitive, Hall Effect, sonar and optical techniques before dealing with the inductive proximity sensor /switch in detail.

AC, DC, two wire, three wire, NPN, PNP, intrinsically safe Namur, failsafe, 2:1 wiring and high and low temperature versions are all considered.

Load current, leakage current, voltage drop, short circuit protection, overload protection, reverse polarity protection, false pulse protection and transient noise protection are all explained.

* "Position transmitters" investigates how position transmitters work and how they can be used to monitor valve position and the possibility of deteriorating valve performance.

HART versions where digital data is superimposed on a 4-20mA analogue signal and entirely digitally devices that use the Profibus or Foundation Fieldbus protocols are all explained.

* "Solenoid control of pneumatic actuators" looks at solenoids, pilot valves and how the two can be used in combination to achieve various different double acting, failsafe and stay-put functions.

Cetop symbols are used to explain each system.

* "Positioners" explores ten different methods of positioning pneumatic actuators including adjustable limit stops, three position control devices, I to P converters, pneumatic positioners, electro pneumatic positioners, smart or intelligent devices and digital valve controllers.

The following terms used when positioning valves are also defined: Linear, equal percentage, direct acting, reverse acting, split range, sensitivity, linearity, hysteresis, repeatability and dead band.

* "Enclosure environmental protection ratings" defines and compares the European IP (ingress protection) rating system and the North American NEMA (National Electrical Manufacturers Association) enclosure environmental protection rating system.

* "The explosion risk in hazardous areas" introduces the ignition triangle and then describes upper and lower explosive limits, minimum ignition energy, auto ignition temperature, flash point, vapour density, flammable dusts, minimum ignition temperature and primary and secondary explosions.

* "Zoning, methods of protection and equipment marking in hazardous areas" examines the DSEAR (the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations), 99/92/EC - better known as ATEX137 or the User Directive and 94/9/EC - better known as ATEX 95 or the Manufacturers' Directive.

Other subjects covered include area classification, gas groups, temperature classification, methods of protection, product labelling, flameproof (EExd), increased Safety (EExe), flameproof / increased safety (EExed) and intrinsic safety (EExia or EExib).

* "Simple apparatus and temperature classifications in hazardous areas" looks at the benefits of fully certifying products to the mandatory ATEX standards and not simply relying on the use of certified components or simple apparatus.

The document also explains why the maximum surface temperature of a device defined by its "T" rating can sometimes exceed its maximum ambient operating temperature (T amb) both of which are defined on the product label.

* "Introduction to fieldbus systems" explains the main differences between the AS-interface, HART, Profibus and Foundation fieldbusses.

Remote I/O systems and valve couplers are also described.

* "The application of field bus in hazardous areas" looks at the use of intrinsically safe and flameproof equipment with fieldbus, remote I/O and valve couplers.

The Entity Concept and the FISCO technical specification are also explained.

Finally "Introduction to safety integrity levels" describes how the functional safety of field instrumentation and associated control and monitoring systems can be optimised via a disciplined approach to fault identification, prevention and control.

Two standards are introduced.

IEC 61508, the international standard for electrical, electronic and programmable electronic safety related systems and BS IEC 61511: 2003 Functional safety - safety instrumented systems for the process industry sector.

Once you have registered, further documents will be sent to you from time to time as they become available.

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