Instrumentation Technician Career Guide and Counseling

Question: instrumentation technician? i'm looking at possible majors for the future...what exactly is an instrumentation technician?

Answer: An instrumentation technician is typically someone who works in industries where process control is necessary. Examples of industries would be chemical plants, oil refineries, pulp and paper mills, silicon chip mfg, biotech R&D, nuclear power plants, oil & gas pipelines, waste treatment, water treatment, etc... So what happens in these industries is process variables such as temperature, level, flow, pressure, pH, emissions, must be monitored and controlled. This is typically achieved by electronic and pnuematic instruments. The technician must know how the intruments work so that he can install, repair, and troubleshoot the instruments and even the processes that they control. Knowledge in electronics, pnuematics and electrical basics is required and typically achieved at a 2 year technical school. The jobs are usually above average pay and stable (depending upon the industry).

Question: What does an electrical instrumentation technician do? ??? I recently went into a century tel building and was VERY interested. Does that have anything to do with what an electrical intrumentation technician does? If not please explain to me the difference between some one that is an electrical instrumentation technician would do, and what someone that works at century tel would do. I know this is a lot but Im planning for a major, and after that a career. Thanks!!!

Answer: Ammeter,volt meter,power meter or watt meter,protective relays all these are electrical instruments. Technician repair,install,test, calibrate such equipments But instrument technician electrical is different.He repair, test calibrate pressure gauges, temperature gauges,Level gauges,Flow meters,Process control instruments all working on electrical priniple.

Question: How can I be more effective and competent instrumentation technician? I work in an oil rig offshore.

Answer: Learn all that you can about everything that is considered an "instrument". Know the theory, and practical application of every valve, flow meter, differential flow meter, orifice plates, valves, and other devices that your company uses to control, or monitor PH, temperature, flow, volume, and depth. Learn the theory of the working media used to power the instruments, be that air, some other inert gas, or electricity. If you have to work on valves, know everything that you can about them. Get a degree in Electronics Technology, with at least a minor in Mechanical Technology as well since all of this is going to be applicable to your job. Learn the system of how and why the platform works because what seems to be unrelated may very well be directly related to a problem that you are working on. The more knowledgeable that you are, the more employable that you are. It never hurts to be able to help another trade person with their job, if you know what to do to help them.

Question: Im looking for NCCER Instrumentation Technician Test?

Answer: http://www.lee.edu/technicalstudies/inst…

Question: What does an electrical instrument technician do? I recently went into a century tel building and was VERY interested. Does that have anything to do with what an electrical intrumentation technician does? If not please explain to me the difference between some one that is an electrical instrumentation technician would do, and what someone that works at century tel would do. I know this is a lot but Im planning for a major, and after that a career. Thanks!!!

Answer: The main function of an instrument technician is to maintain the components that are used in controlling a process. The type of process would determine the type of instruments but commonly, pressures, temperatures, flows, levels etc are monitored by instruments and the information sent to a control system such as PLC. The control system will then make necessary changes to the process by things such as valves, gates, etc. In between may be transducers etc that are all part of the instrument technicians responsibility. I don't know what century tel do but you will find instrument technicians in any large process's such as oil, chemical, steel, power companies etc etc

Question: Why isn't Instrumentation a Journeyman field by itself but electrician is? The only full Journeyman status is Electrical and Instrumentation or E&I technicians according to the Department of labor. Electrician is a trade by itself, with full credentials, why isnt Instrumentation a stand alone Journeyman trade? been there, done that, do that. Rigid, etc. Airlines... Still makes no sense

Answer: Well if the Department of Labor actually worked or even knew a little about working they would have a better classification system. But to answer your question, an Instrument tech needs to know how to run the conduit to the instruments, pull wire to them, attach fittings to them and on and on. He really does need to know what the Journeyman knows, plus how to fix the instruments and calibrate them too.I geuss the answer is that how will you install an instrument without have the skills.

Question: Process technology operator/technician summer internships or where to get experience? Hi, I've yet to graduate from the Kenai peninsula college which I guess is one of the best colleges in USA if you want to be a process operator or instrumentation technician which is located in Alaska. I've 65 credits, but unfortunately I can't seem to find any internships for a summer, because companies such as BP, Shell, Tessorro ,ExxonMobil, won't hire you , unless you have some prior experience. I am planing to relocate to Los Angeles, Cali. Does anyone know what refineries or offshore oil production rigs needing interns. Because I have a problem to find any internships on the internet. thank you.

Answer: I've never heard of that college so I don't really know if it's very good.

Question: Does anyone know of any technician jobs available offshore in the far east region? i have recently finished my apprenticeship in control and instrumentation engineering at british energy in england, i have been travelling for the last 6 months in the far east. i have a job ready to go back to, an offshore company in england, but i would like to work further affield. i dont mind where exactly or what hours, or length of time offshore.

Answer: you have to search for specific jobs, ie: http://www.oil-offshore-marine.com/jobs/… even http://www.oil-offshore-marine.com/show_… hope this helps

Question: Are there any opportunities for Apprentice as Instrument technician? My brother completed Diploma in process controll instrumentation(instrument tech).he want to get job as Apprentice in anywhere in India.Can anyone tell what to do in this situation?

Answer: Get on Yahoo India and ask about it there. You are more likely to have someone who lives in India answer your question that way.

Question: B.Sc in Mech.Eng.+HVAC technician Licenses, Now what.? I wish someone could help me with my dilemma: I have bachelors degree in mech.eng. from outside of canada, my degree is evaluated by U.of Toronto as 'comparable to a reputable canadain university' , however, still no employer is ready to hire me as an engineer. I therefore decided to get canadian licenses in HVAC field. After about 5 years of simultaneous studying & working, I recently recieved my C of Q (highest certificate in refrigeration & a/c) as well as my G1 (highest certificate in heating). As far as i know, for a hvac technician getting these 2 licenses are the end of education, but i'd like to go further & study in a field with a good job prospect & demand. If you were in my shoes would you: (a)Go after getting a masters degree in mechanical engineering ..OR.. (b)Go after getting more "Technician" certificates, such as 'instrumentation/automation technician', 'electrical/electronics technician' , 'PLC technician(programmable logic controllers' etc.

Answer: I would go for the masters degree. I think you have more options with that then with the technician certificates. I am a Medical student but before I started I got several different certificates in technical areas. Whenever I applied for different jobs I really felt like the people who had the jobs I wanted were the ones with the masters or doctors degrees.