One of the key components of the industrial revolution of the early 1900’s was the integration of mechanised equipment in order to more quickly create products that were uniform in size and design. Over the years, the instrumentation and control equipment used in the industrial sector has become highly sophisticated; so much so, in fact, that many processes we take for granted would not be possible. A good example is the heating and cooling of oil to create the many petrol-based products we use today; computerised control equipment is necessary to safely and efficiently perform those processes. Here are some of the most common types of devices used in industry.

One common control device that most people have heard of is a thermostat, which is used for controlling temperatures. Though most often thought of as a device for a home, thermostats are also widely used in industrial applications. Not only does this type of equipment provide physical comfort for the people who work there, but thermostats can be used to regulate temperatures in high-heat tools such as those used for welding or soldering.

Because most instrumentation and control equipment systems in industry are computerised, learning to operate these systems is a requirement for most businesses. Many industries that use control systems deal with highly flammable or toxic substances; allowing an untrained person to operate the control equipment could have serious implications should an accident or incident occur. There are many, many trade and technical schools, as well as a growing number of colleges and universities that offer training in this subject.