An Automation Engineer should be familiar with these ANSI, ISA and IEC Standards. These standards will help Automation/ Instrumentation/ Process Engineers with designing, testing of PLC/HMI Automation Control Systems and controlling the process plants professionally and safely. After receiving an overwhelming response on the previous post-Free PLC and HMI Automation Courses from my LinkedIn connections, I decided to make a post on this topic.
ANSI/ISA Standards
First, we'll look at the ANSI (American National Standards Institute) and the ISA (International Society of Automation) standards related to Automation/ Instrumentation/ Process.
ANSI / ISA 5.1 to 5.6
- ISA 5.1 Instrumentation Symbols and Identification: This standard highlights procedures for users who need to identify and graphically depict measurement and control equipment/systems. The most recent revision was published in 2009.
- ISA 5.2 Binary Logic Diagrams for Process Operations: It is intended to symbolize the binary operating functions of a system in a way that can be applied to any class of hardware, whether it be electronic, electrical, fluidic, pneumatic, hydraulic, mechanical, manual, optical, or other.
- ISA 5.3 Graphic Symbols: This standard satisfies the requirements for symbolically representing the functions of distributed control/shared display instrumentation, logic, and computer systems. The instrumentation is generally composed of field hardware communication networks and control room operator devices. This standard is applicable to all industries using process control and instrumentation systems.
- ISA 5.4 Instrument Loop Diagrams: This standard will provide guidelines for the preparation and use of instrument loop diagrams in the design, construction, start-up, operation, maintenance, and modification of instrumentation systems.
- ISA 5.5 Graphic Symbols for Process Displays: A system of graphic symbols for process displays that are used by plant operators, engineers, etc. for process monitoring and control. Resulting benefits are intended to be as follows:
- A decrease in operator errors
- A shortening of operator training
- Better communication of the intent of the control system designer to the system users.
- ISA 5.6 Functional Requirements Documentation for Control Software Applications:
- Covers Functional requirements specifications for control software documentation that covers the classes of industrial automation equipment and systems consisting of distributed control systems, programmable controllers and industrial personal computers.
- Provide techniques for documenting control system software. The software to be generated is a function of the computer system chosen for a particular project. The documentation procedure set forth in this standard is independent of the hardware/software system that is chosen.
- Provide a basis for validation of run-time application software after it is developed and tested to ensure that the initial requirement specification has been met.
ANSI/ISA 18.2 Management of Alarm Systems for the Process Industries:
ANSI/ISA S20
- Assists in the preparation of complete specification by listing and providing space for all principal descriptive options
- Facilitates quoting, purchasing, receiving, accounting and ordering procedures
- Provides a useful permanent record and means for checking the installation
- Improves efficiency from the initial concept to the final installation.
IEC Standards
These IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) are helpful for Engineers, Operators and Process Industry in building a thorough understanding of PLC Programming Languages. Plant Start-up/Commissioning, Cybersecurity and Alarms Management.
IEC 61131
- Ladder Logic LD
- Functional Block Diagram FBD
- Sequential Flow Chart SFC
- Structured Text ST
- Instruction List IL
IEC 61508 and 61511
IEC 61508 is considered an umbrella standard for functional safety.
IEC 62337 Commissioning
ANSI/ISA 62381 (IEC 62443 modified) Testing Automation System
IEC 62382 Electrical and Instrumentation Loop Check
ISA/IEC 62443 Cyber Security
IEC 62682 Management of Alarm Systems for the Process Industries
IEC 62682 is adopted from as ISA 18.2 published in 2009.
Final thoughts
You should also study IEC 61449 (Function Blocks for Industrial Process Measurement and Control Systems), IEC 60529 (Enclosure IP rating), ISA 100 (Industrial Wireless Communication), ISA 95 (Enterprise Control System Integration), IEC 60079 (Hazardous Area for Electrical Equipment), ISA S88 (Batch Process Control System), IEC 60870 (controlling Electric Power Transmission Grids and other Geographically widespread control systems and communications), ISA 101 (design, implementation, and maintenance of HMI, under development).
Am I missing any Automation related standard? Let me know in comments. Please don't contact me for the standards, you can buy from ANSI/ISA and IEC online shops.
