INSTRUMENTATION & PROCESS

CONTROL

INSTRUMENTATION &CONTROL SYMBOLS AND

DRAWING

 It is but fitting and necessary for an Instrumentation and

Control engineer or Technician to be well versed in
instrumentations symbols, diagrams and technologies
whether he is in the installation, loop checking, start-up or
maintenance and repair work. Instrument P&ID’s
(Process & Instrumentation Diagram), Loop drawing. Data
Sheets and other document are important tools to use in
trouble-shooting process control loop problems.
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 Symbols and diagrams sometimes very depending upon

the country or origin. However, in this discussion we shall
use ISA standards.
 Plant process have grow in complexity, therefore the
symbols that represents them on process and instrument
flow sheets are now much more complex. Symbols and
diagram are used in process control to illustrate the control
scheme used, the application of hardware, type of signal
employed, and sequence of interconnected components
and to some extent, the kind of hardware used.
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BASIC SYMBOLS
Symbols used in the Instrumentation & Control are
composed of basic elements as follows
1. Balloon Symbols
2. Tags
3. Connecting Line Symbols
4. Specific Field Instruments Symbol
5. Process Equipment Symbols

INSTRUMENT IDENTIFICATION
We identify instruments by their tag numbers. This
number is usually assigned by the instrument engineer
during the design stage of the plant or the
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Particular loop. These tag numbers expedite the purchasing of

instruments and have many other uses most specially in
keeping of maintenance record.
Tag numbers identify both the process variable, which the
instrument is measuring and the loop and the plant in which it
is located.

Example
What does 36 TIC 485 mean?
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What does 36 TIC 485 mean?

POWER PLANT
LOOP NUMBER
NUMBER

36 TIC 458 A

TEMPERATURE CONTROLLER
INDICATING RECEIVES FROM
CONTROLLER TEMPERATURE
TRANSMITTER A
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This describe a Temperature Indicating controller (TIC),
belonging to loop No. 458 located at Plant No. 36 (Power
Plant). The suffix “A” if used, means this controller receives
signal from two separate. Temperature Transmitters. One of
them would be tagged as 36 TIC 458A and the other would br
36 TIC 458B.
In drawings, the tag numbers are placed in a circles 10mm in
diameter. These circles are called balloons. A horizontal solid
line drawn across the center indicates a board-mounted or panel
mounted instrument, while a balloon without a centerline
identifies a local of field mounted instrument. If the instrument
is mounted behind or at the back of the panel, a horizontal dash
line is placed at the center
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Instrument Identification system generally include the

following
1. Tag numbers to define process function, loop number and
plant number
2. Symbol to identify pneumatic, electrical, capillary,
hydraulic, sonic or radioactivity process control signals.
3. Symbols to represent primary and final control devices
that govern flow, level pressure, temperature and other
process variables i.e. pH, CO, etc.
4. Lines to represent process flow.
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BALLOON SYMBOLS
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INSTRUMENT SYMBOLS

Main supply line

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INSTRUMENT SYMBOLS

Main supply line

Other process or
utility line
Undefined signal

Pneumatic signal
Electrical signal

Hydraulic signal
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Capillary tube

Electromagnetic or
sonic (guided)
Electromagnetic or
sonic (ungrounded)

Internal system link

software or data link

Mechanical link
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INDUSTRIAL PRESSURE MEASUREMENT

MECHANICAL PRESSURE MEASUREMENT

DEVICES
1. MANOMETERS
- Absolute Pressure
- Actual pressure (including atmospheric
pressure)
- Barometer measures Absolute Pressure
- Gauge Pressure
- Difference between actual pressure and
atmospheric pressure
- Differential Pressure
- Difference between two pressure
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- Difference between two pressure

- Normally used to measure flow and liquid
level.
- Manometer measures Differential Pressure
- Vacuum
- Any pressure below atmospheric pressure
(“negative” gauge pressure)
- Perfect vacuum means no pressure (a space
totally without any gas molecule)
- Unit of measure for vacuum: Torr (from
Torricelli – inventor of barometer)
● 0 Torr = perfect vacuum
● 1 Torr = 1 mm Hg
● 760 Torr = 760 mm Hg = 1 atmosphere
absolute
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- Pressure Unit Conversion

- IS (International System) standard unit
for pressure is in Pascal (Pa)
- 1 Pa = 1 Newton/m2
- kPa = Kilo Pascal = 1000 Pa
- 1 Bar = 1 Atmosphere = 14.7 psi = 100 kPa
To Convert to Pascal (Pa)
From Multiply by
Atmosphere (standard) 1.01 x 105
Atmosphere (Technical) = 1 kg/cm2 9.8 x 104
Bar 1.00 x 105
kgf/cm2 9.8 x 104
lbf/in2 (psi) 6.89 x 103
Torr (= 1 mm Hg) 1.33 x 102
Inch of H O (600F) 2.48 x 102
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Mechanical
manometer
gauge
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2. BOURDON TUBES
“C” Types
The sensing element consists of a metallic flat tube
formed into a “C”. One end is fixed and connected to the
pressure circuit. The other end is sealed and free to move.
When pressure is applied to the tube, the free end is forced
to move outwards. This movement is linked to the pointer
movement mechanism to indicate the pressure. Used in
measuring range from around 400 mBar to 60 Bar.
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“C” Type

Spiral Type

Helical Type
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Spiral types
Spiral tubes use the same principles as the “C” tube but
with the deflection of the free end of the tube amplified due
to the spiral shape (the movement is bigger because the spiral
tube is longer than “C” tube.
Commonly used for sensing low pressure changes i.e.
gas-expansion type thermometers.

Helical Types
The coil cylindrical. It has the same characteristics as a
spiral tubes but with greater strength and resistance to fatigue
due to better stress distribution. Used in measuring ranges
from about 60 to 3000 Bar.,
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3. DIAPHRAGM & DIAPHRAGM CAPSULES

The sensing element consists of two thin corrugated section
welded together, forming a capsule. This capsule acts as a cavity
that slightly deforms with variations in pressure. Used in
measuring very low pressure ranging from 0 to about 600 mBar.
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4. BELLOWS
The sensing element consists of two flanges connected to a
flexible cylinder,. Pressure applied to the interior of the
chamber causes it to deform in proportion to the pressure.
They are mainly used in differential pressure gauges and
pressure switches.
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PRESSURE MEASUREMENT ACCESSORIES

- Chemical Seal (Diaphragm Seal)

- Isolates the process fluid from the fluid in the pressure
gauge.
- Prevents fouling by corrosive or dirty process fluids.
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- Capillary
- Allows mounting the
gauge away from the
process connection .
- Commonly used
together with diaphragm
seals to isolate the pressure
gauge from harsh process
fluid.
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Gauge isolating cock

- Isolating valve after the pressure tap allows isolation
of pressure gauge and the sensing line for maintenance
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-Snubber
-Dampens pulsation of process pressure (not pipe
vibration)
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-Overrange protector
-Isolate the gauge or relieves the pressure in the sensing
line of the process pressure goes above the over pressure
capacity of the gauge.
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-Siphon
-Coiled tube that traps condensate,
creating a buffer of fluid between the
pressure gauge and the process, thus
keeping the gauge from being subjected
to excessive temperatures.
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SELECTION AND SPECIFICATION OF PRESSURE

GAUGES

Selection parameters - technical information to properly

select a pressure gauge:
- Measuring range
- dial diameter size
- accuracy
- sensing element type and materials
- mounting type & connection siuze
- pointer movement
- case, bezel ring, window, and gasket material
-
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- Measurement range - determine operating range then

choose the appropriate measuring range

NOTE: For best results,

the operating ranges of
pressure gauges should
be at the middle 1/3 of
their measurement range
or scale