Top 10 Control Engineering articles, November 11 to December 10: Engineers’ Choice finalists; PLCs, PACs, or IPCs; PLC or DCS; more

Articles about the Engineers' Choice finalists; PLCs, PACs, or IPCs; choosing between a PLC and DCS; fixing PID; and critical decisions for selecting pressure transmitters were Control Engineering’s five most clicked articles from November 11 to December 10. Miss something? You can catch up here. Also see what ranked 6-10.

By Chris Vavra December 11, 2015

The top 5 most read articles online, for Nov. 11 to Dec. 10 for Control Engineering covered the Engineers’ Choice finalists; PLCs, PACs, or IPCs; choosing between a PLC and DCS; fixing PID; and critical decisions for selecting pressure transmitters. Link to each article below. Also see what ranked 6-10 over the past month.

1. 2016 Engineering Choice Awards’ Finalists 

The Control Engineering Engineers’ Choice Awards highlight some of the best new control, instrumentation and automation products as chosen by Control Engineering’s print and online subscribers. 

2. PLC vs. PAC vs. IPCs

Know the features, limits, and compatibilities to select the right controller: programmable logic controller (PLC), programmable automation controller (PAC), or industrial PC (IPC).

3. Six steps to choose between PLC and DCS for process industries

Learn how to choose between PLC and DCS. Though PLC and DCS technologies were invented to serve different industrial processes, the last 15 years have seen a massive merger of functionalities between both worlds.

4. Fixing PID, Part 3

PID: Proportional-integral-derivative controllers may be ubiquitous, but they’re not perfect. Consider how deadtime affects integral action.

5. Critical decisions for selecting pressure transmitters

There are many considerations when it comes to selecting a pressure transmitter, and few are examined in school. Here’s advice to avoid tough lessons as you learn on the job.

More popular stories on Control Engineering

As an online-only feature, we’re featuring the stories that finished 6-10 over the past month.

6. How to select a controller

Applications and controller options vary widely. Take care in selection, especially in the overlapping areas. Functionality matters more than a name. Do you need a programmable logic controller (PLC), programmable automation controller (PAC), industrial personal computer (IPC), or distributed control system (DCS)? 

7. How to rank controllers

With the growing number of controller choices available to automation engineers, separating the chaff to find the best device for a particular application can be difficult.

8. Simulation: A game-like approach to innovation

The low price of oil has caused hydrocarbon companies to look at innovative ways of reducing their costs. Simulation modeling has recently emerged as a way of minimizing operating overhead or removing unnecessary scope from capital projects.

9. Top seven arc flash safety measures

Seven ways to limit the exposure of workers to the risk of arc flash incidents. 

10. System Integrators of the Year: The future is today for 2016 winners

The System Integrators of the Year combine technology with a customer-centric approach. See roundtable video discussion.

The list was developed using CFE Media’s web analytics for stories viewed on controleng.com, November 11 to December 10, for articles published within the last two months.  

– Chris Vavra, production editor, CFE Media, cvavra@cfemedia.com.

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Author Bio: Chris Vavra is web content manager for CFE Media and Technology.