Top 5 Control Engineering articles, November 23-29: Engineers’ Choice finalists, PLC or DCS, pressure transmitters, more

Articles about the Engineers' Choice finalists; choosing between a PLC and DCS; pressure transmitter selection; PLCs, PACs, or IPCs for a project; and selecting a controller were Control Engineering’s five most clicked articles from November 23-29. Miss something? You can catch up here.

By Chris Vavra November 30, 2015

The top 5 most read articles online, for Nov. 23-29 for Control Engineering covered the Engineers’ Choice finalists; choosing between a PLC and DCS; pressure transmitter selection; PLCs, PACs, or IPCs for a project; and selecting a controller. Link to each article below. 

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. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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). Choosing the correct control platform from the beginning will increase the odds that the project will be a success.

5. 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)? 

The list was developed using CFE Media’s web analytics for stories viewed on controleng.com, November 23-29, for articles published within the last two months.  

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


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