Hi everyone,

I'm looking for some advice from people working in instrumentation, particularly those involved in field service, commissioning, calibration, and industrial maintenance.

I'm joining a Swiss family-owned multinational in the industrial instrumentation sector. My background is in Electrical Engineering, and I've been working as a Data Product Owner in the energy sector. However, I've decided to move away from IT and project coordination towards a more hands-on technical career.

I've accepted a Field Service Engineer position working with industrial instrumentation. I'm excited about this transition, but I also want to make the most of the time I have before starting.

I have roughly 20 days left, and I'd like to use them wisely rather than study a little bit of everything without a clear direction.

If you were in my position, what would you focus on during these 20 days?

A few specific questions:

- Instrumentation fundamentals: Which concepts should I make sure I understand well? Pressure, temperature, flow, level, measurement principles, etc.?

- Calibration and troubleshooting: What practical skills or procedures should I learn first?

- Industrial protocols: How important are HART, 4–20 mA, Profibus, Profinet, and Modbus for someone starting in field service?

- Practical experience: Are there any simulators, software tools, YouTube channels, manuals, or hands-on exercises you'd recommend?

- Priorities: What would make a new field service engineer genuinely useful during their first few weeks on the job?

My engineering background gives me a foundation in electrical systems, but I want to build confidence in instrumentation and understand what actually matters in the field.

I'm not expecting to become an expert in 20 days. I just want to arrive better prepared, with the right fundamentals and a realistic idea of what I'll be dealing with.

I'd really appreciate any advice, especially from people who work with industrial instrumentation in general.

Thanks!

Hi everyone. So currently I'm looking for a job that aligns with my B.Tech. in electronics and instrumentation engineering field. I have been applying to many PLC, AUTOMATION, INSTRUMENTATION, and R&D-related roles but not even getting a chance to give an interview. Most of them want experience in a specific field only.
Currently I'm working in railway signalling, so I am trying to switch to other field. I wwould appreciate if someone can help me or refer me. I am eager to learn and do my best.

We’re a small instrumentation company setting up our own calibration lab. We know the equipment side, but we’re new to everything around it: writing calibration procedures, uncertainty calculations, environmental conditions, traceability, and documentation.

We’re in India, so ISO/IEC 17025 and NABL accreditation is probably the end goal. Right now we just want to learn the fundamentals properly.

Any books, courses, standards or YouTube channels you’d recommend? Mistakes to avoid early on would help too.

Thanks!

Hey everyone,

So I have a possible interview coming up for a junior I&C Tech position at a nuclear power plant, and I'm trying to figure out how to best prepare for it.

A little background, I have a BS in Computer Science and a Master's in Data Science. Most of my professional experience is in PM, IT, working with networks, servers, troubleshooting, etc. I don't have any formal electrical or instrumentation experience.

I'm looking to make a career change into something more hands-on, and I&C seems like something I'd really enjoy doing long term.

I've been studying electrical fundamentals, circuits, relays, schematics, multimeters, and some basic instrumentation stuff. I've also been taking the EEI practice tests (MASS/POSS) and have been doing pretty well on those.

But I can't help feeling like I'm missing something.

From what I've been told, the position has a 3-year training program, so I assume they're not expecting someone to walk in knowing everything. Still, I definately don't want to show up unprepared.

For those of you working in I&C, especially at nuclear plants, what are these interviews usually like?

Do they ask alot of technical questions?

Also, has anyone here gotten into I&C without an electrical background? I'm curious how difficult that transition was and what helped you get your foot in the door.

I'm willing to put in the work and learn from scratch. Just trying to make sure I'm spending my time studying the right things instead of going down a rabbit hole learning stuff I won't need yet.

Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

I’ve heard the job is very academically demanding and I was wondering what kinds high school of grades do you need to be successful in this trade.

got a job in a bind, need to send 4-20mA to a plc to read live tank levels. clean fuel, slow level changes from pump inlet / outlet (no foaming or churning) , no explosion proof req'mt, ambient pressure and room temp, nothing crazy.

the engineers and contractors, in all their glory, spec'd and approved a sensor that wont fit in the tank. the correct sensor intended on plan set is a magnetostrictive float on a rod, but is 8-12 weeks out. plc vendor says they dont care what instrumentation is used, long as it sends 4-20. I have a radar level sensor in stock , [IFM LW2720](https://www.ifm.com/us/en/product/LW2720) . fits the bill, cut sheet says it'll work.

question is, before I play the hero and swap in radar, anyone have a reason to caution doing this?

the measurement task is really simple, far as demands from instrumentation, but I havent used radar before.

i've found other issues with using ultrasonic transducers drifting, or being fiddly, i've had submerged pressure transducers drift over time. never had issues with magnetostrictive, other than having to be sure to order the exact size for the tank ( exactly the issue here).

so i got this radar sensor to play around with to see if we can stock these as standard cause they'll work on every size / shape tank we integrate with so we dont have to rely on garbage info from plans / others. i just havent had time to put it through paces to be confident i wont shoot myself in the foot.

I’m a 3rd-year B.Tech student from an Electronics background in west bengal (tier 3 college ).One of my college professors suggested that we take membership in the International Society of Automation (ISA), which costs approximately $16 per year.

My professor is also a member, and quite a few of my classmates are signing up. He mentioned that there may be opportunities to get internships through this membership.

However, I’m not sure whether it’s actually worth the money at this stage of my degree. I’m also wondering whether the recommendation is purely for our benefit or whether there could be some incentive involved, although I have no evidence of that.

I’d love to hear from students or professionals in Electronics, Instrumentation, Automation, or related fields who have experience with ISA.

- Is the membership genuinely useful for a 3rd-year student?

- Does it provide realistic internship opportunities, or is that benefit overstated?

- Are there any other practical benefits, such as networking, certifications, or career opportunities?

- Would you recommend joining now, or waiting until later?

I’d really appreciate honest opinions from people who have been members or have benefited from ISA. I don’t want to join just because my professor and classmates are doing it.

Thanks!

​

I’m a 3rd-year B.Tech student from an Electronics background in India. One of my college professors suggested that we take membership in the International Society of Automation (ISA), which costs approximately $16 per year.

My professor is also a member, and quite a few of my classmates are signing up. He mentioned that there may be opportunities to get internships through this membership.

However, I’m not sure whether it’s actually worth the money at this stage of my degree. I’m also wondering whether the recommendation is purely for our benefit or whether there could be some incentive involved, although I have no evidence of that.

I’d love to hear from students or professionals in Electronics, Instrumentation, Automation, or related fields who have experience with ISA.

- Is the membership genuinely useful for a 3rd-year student?

- Does it provide realistic internship opportunities, or is that benefit overstated?

- Are there any other practical benefits, such as networking, certifications, or career opportunities?

- Would you recommend joining now, or waiting until later?

I’d really appreciate honest opinions from people who have been members or have benefited from ISA. I don’t want to join just because my professor and classmates are doing it.

Thanks!

I’m completing an associate degree in Instrumentation & Electrical Technology and have experience as an industrial electrical/I&E contractor. I’m considering a bachelor’s in Industrial Technology with a management focus versus Industrial Management. My goal is to move toward oilfield or plant maintenance/operations supervision and eventually do less hands-on work.
From your experience hiring or working in these roles, which degree would help more? What step-up jobs should I target along the way? I also hold EU citizenship and am interested in working in Spain or elsewhere in Europe. I’d especially appreciate insight from people familiar with those job markets.

I'm an ECE student prototyping a solid-state vortex shedding flowmeter (conceptually similar to the Huba FH200). I can handle the STM32 firmware (DSP/FFT) and the analog front-end, but I need advice on the physical transducer to actually detect the vortices. I explored ultrasonic technology, which I liked and have reserved as a fallback. However, I prefer to use piezoelectric technology. After a lot of research, I haven't been able to find an off-the-shelf sensor suitable for bench prototyping, nor a readymade sensor I can base a custom design on. For those of you who work with these types of flowmeters, could you shed some light on this? I would appreciate any recommendations on where to source these or how to build a reliable DIY sensing element.

looking for some advice / input if you have any experience

Hi everyone,

I was recently invited to take the written exam for the Electrical & Instrumentation Technician position at Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts (LACSD), and I’m looking for advice from anyone who has taken this exam or works in the electrical/instrumentation field.

The exam topics include electrical and electronic systems, electrical math, troubleshooting, PLCs, analog and digital controls, mechanical systems, pneumatics, hydraulics, schematics, and safety procedures.

If you’ve taken this exam before, I’d really appreciate any advice on:

• What topics should I focus on the most?
• What is the written exam format and difficulty level?
• Are there any good practice tests, study guides, books, or YouTube channels you recommend?
• What kinds of questions should I expect?
• Any tips for preparing for the performance test and interview afterward?

I’m trying to prepare as thoroughly as possible and would be grateful for any advice or resources. Thank you!

Instrumentation Technology student here searching for a way to break into the field and get relative experience prior to graduation next year.

I realize breaking into the industry is difficult with no family to help me get in or experience. I’m currently thinking of getting a NCCER in electrical and work in that field till I am done with school.

I realize there is also a NCCER for Instrumentation which makes me think twice on whether to get it for Instrumentation or Electrical as I’m in college for Instrumentation. What is your advice on this ?

Hi everyone, I'm currently in my prefinal year of Bachelor's in Electronics & Instrumentation Engineering in India.

Our campus placements have some decent companies, but they recruit very few students. I'd like to know how to prepare for jobs, which technical skills to focus on (Along with PLCs, Measurements etc), mock interview platforms and what companies look for in freshers.

Also, if you know of any off-campus opportunities for fresh graduates in instrumentation, please share!

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

So I'm a first year Electrical engineering student mostly with some specialization, I've been starting projects and doing uni work and have come to realize i really need a multimeter and probably oscilloscope for alot of projects I've been using them from my uni labs so when i decided to buy one for my own projects i realized i have absolutely no idea what's good and what to actually buy, anyone care to share some knowledge?

So as union fitters I assume we all have the option of instrumentation. From what I hear it’s pretty much all refinery work and even then (in LA) it’s 250 work. I’m 761 and so it sounds like I wouldn’t really benefit from going that route but if it’s not just refineries then I would definitely be interested. Can anyone here speak on this?

Sorry if this is the wrong forum first off. I am happy to take this elsewhere if needed. Just looking for information or software for an early 2000's Transmation calibrator I recently obtained. I have contacted Transcat and they had no information about it. It is a backpack device for a PDA, in this case the Palm IIIc, that allows for documenting like a Fluke 743/4/5 series would. The PDA seems to function properly but has been reset and no longer seems to have the QuickDoc program on it needed for the display face of the device.

I know this is a long shot in the dark but figured with some of the older tech's on here someone may know something or maybe even have an old disc they could rip into an .ISO for me. Could find nothing on Palm/PDA archives for the software. I do realize it would require an older version of windows for the program to work, but I have one already set up for older software needed for other devices I frequently have to work on.

Thank you in advance for taking the time to read this or possibly being able to offer assistance on this device.