Instrumentation Design Training

Learning Outcomes

• Apply principles of measurement and control to select appropriate instrumentation for given process parameters.
• Design instrument loops and create loop diagrams, instrument indexes, and specification sheets.
• Evaluate instrument performance and compatibility with process conditions and safety requirements.
• Implement design documentation in compliance with South African and international standards (e.g., SANS, ISA).
• Demonstrate the ability to integrate instrumentation design with control system architecture.

Target Audience

This course is intended for instrumentation technicians, engineers, and designers involved in the specification, design, or installation of process measurement and control systems. It is also suitable for project managers and supervisors overseeing instrumentation projects.

Prerequisites

None — open enrollment

Course Outline

Practicals

Overview

Hands-on practicals are essential for learners to apply theoretical knowledge to real instrumentation equipment. These sessions reinforce sensor calibration, control valve setup, PID tuning, and loop integration skills using lab-scale trainers and simulation software.

Practical Activities

• Sensor Calibration and Signal Measurement — Learners calibrate a pressure transmitter and a temperature RTD using a calibrator and multimeter, and verify 4-20 mA signal output. (4h)
• Control Valve Assembly and Positioner Setup — Learners assemble a control valve with a pneumatic actuator and configure a smart positioner using a handheld communicator. (4h)
• PID Controller Tuning on a Flow Loop — Using a lab-scale flow loop with a PLC-based PID controller, learners perform open-loop step tests and apply Ziegler-Nichols tuning. (4h)
• Integrated Loop Design and Simulation — Learners design a complete control loop on paper, then simulate it using software (e.g., MATLAB/Simulink or process simulator) to verify performance. (4h)

Summatives

Each delegate is assessed continuously throughout the course via daily exercises, scored practical assignments, and a final summative test at the end.

Practical Assignments — 30%

Practical assignments are observed and scored against a rubric during the practical sessions. Each delegate's practical mark is averaged into a single 100% score and contributes 30% to the final total.

Daily Exercises — 20%

Every training day ends with a multiple-choice exercise scored out of 100%. The scores from each daily exercise are averaged across the duration of the course to produce a Daily Average mark, which contributes 20% to the final total.

Final Test — 50%

On the last day a final summative test is written. It is a multiple-choice paper with multiple-answer questions: each question may have more than one correct option, and a single wrong selection on a question marks the entire question wrong — no partial credit. The final test is scored out of 100% and contributes 50% to the overall mark.

Final Total

Component	Out of	Weight
Practical Assignments (rubric-scored)	100%	30%
Daily Average (multiple choice)	100%	20%
Final Test (multi-answer multiple choice)	100%	50%
Final Total	—	100%

All marks are recorded on the AATICD LMS and visible to each learner under their account.

Certificate

How it works

• Certificates are auto-generated on the AATICD LMS as soon as the marks pass the 50% threshold.
• Each certificate is a branded PDF with the delegate's name, the course title, the unit standard ID, NQF level, credits, and the date of issue.
• You can download or print your certificate from your LMS dashboard at any time after issue — there's no reissue fee and no expiry date.
• If you scored under 50% you can sit the final test again at the next scheduled session at no extra cost.

Where to find it

Sign in to the LMS, open your dashboard, and your certificates appear under My Certificates. Each entry has a View / Download button and a print option.

Training Discounts

Group discounts apply automatically — the more delegates you enrol, the greater the saving. Discounts are calculated at 3% per 5 delegates, scaling up to 40% off for 100+ delegates.

Delegates	Discount
5	3% off
10	6% off
15	9% off
20	12% off
25	15% off
30	18% off
50	30% off
75	35% off
100	40% off

3% discount per 5 delegates, up to 40% off for 100+ delegates. Contact us for a custom group quote.