Kenttäohjain

A kenttäohjain, which translates to "field controller" or "field unit" in English, is a component in industrial automation and control systems. Its primary function is to interface directly with sensors and actuators located in the field, meaning at the physical site of the process being controlled. This device acts as a bridge between the plant floor equipment and a higher-level control system, such as a programmable logic controller (PLC) or a distributed control system (DCS).

Kenttäohjain typically collects data from various sensors, such as temperature, pressure, flow, and level sensors, and converts these analog or digital signals into a format that the central control system can understand. Conversely, it receives commands from the control system and translates them into electrical signals that operate actuators like valves, motors, and pumps. This allows for real-time monitoring and precise control of industrial processes.

These controllers are often designed to be robust and capable of withstanding harsh environmental conditions often found in industrial settings, including extreme temperatures, dust, moisture, and vibration. They may feature integrated communication interfaces for networking with other devices and systems. In some architectures, a kenttäohjain might also perform local processing or logic, enabling a degree of decentralized control and reducing reliance on the central system for immediate responses.