Schwellenwerttechnik

Schwellenwerttechnik is a term used in German-speaking countries to describe a specific approach to monitoring and control in industrial automation systems. It is a set of methods and techniques used to detect and act upon changes in a process or system that occur when certain values or thresholds, known as "Schwellenwerte" (threshold values), are exceeded.

The concept of Schwellenwerttechnik was developed in the 1960s and 1970s as a reaction to the increasing complexity of industrial automation systems. At that time, it became clear that traditional approaches to monitoring and control, which focused on controlling deviations from a set point, were no longer sufficient to address the new challenges posed by modern production processes.

Schwellenwerttechnik offers a different approach. Instead of controlling deviations around a set point, the focus is on detecting changes in the process that occur when certain threshold values are exceeded. These changes can indicate a shift in the process behavior, which may be necessary to adjust the control strategy. The Schwellenwerttechnik approach often involves the use of specialized algorithms and control logic, which are designed to detect and respond to changes in the process.

The advantages of Schwellenwerttechnik include improved process stability, increased flexibility, and enhanced adaptability to changing process conditions. Additionally, this approach can help to reduce the risk of process upsets and improve quality by enabling early detection of potential problems. Schwellenwerttechnik is widely used in various industries, including process control, power generation, and chemical production.