Glossary
PLC programming, control engineering and SCADA glossary
Definitions of the terms of PLC programming according to IEC 61131-3 — languages, data types, program organization units and task handling — of distributed automation with IEC 61499, of control theory and process control from PID loops to model predictive control, of HMI and SCADA operation with alarms, trends and archives, and of electrical engineering and control panels. Every entry shows the German term and explains what the concept means for engineering, commissioning and technical documentation.
PLC and control programming
Array
IEC 61131-3German: Array
In IEC 61131-3 programming, an array is a derived data type that holds a fixed number of elements of the same data type, addressed by one or more integer indices within declared bounds.
PLC programming · Standards
Definition and examplesCompact PLC
German: Kompakt-SPS
In industrial automation, a compact PLC is a programmable logic controller that combines the CPU, power supply and a fixed set of inputs and outputs in one housing, often with limited room for expansion modules.
PLC programming
Definition and examplesContinuous function chart (CFC)
German: Continuous Function Chart (CFC)
In PLC and process control programming, a continuous function chart (CFC) is a graphical language in which function blocks are placed freely on a sheet and connected by signal lines, with an explicit or automatically determined execution order.
PLC programming · Process industry
Definition and examplesControlled variable
German: Regelgröße
In control engineering, the controlled variable is the physical quantity that a control loop measures and keeps at or near its setpoint, such as a temperature, pressure, level or speed.
PLC programming · Process industry
Definition and examplesCounter
IEC 61131-3German: Zähler
In IEC 61131-3 programming, a counter is a standard function block that increments or decrements a count value on the rising edge of an input and signals when a preset value is reached; the standard defines up (CTU), down (CTD) and up/down (CTUD) counters.
PLC programming · Standards
Definition and examplesCross-reference
German: Querverweis
In PLC programming tools, a cross-reference is a list showing every place in a project where a variable, address, block or other object is used, and whether it is read or written there.
PLC programming · Technical documentation
Definition and examplesCyclic task
IEC 61131-3German: Zyklische Task
In IEC 61131-3 programming, a cyclic task is a task that starts the programs assigned to it at a fixed time interval, independent of events.
PLC programming · Standards
Definition and examplesData block (DB)
German: Datenbaustein
In Siemens STEP 7 and TIA Portal programming, a data block (DB) is a program block that stores data rather than code; a global DB holds data for the whole program, and an instance DB holds the static data of one function block call.
PLC programming · Vendor product
Definition and examplesDebounce
German: Entprellung
In control engineering, debouncing is the filtering of a digital signal so that the rapid, unintended transitions of a mechanical contact while it opens or closes are recognized as a single change of state.
PLC programming
Definition and examplesDebugging
German: Debugging
In software engineering and PLC programming, debugging is the systematic process of finding and removing the causes of faulty program behavior, using tools such as online monitoring, breakpoints, watch tables, traces and simulation.
PLC programming
Definition and examplesEclipse IDE
German: Eclipse-Software
In software engineering, Eclipse is an open-source integrated development environment and tool platform maintained under the Eclipse Foundation, which serves as the basis for many engineering tools through its plug-in architecture.
PLC programming · Vendor product
Definition and examplesEnumeration
IEC 61131-3German: Aufzählungstyp
In IEC 61131-3 programming, an enumeration is a derived data type whose variables can take only one of a fixed, named set of values, such as the states of a machine.
PLC programming · Standards
Definition and examplesEvent task
IEC 61131-3German: Ereignistask
In IEC 61131-3 programming, an event task is a task that executes its assigned programs once each time a specified trigger occurs, typically the rising edge of a Boolean variable, rather than at a fixed interval.
PLC programming · Standards
Definition and examplesFalling edge
IEC 61131-3German: Fallende Flanke
In PLC programming, a falling edge is the change of a Boolean signal from TRUE to FALSE; IEC 61131-3 provides the standard function block F_TRIG, which outputs TRUE for one execution when it detects a falling edge.
PLC programming · Standards
Definition and examplesFinite-state machine (FSM)
German: Endlicher Automat
In software and control engineering, a finite-state machine (FSM) is a model of behavior with a finite number of states, in which the system is in exactly one state at a time and changes state through defined transitions triggered by inputs or events.
PLC programming
Definition and examplesForcing
German: Forcen
In PLC programming and commissioning, forcing is the overriding of an input, output or variable with a fixed value set from the engineering tool, regardless of the actual field signal or program logic, until the force is removed.
PLC programming · Functional safety
Definition and examplesFunction (IEC 61131-3)
IEC 61131-3German: Funktion
In IEC 61131-3, a function is a program organization unit that, when executed with the same input values, always returns the same result and has no internal state stored between calls.
PLC programming · Standards
Definition and examplesFunction block (FB)
IEC 61131-3German: Funktionsbaustein
In IEC 61131-3, a function block is a program organization unit with inputs, outputs and internal variables whose values persist between calls; each use requires its own instance with its own data.
PLC programming · Standards
Definition and examplesFunction block diagram (FBD)
IEC 61131-3German: Funktionsplan (FUP)
In IEC 61131-3, the function block diagram (FBD) is a graphical programming language in which functions and function blocks are represented as boxes connected by signal lines, similar to a circuit diagram of logic gates.
PLC programming · Standards
Definition and examplesGlobal variable
IEC 61131-3German: Globale Variable
In IEC 61131-3 programming, a global variable is a variable declared with VAR_GLOBAL in a configuration or resource, so that every program organization unit that declares it as VAR_EXTERNAL can read and write it.
PLC programming · Standards
Definition and examplesGraphical programming
German: Grafische Programmierung
In PLC and automation programming, graphical programming is the creation of control programs with diagram-based languages, such as ladder diagram, function block diagram, sequential function chart or continuous function chart, instead of text.
PLC programming
Definition and examplesSTEP 7 ladder logic (LAD)
German: KOP (Kontaktplan)
In Siemens STEP 7 and TIA Portal, LAD (German KOP, Kontaktplan) is the name of the ladder diagram programming language, which represents logic as contacts, coils and boxes between power rails.
PLC programming · Vendor product
Definition and examplesIEC 61131-3
IEC 61131-3German: IEC 61131-3
IEC 61131-3 is the international standard that defines the programming languages, data types, program organization units and software model for programmable logic controllers, including ladder diagram, function block diagram, structured text and sequential function chart.
PLC programming · Standards
Definition and examplesIn-out variable
IEC 61131-3German: Ein-/Ausgangsvariable
In IEC 61131-3 programming, an in-out variable is a parameter declared with VAR_IN_OUT that is passed by reference, so the called program organization unit can read and modify the caller's variable directly.
PLC programming · Standards
Definition and examplesInput image table
German: Prozessabbild der Eingänge
In PLC technology, the input image table is a memory area in which the controller stores the states of its inputs at the start of a scan, so that the program works with a consistent snapshot rather than reading the physical inputs directly.
PLC programming
Definition and examplesInput variable
IEC 61131-3German: Eingangsvariable
In IEC 61131-3 programming, an input variable is a parameter declared with VAR_INPUT that passes a value into a function, function block or program at the call; the called unit reads it but does not change the caller's variable.
PLC programming · Standards
Definition and examplesInstruction list (IL)
IEC 61131-3German: Anweisungsliste (AWL)
In IEC 61131-3, instruction list (IL) is a low-level textual programming language similar to assembler, in which each line holds one operator acting on an accumulator; the 2013 edition of the standard marked it as deprecated.
PLC programming · Standards
Definition and examplesInterrupt task
German: Interrupt-Task
In PLC programming, an interrupt task is a program part that the operating system starts immediately when a hardware or system event occurs, such as an input change, a time-of-day event or a diagnostic alarm, interrupting lower-priority program execution.
PLC programming
Definition and examplesLadder diagram (LD)
IEC 61131-3German: Kontaktplan (KOP)
In IEC 61131-3, the ladder diagram (LD) is a graphical programming language that represents Boolean logic as contacts and coils placed on rungs between a left and a right power rail, derived from relay circuit diagrams.
PLC programming · Standards
Definition and examplesLatch
German: Speicherfunktion
In control engineering, a latch is a logic function that keeps an output in its state after the triggering signal disappears, until a separate reset condition occurs; in PLC code it is realized with a seal-in rung, set/reset coils or an SR/RS function block.
PLC programming
Definition and examplesLocal variable
IEC 61131-3German: Lokale Variable
In IEC 61131-3 programming, a local variable is a variable declared inside a program organization unit, for example with VAR or VAR_TEMP, that is visible only within that unit.
PLC programming · Standards
Definition and examplesLow-code/no-code platform
German: Low-Code-/No-Code-Plattform
In software engineering, a low-code/no-code platform is a development environment that lets users build applications largely through graphical configuration, templates and drag-and-drop components, with little or no hand-written code.
PLC programming
Definition and examplesModular PLC
German: Modulare SPS
In industrial automation, a modular PLC is a programmable logic controller built from separate modules, such as a CPU, power supply, digital and analog I/O, communication and technology modules, mounted on a rail or backplane and combined as the application requires.
PLC programming
Definition and examplesNonretentive memory
German: Nichtremanenter Speicher
In PLC technology, nonretentive memory holds variables that lose their current values and return to their initial values after a power cycle or restart of the controller.
PLC programming
Definition and examplesOffline programming
German: Offline-Programmierung
In automation and robotics, offline programming is the creation and testing of control or robot programs on a computer without a connection to the running controller or machine, often supported by simulation.
PLC programming
Definition and examplesOnline change
German: Online-Änderung
In PLC programming, an online change is a modification of the program or its data that is loaded into a controller while it continues to run, without stopping the machine or process.
PLC programming
Definition and examplesOrganization block (OB)
German: Organisationsbaustein
In Siemens STEP 7 and TIA Portal programming, an organization block (OB) is a block called by the controller's operating system that forms the interface between the operating system and the user program, for example for the main program cycle, startup, time-driven interrupts and error handling.
PLC programming · Vendor product
Definition and examplesOutput image table
German: Prozessabbild der Ausgänge
In PLC technology, the output image table is a memory area in which the program writes its output values during a scan; the controller transfers these values to the physical outputs at the end of the scan.
PLC programming
Definition and examplesOutput variable
IEC 61131-3German: Ausgangsvariable
In IEC 61131-3 programming, an output variable is a parameter declared with VAR_OUTPUT through which a function block, function or program returns values to its caller.
PLC programming · Standards
Definition and examplesPavilion8 MPC
German: Pavilion8-MPC-Software
In process automation, Pavilion8 is Rockwell Automation's software platform for model predictive control (MPC), which uses process models to calculate coordinated setpoints for multivariable processes.
PLC programming · Vendor product · Process industry
Definition and examplesPermissive
German: Freigabebedingung
In control engineering, a permissive is a condition, or set of conditions, that must be fulfilled before an operation may start; unlike an interlock, it usually does not stop an operation that is already running.
PLC programming · Process industry
Definition and examplesPLC scan
German: SPS-Zyklus
In PLC technology, the PLC scan is the repeated sequence in which a controller reads its inputs into the process image, executes the user program, writes the output image to the outputs and performs system tasks such as communication and self-tests.
PLC programming
Definition and examplesPLCnext Control
German: PLCnext Control
In industrial automation, PLCnext Control is Phoenix Contact's family of controllers based on PLCnext Technology, which run IEC 61131-3 programs alongside code in high-level languages and open-source software on a Linux-based operating system.
PLC programming · Vendor product
Definition and examplesPLCnext Technology
German: PLCnext Technology
In industrial automation, PLCnext Technology is Phoenix Contact's open control platform, combining a real-time runtime for IEC 61131-3 and high-level language programs, engineering software, an app store for software extensions and a Linux-based operating system.
PLC programming · Vendor product
Definition and examplesPLCopen
German: PLCopen
PLCopen is an independent, vendor-neutral association that promotes IEC 61131-3 and publishes specifications that build on it, such as the motion control function blocks, safety function blocks, the PLCopen XML exchange format and coding guidelines.
PLC programming · Standards
Definition and examplesPLCopen XML
German: PLCopen XML
PLCopen XML is an XML-based exchange format published by PLCopen for IEC 61131-3 projects, which describes program organization units, data types, variables and graphical and textual code so that they can be exchanged between tools.
PLC programming · Standards
Definition and examplesS7-PLCSIM Advanced
German: S7-PLCSIM Advanced
In industrial automation, S7-PLCSIM Advanced is Siemens software that simulates S7-1500 controllers as virtual controllers on a PC, including communication interfaces and an API, so that programs can be tested without real controller hardware.
PLC programming · Vendor product
Definition and examplesProgram cycle
German: Programmzyklus
In PLC technology, the program cycle is one complete execution of the cyclic user program from its first to its last instruction; its duration, the cycle time, is monitored by the controller.
PLC programming
Definition and examplesProgram memory
German: Programmspeicher
In PLC technology, program memory is the memory area of a controller that holds the executable user program, as distinct from the data memory that holds variables and process images.
PLC programming
Definition and examplesProgrammable automation controller (PAC)
German: Programmierbare Automatisierungssteuerung (PAC)
In industrial automation, a programmable automation controller (PAC) is a controller that combines PLC-style real-time control with capabilities typical of PC-based systems, such as multiple programming languages, larger memory, motion control, process control and extensive communication, on one platform.
PLC programming
Definition and examplesPLC input
German: Eingang (SPS)
In PLC technology, an input is a connection point on an input module or on the controller through which a field signal, such as a sensor contact or an analog measurement, is fed into the controller and made available to the program.
PLC programming
Definition and examplesRecipe management
German: Rezepturverwaltung
In industrial automation, recipe management is the creation, storage, versioning, approval and download of recipes, which are sets of parameters and procedures that define how a machine or process makes a specific product.
PLC programming · Process industry
Definition and examplesRetain variable
IEC 61131-3German: Retain-Variable
In IEC 61131-3 programming, a retain variable is a variable declared with the RETAIN qualifier, whose value is kept through a power failure and a warm restart of the controller.
PLC programming · Standards
Definition and examplesRetentive memory
German: Remanenter Speicher
In PLC technology, retentive memory is a memory area whose contents are preserved when the controller loses power or is restarted, implemented for example with battery-backed RAM, capacitors or non-volatile memory.
PLC programming
Definition and examplesRising edge
IEC 61131-3German: Steigende Flanke
In PLC programming, a rising edge is the change of a Boolean signal from FALSE to TRUE; IEC 61131-3 provides the standard function block R_TRIG, which outputs TRUE for one execution when it detects a rising edge.
PLC programming · Standards
Definition and examplesSequence control
German: Ablaufsteuerung
In control engineering, sequence control is a type of control in which a process runs through defined steps one after another, with the transition to the next step depending on conditions such as feedback signals, elapsed time or operator commands.
PLC programming
Definition and examplesSequential function chart (SFC)
IEC 61131-3German: Ablaufsprache (AS)
In IEC 61131-3, the sequential function chart (SFC) is a graphical language for structuring programs as steps and transitions, where actions are associated with steps and transitions define the conditions for moving from one step to the next.
PLC programming · Standards
Definition and examplesSet-reset flip-flop
IEC 61131-3German: Setz-Rücksetz-Flipflop
In IEC 61131-3 programming, a set-reset flip-flop is a bistable standard function block that stores a Boolean state: SR is set-dominant and RS is reset-dominant when both inputs are TRUE.
PLC programming · Standards
Definition and examplesSIMOCODE pro
German: SIMOCODE pro
In industrial automation, SIMOCODE pro is Siemens' modular motor management system for low-voltage motors, which combines motor protection, monitoring and control functions and communicates with the higher-level automation system over fieldbus or industrial Ethernet.
PLC programming · Vendor product
Definition and examplesSoft PLC
German: Soft-SPS
In industrial automation, a soft PLC is PLC runtime software that executes IEC 61131-3 or comparable control programs on general-purpose computing hardware, such as an industrial PC, often with a real-time operating system or real-time extension.
PLC programming
Definition and examplesPC-based control
German: PC-basierte Steuerung
In industrial automation, PC-based control is a control architecture in which an industrial PC runs the control software, typically a soft PLC together with motion, HMI and data functions, instead of a dedicated PLC hardware platform.
PLC programming
Definition and examplesSoftware
German: Software
In automation and computing, software is the set of programs, data and associated documentation that makes a computer, controller or device perform its functions, as distinct from the physical hardware.
PLC programming
Definition and examplesSoftware-defined automation
German: Software-definierte Automatisierung
In industrial automation, software-defined automation is an approach in which control functions are decoupled from specific hardware and deployed, updated and managed as software, for example as virtual PLCs on industrial PCs, edge servers or virtualized infrastructure.
PLC programming
Definition and examplesSoftware development
German: Softwareentwicklung
In engineering, software development is the set of activities that turn requirements into working software, including analysis, design, implementation, testing, integration, release and maintenance.
PLC programming
Definition and examplesSoftware quality
German: Softwarequalität
In software engineering, software quality is the degree to which software meets stated requirements and user needs, described in ISO/IEC 25010 by characteristics such as functional suitability, performance efficiency, compatibility, reliability, security and maintainability.
PLC programming · Standards
Definition and examplesPLC programming
German: SPS-Programmierung
In industrial automation, PLC programming is the creation, testing and maintenance of control programs for programmable logic controllers, typically in the languages of IEC 61131-3 and in the vendor's engineering environment.
PLC programming
Definition and examplesStructured Control Language (SCL)
German: SCL (Structured Control Language)
In Siemens STEP 7 and TIA Portal, Structured Control Language (SCL) is the high-level, Pascal-like textual programming language that corresponds to Structured Text (ST) of IEC 61131-3, with Siemens-specific extensions.
PLC programming · Vendor product
Definition and examplesStructure (data type)
IEC 61131-3German: Struktur
In IEC 61131-3 programming, a structure is a derived data type that combines several named elements, which may have different data types, into one unit.
PLC programming · Standards
Definition and examplesStructured text (ST)
IEC 61131-3German: Strukturierter Text (ST)
In IEC 61131-3, structured text (ST) is a high-level textual programming language with a syntax similar to Pascal, providing assignments, IF and CASE statements, loops, and calls of functions and function blocks.
PLC programming · Standards
Definition and examplesSymbol table
German: Symboltabelle
In PLC programming, a symbol table is a list that assigns symbolic names, data types and comments to absolute addresses such as inputs, outputs and memory areas, so that programs can use meaningful names instead of addresses.
PLC programming · Technical documentation
Definition and examplesTimer
IEC 61131-3German: Timer
In IEC 61131-3 programming, a timer is a standard function block that measures time: TON delays switching on, TOF delays switching off and TP generates a pulse of defined length.
PLC programming · Standards
Definition and examplesTwinCAT
German: TwinCAT
In industrial automation, TwinCAT (The Windows Control and Automation Technology) is Beckhoff's software system for PC-based control, combining engineering tools and real-time runtime for PLC, motion control, HMI, measurement and other functions on industrial PCs.
PLC programming · Vendor product
Definition and examplesTwinCAT 3
German: TwinCAT 3
In industrial automation, TwinCAT 3 is the third generation of Beckhoff's TwinCAT software, whose engineering environment is integrated into Microsoft Visual Studio and whose runtime executes IEC 61131-3 programs, C/C++ modules and other real-time components on industrial PCs.
PLC programming · Vendor product
Definition and examplesTwinCAT 3.1 Build 4022
German: TwinCAT 3.1 Build 4022
In industrial automation, TwinCAT 3.1 Build 4022 is a release line of Beckhoff's TwinCAT 3 software that is still found on many installed machines and that preceded Build 4024.
PLC programming · Vendor product
Definition and examplesTwinCAT 3.1 Build 4024
German: TwinCAT 3.1 Build 4024
In industrial automation, TwinCAT 3.1 Build 4024 is a release line of Beckhoff's TwinCAT 3 software that has been widely used for new and existing projects and that is distributed with a classic setup-based installation.
PLC programming · Vendor product
Definition and examplesTwinCAT 3.1 Build 4026
German: TwinCAT 3.1 Build 4026
In industrial automation, TwinCAT 3.1 Build 4026 is a release line of Beckhoff's TwinCAT 3 software that introduced installation and management of TwinCAT components as individual packages through the TwinCAT Package Manager.
PLC programming · Vendor product
Definition and examplesTwinCAT Analytics
German: TwinCAT Analytics
In industrial automation, TwinCAT Analytics is Beckhoff's set of TwinCAT products for recording, analyzing and visualizing machine and process data, with analyses that can be developed in engineering and then run continuously on the controller or a server.
PLC programming · Vendor product
Definition and examplesTwinCAT/BSD
German: TwinCAT/BSD
In industrial automation, TwinCAT/BSD is Beckhoff's operating system for its industrial PCs, based on FreeBSD, which runs the TwinCAT runtime as an alternative to Microsoft Windows.
PLC programming · Vendor product
Definition and examplesTwinCAT CNC
German: TwinCAT CNC
In industrial automation, TwinCAT CNC is Beckhoff's software-based CNC system that runs in the TwinCAT runtime on an industrial PC and interprets part programs to control interpolated multi-axis motion.
PLC programming · Vendor product
Definition and examplesTwinCAT HMI
German: TwinCAT HMI
In industrial automation, TwinCAT HMI is Beckhoff's web-based human-machine interface system, in which operator screens are built from HTML5 and JavaScript-based controls in the engineering environment and served by an HMI server to browsers and panels.
PLC programming · Vendor product
Definition and examplesTwinCAT IoT
German: TwinCAT IoT
In industrial automation, TwinCAT IoT is Beckhoff's group of TwinCAT functions that connect the controller to IoT and cloud services, for example through publish/subscribe protocols such as MQTT and through messaging to mobile devices.
PLC programming · Vendor product
Definition and examplesTwinCAT Machine Learning
German: TwinCAT Machine Learning
In industrial automation, TwinCAT Machine Learning is Beckhoff's TwinCAT functionality for executing trained machine learning models, for example models exchanged in the ONNX format, within the TwinCAT runtime so that inference can run in real time alongside the control program.
PLC programming · Vendor product · AI
Definition and examplesUnicode
German: Unicode
In computing, Unicode is the character encoding standard that assigns a unique code point to each character of the world's writing systems, stored in encodings such as UTF-8 and UTF-16; in IEC 61131-3, the data types WSTRING and WCHAR hold double-byte characters.
PLC programming · Standards
Definition and examplesUser-defined data type (UDT)
IEC 61131-3German: Benutzerdefinierter Datentyp (UDT)
In PLC programming, a user-defined data type (UDT) is a data type created by the programmer from elementary and other data types, such as a structure, enumeration, array or subrange; IEC 61131-3 calls these derived data types.
PLC programming · Standards
Definition and examplesVariable declaration
IEC 61131-3German: Variablendeklaration
In IEC 61131-3 programming, a variable declaration defines a variable's name, data type, optional initial value and qualifiers, within a section such as VAR, VAR_INPUT, VAR_OUTPUT, VAR_IN_OUT, VAR_GLOBAL or VAR_TEMP that determines its scope and role.
PLC programming · Standards
Definition and examplesVariable (PLC programming)
IEC 61131-3German: Variablen
In IEC 61131-3 programming, a variable is a named data element with a declared data type whose value can change during program execution, stored in the controller's memory or mapped to an input or output.
PLC programming · Standards
Definition and examplesWatchdog timer
German: Watchdog-Zeitgeber
In control systems, a watchdog timer is a supervision function that must be retriggered within a set time by the monitored program or device; if it is not, the watchdog detects a fault and initiates a defined reaction, such as stopping the controller or switching outputs off.
PLC programming · Functional safety
Definition and examples
Distributed automation and IEC 61499
Application mapping
IEC 61499-1German: Anwendungszuordnung
In IEC 61499, application mapping is the assignment of the function block instances of an application to the resources of the devices in a system configuration, which determines where each part of the application executes.
IEC 61499 · Standards
Definition and examplesApplication model
IEC 61499-1German: Anwendungsmodell
In IEC 61499, the application model describes an application as a network of function block instances connected by event and data connections, independent of the devices and resources on which it will eventually run.
IEC 61499 · Standards
Definition and examplesBasic function block
IEC 61499-1German: Basisfunktionsbaustein
In IEC 61499, a basic function block is a function block type whose behavior is defined by an execution control chart (ECC) that reacts to input events by executing algorithms and issuing output events, with internal variables that persist between invocations.
IEC 61499 · Standards
Definition and examplesCompliance profile (IEC 61499)
IEC 61499-4German: Konformitätsprofil
In IEC 61499, a compliance profile is a specification that defines which features of the standard devices and software tools must support, and how, to achieve interoperability, portability and configurability; IEC 61499-4 sets the rules for such profiles.
IEC 61499 · Standards
Definition and examplesComposite function block
IEC 61499-1German: Zusammengesetzter Funktionsbaustein
In IEC 61499, a composite function block is a function block type whose behavior is defined by an internal network of function block instances, connected to its own event and data interface.
IEC 61499 · Standards
Definition and examplesData input (IEC 61499)
IEC 61499-1German: Dateneingang
In IEC 61499, a data input is an input of a function block interface that receives a typed data value; the value is sampled into the function block when an event input associated with it through a WITH qualifier occurs.
IEC 61499 · Standards
Definition and examplesData output (IEC 61499)
IEC 61499-1German: Datenausgang
In IEC 61499, a data output is an output of a function block interface that provides a typed data value to connected blocks; it is associated through a WITH qualifier with the event outputs that signal that the value is valid.
IEC 61499 · Standards
Definition and examplesDevice configuration
IEC 61499-1German: Gerätekonfiguration
In IEC 61499, a device configuration is the specification of a device within a system configuration: its device type, parameters such as network addresses, and the resources it contains with their mapped function block instances.
IEC 61499 · Standards
Definition and examplesDevice model (IEC 61499)
IEC 61499-1German: Gerätemodell
In IEC 61499, the device model describes a device as an independent physical entity that contains one or more resources, a process interface to sensors and actuators, and a communication interface to other devices.
IEC 61499 · Standards
Definition and examplesDistributed automation system
German: Verteiltes Automatisierungssystem
In industrial automation, a distributed automation system is a system in which control functions are spread across several networked devices that cooperate to control a machine or process, rather than being executed on one central controller.
IEC 61499
Definition and examples- Working term
Distributed function block
German: Verteilter Funktionsbaustein
In distributed automation, a distributed function block is a function block whose functionality is realized by parts executing on several devices, which cooperate over communication connections; in IEC 61499, this is achieved by distributing a subapplication or the blocks of an application across resources.
IEC 61499
Definition and examples Event input
IEC 61499-1German: Ereigniseingang
In IEC 61499, an event input is an input of a function block interface through which the block receives events that trigger its execution; associated data inputs are sampled when the event arrives.
IEC 61499 · Standards
Definition and examplesEvent output
IEC 61499-1German: Ereignisausgang
In IEC 61499, an event output is an output of a function block interface through which the block emits events to signal that an operation has completed or a condition has occurred; associated data outputs are valid when the event is emitted.
IEC 61499 · Standards
Definition and examplesEvent-data association
IEC 61499-1German: Ereignis-Daten-Zuordnung
In IEC 61499, an event-data association, declared with the WITH qualifier, links data inputs or outputs of a function block to specific event inputs or outputs, so that the data is sampled or provided together with that event.
IEC 61499 · Standards
Definition and examplesExecution control algorithm
IEC 61499-1German: Ausführungsalgorithmus
In IEC 61499, an algorithm of a basic function block is a piece of code, typically written in an IEC 61131-3 language such as structured text, that the execution control chart invokes as an action of an EC state and that operates on the block's input, output and internal variables.
IEC 61499 · Standards
Definition and examplesExecution control chart (ECC)
IEC 61499-1German: Ausführungssteuerungsdiagramm (ECC)
In IEC 61499, the execution control chart (ECC) is the state machine of a basic function block, consisting of EC states, EC transitions with event and Boolean conditions, and EC actions that invoke algorithms and emit output events.
IEC 61499 · Standards
Definition and examplesExecution control state
IEC 61499-1German: Ausführungssteuerungszustand
In IEC 61499, an execution control state (EC state) is a state of a basic function block's execution control chart, with which zero or more EC actions are associated that are executed when the state becomes active.
IEC 61499 · Standards
Definition and examplesFunction block instance
IEC 61499-1German: Funktionsbausteininstanz
In IEC 61499 and IEC 61131-3, a function block instance is a named, individual occurrence of a function block type with its own copy of the type's data, which is used in an application, network or program.
IEC 61499 · Standards
Definition and examplesFunction block mapping
IEC 61499-1German: Funktionsbausteinzuordnung
In IEC 61499, function block mapping is the assignment of an individual function block instance of an application to a specific resource of a device, where it will be created and executed.
IEC 61499 · Standards
Definition and examplesFunction block network
IEC 61499-1German: Funktionsbausteinnetzwerk
In IEC 61499, a function block network is a set of function block instances interconnected by event connections and data connections; it forms the content of applications, subapplications, composite function blocks and resources.
IEC 61499 · Standards
Definition and examplesFunction block type
IEC 61499-1German: Funktionsbausteintyp
In IEC 61499, a function block type defines the interface (event inputs and outputs, data inputs and outputs, and their associations) and the behavior of function blocks; the standard distinguishes basic, composite and service interface function block types.
IEC 61499 · Standards
Definition and examplesIEC 61499
IEC 61499German: IEC 61499
IEC 61499 is the international standard series that defines an event-driven function block architecture for distributed industrial process measurement and control systems, covering the architecture (Part 1), software tool requirements (Part 2) and rules for compliance profiles (Part 4).
IEC 61499 · Standards
Definition and examplesInteroperability profile
IEC 61499-4German: Interoperabilitätsprofil
In IEC 61499, interoperability is the ability of devices from different suppliers to work together to perform the functions of a distributed application; an interoperability profile, as part of a compliance profile, specifies the communication mappings and protocols that make this possible.
IEC 61499 · Standards
Definition and examplesManagement command
IEC 61499-1German: Managementbefehl
In IEC 61499, a management command is a request sent to a device or resource to manage its configuration and function blocks, such as creating, deleting, starting, stopping, querying or reading and writing function block instances and connections.
IEC 61499 · Standards
Definition and examplesPortability profile
IEC 61499-4German: Portabilitätsprofil
In IEC 61499, portability is the ability of software tools to accept and correctly interpret library elements, such as function block types and applications, produced by other tools; a portability profile, as part of a compliance profile, specifies the exchange formats and supported features.
IEC 61499 · Standards
Definition and examplesResource configuration
IEC 61499-1German: Ressourcenkonfiguration
In IEC 61499, a resource configuration is the specification of a resource within a device configuration: its resource type, parameters and the function block network, including mapped application parts and service interface function blocks, that it executes.
IEC 61499 · Standards
Definition and examplesResource model
IEC 61499-1German: Ressourcenmodell
In IEC 61499, the resource model describes a resource as a functional unit within a device that has independent control of its operation, executes function block networks and provides interfaces to the device's process and communication functions, including scheduling of algorithm execution.
IEC 61499 · Standards
Definition and examplesSegment model
IEC 61499-1German: Segmentmodell
In IEC 61499 system configurations, a segment represents a communication network segment, such as an Ethernet network, to which devices are linked; it describes how the devices of a distributed system are connected for exchanging events and data.
IEC 61499 · Standards
Definition and examplesService interface function block (SIFB)
IEC 61499-1German: Dienstschnittstellen-Funktionsbaustein
In IEC 61499, a service interface function block (SIFB) is a function block type that provides access to services of its resource or device, such as I/O, communication or timing, and whose behavior is specified by service sequences rather than by an ECC or internal network.
IEC 61499 · Standards
Definition and examplesService sequence
IEC 61499-1German: Dienstsequenz
In IEC 61499, a service sequence is a time-sequence diagram that specifies the behavior of a service interface function block as ordered exchanges of events and data between the application and the underlying service, for normal operation and error cases.
IEC 61499 · Standards
Definition and examplesAdapter interface
IEC 61499-1German: Adapterschnittstelle
In IEC 61499, an adapter interface is a reusable bundle of event and data inputs and outputs, defined as an adapter interface type, that connects two function blocks through a single adapter connection: the providing block exposes it as a plug, the accepting block as a socket, and events and data flow in both directions.
IEC 61499 · Standards
Definition and examplesSubapplication
IEC 61499-1German: Subapplikation
In IEC 61499, a subapplication is a reusable network of function block and subapplication instances with its own event and data interface, used to structure an application; unlike a composite function block, its component function blocks can be mapped to different resources and devices.
IEC 61499 · Standards
Definition and examplesSimple function block
IEC 61499-1German: Einfacher Funktionsbaustein
In IEC 61499, a simple function block is a function block type in which each event input triggers exactly one algorithm, after which the block issues its output event; it has no user-designed execution control chart with states and transitions and keeps no execution state between events.
IEC 61499 · Standards
Definition and examplesEvent function block
IEC 61499-1German: Ereignisfunktionsbaustein
In IEC 61499, an event function block is one of the standard function block types defined in Annex A of IEC 61499-1 that generate, split, merge, select, delay, count or otherwise process events, such as E_SPLIT, E_MERGE, E_PERMIT, E_DELAY, E_CYCLE and E_CTU.
IEC 61499 · Standards
Definition and examplesCommunication function block
IEC 61499-1German: Kommunikationsfunktionsbaustein
In IEC 61499, a communication function block is a service interface function block that exchanges events and data between resources or devices, either unidirectionally with a PUBLISH/SUBSCRIBE pair or bidirectionally with a CLIENT/SERVER pair, while the protocol behind it is fixed by the device and the compliance profile.
IEC 61499 · Standards
Definition and examplesSystem configuration (IEC 61499)
IEC 61499-1German: Systemkonfiguration (IEC 61499)
In IEC 61499, a system configuration is the complete description of a control system: its devices with their resources, the communication segments and links between them, the applications, and the mapping of the applications' function block instances to resources, together with the parameters needed to deploy it.
IEC 61499 · Standards
Definition and examplesExecution semantics (IEC 61499)
IEC 61499-1German: Ausführungssemantik (IEC 61499)
In IEC 61499, execution semantics are the rules that determine when and in which order function blocks execute in response to events; IEC 61499-1 fixes the behavior inside a function block, but leaves parts of the scheduling of events between blocks in a resource to the implementation, so different runtimes can execute the same application differently.
IEC 61499 · Standards
Definition and examplesIEC 61499 runtime environment
IEC 61499-1German: IEC-61499-Laufzeitumgebung
In IEC 61499, a runtime environment is the software on a device that implements the device and resource models: it hosts resources, creates and connects function block instances on management commands, delivers events and schedules algorithm execution, and provides the services behind service interface function blocks such as I/O, timers and communication.
IEC 61499 · Standards
Definition and examplesEclipse 4diac
IEC 61499-1German: Eclipse 4diac
Eclipse 4diac is an open-source environment for distributed control applications based on IEC 61499, hosted by the Eclipse Foundation, consisting mainly of the engineering tool 4diac IDE, the runtime 4diac FORTE for embedded devices and a library of function block types.
IEC 61499 · Standards · Vendor product
Definition and examplesEvent-driven execution (IEC 61499)
IEC 61499-1German: Ereignisgesteuerte Ausführung
In IEC 61499, event-driven execution is the principle that a function block executes only when an event arrives at one of its event inputs: the event samples the associated data inputs, triggers the block's behavior and may issue output events that trigger further blocks, instead of every block being executed in a fixed scan cycle.
IEC 61499 · Standards
Definition and examples
Control theory and process control
Adaptive control
German: Adaptive Regelung
In control engineering, adaptive control is a control strategy in which the controller adjusts its own parameters during operation to follow changes in the dynamics of the controlled system, for example changing gain, load or dead time.
Control theory · Process industry
Definition and examplesAdvanced process control (APC)
German: Advanced Process Control (APC)
In process automation, advanced process control (APC) is the collective term for control techniques that go beyond single PID loops, such as model predictive control, multivariable control, inferential measurements and optimization layers running above the basic regulatory control.
Control theory · Process industry
Definition and examplesAnti-windup
German: Anti-Windup
In control engineering, anti-windup is a measure in a controller with integral action that stops the integral term from accumulating while the actuator is saturated, so the loop recovers quickly once the control error changes sign.
Control theory
Definition and examplesAuto-tuning
German: Selbstoptimierung
In control engineering, auto-tuning is a function of a controller or engineering tool that determines controller parameters automatically, typically by exciting the process with a step or relay test and deriving the parameters from the measured response.
Control theory
Definition and examplesBatch control
ISA-88 / IEC 61512-1German: Chargenregelung
In process automation, batch control is the control of processes that produce finite quantities of material by subjecting inputs to an ordered set of processing activities over a finite time, structured in ISA-88 / IEC 61512-1 by physical, procedural and recipe models.
Control theory · Process industry · Standards
Definition and examplesBode plot
German: Bode-Diagramm
In control engineering, a Bode plot is a pair of graphs that shows the frequency response of a system: the magnitude in decibels and the phase in degrees, both plotted against frequency on a logarithmic scale.
Control theory
Definition and examplesBumpless transfer
German: Stoßfreie Umschaltung
In control engineering, bumpless transfer is the switching between operating modes of a controller, such as manual and automatic, or between two controllers, without a sudden jump in the controller output.
Control theory
Definition and examplesCascade control
German: Kaskadenregelung
In control engineering, cascade control is a structure of two or more nested control loops in which the output of the outer (primary) controller is the setpoint of the inner (secondary) controller, so disturbances in the inner loop are corrected before they affect the primary variable.
Control theory · Process industry
Definition and examplesContinuous control
German: Kontinuierliche Regelung
In process automation, continuous control is the control of process variables that are measured and adjusted continuously, typically with closed control loops that keep a steadily running process at its setpoints.
Control theory · Process industry
Definition and examplesControl error
IEC 60050-351German: Regeldifferenz
In control engineering, the control error is the difference between the setpoint (reference variable) and the measured value of the controlled variable, which the controller uses to compute its output.
Control theory
Definition and examplesControl loop
IEC 60050-351German: Regelkreis
In control engineering, a control loop is the closed signal path formed by the controlled system, the measuring device, the controller and the actuator, in which the measured value is fed back and compared with the setpoint.
Control theory
Definition and examplesControlled system
IEC 60050-351German: Regelstrecke
In control engineering, the controlled system is the part of a control loop that is influenced by the manipulated variable and whose output is the controlled variable, such as a tank, a heat exchanger or a drive axis.
Control theory
Definition and examplesController tuning
German: Reglereinstellung
In control engineering, controller tuning is the selection of controller parameters, such as proportional gain, integral time and derivative time, so that a control loop meets its requirements for stability, speed and disturbance rejection.
Control theory
Definition and examplesDerivative controller
German: D-Regler
In control engineering, a derivative controller (derivative action) produces an output proportional to the rate of change of the control error or of the measured value; it is used in combination with proportional action, never alone.
Control theory
Definition and examplesFrequency response
German: Frequenzgang
In control engineering, the frequency response of a linear system describes how the amplitude and phase of a sinusoidal output relate to a sinusoidal input across frequencies, in steady state.
Control theory
Definition and examplesGain margin
German: Amplitudenreserve
In control engineering, the gain margin is the factor by which the open-loop gain of a control loop could increase at the frequency where the phase reaches −180° before the closed loop becomes unstable.
Control theory
Definition and examplesIntegral absolute error (IAE)
German: Integral des absoluten Fehlers (IAE)
In control engineering, the integral absolute error (IAE) is a performance index calculated as the time integral of the absolute value of the control error, used to compare how well control loops or tunings track a setpoint or reject a disturbance.
Control theory
Definition and examplesIntegral controller
German: I-Regler
In control engineering, an integral controller (integral action) produces an output proportional to the time integral of the control error, so it keeps changing its output until the steady-state error is zero.
Control theory
Definition and examplesKalman filter
German: Kalman-Filter
In control engineering and signal processing, a Kalman filter is a recursive algorithm that estimates the state of a dynamic system from noisy measurements and a model, weighting prediction and measurement by their assumed uncertainties.
Control theory
Definition and examplesKUKA KR C5 controller
German: KR-C5-Steuerungen
In robotics, the KUKA KR C5 is a robot controller generation from KUKA that controls the motion, I/O and safety functions of KUKA industrial robots and is programmed with the KUKA Robot Language (KRL) via the robot operating software.
Control theory · Vendor product
Definition and examplesManual tuning
German: Manuelle Reglereinstellung
In control engineering, manual tuning is the setting of controller parameters by a person who changes them step by step while observing the loop response, instead of using an automatic tuning function.
Control theory
Definition and examplesModel predictive control (MPC)
German: Modellprädiktive Regelung (MPC)
In control engineering, model predictive control (MPC) is a control method that uses a process model to predict future behavior over a horizon and computes the manipulated variables by solving an optimization problem with constraints at each sampling step, applying only the first move.
Control theory · Process industry
Definition and examplesMultivariable control
German: Mehrgrößenregelung
In control engineering, multivariable control is the control of a process with several interacting manipulated and controlled variables, designed as one controller that takes the interactions into account instead of as independent single loops.
Control theory · Process industry
Definition and examplesNyquist plot
German: Nyquist-Diagramm
In control engineering, a Nyquist plot shows the frequency response of an open control loop as a curve in the complex plane, with frequency as the parameter; its position relative to the critical point −1 indicates closed-loop stability according to the Nyquist criterion.
Control theory
Definition and examplesOverride control
German: Begrenzungsregelung
In process control, override control is a structure in which a second controller takes over the manipulated variable from the normal controller when a constraint variable, such as a pressure or temperature limit, approaches its limit.
Control theory · Process industry
Definition and examplesOvershoot
German: Überschwingen
In control engineering, overshoot is the amount by which the controlled variable exceeds its final steady-state value after a step change, usually expressed as a percentage of the step size.
Control theory
Definition and examplesP500 controller
German: P500-Controller
In industrial automation, P500 controller is a vendor product designation for a controller model or series; what the device does, from process controller to panel-based machine controller, depends on the manufacturer that uses the designation.
Control theory · Vendor product
Definition and examplesPD controller
German: PD-Regler
In control engineering, a PD controller combines proportional and derivative action: its output depends on the current control error and on its rate of change, which adds damping but leaves a steady-state error when a constant load acts on the process.
Control theory
Definition and examplesPhase margin
German: Phasenreserve
In control engineering, the phase margin is the additional phase lag an open control loop could tolerate at its gain crossover frequency (where the open-loop gain is 1) before the closed loop becomes unstable.
Control theory
Definition and examplesPI controller
German: PI-Regler
In control engineering, a PI controller combines proportional and integral action: the proportional part reacts to the current control error and the integral part removes steady-state error over time.
Control theory
Definition and examplesPID controller
German: PID-Regler
In control engineering, a PID controller computes its output from three terms of the control error: a proportional term for the current error, an integral term for the accumulated error and a derivative term for its rate of change.
Control theory
Definition and examplesProcess control
German: Prozessregelung
In industrial automation, process control is the measurement and automatic adjustment of process variables, such as temperature, pressure, flow, level and composition, so that a production process runs at its intended operating point within defined limits.
Control theory · Process industry
Definition and examplesProcess control system architecture
German: Prozessleitsystem (PLS)
In process automation, the process control system architecture is the structure of a process control system: operator and engineering stations, servers, controllers, I/O and the networks between them, arranged in levels and often with redundancy.
Control theory · Process industry
Definition and examplesProcess control technology
German: Prozessleittechnik
In industrial automation, process control technology is the engineering discipline and body of equipment for measuring, controlling, monitoring and operating process plants, covering field instrumentation, control systems, operator interfaces and safety instrumentation.
Control theory · Process industry
Definition and examplesProportional controller
German: P-Regler
In control engineering, a proportional controller produces an output proportional to the current control error, multiplied by the proportional gain; on its own it usually leaves a steady-state error when a load acts on the process.
Control theory
Definition and examplesRatio control
German: Verhältnisregelung
In process control, ratio control keeps one process variable, usually a flow, in a fixed or adjustable ratio to another, by using the measured value of the leading variable multiplied by the ratio as the setpoint of the following controller.
Control theory · Process industry
Definition and examplesRise time
German: Anstiegszeit
In control engineering, rise time is the time a step response takes to go from a lower to an upper percentage of its final value, commonly from 10 to 90 percent.
Control theory
Definition and examplesRobust control
German: Robuste Regelung
In control engineering, robust control is the design of controllers that keep stability and acceptable performance despite a specified range of uncertainty in the process model, disturbances or parameter variations.
Control theory
Definition and examplesRoot locus
German: Wurzelortskurve
In control engineering, the root locus is a graphical method that shows how the poles of a closed control loop move in the complex plane as one parameter, usually the controller gain, varies from zero to infinity.
Control theory
Definition and examples- Working term
Selective control
German: Auswahlregelung
In process control, selective control is a structure that uses high or low selectors to choose between several signals, either several measurements (for example the highest of several temperatures) or several controller outputs that compete for one actuator.
Control theory · Process industry
Definition and examples Settling time
German: Einschwingzeit
In control engineering, settling time is the time after a step change until the controlled variable enters and stays within a specified tolerance band around its final value, for example ±2 percent.
Control theory
Definition and examplesSingle-loop control
German: Einkreisregelung
In control engineering, single-loop control is a control structure with one measured variable, one controller and one manipulated variable, without nested or coordinated loops.
Control theory
Definition and examplesSpeed control
German: Drehzahlregelung
In drive engineering, speed control is the closed-loop control of the rotational speed of a motor, in which a speed controller compares the setpoint with the measured or estimated speed and sets the torque or current setpoint of the inner loop.
Control theory
Definition and examplesSplit-range control
German: Split-Range-Regelung
In process control, split-range control is a structure in which the output of one controller is divided into ranges that drive two or more actuators in sequence, for example a heating valve over one half of the output range and a cooling valve over the other.
Control theory · Process industry
Definition and examplesStability margin
German: Stabilitätsreserve
In control engineering, the stability margin is the distance of a control loop from instability, expressed as gain margin, phase margin or the minimum distance of the open-loop Nyquist curve from the critical point.
Control theory
Definition and examplesState observer
German: Zustandsbeobachter
In control engineering, a state observer is an algorithm that estimates internal states of a system that are not measured directly, by running a model of the system in parallel and correcting it with the difference between measured and predicted outputs.
Control theory
Definition and examplesState-space model
German: Zustandsraummodell
In control engineering, a state-space model describes a dynamic system by a set of first-order differential or difference equations that relate inputs, internal state variables and outputs, usually written in matrix form.
Control theory
Definition and examplesStatistical process control (SPC)
ISO 7870-2German: Statistische Prozessregelung (SPC)
In quality management, statistical process control (SPC) is the use of statistical methods, in particular control charts, to monitor a process and distinguish common-cause variation from special-cause variation that calls for investigation.
Control theory · Standards
Definition and examplesZiegler–Nichols method
German: Ziegler-Nichols-Verfahren
In control engineering, the Ziegler–Nichols method is a set of empirical PID tuning rules published by Ziegler and Nichols in 1942, which derive controller parameters either from the ultimate gain and oscillation period of a loop or from the parameters of a step response.
Control theory
Definition and examples
HMI, SCADA and operations
Access level
German: Zugriffsebene
In HMI and SCADA systems, an access level is a graded set of permissions that determines which screens, operations and parameter changes a logged-in user or user group may perform.
HMI and SCADA · OT security
Definition and examplesAlarm
ANSI/ISA-18.2 / IEC 62682German: Alarm
In alarm management according to ANSI/ISA-18.2 and IEC 62682, an alarm is an audible and/or visible means of indicating to the operator an equipment malfunction, process deviation or abnormal condition that requires a timely response.
HMI and SCADA · Process industry
Definition and examplesAlarm acknowledgment
ANSI/ISA-18.2 / IEC 62682German: Alarmquittierung
In alarm management, alarm acknowledgment is the operator action confirming that an alarm has been noticed; it changes the alarm's state and usually silences the audible signal, but doesn't clear the underlying condition.
HMI and SCADA · Process industry
Definition and examplesAlarm flooding
ANSI/ISA-18.2 / IEC 62682German: Alarmflut
In alarm management, alarm flooding is a condition in which alarms occur at a higher rate than an operator can effectively handle, for example more than about ten alarms in ten minutes per operator, as used as a guideline in ANSI/ISA-18.2.
HMI and SCADA · Process industry
Definition and examplesAlarm management
ANSI/ISA-18.2 / IEC 62682German: Alarmmanagement
In process automation, alarm management is the set of processes and practices for determining, documenting, designing, operating, monitoring and maintaining alarm systems across their lifecycle, as described in ANSI/ISA-18.2 and IEC 62682.
HMI and SCADA · Process industry · Standards
Definition and examplesAlarm rationalization
ANSI/ISA-18.2 / IEC 62682German: Alarmrationalisierung
In alarm management, alarm rationalization is the systematic review of potential and existing alarms against the alarm philosophy to confirm that each is needed and to document its cause, consequence, operator action, response time, priority and limit.
HMI and SCADA · Process industry
Definition and examplesAlarm shelving
ANSI/ISA-18.2 / IEC 62682German: Alarmunterdrückung
In alarm management, alarm shelving is a controlled, operator-initiated way to temporarily remove an alarm from the active alarm display, typically for a limited time and with the shelved alarm tracked and returned automatically.
HMI and SCADA · Process industry
Definition and examplesArchive tag
German: Archivvariable
In HMI and SCADA systems, an archive tag is a tag whose values are recorded in a data archive at a defined acquisition cycle or on change, so they can be displayed in trends, reported or analyzed later.
HMI and SCADA
Definition and examplesBatch report
ISA-88 / IEC 61512-1German: Chargenprotokoll
In batch production, a batch report is the record of how a specific batch was produced: the recipe used, materials, process values, operator actions, deviations, alarms and signatures, compiled from the batch control system's data.
HMI and SCADA · Process industry · Technical documentation
Definition and examplesDashboard
German: Dashboard
In industrial automation, a dashboard is a display that summarizes key figures and states of a machine, line or plant, such as output, availability, OEE or energy consumption, on one screen for quick overview.
HMI and SCADA
Definition and examplesDistributed control system (DCS)
German: Prozessleitsystem (PLS)
In process automation, a distributed control system (DCS) is an integrated control system in which controllers distributed across the plant execute control functions, while operator stations, engineering tools, historian and alarm system share one common database and configuration environment.
HMI and SCADA · Process industry
Definition and examplesElectronic signature
21 CFR Part 11German: Elektronische Signatur
In regulated production systems, an electronic signature is a computer data compilation of symbols executed, adopted or authorized by an individual as the legally binding equivalent of a handwritten signature, linked to the signed record and showing the signer, time and meaning of the signature.
HMI and SCADA · Process industry
Definition and examplesFaceplate
German: Bildbaustein
In HMI and process control systems, a faceplate is a standardized pop-up display for one control object, such as a motor, valve or PID loop, that shows its states, values and alarms and provides the operator controls for it.
HMI and SCADA
Definition and examples- Working term
Feedback system (operations)
German: Rückmeldesystem
In manufacturing operations, a feedback system is the set of signals and software that report the actual state or result of commands and production steps back to the ordering level, for example checkback signals from devices to the controller or production confirmations from the line to the MES or ERP system.
HMI and SCADA
Definition and examples Historian
German: Prozessdatenarchiv
In industrial automation, a historian is a time-series database system that collects, compresses, stores and serves process data, events and alarms from control systems over long periods for trending, reporting and analysis.
HMI and SCADA · Process industry
Definition and examplesHMI software
German: HMI (Human Machine Interface)
In industrial automation, HMI software is the software used to create and run human-machine interfaces: an engineering tool in which screens, tags, alarms and recipes are configured, and a runtime that executes the project on an operator panel or PC.
HMI and SCADA
Definition and examplesHuman-machine interface (HMI)
ANSI/ISA-101.01German: Mensch-Maschine-Schnittstelle (HMI)
In industrial automation, a human-machine interface (HMI) is the collection of screens, hardware and software through which operators and other users monitor and interact with a machine or process control system.
HMI and SCADA · Standards
Definition and examplesMagelis HMI STO/STU
German: Magelis HMI STO/STU
In industrial automation, Magelis HMI STO and STU are compact touch-screen operator panel ranges from Schneider Electric for small machines, configured with Schneider Electric's HMI engineering software; the Magelis ranges have since been continued under the Harmony brand.
HMI and SCADA · Vendor product
Definition and examplesMessage class
German: Meldeklasse
In HMI and SCADA systems, a message class is a category of messages with common properties, such as whether acknowledgment is required, display colors, audible signal and logging, for example error, warning, system or operating messages.
HMI and SCADA
Definition and examplesMimic diagram
German: Prozessbild
In HMI and process control systems, a mimic diagram is a graphical display that represents a process or machine schematically, with symbols for equipment and live values and states, so operators can supervise and operate it.
HMI and SCADA
Definition and examplesNA HMI (Omron)
German: NA-HMI
In industrial automation, NA HMI refers to Omron's NA series of touch-screen operator panels, part of the Sysmac platform and configured in the Sysmac Studio engineering software together with Omron's machine controllers.
HMI and SCADA · Vendor product
Definition and examplesNS HMI (Omron)
German: NS-HMI
In industrial automation, NS HMI refers to Omron's NS series of programmable terminals (touch-screen operator panels), an earlier panel generation configured with Omron's CX-Designer software.
HMI and SCADA · Vendor product
Definition and examplesOperator guidance
German: Bedienerführung
In HMI design, operator guidance is the set of HMI functions that lead operators through tasks and situations, such as step-by-step prompts, context-sensitive help, alarm help texts and indications of the next required action.
HMI and SCADA · Technical documentation
Definition and examplesOperator panel
German: Bediengerät
In industrial automation, an operator panel is a hardware device with a display and input elements, such as a touch screen, keys or both, on which an HMI runtime shows screens for operating and monitoring a machine.
HMI and SCADA
Definition and examplesPanel PC
German: Panel-PC
In industrial automation, a panel PC is an industrial computer integrated with a display, usually a touch screen, in one housing designed for front mounting in control cabinets or machine enclosures.
HMI and SCADA
Definition and examplesPanelView
German: PanelView
In industrial automation, PanelView is a family of operator panels from Rockwell Automation's Allen-Bradley brand, used as HMIs for machines controlled by Allen-Bradley controllers and configured with Rockwell Automation's HMI software.
HMI and SCADA · Vendor product
Definition and examplesPanelView Plus 7
German: PanelView Plus 7
In industrial automation, PanelView Plus 7 is a series of graphic terminals (operator panels) in Rockwell Automation's Allen-Bradley PanelView family, configured with FactoryTalk View Machine Edition.
HMI and SCADA · Vendor product
Definition and examplesPower Panel (B&R)
German: Power Panel
In industrial automation, Power Panel is a product family from B&R Industrial Automation (part of ABB) that combines an operator display with controller functions in one device, depending on the variant, and is engineered in B&R Automation Studio.
HMI and SCADA · Vendor product
Definition and examplesRecipe display
German: Rezeptanzeige
In HMI systems, a recipe display is a screen object or view that shows the recipes stored in the HMI or controller with their data records and lets authorized users select, view, edit, save and transfer them to the controller.
HMI and SCADA
Definition and examplesProcess control system
German: Prozessleitsystem
In process automation, a process control system is the system of controllers, operator stations, engineering tools, networks and software used to monitor and control a process plant, including functions for alarms, trends and archiving.
HMI and SCADA · Process industry
Definition and examplesRecipe
ISA-88 / IEC 61512-1German: Rezeptur
In batch control according to ISA-88 / IEC 61512-1, a recipe is the necessary set of information that uniquely defines the production requirements for a specific product, consisting of header, formula, equipment requirements and procedure; in machine automation, the term also names a stored set of product-specific parameters.
HMI and SCADA · Process industry
Definition and examples- Working term
Message management
German: Meldemanagement
In HMI and SCADA systems, message management is the function that generates, displays, acknowledges, logs and archives messages from the process and the system, including alarms, warnings, events and operator actions.
HMI and SCADA
Definition and examples SCADA software
German: SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition)
In industrial automation, SCADA software is the software package that implements supervisory control and data acquisition: drivers to controllers and RTUs, a tag database, graphics, alarming, historical data, scripting and client-server functions.
HMI and SCADA
Definition and examplesSupervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA)
German: Prozessleitsystem (SCADA)
In industrial automation, supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) is a system architecture for supervising and controlling distributed equipment, in which central servers collect data from PLCs and remote terminal units, present it to operators and send supervisory commands, while local controllers perform the real-time control.
HMI and SCADA · OT security
Definition and examplesTouch panel
German: Touchpanel
In industrial automation, a touch panel is an operator panel operated mainly through a touch-sensitive screen instead of physical keys, used to run HMI screens on machines and plants.
HMI and SCADA
Definition and examplesTrend display
German: Trendanzeige
In HMI and SCADA systems, a trend display is a screen object that shows the values of one or more tags over time as curves, either in real time or from archived data.
HMI and SCADA
Definition and examplesUser role
German: Benutzerrolle
In automation and IT systems, a user role is a named set of permissions that is assigned to users according to their job function, such as operator, maintenance technician or engineer, so access rights are managed per role rather than per person.
HMI and SCADA · OT security
Definition and examplesVisualization
German: Visualisierung
In industrial automation, visualization is the graphical presentation of machine and process states, values and alarms on screens, together with the operating functions that let users interact with the process.
HMI and SCADA
Definition and examplesWarning (HMI message)
German: Warnung
In HMI and SCADA systems, a warning is a message class indicating an abnormal but not yet critical condition, such as a value approaching a limit or a maintenance interval running out, which requires attention but usually doesn't stop the machine.
HMI and SCADA
Definition and examples
Electrical engineering and control panels
24 V DC control voltage
German: 24-V-DC-Steuerspannung
In control panel engineering, 24 V DC control voltage is the direct voltage of nominally 24 V commonly used to supply controllers, I/O modules, sensors, relays and other control circuits in industrial machines and plants.
Control panels
Definition and examplesAnalog input
IEC 61131-2German: Analogeingang
In industrial control, an analog input is a controller input channel that converts a continuous signal, such as 4–20 mA, 0–10 V or a resistance thermometer signal, into a digital value the control program can process.
Control panels
Definition and examplesAnalog output
IEC 61131-2German: Analogausgang
In industrial control, an analog output is a controller output channel that converts a digital value from the control program into a continuous signal, such as 4–20 mA or 0–10 V, to drive actuators like control valves or frequency converters.
Control panels
Definition and examplesCable duct
German: Verdrahtungskanal
In control panel building, a cable duct is a slotted plastic channel with a removable cover mounted on the mounting plate to route and hold the wires between devices in a control cabinet.
Control panels
Definition and examplesCable gland
IEC 62444German: Kabelverschraubung
In electrical installation, a cable gland is a device that leads a cable into an enclosure while sealing the entry, relieving strain on the cable and, depending on its type, providing shield contact or explosion protection.
Control panels
Definition and examplesCircuit breaker
IEC 60898-1German: Leitungsschutzschalter
In electrical installation, a circuit breaker is a mechanical switching device that carries and interrupts currents and trips automatically on overload or short circuit; the German term Leitungsschutzschalter specifically denotes the miniature circuit breaker protecting cables and circuits.
Control panels
Definition and examplesConnector
German: Steckverbinder
In electrical engineering, a connector is a device that makes a detachable electrical connection between cables, or between a cable and a device, through mating plug and socket parts.
Control panels
Definition and examplesContactor
IEC 60947-4-1German: Schütz
In electrical engineering, a contactor is an electromagnetically operated switching device designed for frequent switching of load currents, such as motors, heaters or capacitors, under normal operating conditions, including specified overloads.
Control panels
Definition and examplesControl cabinet
IEC 61439-1German: Schaltschrank
In electrical engineering, a control cabinet is an enclosure that houses the electrical and electronic equipment of a machine or plant, such as controllers, power supplies, protective devices, contactors and terminals, and protects it against environmental influences and people against contact with live parts.
Control panels
Definition and examplesControl panel
German: Steuerungstafel
In machine and plant engineering, a control panel is a panel, desk or enclosure front that carries control and indicating devices, such as pushbuttons, selector switches, indicator lights, operator panels and emergency stop devices, for operating a machine or plant.
Control panels
Definition and examplesControl relay
IEC 60947-5-1German: Steuerrelais
In control engineering, a control relay is an electromechanical switching device used in control circuits to switch signals and small loads, to multiply contacts or to provide isolation between circuits, operated by a coil at control voltage.
Control panels
Definition and examplesDigital input
IEC 61131-2German: Digitaleingang
In industrial control, a digital input is a controller input channel that detects one of two signal states, typically the presence or absence of 24 V DC, from devices such as pushbuttons, limit switches or proximity sensors.
Control panels
Definition and examplesDigital output
IEC 61131-2German: Digitalausgang
In industrial control, a digital output is a controller output channel that switches between two states to drive devices such as relays, solenoid valves, indicator lights or contactor coils, implemented as a transistor or relay output.
Control panels
Definition and examplesDIN rail
IEC 60715German: Hutschiene
In control panel building, a DIN rail is a standardized metal rail, most commonly 35 mm wide with a top-hat profile, on which terminal blocks, circuit breakers, relays, power supplies and I/O modules are snapped in a control cabinet.
Control panels
Definition and examplesElectric mobility
German: Elektromobilität
In engineering and industry, electric mobility is the use of electrically powered vehicles, such as battery electric cars, trucks, forklifts and automated guided vehicles, together with the charging infrastructure and energy systems that support them.
Control panels
Definition and examplesElectromagnetic compatibility (EMC)
EMC Directive 2014/30/EUGerman: Elektromagnetische Verträglichkeit (EMV)
In electrical engineering, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) is the ability of equipment or a system to function satisfactorily in its electromagnetic environment without introducing intolerable electromagnetic disturbances to other equipment in that environment.
Control panels · Standards
Definition and examplesFuse
IEC 60269-1German: Sicherung
In electrical engineering, a fuse is a protective device that interrupts a circuit by melting a fusible element when the current exceeds a specified value for a sufficient time, and must be replaced after operating.
Control panels
Definition and examplesGalvanic isolation
German: Galvanische Trennung
In electrical engineering, galvanic isolation is the separation of two circuits so that no direct conductive path exists between them, while signals or energy are still transferred, for example by transformers, optocouplers or capacitive couplers.
Control panels
Definition and examplesGround loop
German: Masseschleife
In electrical engineering, a ground loop is an unwanted current path formed when a signal circuit or cable shield is connected to ground at more than one point with different potentials, so that equalizing currents flow and disturb signals.
Control panels
Definition and examplesI/O module
German: I/O-Modul
In industrial control, an I/O module is a hardware module that connects field signals, such as sensor inputs and actuator outputs, to a controller, converting them between electrical signals and data in the controller's process image.
Control panels
Definition and examplesI/O system
German: I/O-Module
In industrial control, an I/O system is the modular arrangement of I/O modules, bus coupler or head station, backplane and power distribution that connects a group of field signals to a controller, either locally in the rack or remotely over a fieldbus or industrial Ethernet.
Control panels
Definition and examplesInput module
German: Eingabebaugruppe
In industrial control, an input module is an I/O module that acquires signals from field devices, such as switches, sensors or transmitters, and provides their states or values to the controller.
Control panels
Definition and examplesInput signal
German: Eingangssignal
In control engineering, an input signal is a physical signal fed into a controller, device or system, such as a voltage, current, pulse train or bus telegram, that carries information about a state or value.
Control panels
Definition and examplesInput value
German: Eingangswert
In industrial control, an input value is the digital value that a controller or function receives from an input signal after conversion, scaling and filtering, for example a raw count, a Boolean state or a value in an engineering unit.
Control panels
Definition and examplesJunction box
German: Klemmenkasten
In electrical installation, a junction box is a small enclosure in the field in which cables from several devices are connected to terminals and combined into multicore cables leading to the control cabinet or I/O system.
Control panels
Definition and examplesMarshalling cabinet
German: Rangierschrank
In process automation, a marshalling cabinet is an enclosure in which field cables are terminated and cross-wired (marshalled) to the I/O modules of the control system, decoupling the field cable order from the I/O channel assignment.
Control panels · Process industry
Definition and examples- Working term
Master craftsman in electrical engineering
German: Industriemeister Elektrotechnik
In the German vocational system, the master craftsman in electrical engineering (Industriemeister Elektrotechnik) is an advanced vocational qualification for experienced electricians that qualifies holders to lead technical teams, plan work and take responsibility for electrical work in industrial companies; it is not an academic master's degree.
Control panels
Definition and examples Murrelektronik
German: Murrelektronik
In industrial automation, Murrelektronik is a German manufacturer of electrical installation and connectivity products for machines and control cabinets, such as power supplies, connectors and cables, fieldbus I/O modules and interface components.
Control panels · Vendor product
Definition and examplesOutput
German: Ausgang
In industrial control, an output is a controller or device channel that sends a signal to the field or to another system to act on the process, such as switching a valve, setting a speed or lighting an indicator.
Control panels
Definition and examplesOutput module
German: Ausgabebaugruppe
In industrial control, an output module is an I/O module that converts output values from the controller into electrical signals that drive field devices such as relays, solenoid valves, contactors, indicators or analog actuators.
Control panels
Definition and examplesPower supply
German: Spannungsversorgung
In electrical engineering, the power supply of a machine, cabinet or device is the provision of electrical energy at the required voltage, current and quality, including the incoming supply, its protection and the distribution to loads.
Control panels
Definition and examplesPower supply unit
German: Netzteil
In electrical engineering, a power supply unit is a device that converts electrical energy from one form to another, typically from AC mains voltage to a regulated DC voltage such as 24 V DC, for supplying controllers, sensors and other loads.
Control panels
Definition and examplesProtection (electrical)
German: Schutz
In electrical engineering, protection is the set of measures and devices that detect abnormal conditions such as overcurrent, short circuit, earth fault or overvoltage and disconnect or limit them, to protect people against electric shock and equipment and cables against damage and fire.
Control panels
Definition and examplesProtective bonding
IEC 60204-1German: Schutzpotentialausgleich
In electrical engineering, protective bonding is the connection of exposed conductive parts and extraneous conductive parts to the protective earth, so that no dangerous touch voltage can arise between them in the event of an insulation fault.
Control panels
Definition and examplesProtective earth (PE)
IEC 60204-1German: Schutzleiter (PE)
In electrical engineering, the protective earth (PE) conductor is a conductor provided for safety purposes, connecting exposed conductive parts to earth so that a fault current can flow and protective devices can disconnect the supply in time.
Control panels
Definition and examplesProtective extra-low voltage (PELV)
IEC 60364-4-41German: Funktionskleinspannung mit sicherer Trennung (PELV)
In electrical safety, protective extra-low voltage (PELV) is an extra-low voltage system that is electrically separated from higher-voltage circuits by protective separation but, unlike SELV, may be connected to earth.
Control panels
Definition and examplesRelay
IEC 61810-1German: Relais
In electrical engineering, a relay is a device that switches one or more electrical circuits in response to an input signal, classically an electromagnetic coil that operates mechanical contacts.
Control panels
Definition and examplesRelay output
German: Relaisausgang
In industrial control, a relay output is a digital output channel in which a relay contact switches the load circuit, providing galvanic isolation and allowing AC or DC loads of different voltages.
Control panels
Definition and examplesRemote terminal unit (RTU)
German: RTU (Remote Terminal Unit)
In SCADA and telecontrol systems, a remote terminal unit (RTU) is a microprocessor-based field device at a remote site that acquires signals, executes local logic and communicates with a central SCADA system over telemetry links using protocols such as IEC 60870-5-101/104 or DNP3.
Control panels · OT security
Definition and examplesSafety extra-low voltage (SELV)
IEC 60364-4-41German: Schutzkleinspannung (SELV)
In electrical safety, safety extra-low voltage (SELV) is an extra-low voltage system that is electrically separated from earth and from other systems in such a way that a single fault cannot cause the risk of electric shock.
Control panels
Definition and examplesShielding
German: Schirmung
In electrical engineering, shielding is the use of conductive layers, such as cable braids, foils or enclosures, to reduce the coupling of electromagnetic fields into or out of cables and equipment.
Control panels
Definition and examplesSolid-state relay
German: Halbleiterrelais
In electrical engineering, a solid-state relay (SSR) is a switching device that uses semiconductor components, such as thyristors, triacs or MOSFETs, instead of mechanical contacts to switch a load circuit, usually with optical isolation between control and load side.
Control panels
Definition and examplesSwitchgear
IEC 61439-1German: Schaltanlage
In electrical engineering, switchgear is the combination of switching, protective, measuring and control devices with their enclosures and connections, used to distribute electrical power and to switch, protect and isolate circuits; low-voltage assemblies are covered by the IEC 61439 series and high-voltage switchgear by the IEC 62271 series.
Control panels
Definition and examplesTerminal block
IEC 60947-7-1German: Reihenklemme
In control panel building, a terminal block is a modular, insulated connection element mounted on a DIN rail that connects conductors, typically the internal cabinet wiring to field cables, using screw, spring or push-in clamps.
Control panels
Definition and examplesTransistor output
German: Transistorausgang
In industrial control, a transistor output is a digital output channel in which a transistor switches a DC load, typically at 24 V DC, allowing fast, wear-free switching of small loads such as solenoid valves, indicators and relays.
Control panels
Definition and examplesUninterruptible power supply (UPS)
IEC 62040German: Unterbrechungsfreie Stromversorgung (USV)
In electrical engineering, an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) is a system with energy storage, usually batteries or capacitors, that continues to supply connected loads during interruptions or disturbances of the mains supply for a defined time.
Control panels
Definition and examplesWire ferrule
DIN 46228German: Aderendhülse
In control panel building, a wire ferrule is a metal sleeve, often with a plastic collar, that is crimped onto the stripped end of a stranded conductor so all strands are held together for a reliable connection in a terminal.
Control panels
Definition and examplesWiring
German: Verdrahtung
In electrical engineering, wiring is the set of conductors that electrically connect the devices of a control cabinet, machine or plant, as well as the work of installing them according to the circuit diagram.
Control panels
Definition and examples
Definitions follow the cited standards and specifications. Where a source is a copyrighted publication, such as an ISO, IEC or EN standard, the definition is a close paraphrase, not a verbatim quotation, so as not to infringe copyright. We recommend reading the original publication. The sections “How it applies” are editorial commentary by AI TechDoc Blog and are not part of any standard.