Red Seal Instrumentation and Control Technician Practice Exam

What is the function of a transmitter in instrumentation?

1. To amplify sensor signals

2. To convert and transmit sensor signals to a control system

3. To store data from sensors

4. To execute control commands

The correct answer is: To convert and transmit sensor signals to a control system

A transmitter plays a crucial role in the functioning of instrumentation within control systems. Its primary function is to convert the signals received from sensors into a standardized format and then transmit these signals to a control system or a monitoring system. This is essential as sensors typically generate signals that may vary in type (like analog or digital) and may not be directly usable by the control system, which typically requires standardized inputs. By taking the output from a sensor, such as temperature, pressure, or flow rate, the transmitter ensures that the information is accurately represented and relayed to the next component in the control strategy, whether it be a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller), DCS (Distributed Control System), or SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) system. This ensures that the control system can effectively interpret the data and make necessary adjustments to maintain desired process parameters. The ability of the transmitter to convert and properly scale these signals also enhances the reliability of the data being transmitted, ensuring that the control system can operate efficiently and maintain process control.