On the Job With An Instrumentation Technician

1. On the Job With An Instrumentation Technician

2. On the Job with an Instrumentation Technician • People who are good at electronics and pay attention to details can have a great career awaiting them as an instrumentation technician. The attention to detail aspect of the job comes in handy throughout the day, as these technicians are constantly inspecting, adjusting and regulating the flow and water pressure from a variety of manufacturing equipment. Salaries for instrumentation jobs in oil and gas are always increasing, and the demand for technicians has never been greater.

3. Testing the Equipment • Instrumentation technicians spend a good part of their workday testing all types of equipment. The accuracy levels of measurement equipment such as pressure gauges, temperature controls and radiation counters must be constantly checked to make sure they are providing the proper readings. The job of an instrumentation technician is to check for worn-out parts on these indicators using such tools as signal generators and manometers, and to replace them when needed.

4. Schematics and Reports • When a technician does find anything that needs to be replaced or repaired, it's their job to create a schematic drawing of the area that was repaired or replaced. This is usually done when part of a control panel or similar device has been altered. Along with the drawing, a report is also prepared to explain why the repairs were made, and what the instrument readings were before and after the repairs.

5. Recording and Metering Units • When a company needs to start processing new products for customers, it's the job of the instrumentation technician to make sure the equipment is set up to handle the process. This is accomplished by installing metering and recording devices. This is done as the need arises, and after all new devices are installed they must be properly calibrated to perform correctly. After all the equipment is installed, technicians usually connect electrical circuits to the devices and perform tests to ensure everything is working correctly.

6. Training the Trainees • Instrumentation technicians who have prior experience and the ability to teach others are often given the responsibility of training new technicians as to the proper procedures necessary to perform the job. They are usually assigned a trainee, and stay with them while showing them how to properly repair, maintain and calibrate systems for maximum efficiency.

7. Job Outlook • The job outlook for instrumentation technicians remains strong. Instrumentation jobs will be in high-demand from expanding opportunities in manufacturing, oil companies in Texas, as the need to find more efficient energy resources will result in expanded research and development at most companies. • Salaries for these jobs are outstanding, especially since they only require two years of college. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, average annual salaries for instrumentation technicians are close to $50,000.

8. Job Outlook • Jobs are so plentiful in some areas of the nation and world that companies are designing their own training programs to help meet the demand. For those seeking a stable career with excellent pay, great benefits and a variety of tasks during the workday there are few jobs better than that of an instrumentation technician.