A Guide to the Automation Body of Knowledge, 2nd Edition

This is the best book ISA has ever put out, but it's expensive no doubt.

The must have for Automation and Controls Engineers!!

The term "automation" includes all topics that have traditionally been identified as instrumentation, process control, and system integration, for example. Automation professionals are those individuals who are responsible for the direction, design, and deployment of systems and equipment for manufacturing and control systems. This book emerged from the work to develop ISA's Certified Automation Professional (CAP) program. However, it should be beneficial to more than those that wish to pass the CAP exam. While this book attempts to cover all of the topics in the scope of the CAP exam, many CAP exam questions will not be covered in this book since CAP questions can be drawn from any book or referred paper in automation. Still a good knowledge of the material in this book should be very helpful in preparing for the CAP exam. Since there are only approximately 13 pages per subject, you may need to go to one of the listed references in a particular section to get a more complete understanding of that topic. Also, note that this book reads more like a reference book than a textbook with lots of densely packed information. The table of contents is listed below: Part 1 - BASIC CONTINUOUS CONTROL 1. Process Instrumentation 2. Analytical Instrumentation 3. Continuous Control 4. Control Valves 5. Analog Communications 6. Control System Documentation 7. Control Equipment Part 2 - BASIC DISCRETE, SEQUENCING, AND MANUFACTURING CONTROL 8. Discrete Input and Output Devices and General Manufacturing Measurements 9. Discrete and Sequencing Control 10. Motor and Drive Control 11. Motion Control Part 3 - ADVANCED CONTROL TOPICS 12. Process Modeling 13. Advanced Process Control 14. Control of Batch Processes 15. Environmental 16. Building Automation Part 4 - RELIABILITY, SAFETY, AND ELECTRICAL 17. Alarm Management 18. Reliability 19. Process Safety and Safety Instrumented Systems 20. Electrical Installations 21. Safe Use and Application of Electrical Apparatus Part 5 - INTEGRATION AND SOFTWARE 22. Digital Communications 23. Industrial Networks 24. Manufacturing Execution Systems and Business Integration 25. System and Network Security 26. Operator Interface 27. Data Management 28. Software PART 6 - DEPLOYMENT AND MAINTENANCE 29. Operator Training 30. Checkout, System Testing, and Startup 31. Troubleshooting 32. Maintenance, Long Term Support, and System Management PART 7 - WORK STRUCTURE 33. Automation Benefits and Project Justifications 34. Project Management and Execution 35. Interpersonal Skills

Its a good technical overview of automation , I believe it can be used as a text book on a technical school.

In the few months since the release of the first edition of this book it has become a standard overview of the field. 'Overview' because this is a brief introduction to virtually all of the subjects which when lumped together can be called automation. The subjects covered include instrumentation, process control, motors, process modeling, reliability, safety, and of course a great deal about computer controls. In the computer area (about 40% of the book), the subjects include networks, security, operator interfaces, data management, software, operator training, troubleshooting and more. This book is intended for use by automation professionals, academicians either for their own knowledge or for teaching, and is probably the best single source to use in preparing for the ISA Certified Automation Professional (CAP) exam. Because of the large number of subjects covered and the depth given to each subject (which is not to say that if you want to go further you wouldn't find whole books on each of these subjects) the individual chapters are written by an expert in that particular field. In the short time that this book has been available, it has become the standard in the field. I know of no other book that goes into as many different subject areas in automation with as much depth as this one.

For me this book has been the gateway to what you need to understand for the CAP exam. If you understand all the diffrent sectors of automation covered by this book, then your well on your way to passing the CAP exam. This book has helped me to see and appreciate the Automation Industry as a whole.

It is ultimate guide for candidates who are seeking Certification from ISA as "Certified Automation Professional". This book contains all the modules prescribed in certification exam. One can use this book as a standard reference and start preparations. Although I found that, there is not much difference in the past editions of this book. - Print quality and language of the book is just awesome. - Important tables and formulas are separately mentioned.

Good up to date information and give a good overview, very useful for control and System professionals and students in the process control field.