Instrumentation Technician NCCER Practice Test 2 Assessment

Common areas where an instrumentation technician II will need skill and knowledge In.

Note: the topic areas below align with the NCCER certificate level two, so it will be a great study guide for NCCER testing.

An instrumentation tech level 2 should possess a range of skills and knowledge in the following areas:

E&I Technician Safety

Technician 2s require extra safety training. The Instrumentation Technician II has more responsibilities and deals with complex tasks. Knowing personal protective equipment (PPE) is key. It helps you work with hazardous materials safely. Extra training and PPE knowledge also lower the risk of arc flash. Techs need training on complex LOTO and confined space entry.

National Electrical Code^®

The NEC sets rules for electrical wiring and equipment in the U.S. Following NEC makes installations safe and legal. All tech levels should understand the NEC, but Level II techs need deeper knowledge. This is vital for complex installations, troubleshooting, and safety.

A Tech 2 must know the classes, divisions, and groups of hazardous locations (e.g., Class I, Division 1, Group B). Understanding explosion-proof wiring, seals, and intrinsically safe systems is crucial in hazardous areas instrumentation. Understanding NEC Article 725 (Remote-Control, Signaling, and Power-Limited Circuits) is vital. You also need to know about grounding and bonding systems. Additionally, you need to be familiar with NEC's testing requirements for specific systems.

Electrical Theory

Understand basic concepts like voltage, current, resistance, and power. These elements affect how circuits behave. Another example is understanding the impact of impedance by resistors, capacitors, and inductors. Also, understand resonant circuits and their use in filters.

Technicians need more intelligent knowledge of semiconductors like transistors, diodes, and op-amps. You also need to understand digital electronics. Logic gates, flip-flops, and numbering systems are examples. Familiarity with closed-loop control systems, including PID controllers, is essential at this level.

Alternating Current (AC)

Understanding AC electricity is crucial. Understanding waveforms, frequency, and phase relationships. These principles are vital for working with AC systems. You should know how to analyze AC circuits with inductors and capacitors. Understand key concepts like impedance, capacitive reactance, and inductive reactance.

Knowing phasor diagrams, power factor, and resonance is key. These concepts help analyze and fix specific systems. You need to understand AC motor control circuits better. Circuits include starters, variable frequency drives (VFDs), transformers, and their role in instrumentation systems. Power quality issues can affect sensitive instruments. Key problems include harmonics and voltage sags or swells. Understanding these basics is essential for maintaining equipment performance. You will troubleshoot AC circuits and devices. Also, you will create and apply preventive maintenance procedures for AC-powered equipment. This includes motors, transformers, and control panels.

E&I Test Equipment

Master the use of electrical and instrumentation test equipment. You should master diagnostics and troubleshooting equipment such as multimeters, oscilloscopes, and calibrators. At level two, you will work with advanced calibration tools and methods.

You need to have advanced calibrator skills. These calibrators can simulate and measure various signals. These include voltage, current, resistance, frequency, thermocouple, and RTD. You will also calibrate different types of instruments. You will use pressure, temperature, and flow calibrators to do so.

Flow, Pressure, Level, and Temperature

Learn how instruments measure flow, pressure, level, and temperature. Understanding the circuits helps them convert and change signals for measurement and control. Understanding the electrical parts of process transmitters and signal converters will help, too.

You need to know more about DP, HART, Fieldbus, thermocouples, RTDs, hydrostatic, ultrasonic, radar, pH, and conductivity transmitters. You must also understand I/P and P/I converters, A/D and D/A converters, frequency-to-analog converters, and signal isolators. Knowing how to wire and terminate various converter types and signal protocols is essential. Additionally, you will need to understand how the PLC, SCADA, and DCS process those signals.

Process Mathematics

Apply mathematical concepts to solve problems in process control and instrumentation. Math that includes unit conversions and calculations for flow rates and pressures. Technician IIs should understand binary arithmetic. They must also be able to convert numbering systems, such as hexadecimal to binary.

Trigonometry could be necessary for surveying, alignment, and specific sensor installations. You should know some basics about derivatives and integrals. They help with understanding rates of change and areas or volumes. This knowledge can be helpful when analyzing process data or optimizing control loops.

You will use them for:

• Calibration and Measurement
• System Analysis
• Control Loop Tuning
• Data Interpretation

Hand Bending

Use tools to bend conduit and tubing with precision. Ensuring a good fit and proper alignment during installation. You should be proficient in creating 3-point and 4-point saddle bends. You also need to perform offset, segment, and parallel bends. You must solve problems and engage in spatial thinking to handle obstacles.

Tubing

Learn to choose, install, and care for various tubing types for fluid transport. Make sure they meet the system's needs. The Instrument Technician II performs more complex tubing routing using advanced bending techniques. They also need to be well-versed in industry-specific standards for tube installation.

Understanding various tubing materials, like stainless steel, copper, and PTFE, is key. Each material works best in certain situations. Consider factors like pressure, temperature, and chemical compatibility when choosing the right one. They should know about special tubing types. These include heat-traced tubing and high-pressure tubing.

Clean, purge, and test tubing and piping systems

Learn how to clean, purge, and test your piping and tubing systems. Tasks that protect them from contaminants and ensure good performance. Technician IIs need more knowledge than entry-level technicians in these areas.

Tech 2s need to understand pickling. This process removes scale and oxides from metal surfaces. They also need to know about passivation. Passivation creates a protective layer, especially for materials like stainless steel. You must have the skill to use inert gases like nitrogen and argon for purging. You may need specialized knowledge of purging procedures for oxygen systems. Know the safety rules for cleaning, purging, and testing. This safety knowledge includes Lock-Out/Tag-Out procedures.

Tap to view 2024 Automation Technician Trends

Instrument Drawings and Documents

Level two techs must do more than identify instruments on P&IDs. They need to understand the process flow. They need to understand how instruments work together and the control strategies involved. They should read loop diagrams to understand the complete circuit for each instrument. This includes wiring, power supply, signal types, and safety components.

Technicians must read and understand detailed instrument specs and data sheets. Tech 1s focus on basic signal wiring. Level two techs must understand the power and control circuits connected to instruments. This often involves motor controls and other electrical systems.

Conductors and Cables

Know the types and specifications of various conductors and cables. Understand their appropriate applications in different contexts. You need to know about different flexible cables. Also, consider how to pick the right one. Focus on bend radius, flex cycles, and environmental conditions.

You need to understand shielding methods and when to use shielding. Techs need to know how capacitance and inductance impact signal transmission in cables. This is especially important at higher frequencies. You also need to know the standards for your industry, like ISA or IEC. These standards affect how you choose and install cables, especially in hazardous areas.

Conductor Terminations and Splices

Ensure precise termination and splicing of conductors. You need skills in using a wider variety of connectors. Connectors include those for high-density connections, fiber optics, and specialized industrial applications. Level II will also require greater knowledge of crimping, compression, and soldering techniques.

You need to understand how terminations and splices affect control systems like PLCs. Also, it's vital to grasp the termination of communication networks. Communication network terminations are essential for signal transmission. Networks include Ethernet, Profibus, and Fieldbus. Proper termination ensures everything functions without issues.

These basic skills help technicians perform well in industrial jobs. They ensure safety, efficiency, and reliability are top-notch.

Instrumentation Technician II FAQ:

Frequently Asked Questions about Instrumentation Technician II

What are the primary responsibilities of an Instrumentation Technician II?

An Instrumentation Technician II installs, maintains, and troubleshoots complex instrumentation systems. They include working with measurement devices, ensuring safety standards, and performing calibrations. They support process control systems. They may also manage projects or train junior technicians.

What skills are essential for an Instrumentation Tech II?

Key skills include knowing electrical theory well and using test equipment for electrical and instrumentation. Knowing the National Electrical Code® (NEC) is key. Being familiar with process control instruments, such as transmitters, is also important. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and safety awareness are also crucial.

What kind of work environment does an Instrumentation Technician II typically operate in?

Instrumentation Technicians II work in different places. These include industrial plants, manufacturing facilities, and utility companies. They can work inside or outside. Often, they are in dangerous areas that need strict safety rules.

What training or certifications help one advance to the Instrumentation Tech II level?

How does an Instrumentation Technician II ensure compliance with safety regulations?

Technicians follow safety rules, such as OSHA standards and the National Electrical Code®. They wear personal protective equipment (PPE). They also hold regular safety training. Plus, they use Lock-Out/Tag-Out (LOTO) procedures. Following confined space protocols and doing regular safety audits help with compliance.

Instrumentation degree or NCCER certification?

An instrumentation degree gives engineers a broader, more in-depth understanding of the field. NCCER certifications focus on specific skills and competencies for instrumentation technicians. Fortune 500 companies prefer a degree, while smaller companies and contractors hire technicians with certifications. NCCER instrumentation level two certification is suitable for entry-level in most companies. Entry-level techs start at about $30 per hour, engineers at $36 per hour.

To search for a current verified instrument technician vacancy in your area, please use our Verified USA Jobs App.

Here is another FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions and answers) you may find helpful.

Troubleshooting FAQ for Instrumentation Technicians