What are Field Components?
Field components (or field equipment) are electronic or electromechanical devices located in the field — that is, directly on or near the production process. They form the lowest physical layer of an automation system and communicate with control systems such as PLCs via Sensors, Actuators and fieldbuses.
🔧 What do field components do?
Field components:
- Measure physical process variables (such as temperature, pressure, level, position)
- Drive processes (such as motors, valves, relays)
- Detect events or products (such as presence or speed)
- Send and receive signals via fieldbuses to higher-level systems (PLC, SCADA)
🧱 Examples of field components
| Type | Example component | Function |
|---|---|---|
| Sensor | Temperature sensor, pressure sensor | Measure physical quantities |
| Actuator | Electric motor, solenoid valve | Carry out actions (movement, opening/closing) |
| I/O modules | Digital/analogue input card | Translate field signals into signals for the PLC |
| Limit switches | Position sensor or stop switch | Detect presence or end position |
| Signalling | Indicator lights, buzzers | Visual or audible feedback for operators |
| Motor starters / drives | Variable frequency drives, soft starters | Control motors and movement |
🏭 Where are field components used?
- Machine building: drives, position detection
- Process industry: measurements in tanks or pipes
- Logistics and warehousing: object detection, conveyor control
- Food industry: level and temperature monitoring
- Building management: climate control, access control
🔄 Field components in relation to automation
- Sensors/Actuators are field components
- Via I/O cards or fieldbuses they communicate with the controller
- Controllers drive the process based on that data
📌 In summary
Field components are the physical “eyes, ears and hands” of an automation system. They provide the interaction between the digital control system and the real world of machines, products and processes.