Cost Aspects of Plant Automation – Cost of Ownership
Abstract
At a first glance low cost automation could be regarded as cheap hardware (sensors, actuators and controller). That is of course an important point to consider. But today we are looking for a cost effective life cycle of an automation system: design, production, operation, maintenance, refitting or recycling, and human skill is also an important factor. Despite relative expensive components the complete automation system can be cost effective with respect to operation and maintenance. The contribution exemplifies these considerations on automation systems in plants.
