Automation and the changing face of the electrician profession

Automation is a process in which human intervention is replaced. This means that machines are able to monitor the various processes and control the associated systems. This makes it possible to avoid errors, increase production efficiency and reduce the workload for employees.

What is automation technology?

Automation technology is all the technology that is used to monitor and control production plants and other systems. This makes human operators superfluous. Automation technology is primarily used wherever a consistent process with the same quality is required for a large number of products.

Depending on the situation, environment, target and settings, the automation technology can function completely independently. It includes sensors and measurement technology. This is used to read the statuses and parameters and compare them with the specifications.

Then there is the control and regulation technology. This can react independently to the determined parameters and make settings on its own. This guarantees that the various processes within the system run smoothly.

Another component is the information and communication technology. This is used to connect the individual components of the system so that they can exchange information and transmit control impulses.

The final step is an interface between the human and the machine. This transmits information to the operator, who can then intervene to ensure error-free operation.

What tasks do electricians perform in automation?

Electricians are always needed in automation. They are responsible for enabling processes to run automatically. It is not only important that the machines work, but also that they fulfil their function without further direct input from human operators.

For the participating Electrician This means that they have to combine knowledge from different areas. This includes mechanical engineering as well as electrical engineering and knowledge from the IT area.

As part of their work, electricians analyse the existing systems and the processes that are to be carried out by them. Based on this analysis, they define measurement parameters that are suitable for assessing the functions of the system.

If the equipment is not yet available or the system is not yet complete, they are involved in developing an automation concept. This must be suitable for the intended processes and parameters are also needed for this, on the basis of which the system can be set up and later checked and adjusted.

What is needed for automation?

Automation requires its own hardware and software. Here too, electricians are involved in developing and producing these. They also implement the projects and commission the systems. They then test the systems to see whether they are working properly and fulfil all specifications.

They create documents for the technical specifications and the operation and maintenance of the systems. They also carry out maintenance and repair work and, if necessary, rectify faults that occur during operation. The latter can even be carried out as an on-call electrician in an emergency.

There are three types of employers for electricians. These can be the manufacturers of the systems, the companies entrusted with the installation or the companies in which the systems are operated. In all three cases, concepts must be developed and implemented. The ordering company describes in its concept what it needs and how this can be realised in principle. The manufacturer builds the concepts for the entire system and its individual components on this. The installing company creates a concept for how the manufactured system can best be integrated into the ordering company's existing facilities.

However, automation goes even further. While automated production facilities have long been nothing new, the products themselves are now also becoming increasingly automated. There is already autonomous driving and all kinds of assistance systems in vehicles that are not yet able to drive autonomously. There are also further automation systems in building technology, for example, so that the areas of activity of electricians are constantly expanding and the complexity of the work is constantly increasing.

Automation and artificial intelligence (AI)

What is the difference between automation and artificial intelligence?

Let's first take a look at the simple facts that differentiate between AI and automation. Let's start with the basic term itself. Automation consists of processes that are controlled by predefined instructions and rules. AI, on the other hand, is focussed on learning and self-improvement based on experience.

• The Tasks from automation are predictable and clearly formulated. The same processes are also repeated again and again. In AI, on the other hand, the tasks are unstructured. They are constantly changing and are correspondingly complex. This requires cognitive skills with which the AI reacts to new challenges.
• In automation, there are a number of Control logic no decisions. Instead, it follows fixed rules that describe exactly what to do in which state or situation. AI, on the other hand, makes its own decisions using data and its own learning as a basis.
• Overall, automation is a Rigid process. A production system is designed to continuously repeat the exact same production steps in exactly the same way. Changes are undesirable and the control logic has the task of avoiding them. AI, on the other hand, adapts to the situation and reacts to the new challenge according to the data.
• The automation son clearly predictable datato which it reacts with structured and predefined actions. AI, on the other hand, processes unstructured data and then interprets it.
• The Goal of automation is standardisation, efficiency and exactly the same products in mass production. AI, on the other hand, is designed to support humans by imitating and even surpassing human thinking. For example, it works as a filter to answer specific search queries by providing the relevant knowledge.

What is automation and where is it used?

Automation follows predefined commands and controls the work of production systems. This increases accuracy, avoids errors, increases productivity and overall efficiency. Hardware and software work together to achieve this. The software determines the reaction and the hardware executes the actions. Automation is practically a hard worker who carries out the same activities every day and produces exactly the same results with the utmost precision. From the self-service checkout to the assembly line, automation has found its world and has become indispensable.

In fact, automation has already conquered many areas. This includes manufacturing. Here you will find various assembly line robots, for example in the production of cars. There are also systems for automatic packaging and labelling. Other applications are tools that are used in production and are controlled by computers.

• In daily life automation has also already become widespread. There are automatic systems for the Payment of invoices. Thermostats automatically adjust the temperature of rooms and hoovers are already available as robots that diligently chase dust on their own.
• Also in the Office and in the shop you can find examples of automation. There are systems that sort e-mails and even answer them automatically. The inventory in shops is now often also managed automatically. Then there is the software that takes care of automatic payroll accounting.
• The Agriculture could not escape automation. Automatic irrigation systems work here. Tractors are controlled by GPS and the cows are milked using milking machines.
• Of course, the Transport areah its share of automation. For example, aeroplanes have an autopilot. Underground trains and entire train systems are controlled automatically.

What is artificial intelligence (AI) and how does it work?

AI consists of computer systems that mimic human thinking and perform tasks that are normally reserved for humans. These include solving problems, recognising patterns, making decisions and understanding human languages.

AI systems simulate the cognitive functions of humans. This enables them to adapt to a new situation. Their performance increases over time because they have more experience and can therefore improve the analysis of the data.

In which areas is AI used?

AI can be found in other areas compared to automation:

• HealthcareAI systems are able to analyse medical images and detect anomalies. They can develop models for predicting and spreading diseases. They can also monitor patients and work as virtual care assistants.
• FinanceIn the financial sector, AI works by adapting trading systems to different market conditions. It can assess the risks of loans before they are approved and it can recognise fraud by learning from patterns.
• TechnologyAI is used as part of the technology by enabling self-driving cars. It can also process language and thus provide useful and fast results for search queries in search engines. In addition, AI can create content for videos, images and texts.
• Customer serviceIn customer service, chatbots can understand complex questions and answer them correctly. Voice assistants can even hold natural conversations. They are also able to create personalised recommendations, for example for products.
• EntertainmentIn entertainment, AI is able to create musical compositions. It can tell stories and shape the world in video games. It can also create personalised content recommendations, for example as part of streaming services.
• EducationIn education, on the other hand, AI can control tutoring systems. This enables it to adapt to different learning styles. It can also grade essays and provide feedback on pronunciation in language apps.
• ProductionAI can also be found in manufacturing. Here, it controls predictive maintenance systems that recognise errors before they affect the processes. It can carry out quality control and ensure that products are flawless. It is also used in adaptive robotics, where flexible manufacturing processes are important.

What do automation and AI have in common?

The boundaries between AI and automation are blurred. A good way to differentiate between the two is the skills required for their tasks. For automation, for example, it is important to follow predefined rules and instructions and to repeat the same processes with the same quality over and over again. For AI, on the other hand, it is important to learn and adapt to new situations.

In reality, automation and AI work together in their concept. Automation is intended to free up human labour by taking over routine mechanical tasks. AI is intended to free up human labour by taking over thinking tasks.

How did people work in the past without automation?

Take a look into the past. Back then, payroll accounting was carried out by a core of staff who calculated salaries and then paid them out accordingly. Today, this is done with far fewer employees, as computers take over the calculations and administration, as well as the actual payment. This is automation.

The managers, in turn, have been busy analysing the market. To do this, they collated data, sorted it according to weighting and significance and converted it into information. They then analysed the information and used it to create forecasts. They made decisions based on the forecasts. Today, AI collects the data, sorts and weights it and converts it into information. Based on the information, it creates a forecast for the future, which then leads to decision-making options. The managers now use the options plus the information and data provided, which form their basis, and choose the right course of action.

What has changed in production with automation?

In all departments of a company, from production to accounting to marketing, automation has led to higher quality, fewer errors and a more efficient process with less labour. Subsequently, AI has led to higher quality, fewer errors and a more efficient process with fewer people involved in all management areas. Overall, the need for labour for certain tasks has therefore decreased, while quality and efficiency have increased at the same time. This is the basis for higher revenues, higher salaries for employees and better care for society. The latter even includes better healthcare systems and other provision that we can afford as individuals and communities thanks to higher incomes and more taxes.

Concerns regarding unemployment among the redundant labour force are also unfounded. Provided they are sufficiently qualified, skilled workers are desperately sought after. The new machines and AI need to be conceptualised, designed, installed, maintained and further developed. This means that activities range from laying cables to computer engineering.

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Conclusion

Automation focuses on making repetitive processes independent of human intervention. Predefined rules and instructions are used to ensure consistent quality and trouble-free work. This increases efficiency, reduces costs and frees up labour for other tasks.

Building on automation, the next step is for AI to take over work in areas that are normally reserved for humans. This also increases efficiency, reduces costs and frees up labour for other tasks.

This offers electricians a wide field of work. They have to design, manufacture, install, maintain and upgrade the automation systems in the plants. They are also in demand when automation is being promoted in the products.

In the field of AI, on the other hand, electricians are also in demand. The computer systems on which the AI runs must also be designed, manufactured, installed, set up, maintained and upgraded.