COMPREHENSIVE FAULT ANALYSIS OF CONTROL DEVICES AND INDUSTRIAL TECHNICAL INSTALLATIONS

A control device of a technical installation receives in normal operation cyclically measurement variables from sensors, and outputs control variables to actuators. In normal operation, the control device stores the history of at least some of the measurement variables at least for a limited time and monitors the measurement variables for the occurrence of a fault. If a fault occurs, the control device transmits a fault message identifying the fault and the history to a knowledge base. In response to the fault message and the histories, the control device receives a reply from the knowledge base and outputs the reply to an operator. Before the normal operation is performed, the control device receives from the operator specifications which allow the control device to defines the histories. In the event of a fault, the control device determines, in dependence on the specifications, which histories to transmit to the knowledge base.