Variable power control for process control instruments

A process control system comprising:

• process control instruments, each of which includes a power control module that controls a maximum available power level for the process control instrument, wherein the power control module is operable to adjust the maximum available power level for the process control instrument based on a power control signal;
• a communication network electrically connected to the process control instruments and operable to conduct communication signals among the process control instruments;
• and
• a power supply operable to supply power to the process control instruments through the communication network.

A process control system power management method, comprising:

• determining initial power requirements of power-consuming functions distributed among process control instruments which are electrically connected together by a network;
• determining initial power loads of the process control instruments;
• determining an available power level supplied by a power supply connected to the network;
• and
• distributing the power-consuming functions among the process control instruments, based on at least one of the initial power requirements, the initial power loads, and the available power level, to balance power loads among the process control instruments.

A process control system power management method comprising:

• determining initial power requirements of power-consuming functions distributed among process control instruments which are electrically connected together by a network;
• determining initial power loads of the process control instruments;
• determining an available power level supplied by a power supply connected to the network;
• and
• controlling power control modules associated with the process control instruments, based on at least one of the initial power requirements, the initial power loads, and the available power level, to adjust a power level available to individual process control instruments and to balance power loads among the process control instruments.

A process control system power management method, comprising:

• determining at least one of:
• initial power requirements of power-consuming functions distributed among process control instruments which are connected by a network, initial power loads of the process control instruments, and an available power level supplied by a power supply connected to the network;
• and
• distributing the power-consuming functions among the process control instruments, based on at least one of the initial power requirements of the power-consuming functions the initial power loads of the process control instruments, and the available power level supplied by the power supply, to balance power loads among the process control instruments.

A process control system power management method comprising:

• determining at least one of:
• initial power requirements of power-consuming functions distributed among process control instruments which are connected together by a network, initial power loads of the process control instruments, and an available power level supplied by a power supply connected to the network;
• and
• controlling power control modules associated with the process control instruments, based on at least one of the initial power requirements of the Power-consuming functions the initial power loads of the process control instruments, and the available power level supplied by the power supply, to adjust a power level available to each of the process control instruments and to balance power loads among the process control instruments.