Method and supporting configuration user interfaces for streamlining installing replacement field devices

A process control system configuration component facility that facilitates streamlined installation of a second field device as a physical replacement for a previously installed first field device of a same type in a process control system, the facility comprising:

• a processor;
• a memory device communicatively connected to the processor;
• a database, stored on the memory device, for storing instance specific information associated with a first device, the instance-specific information comprising:
• a device type commissioning definition including a set of device-type specific parameters for which parameter values are downloaded to render the physical replacement for the previously installed first field device-type specific parameters, wherein the device type commissioning definition includes a mode field for specifying, on an individual parameter basis, an operational mode for a device when writing a parameter value to support device replacement, and wherein the commissioning definition specifies a timing requirement for writing specific parameters on an individual parameter basis, and
• a first set of instance-specific configuration parameter values for the first field device corresponding to the set of device-type specific parameters;
• a configuration component comprising:
• a user interface for identifying, for the second field device, a configuration data source identification corresponding to the first set of instance-specific configuration parameter values in the database;
• and
• a user-initiated configuration procedure for the second field device, connected to the process control network, wherein the configuration procedure comprises a sequence of automated operations carried out according to:
• the device type commissioning definition, and
• using the first set of instance-specific configuration parameter values.

A non-transient computer readable medium including computer executable instructions for facilitating installing a field device as a replacement for a previously installed field device of a same type, the computer executable instructions facilitating performing the steps of:

• specifying a device type commissioning definition including a set of device-type specific parameters for which parameter values are downloaded to render the replacement for previously installed field device operational, wherein the device type commissioning definition includes a mode field for specifying, on an individual parameter basis, an operational mode for a device when writing a parameter value to support device replacement, and wherein the device type commissioning definition specifies a timing requirement for writing specific parameters on an individual parameter basis;
• storing, in a database, a first set of instance-specific configuration parameter values for a first field device corresponding to the set of device-type specific parameters;
• physically replacing the first field device by a second field device on a process control network, wherein the first field device and second field device are of the same type;
• identifying for the second field device, via a user interface, a configuration data source identification corresponding to the first set of instance-specific configuration parameter values in the database;
• and
• invoking a configuration procedure for the second field device, connected to the process control network, wherein the configuration procedure comprises a sequence of automated operations carried out according to:
• the device type commissioning definition, and
• using the first set of instance-specific configuration parameter values.

A method for installing a field device as a replacement for previously installed field device of a same type, the method comprising steps of:

• specifying a device type commissioning definition including a set of device-type specific parameters for which parameter values are downloaded to render the replacement for the previously installed field device operational;
• storing, in a database, a first set of instance-specific configuration parameter values for a first filed device corresponding to the set of device-type specific parameters;
• physically replacing the first field device by a second field device on a process control network, wherein the first field device and second field device are of the same type;
• identifying for the second field device, via a user interface, a configuration data source identification corresponding to the first set of instance-specific configuration parameter values in the database;
• invoking a configuration procedure for the second field device, connected to the process control network, wherein the configuration procedure comprises a sequence of automated operations carried out according to:
• the device type commissioning definition, and
• the first set of instance-specific configuration parameter values;
• and
• wherein the commissioning device definition includes a mode field, the mode field specifying, on an individual parameter basis, a set of rules defining when to update a parameter value to support the device replacement, and wherein the device type commissioning definition specifies a timing requirement for writing specific parameters on an individual parameter basis.