A control device for controlling a technical installation includes a guard module. The control device has a modular structure with an input module, which receives an input signal representing a state of the technical installation, and an output module, which outputs an output signal controlling the technical installation based on the input signal. A guard module is integrated into the modular structure to monitor operability of the input module and the output module. The guard module confirms the output signal of the output module based on its monitoring of the input module and the output module. Within the modular structure, the input module and the output module form a first potential group. The guard module forms a second potential group within in the modular structure. The second potential group is independent of the first potential group.

Techniques for commissioning a process control device in a process plant include obtaining, at a portable computing device, commissioning data for commissioning the respective process control device for operation, such as a device tag. The portable computing device then transfers the commissioning data to a component in the same process control loop as the process control device via a wireless communication link. For example, the component includes a radio-frequency identification (RFID) or near field communication (NFC) unit for receiving RFID/NFC signals. When the portable computing device is within RFID/NFC communication range of the component, the commissioning data is transferred via an RFID/NFC signal to the component. The commissioning data is received while the component is in an unpowered state, where the RFID/NFC signal energizes the RFID/NFC unit at the component for receiving the signal.

Techniques for commissioning a process control device in a process plant include obtaining, at a portable computing device, commissioning data for commissioning the respective process control device for operation, such as a device tag. The portable computing device then transfers the commissioning data to a component in the same process control loop as the process control device via a wireless communication link. For example, the component includes a radio-frequency identification (RFID) or near field communication (NFC) unit for receiving RFID/NFC signals. When the portable computing device is within RFID/NFC communication range of the component, the commissioning data is transferred via an RFID/NFC signal to the component. The commissioning data is received while the component is in an unpowered state, where the RFID/NFC signal energizes the RFID/NFC unit at the component for receiving the signal.

A control device for controlling a technical installation includes a guard module. The control device has a modular structure with an input module, which receives an input signal representing a state of the technical installation, and an output module, which outputs an output signal controlling the technical installation based on the input signal. A guard module is integrated into the modular structure to monitor operability of the input module and the output module. The guard module confirms the output signal of the output module based on its monitoring of the input module and the output module. Within the modular structure, the input module and the output module form a first potential group. The guard module forms a second potential group within in the modular structure. The second potential group is independent of the first potential group.