Abstract: A self contained data acquisition and control system and apparatus with direct process input and output capability. Designed to operate within the harsh environment of a process zone, the apparatus employs a variety of process monitoring and control modules which perform under the direction of redundant computer controllers. These controllers provide control data loading to the modules as well as receive and transmit process status data. The modules are each formed having a hardware control and status monitoring circuit which performs in conjunction with a module microprocessor based control. One module provides for field contact actuation in combination with a technique for deriving data signals form the contact and associated field wiring for evaluating the performance of those same field contacts.