Abstract: A power distribution system has a field device level, a hierarchically higher station level, and an instrumentation and control level hierarchically higher than the station level. A function of field devices belonging to the field level, a function of station devices belonging to the station level, and a function of instrumentation and control devices belonging to the instrumentation and control level are defined by parameters. A plurality of separate computing devices are connected to each other by a communication network and form a distributed computer system. The field devices, the station devices, and the instrumentation and control devices are connected to the distributed computer system or are formed by individual or a plurality of computer devices. The parameters for determining the function of the devices are distributed over two different computer devices. The devices access the parameters via the communication network.

Abstract: The object is to provide a method for operating and/or observing at least one field device in the simplest possible manner. A first central control device which executes the automation engineering software generates a first command to control the at least one field device and transmits the first command to the at least one field device. At least a second central control device which executes the automation engineering software generates a similar second command for controlling the at least one field device and transmits the second command to the at least one field device. The at least one field device receives the transmitted first and second commands and executes at least one of the received commands. An automation system for carrying out the method is also provided.

Abstract: The object is to provide a method for operating and/or observing at least one field device in the simplest possible manner. A first central control device which executes the automation engineering software generates a first command to control the at least one field device and transmits the first command to the at least one field device. At least a second central control device which executes the automation engineering software generates a similar second command for controlling the at least one field device and transmits the second command to the at least one field device. The at least one field device receives the transmitted first and second commands and executes at least one of the received commands. An automation system for carrying out the method is also provided.