What does fault detection involve in a control system?

Fault detection in a control system primarily involves identifying and diagnosing issues that could affect the operation of the system. This process is critical for maintaining system integrity and performance, as it enables operators and technicians to pinpoint malfunctions or abnormal behaviors that could impact control strategies or overall system functionality. By effectively detecting faults, actions can be taken to correct issues before they escalate into larger problems that could lead to system failures or downtime.

In contrast, the other options focus on different aspects of control systems. Decommissioning old systems pertains to the retirement or replacement of outdated equipment rather than diagnosing current problems. Reprogramming control logic involves adjustments to the programming of the control system, potentially in response to issues, but it is not the act of detecting faults itself. Lastly, recording system performance over time can be valuable for analysis and evaluation; however, it does not directly involve the active identification and diagnosis of specific faults within the system. Thus, the central aspect of fault detection is its focus on recognizing and diagnosing issues to ensure operational reliability.