Patent ID: 7462041

Claim:
A method for identifying connection errors in a field device connected to an automation system, comprising: supplying a signal to the field device via an excitation component, wherein the field device is selected from the group consisting of a sensor and an actuator; determining a measurement variable assigned to the field device via a measurement component; analyzing the measurement variable via an analysis unit; selecting connection combinations for a plurality of connectors of the field device, at least of a portion of the connectors connected each connected to and a terminal selected from the group consisting of a terminal of the excitation component and a terminal of the measurement component; and repeating the process of supplying, determining and selecting, wherein a subsequent selecting uses a different connection combinations, and further wherein the repetition or the selection of the used terminals depends on the result of the analysis of an earlier measurement, wherein the connection unit is controlled by a control unit, wherein the connection unit is a switch matrix, wherein the control unit and the switch matrix are elements of an integrated circuit.