A system for implementing automation functions through abstraction layers includes a control application and an automation equipment abstraction framework executable in a runtime environment. The control application is designed to communicate with automation equipment using one or more automation functions. Each automation function comprises one or more equipment-agnostic instructions. During execution of the control application, the automation equipment abstraction framework receives an equipment-agnostic instructions and an indication of a particular unit of automation equipment. The automation equipment abstraction framework translates the equipment-agnostic instructions into equipment-specific automation instructions executable on the particular unit of automation equipment. These equipment-specific automation instructions may then be sent to the particular unit of automation equipment.