This basic control theory tutorial looks at on/off and continuous control modes. It introduces proportional, integral and derivative control actions and explains some of the terminology. Courtesy of Spirax Sarco and MSEC.

Topics Include:

  • On/off control
  • Continuous control
  • Proportional control
  • The effect of adjusting the Proportional-band
  • Reverse or direct acting control signal
  • Gain line offset or proportional effect
  • Manual reset
  • Overshoot and ‘wind up’
  • Derivative control – rate action
  • PID controllers
  • Hunting
  • Lag
  • Rangeability
  • Turndown ratio

Contact MSEC for a full copy.