A controller is a device that generates an output signal based on the input signal it receives. The input signal is actually an error signal, which is the difference between the measured variable and the desired value, or setpoint.
This input error signal represents the amount of deviation between where the process system is actually operating and where the process system is desired to be operating. The controller provides an output signal to the final control element, which adjusts the process system to reduce this deviation. The characteristic of this output signal is dependent on the type, or mode, of the controller. This chapter describes the simplest type of controller, which is the two position, or ONOFF, mode controller.
Two Position Controller
A two position controller is a device that has two operating conditions: completely on or completely off.
Figure 12 shows the input to output, characteristic waveform for a two position controller that switches from its “OFF” state to its “ON” state when the measured variable increases above the setpoint. Conversely, it switches from its “ON” state to its “OFF” state when the measured variable decreases below the setpoint. This device provides an output determined by whether the error signal is above or below the setpoint. The magnitude of the error signal is above or below the setpoint. The magnitude of the error signal past that point is of no concern to the controller.
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