INST 262 Terms & Definitions for Controllers

Controller: a device which operates automatically to regulate a controlled variable

Error: algebraic difference between setpoint and process variable

Direct acting: increase in signal results in an increase in throughput (for error = b-r)

Reverse acting: increase in signal results in a decrease in throughput (for error = r-b)

Set Point (SP)(r): The desired quantity, property, or condition of the process.

Process Variable (PV)(b): The measured quantity, property, or condition of the process.

Output (O/P) (CO)(Mc): The signal from the loop controller that manipulates the final control element.

Manual Control (open loop): Operator controls FCE (valve) directly, no feedback.

Automatic Control (closed loop): Controller controls FCE (valve), based upon the feedback (PV input
signal) being compared to the set point, and some combination of P, I, & D algorithms.

Local Setpoint: Set point is set at, or on the controller by the operator.

Remote setpoint: Set point is adjusted from a location away from the controller. This could be at a
remote auto/man (set point/output) station in the field, or from the primary controller output to the
secondary controller set point in a cascade loop.

Gain: the amplification (or de-amplification) of the input signal to result in the output signal.

Change in output/change in input

Proportional Band (%PB): Similar, but inversely related to gain. Defined as the % of input signal change
required, resulting in a 100% change in output signal.

PB = 100%/Kc Kc = 100%/PB

Offset: The remaining error after a Proportional control correction. Inherent in P-only control

Final Control Element: a device that receives the output value from a controller to manipulate or
regulate material or energy into or out of a process

Load Change: Disturbance in the process that causes the controlled variable to deviate from setpoint

Alarm function: the process of monitoring sate of condition of a variable and comparing it to a pre-set
condition or value

Function Block: pre-built processing units tied together by software used to build a process controller
used to control a process
Proportional Action: A change in controller output that is proportional to the size of the difference
between the SP and the PV (error), and based upon a multiplication factor (“gain” or “proportional
band” setting). (O/P = error x gain). The correction is brief and results in some remaining error, called
“offset”. Mc = Kce = Mo

Integral Action (reset): A mode of control used after the Proportional correction that eliminates the
offset over a period of time. The main purpose of Integral is to eliminate offset for very precise control.
The units for Integral can be either “minutes per repeat” (mpr) or “repeats per minute” (rpm),
depending upon the device manufacturers preference. The “repeats” refer to the time it would take for
the particular Integral setting to repeat the amount of output change caused by the Proportional
correction.

Derivative action (rate): A mode of control that only reacts to changing error. The derivative action
occurs first, to make a very quick, radical correction. It is followed by the Proportional correction and
finally the Integral correction (if used). Derivative raises the gain very high (temporarily) to cause
extreme valve movement, much like On/Off control. Derivative can be used to increase response in slow
processes like temperature and level, but is usually avoided in fast reacting processes like pressure and
especially flow. The units of Derivative are in “minutes” (or fractions of minutes).

Control Loop Tuning: The specific settings for Proportional (gain or %PB), Integral (m/r or r/m) and
Derivative (minutes) must be adjusted to optimum values for proper control. If the settings are too low,
sluggish response results and it takes too long for the PV to be brought back to the SP. If the settings are
too high the loop becomes too sensitive and it over-reacts to errors. This can cause excessive cycling
(oscillations of the PV around the SP), or even total loss of control.

P-Only Control: where only proportional action is used in the PID block

PI Control: Where Proportional and Integral tuning parameters are used in a control loop

PD Control: Where Proportional and Derivative tuning parameters are used in a control loop

PID Control: Where Proportional, Integral and Derivative tuning parameters are used in a control loop

Reset Windup: If the error doesn’t correct the output will continue driving Up or down to saturation
value(0or 100 %). Reset windup occurs commonly during a process Shutdown.

Setpoint tracking: technique of having the process variable become the controller setpoint when
controller is in manual control mode to prevent large process bump when returning controller to
automatic mode also called bumpless transfer

Feedback: control design where any change in the process variable is communicated to the controller to
be compared with the desired variable to allow the controller to respond to the process change by
adjusting the controllers output