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Control System

A control system manages and regulates the behavior of other devices or systems. There are two main types of control systems: logic/sequential controls and feedback/linear controls. Distributed control systems (DCS) collect field data, store it, and use it for simple or advanced process control strategies. Key elements of a DCS include operator consoles, engineering stations, history modules, control modules, and I/O. Control systems can also be categorized as open loop or closed loop, with closed loop systems using feedback to automatically correct changes in output.

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364 views3 pages

Control System

A control system manages and regulates the behavior of other devices or systems. There are two main types of control systems: logic/sequential controls and feedback/linear controls. Distributed control systems (DCS) collect field data, store it, and use it for simple or advanced process control strategies. Key elements of a DCS include operator consoles, engineering stations, history modules, control modules, and I/O. Control systems can also be categorized as open loop or closed loop, with closed loop systems using feedback to automatically correct changes in output.

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sryunk
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WHAT-IS CONTROL SYSTEM

A control system is a device or set of devices to manage, command, direct or regulate the behavior of other devices or systems. There are two common classes of control systems, with many variations and combinations: logic or sequential controls, and feedback or linear controls. There is also fuzzy logic, which attempts to combine some of the design simplicity of logic with the utility of linear control. Some devices or systems are inherently not controllable. The term "control system" may be applied to the essentially manual controls that allow an operator to, for example, close and open a hydraulic press, where the logic requires that it cannot be moved unless safety guards are in place. An automatic sequential control system may trigger a series of mechanical actuators in the correct sequence to perform a task. For example various electric and pneumatic transducers may fold and glue a cardboard box, fill it with product and then seal it in an automatic packaging machine.

What is a Control System?


In the case of linear feedback systems, a control loop, including sensors, control algorithms and actuators, is arranged in such a fashion as to try to regulate a variable at a setpoint or reference value. An example of this may increase the fuel supply to a furnace when a measured temperature drops. PID controllers are common and effective in cases such as this . Control systems that include some sensing of the results they are trying to achieve are making use of feedback and so can, to some extent, adapt to varying circumstances. Open-loop control systems do not directly make use of feedback, but run only in pre-arranged ways. Pure logic controls were historically implemented by electricians with networks of relays, and designed with a notation called ladder logic. Nowadays, most such systems are constructed with programmable logic controllers. Logic controllers may respond to switches, light sensors, pressure switches etc and cause the machinery to perform some operation. Logic systems are used to sequence mechanical operations in many applications. Examples include elevators, washing machines and other systems with interrelated stop-go operations. Logic systems are quite easy to design, and can handle very complex operations. Some aspects of logic system design make use of Boolean logic.

Basic Process Control Systems BPCS


Distributed Control System (DCS)

The DCS is a control system which collects the data from the field and decides what to do with them. Data from the field can either be stored for future reference, used for simple process control, use in conjunction with data from another part of the plant for advanced control strategies. What must be in the DCS for it to be able to do so much? Operator Console These are like the monitors of our computers. They provide us with the feedback of what they are doing in the plant as well as the command we issue to the control system. These are also the places where operators issue commands to the field instruments. Engineering Station These are stations for engineers to configure the system and also to implement control algorithms. History Module This is like the harddisk of our PCs. They store the configurations of the DCS as well as the configurations of all the points in the plant. They also store the graphic files that are shown in the console and in most systems these days they are able to store some plant operating data.

Control Modules These are like the brains of the DCS. Specially customized blocks are found here. These are customized to do control functions like PID control, ratio control, simple arithmetic and dynamic compensation. These days, advanced control features can also be found in them. I/O These manage the input and output of the DCS. Input and output can be digital or analogues. Digital I/Os are those like on/off, start/stop signals. Most of the process measurements and controller outputs are considered analogue. These are the points where the field instruments are hard-wired to. All above mentioned elements are connected by using a network, nowadays very often used is Ethernet.

The practical and technological boundaries between a Distributed Control System DCS, Programmable Logic Controller PLC and Personal Computer PC control are blurring. Systems traditionally associated with process control are being used in discrete applications. Likewise, traditionally discrete solutions are used increasingly in both batch and continuous process control. Today's control hardware are constructed from many of the same standard industry components such as Intel processors. Therefore the only real difference between control systems is at the software level.

Types of control systems


There are two types of control systems namely: Open loop control systems (non-feedback control systems) Closed loop control systems (feedback control systems)

Open loop control system


If in a physical system there is no automatic correction of the variation in its output, it is called an open loop control system. That is, in this type of system, sensing of the actual output and comparing of this output (through feedback) with the desired input doesnot take place. The system on its own is not in a position to give the desired output and it cannot take into account the disturbances. In these systems, the changes in output can be corrected only by changing the input manually.

These systems are simple in construction, stable and cost cheap. But these systems are inaccurate and unreliable. Moreover these systems donot take account of external disurbances that affect the output and they donot initiate corrective actions automatically. Examples of open loop control systems:Automatic washing machine,traffic signal system,home heating system( without sensing, feedback and control) Any non-feedback control system can be considered as a feedback control system if it is under the supervisio of someone. Although open loop control systems have economical components and are simpe in design, they largley depend on human judgement. As an example, let us consider a home furnace control system. This system must control the temperature in a room, keeping it constant. An open loop system usually has a timer which instructs the system to switch on the furnace for some time and then switch it off. Accuracy cannot be achieved as the system doesnot swith on/off based on the room temperature but it does as per the preset value of time.

Closed loop control system


A closed loop control system is a system where the output has an effect upon the input quantity in such a manner as to maintain the desired output value. An open loop control system becomes a closed loop control system by including a feedback. This feedback will automatically correct the change in output due to disturbances. This is why a closed loop control system is called as an automatic control system. The block diagram of a closed loop control system is shown in figure. In a closed loop control system, the controlled variable (output) of the system is sensed at every instant of time, feedback and compared with the desired input resulting in an error signal. This error signal directs the control elements in the system to do the necessary corrective action such that the output of the system is obtained as desired.

The feedback control system takes into account the disturbances also and makes the corrective action. These control systems are accurate, stable and less affected by noise. But these control systems are sophisticated and hence costly. They are also complicated to design for stability, give oscillatory response and feedback brings down the overall gain of the control system.

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