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+48 34 39 30 015 or +48 601 913 288 sklep@termipol.pl
As the name suggests, the PID controller (P - Proportional, I - Integral, D - Derivative) consists of three components.In this guide we will try to explain the principle of operation of the PID controller by explaining the operation of all components P, I and D.
The Proportional Component - it is usually the one that has the most decisive influence on the control in a given process. It usually controls the actuator (e.g. electro-valve, heater, drive) proportionally to the error value, i.e. the difference between the set value and the actual value.
The bigger the error, the bigger the valve opening.
The integral component helps remove errors resulting from the use of the P component. As long as the current error (the difference between the set value and the actual value) exists, the integral component will not give up and will appropriately increase or decrease the valve opening in order to eliminate the difference between PV and SV (PV - actual value, SV - set value).
It is rarely used in temperature maintenance processes but often in solutions related to motion control. This component is very sensitive and is not necessary in the example described in the previous part of the article (drying elements after painting). The use of the D component together with the P and I components complicates the tuning process, but compared to the PI regulator, we get a system that predicts changes based on current measurements.
PID controllers are used, for example, to control the heating element of an industrial furnace. In this application, it works like a very accurate thermostat.
The controller can also successfully control pressure, flow rate, chemical composition, force, speed, and other process variables. We can even find PID controllers in our cars, in which case their task is to maintain a constant speed regardless of driving conditions (cruise control).
You can find PID controllers in our store here.
