Uses for a Closed Loop Control System

A control system is a set of devices that manage, command, direct, or regulate the behavior of other devices or systems to get a desired result. When the different elements are brought together to form a system to get that result, they can be open loop or closed loop control systems. The system controls the output, and each element connected to the system has its own effect on the output. There are different uses and advantages to both systems, and the application will determine which kind is used. Advancing technology and the ever-increasing demand for automation is responsible for the increase in control devices and systems. It’s not always obvious which system is the right one when a project launches. Here are some uses for closed loop control systems.

What Makes for a Good Control System?

The short answer is accuracy. Accuracy is the measurement tolerance of the instrument and defines the limits of acceptable errors when the machine or instrument is in normal operating conditions. The accuracy of the device can be controlled and improved with closed loop control systems. The closed loop sends information back to the sensors within, and automatic adjustments are made on the fly. Sensitivity is also a major concern for control systems. The parameters are always in flux because of changes in environmental conditions, internal disturbances, or other factors. Those changes are expressed in terms of sensitivity. Any good control system should be unaffected by those forces and only sensitive to input signals.

Uses for Closed Loop Systems

The closed loop system is one in which the input quantity will adjust itself based on the output generated. What makes the closed loop system unique is the feedback provided. The feedback automatically makes the necessary changes in the output due to external disturbances. This operational behavior gives the system another name: automatic control system. It gives the sensors, processors, and associated CPUs the ability to make whatever changes are needed without human intervention.

In a practical sense, the closed loop control system is good for a wide variety of consumer goods. Electric irons, water level controllers, and air conditioners all operate on a set level or temperature. When the ideal temperature is reached, the system automatically shuts off and will operate once again if the preset level is no longer maintained. Feedback from the sensors within the products make sure that the set level is always maintained.