What is PID control?

PID can be described as a set of rules with which precise regulation of a closed-loop
control system is obtained. Closed loop control means a method in which a real-time
measurement of the process being controlled is constantly fed back to the controlling
device to ensure that the value, which is desired, is, in fact, being realized. The
mission of the controlling device is to make the measured value, usually known as
the PROCESS VARIABLE, equal to the desired value, usually known as the SETPOINT.
The very best way of accomplishing this task is with the use of the control algorithm
we know as PID.

In its basic form, PID involves three mathematical control functions working together:
Proportional-Integral-Derivative. The most important of these, Proportional Control,
determines the magnitude of the difference between the SETPOINT and the PROCESS
VARIABLE (known as ERROR), and then applies appropriate proportional changes to
the CONTROL VARIABLE to eliminate ERROR. Many control systems will, in fact, work
quite well with only Proportional Control. Integral Control examines the offset of
SETPOINT and the PROCESS VARIABLE over time and corrects it when and if
necessary. Derivative Control monitors the rate of change of the PROCESS VARIABLE
and consequently makes changes to the OUTPUT VARIABLE to accommodate unusual
changes.

Each of the three control functions is governed by a user-defined parameter. These

parameters vary immensely from one control system to another, and, as such, need
to be adjusted to optimize the precision of control. The process of determining the
values of these parameters is known as PID Tuning.

PID Tuning, although considered "black magic" by many, really is, of course, always a
well-defined technical process. There are several different methods of PID Tuning
available, any of which will tune any system. Certain PID Tuning methods require
more equipment than others, but usually result in more accurate results with less
effort.

A closed-loop control system is one in which control action is dependent on the

output. Figure 2 shows an example of a closed-loop control system. The control
system maintains water level in a storage tank. The system performs this task by
continuously sensing the level in the tank and adjusting a supply valve to add more
or less water to the tank. The desired level is preset by an operator, who is not part
of the system.
Feedback is information in a closed-loop
Figure 3 Feedback in a Closed-Loop C control
system about the condition of a process
variable. This variable is compared with a
desired condition to produce the proper
control action on the process. Information is
continually "fed back" to the control circuit in
response to control action. In the previous
example, the actual storage tank water level,
sensed by the level transmitter, is feedback to
the level controller. This feedback is
compared with a desired level to produce the
required control action that will position the
level control as needed to maintain the
desired level. Figure 3 shows this relationship.