DEPARTMENT OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION

ANDHRA PRADESH
Name : E. Babu
Designation : Lecturer
Branch: : Electronics and Instrumentation Engg.
Institute : S.G.P.R. Govt. Polytechnic, Kurnool.
Year/Semester : V Semester.
Subject : Process Control
Subject code : AEI-504.
Topic : Controller Principles.
Duration : 50mts.
Sub Topic : Introduction to controllers tuning
Teaching Aids : Diagrams.
AEI504.33 1
 Recap

In previous class we have discussed about:

• Proportional controller

• Integral controller

• Derivative controller

• PID controller

AEI504.33 2
 Objectives

On completion of this period, you will be able to

know about :
• Introduction to tuning of PID controllers
• Types of tuning methods
• Trial and error tuning
• Definition of ultimate gain
• Disadvantages of trial and error method

AEI504.33 3
 Introduction to Tuning

• Installing the control system

• Adjusting the controller settings

• Adjust until satisfactory performance

AEI504.33 4
 Introduction to Tuning…

• The process of adjusting controller settings is called

tuning (or field tuning or controller tuning)

• A good first guess may be available from experience if

the process data is available then we can calculate
parameter settings

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 Tuning methods

• Trial and Error Method

• Ultimate gain method

• Auto Tuning method

• Process reaction curve method

• Frequency response method

AEI504.33 6
 Trial and Error method

• This is done with the help of suggestions given by

controller manufacturers

• The following steps are used for PID tuning

AEI504.33 7
 Trial and Error method…
• Step1:
Eliminate derivative action by setting at its
minimum value

• Eliminate integral action by setting at its maximum value

• Step2:
Set Kc at a low value (0.5) and put controller automatic

• Step3:
Increase the controller gain Kc by small increments

AEI504.33 8
 Trial and Error method…

• At a point , sustained oscillations with constant

amplitude occurs

• This is called continuous cycling

• Step4:
Reduce Kc by a factor of two

• Step5:
Decrease TI in small increments until continuous
cycling

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 Trial and Error method…

• Set TI equal to three times this value

• Step6:
Increase TD until continuous cycling

• Set TD equal to one third of this value

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 Disadvantages

• It is very time consuming

• Large number of trials are required to optimize the Kc,

TI,TD

• Continuous cycling may be objectionable

• Since the process is pushed to the stability limit

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 Disadvantages …

• If external disturbances occur during tuning

• Then unstable operation or hazardous situation could

result

• This tuning procedure is not applicable to open loop

unstable processes

• Some simple processes do not have an ultimate gain

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 Summary

In this period, you have learnt about :

• Introduction to tuning of PID controllers

• Types of tuning methods

• Trial and error tuning

• Disadvantages of trial and error method

 Quiz

1. Integral action can be eliminated by

a. Setting TD to low

b. Setting TI to maximum

c. Setting TI to minimum

d. None

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2. Derivative action can be eliminated by

a. Setting TD to minimum

b. Setting TD to maximum

c. Setting TI to minimum

d. None

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 Frequently Asked Questions

• Define tuning and list the types of tuning of PID

controller.

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