THREE-TERM (PID) CONTROLLERS
COURSE 550: 2 DAYS
Three-term controllers continue to play an important role in many industrial processes and this course is designed to provide the skills and understanding necessary to effectively maintain control systems which utilise this technology. The course is ideal for those who have attended course 510 (Instrumentation), and who wish to further enhance their instrumentation skills.
PARTICIPANTS
Those attending the course should preferably have an understanding of the input / output devices typically used in process control systems. No prior knowledge of electronic controllers is required.
COURSE PRESENTATION
An extensively ‘hands-on’ approach is used throughout, with participants gaining substantial practical experience in the configuration, calibration and tuning of a range of industry-standard controllers. The course is supported by comprehensive course notes. The candidates gain experience of Eurotherm, West and other manufacturer's controllers.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
On completion of the course, participants will be able to
- understand the safety implications of working on closed-loop control systems
- understand the relevance of the three terms (PID) used in controllers
- identify the capabilities of controllers from their exterior markings
- correctly and safely configure and calibrate a range of industry standard electronic controllers
- manually tune electronic controllers
- appreciate the limitations of ‘auto-tuning’
- determine when a controller is correctly tuned.
Successful completion of the course leads to the award of Amicus / Technical Training Solutions competence certificate 550: Three-Term (PID) Controllers.
What do candidates on the 3-term (PID) controllers course actually do?
Candidates on the 3 term (PID) controllers training course learn about the theoretical aspects of open and closed-loop control systems, but without getting involved in the complex mathematics traditionally used to describe and analyse these systems. Our candidates are shown what the most common electronic controllers typically look like and study their markings and features (for example front panel buttons, sub-assembly cards, internal programming switches, etc). We then show candidates how the controllers should be configured, calibrated and tuned so that they give accurate readings and behave well in dynamic situations, explaining the three terms (proportional, integral and derivative) used in common industrial control systems. Candidates are provided with comprehensive course notes.
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We begin the practical exercises by getting the candidates to power-up a controller (candidates use a range of controllers on the course) and ensure that it is reading correctly. Candidates correct configuration and calibration errors, referring to manufacturers' manuals under the guidance of our instructor. Candidates then build a simple closed-loop temperature control system, using a controller with relay outputs and thermocouple inputs. (Candidates configure the controllers for time-proportioned relay outputs so that variable power control is possible.) Once a functional system is acheived, candidates tune the loop so that the system's dynamic response is good. They are shown how auto-tuning is activated and they can then contrast and compare this with the advantages and disadvantages of manual tuning.
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Candidates on the 3 term (PID) controllers training course then learn about the differences between temperature and flow control loops, and connect controllers with 4 to 20mA inputs and outputs to our specially-designed flow rigs, configuring and calibrating them as necessary. Candidates then tune these systems so that their dynamic behaviour is good. We use a range of flow rigs (each designed to require different tuning parameters) to demonstrate the alternative methods of system control used in industrial systems; electronic variable-speed drives, electrical control valves and air control valves.
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