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Temperature Control Loop
A simple temperature control loop consists of a sensor immersed in the process whose temperature is required to be controlled. The measured temperature is transmitted to a temperature controller which has a set point – set at the desired temperature – we want to keep our process at. When the temperature of the process is above or below the set point, the controller initiates a control action by giving an output which acts on
the final control element e.g. a heater which acts to keep the temperature of the process at the desired temperature or set point.
The main point of our discussion will be the temperature controller because it is at the heart of the temperature control process.
A simple temperature control loop consists of a sensor immersed in the process whose temperature is required to be controlled. The measured temperature is transmitted to a temperature controller which has a set point – set at the desired temperature – we want to keep our process at. When the temperature of the process is above or below the set point, the controller initiates a control action by giving an output which acts on
the final control element e.g. a heater which acts to keep the temperature of the process at the desired temperature or set point.
The main point of our discussion will be the temperature controller because it is at the heart of the temperature control process.
Type of Inputs of Temperature Controller
A temperature controller has inputs. Temperature controllers can have several types of inputs. The type of input sensor and signal needed may vary depending on the type of controlled process. Typical input sensors include thermocouples and RTDs, and linear inputs such as mV and mA. Controllers can also be set to accept an RTD as a temperature sensing input. A typical RTD would be a 100Ω platinum sensor.
A controller can be set to accept voltage or current signals in the millivolt, volt, or milliamp range from other types of sensors such as pressure, level, or flow sensors. Typical input voltage signals include 0 to 5VDC, 1 to 5VDC, 0 to 10VDC and 2 to 10VDC. Controllers may also be set up to accept millivolt signals from sensors that include 0 to 50mVDC and 10 to 50mVDC. Controllers can also accept milliamp signals such as 0 to 20mA or 4 to 20mA.
Types of Outputs of a Temperature Controller
The output from the controller may take one of several forms. The most common forms are time proportional and analog proportional.
Time Proportional Outputs
A time proportional output applies power to the load for a percentage of a fixed cycle time. Time proportional outputs are available in the following forms:
1. Electromechanical relay
2. Triac (AC Solid State Relay)
3. DC Solid State Relay Driver (Pulse)
The electromechanical relay is generally the most economical type, and is usually chosen on systems with cycle times greater than 10seconds, and relatively small loads. Choose an ac solid state relay or dc voltage pulse to drive an external SSR with reliability, since they contain no moving parts. They are also recommended for processes requiring short cycle times. External solid state relays may require an ac or dc control signal.
Analog or Amplitude Proportional Outputs
An amplitude or analog proportional output is usually an analog voltage (0 to 5 Vdc) or current (4 to 20 mA). The output level from this output type is also set by the controller. If the output were set at 70%, the output level would be 70% of 5 V, or 3.5 V. With a 4 to 20 mA output (a 16 mA span), 70% is equal to (0.7 x 16) + 4, or 15.2mA.These controllers are usually used with proportioning valves or power controllers
Types of Temperature Controllers
On-Off Control
An on-off controller is the simplest form of temperature control device. The output from the controller is either on or off, without a middle state. An on-off controller will switch the output only when the temperature crosses the set point. For heating control, the output is on when the temperature is below the set point, and off above set point. For cooling control, the output is on when the temperature is above set point and off when below set point.There is the possibility of cycling in on-off control.
An on-off controller is the simplest form of temperature control device. The output from the controller is either on or off, without a middle state. An on-off controller will switch the output only when the temperature crosses the set point. For heating control, the output is on when the temperature is below the set point, and off above set point. For cooling control, the output is on when the temperature is above set point and off when below set point.There is the possibility of cycling in on-off control.
To prevent this from happening and to avoid damage to contactors and valves, an on-off differential, or hysteresis or deadband is made part of the controller operations. This differential requires that the temperature exceed set point by a certain amount before the output will turn off or on again. This On-off differential prevents the output from engaging in fast, continual switching if the temperature cycling above and below the set point occurs very rapidly. The deadband (differential) or hysteresis is commonly expressed as a percentage of the input
span. The set point is usually in the center of the deadband.
One special type of on/off control used for alarm is a limit controller. This controller uses a latching relay, which must be manually reset, and is used to shut down a process when a certain temperature is reached
When to Use On-Off
On-off control is usually used where a precise control is not necessary. They are also used in systems where the mass of the system is so great that temperatures change extremely slowly, or for a temperature alarm.
span. The set point is usually in the center of the deadband.
One special type of on/off control used for alarm is a limit controller. This controller uses a latching relay, which must be manually reset, and is used to shut down a process when a certain temperature is reached
When to Use On-Off
On-off control is usually used where a precise control is not necessary. They are also used in systems where the mass of the system is so great that temperatures change extremely slowly, or for a temperature alarm.
Proportional Controllers
Proportional control helps to eliminate the cycling associated with traditional on-off control. For a heater temperature control, the proportional controller decreases the average power being supplied to the heater as the temperature approaches set point. This has the effect of slowing down the heater, so that it will not overshoot the set point but will approach the set point and maintain a stable temperature. This proportioning action is achieved by turning the output on and off for short intervals. This technique called time proportioning varies the ratio of ON time to OFF time to control the temperature. In time proportioning control, full power is applied to the heater or temperature control device but is cycled on and off, so the average time is varied. This proportioning action occurs within a “proportional band” around the set point temperature. Outside the proportional band, the controller functions as an on-off unit, with the output either fully on (below the band) or fully off (above the band).
At the set point (the midpoint of the proportional band), the output ON : OFF ratio is 1:1; that is, the on-time and off-time are equal. Inside the proportional band, the output is turned on and off in the ratio of the measurement difference from the set point. If the temperature is below set point, the output will be ON longer. If the temperature is above set point, the output will be OFF longer.
In a commercial temperature controller, the proportional band is usually expressed as a percent of full input range, or degrees. It may also be referred to as gain, which is the reciprocal of the band. The proportional band can be adjustable to tune the controller and ensure a better temperature control experience.
Proportional controllers have a manual reset (trim) adjustment, which can be used to adjust for an offset between the steady state temperature and the set point.
Proportional controllers are available with electromechanical and solid state relay outputs as well as proportional analog outputs such as 4 – 20mA or 0 to 5VDC. In proportional analog outputs, the actual output level is varied, rather than the on and off times done with a relay output controller.
When to use Proportional Control
Proportional control can be used in systems that are subject to wide temperature cycling. Processes with long time lags and large maximum rate of rise like in heat exchangers require wide proportional bands (PB) to eliminate temperature oscillation.
PID Controllers.
PID controllers are the most sophisticated type of controllers used in temperature control. This controller combines proportional control with two additional adjustments, which helps the controller to automatically compensate for changes in the system. The Integral and Derivative adjustments are expressed in time-based units. They are also referred to by their reciprocals, RESET and RATE respectively. The proportional, integral and derivative components of the PID must be individually tuned to a particular system by trial and error method to achieve good control.
When to use PID Control
PID control is recommended in systems where the load changes often, and the controller is expected to compensate automatically due to frequent changes in set point, the amount of energy available, or the mass to be controlled.
Factors to Consider Before Selecting a Temperature Controller
The following factors must be considered before a temperature controller can be selected for a given application:
1. What type of input sensor is required? Thermocouple or RTD? Or simply a linear output in mV or mA?
2. Where would the sensing element be placed to achieve good temperature conrol?
3. What type of control is required? Is it on/off, proportional or PID?
4. What type of output hardware is required to power loads? Electromechanical relay? Solid State Relay? Or Analog output signal?
5. What are other system requirements? Display of temperature or set point required? Cooling outputs required? Alarms required? Limits required? Is communication with other devices required?
