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3549

PRACTICAL CONTROL SYSTEM FOR CLASSROOM AND LABORATORY

Veng S. Kouch Georgia Southern University

Abstract:

A practical control system (in which student s test t he fundamental blocks or the whole system) is a useful tool for enhancing understanding in the classroom or laboratory. Control systems built for training purposes are not widely available.

This paper presents elements of the design, construction and testing of an electro-mechanical control system. The system is easily built, and provides excellent results. Only basic instruments are required to monitor and measure control system characteristics. The system consists of the plant, the sensor, the comparator, the Proportional-Integral-Differential (PID) controllers, and the disturbance. The plant is a motor-driven fan and the output variable is the fan speed. The fan speed is monitored with a frequency counter. The system can be operated in an open-loop mode allowing students to measure the transfer function of the subsystems. The integral and differential controllers, as well as the disturbance, can be switched in or out of system. All control system characteristics can be observed and demonstrated. The effects of controllers on the system characteristics can be measured. A suggested list of laboratory experiment s and their objectives is also included.

Introduction:

A control system is defined as an electronic/electrical/mechanical system used to automat ically control, maintain and track a physical variable or system output. Most student s have difficulty in identifying the control system. Before the system theory is developed, it would be much clearer in the student’s mind if he sees an actual control system.

System design

The block diagram of a control system is shown in Figure 1. It consists of the plant, the sensor, the comparator, the PID controllers and the disturbance. Operational amplifiers are used as a gain block in most subsystems. The system can be operated in an open-loop or closed-loop mode. The Integral (I) and Differential (D) controllers as well as the disturbance can be switched in or out of the system. The input step voltage is generated Fig.1 Block Diagram of System

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Kouch, V. (2003, June), Control System For Classroom And Laboratory Paper presented at 2003 Annual Conference, Nashville, Tennessee. 10.18260/1-2--11667