6. Empirical PID settings

6.1 Industrial context

A PID controller is used to set accuracy (zero error), as well as damping and response time.

Whereas, in automation design offices, a specific study can be carried out for each particular case and the appropriate corrector developed, this is not the case in industry. We have instrumented processes, with actuators and sensors providing standardized signals (4 to 20 mA, 0 to 10 V, etc.).

Standard PID controllers are used, whose proportional, integral and derivative action settings have to be adjusted on site, without the possibility of extensive testing.

We use successive test procedures ...