What is a controller?
What is a Controller ? A Controller is the core part of an industrial automation system that manages, regulates, and stabilizes process parameters such as pressure, temperature, flow, and level. It works like the brain of automation — receiving signals from field sensors, processing data, and sending commands to actuators or control devices to maintain the desired process conditions. How Does a Controller Work? A controller operates on a closed-loop control principle , continuously comparing the measured process value with a predefined setpoint. If any difference (error) is detected, the controller automatically corrects it by adjusting the output signal to actuators, valves, or motors. Measurement: Sensors measure process parameters and send electrical signals (4–20 mA or 0–10 V) to the controller. Comparison: The controller compares the measured value with the desired setpoint to find the error. Correction: Based on control logic (P, PI, or PID), it sends an output si...