Module Title:Automatic Control 1
Language of Instruction:English
Credits: 5
NFQ Level:7
Module Delivered In 1 programme(s)
Teaching & Learning Strategies: Lectures will incorporate a mixture of presentations, examples and student exercises/problem-solving, question and answer sessions, group discussions and online resources. Extensive use will be made of “hands-on” Control workshop programme to promote greater student engagement with the learning process by facilitating them to apply and implement the concepts explored in the classroom.
Module Aim: The aim of this module is to enable students to develop an understanding of PID automatic control systems and to select and apply appropriate control strategies for simple applications.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner should be able to:
LO1 Classify and discuss the objectives and principle of operation of general closed-loop automatic control systems.
LO2 Determine how different process characteristics will contribute to the control system response and performance.
LO3 Explain the principles of operation of On/Off, P, PI and PID control modes.
LO4 Apply different control modes based on process requirements to basic applications.
Pre-requisite learning
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is recommended before enrolment in this module.
No recommendations listed
Incompatible Modules
These are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of this module.
No incompatible modules listed
Co-requisite Modules
8358 MEUS H3505 Process Measurements 1
Requirements
This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed.
No requirements listed
 

Module Content & Assessment

Indicative Content
The Control Loop
Objectives of Automatic Control, Loop Block Diagrams, Components of Sample Systems, Open and Closed-Loop Control, Feedback in Control Systems, Process Disturbances, Control Definitions and the need for safety and ethical use of Automatic Control systems.
Process Characteristics
Basic process types, Process load, Supply-side/Demand-side Capacities, Process Lags, Dead Time, Process Gain, Process Reaction Curve, Dynamic Process Characteristics and data gathering by generating process signature curve and extracting critical parameters (eg Dead time, Gain and Time Constant).
Final Control Elements
Introduction to the most common types of FCEs (pumps, valves, electrical power regulation/delivery devices). Range of devices, applications, fail safe implications and potential impacts on control response.
Modes of Control
On-Off Control, Proportional Control, Proportional + Integral Control, Proportional + Derivative Control, PID (3 Term) Control, Controller Selection, Calculations of controller output in different modes for a given set of process conditions.
Assessment Breakdown%
Continuous Assessment30.00%
End of Module Formal Examination70.00%
Continuous Assessment
Assessment Type Assessment Description Outcome addressed % of total Assessment Date
Short Answer Questions Online/Classroom based written test 1,2 5.00 Week 6
Short Answer Questions Online/Classroom based written test 1,2,3 5.00 Week 11
Written Report Practical/Work-based Control System application appraisal 1,2,3,4 20.00 Sem 1 End
No Project
No Practical
End of Module Formal Examination
Assessment Type Assessment Description Outcome addressed % of total Assessment Date
Formal Exam Written Examination 1,2,3,4 70.00 End-of-Semester
Continuous Assessment
Assessment Type Assessment Description Outcome addressed % of total Assessment Date
Short Answer Questions Online/Classroom based written test. 1,2 5.00 Week 6
Short Answer Questions Online/Classroom based written test 1,2,3 5.00 Week 11
Written Report Practical/Work-based Control System application appraisal. 1,2,3,4 20.00 Sem 1 End
No Project
No Practical
End of Module Formal Examination
Assessment Type Assessment Description Outcome addressed % of total Assessment Date
Formal Exam Written examination 1,2,3,4 70.00 End-of-Semester

SETU Carlow Campus reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload
Lab/Lecture Every Week 3.00
Independent Learning Time Every Week 6.00
Total Hours 9.00
Workload: Part Time
Workload Type Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload
Lab/Lecture Every Week 3.00
Independent Learning Every Week 6.00
Total Hours 9.00
 

Module Delivered In

Programme Code Programme Semester Delivery
CW_EMIMC_D Batchelor of Science in Industrial Measurement and Control 1 Mandatory