FACULTY OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING

SUBJECT: CONTROL SYSTEM ENGINEERING DEKC 2113

FACULTY OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING

UNIVERSITI TEKNIKAL MALAYSIA MELAKA
SEMESTER I SESSION 2022/2023

DEKC 2113
CONTROL SYSTEM ENGINEERING

Experiment 1: Open-Loop Temperature Control

No Name Matrix No. Signature

Lab Group :______________________________________

Program/Section :______________________________________
Date :______________________________________

Score :

Task Name Signature Date

Prepared by
DR. SAZUAN NAZRAH MOHD AZAM
11/10/2022
COURSE COORDINATOR

Confirmed by
PM DR. MUHAMMAD NIZAM BIN
KAMARUDIN 12/10/2022
HOD, DEPT. OF DIPLOMA STUDIES

LAB SHEET Experiment 1: Open-Loop Temperature Control PAGE: - 1 -

 FACULTY OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING
SUBJECT: CONTROL SYSTEM ENGINEERING DEKC 2113

TITLE: Open-Loop Temperature Control

OBJECTIVES

To understand the open-loop temperature control.

To introduce and familiar with Lab-Volt Temperature Process Control Trainer 3521.

EQUIPMENTS

Lab-Volt Temperature Process Control Trainer 3521.

Connecting cable leads.
Scientific calculator.

INTRODUCTION

1. Theory
A) Open-Loop Process Control
A process control system is said to be an open-loop type when the measured variable has no
influence on the action taken on the control element. Figure 1.1 shows the block diagram of an
open-loop process control system that control the level of liquid in a tank. The controlled variable
is the level of liquid in the tank. The liquid, flow of liquid (in and out) and also the tank itself
constitute the process.
In the block diagram of Figure 1.1, a valve (control element) is set so that the inflow of the
liquid (manipulated variable) maintains a certain level of liquid in the tank. However, if the
outflow of liquid from the tank (load) changes from time to time in the course of process, the
liquid level in the tank also changes. Thus, no correction can be made for the open-loop control
system to compensate the load changes that could disturb the process. Notice that a measuring
element is not usually part of the open-loop control system since it is useless.

Figure 1.1: Block diagram of an open-loop process control system

LAB SHEET Experiment 1: Open-Loop Temperature Control PAGE: - 2 -

 FACULTY OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING
SUBJECT: CONTROL SYSTEM ENGINEERING DEKC 2113

B) About the Lab-Volt Process Control Trainer

The Lab-Volt Process Control Trainer model 3521 will be used in this experiment. Figure
1.2 shows the front panel of the trainer, which is divided into many functional blocks. In this
process control trainer, the physical parameter to be controlled is the temperature radiator. The
trainer uses a heater and a fan to warm up and cool the radiator, respectively. A technique called
time proportional power control is used in order to have a linear control of the power supplied
to the HEATER. The TEMPERATURE TRANSMITTER allows the temperature of the radiator
to be measured. It uses a type J thermocouple sensor that converts temperature into a proportional
electrical signal.

Figure 1.2: Front panel of the Lab-Volt Process Control Trainer 3521

LAB SHEET Experiment 1: Open-Loop Temperature Control PAGE: - 3 -

 FACULTY OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING
SUBJECT: CONTROL SYSTEM ENGINEERING DEKC 2113

2. Experiment Procedure

A) Set-up the circuit and block diagram:

1. Make sure the POWER switch of the process Control Trainer is set to O (OFF Position).

Make the appropriate connections on the Process Control Trainer to obtain the circuit in
Figure 1.3.
Note: Access to the radiator is through a hole located in the top cover of the Process Control Trainer.
The thermocouple probe must be inserted in the hole.

Figure 1.3: Open-loop temperature control system

2. Complete the open-loop temperature control system block diagram in Figure 1.4 by filling
the blank spaces with terms listed below;

HEAT EXCHANGER TEMPERATURE

LOAD CONTROL ELEMENT
MEASURING ELEMENT CONTROLLED VARIABLE
MANIPULATED VARIABLE ELECTRICAL POWER
PROCESS OPEN-LOOP
HEATER TEMPERATURE SET POINT

3. Make the following setting on the Process Control Trainer:

DC SOURCE-1 LEVEL: fully counterclockwise, MIN

LEVEL COMPARATOR HYSTERESIS: MIN
DC VOLTMETER INPUT SELECTOR: A
HEATER POWER: HIGH
FAN SPEED: LOW

Note: the signal conditioner is implemented using the TRIANGLE_WAVE GENERATOR, the LEVEL
COMPARATOR WITH HYSTERESIS, THE POWER SOURCE, and the SOLID STATE RELAY.
However, only SOLID STATE RELAY is indicated in the SIGNAL CONDITIONER block of this block
diagram.

LAB SHEET Experiment 1: Open-Loop Temperature Control PAGE: - 4 -

 FACULTY OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING
SUBJECT: CONTROL SYSTEM ENGINEERING DEKC 2113

Figure 1.4: Block diagram of the open-loop temperature control system

B) Open-loop temperature control system

4. Set the POWER switch to I (ON position).

Record initial temperature of the radiator (indicated by the TEMPERATURE
TRANSMITTER display) in the first row of Table 1.1

Read through steps 5 and 6 before continuing the manipulations. These two steps describe a
sequence of manipulations that must be carried out following predetermined time intervals.

Table 1.1: Temperature of the radiator versus time

Time (Min.) Temp (0C) Time (Min.) Temp (0C)
0 13
1 14
2 15
3 16
4 17
5 18
6 19
7 20
8 21
9 22
10 23
11 24
12 25

LAB SHEET Experiment 1: Open-Loop Temperature Control PAGE: - 5 -

 FACULTY OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING
SUBJECT: CONTROL SYSTEM ENGINEERING DEKC 2113

5. Set the DC source-1 LEVEL control so that the DC VOLTMETER indicates +2.5 Vdc. This
sets the temperature set point. Record the temperature of the radiator in Table 1.1 for every
minute or until the temperature stabilizes.

Note: The SOLID STATE RELAY LED indicator should light up during approximately 5 seconds
every 10 seconds. This indicates that the SOLID STATE RELAY is on approximately 50% of time.
Therefore, electrical power is supplied to the HEATER approximately 50% of time.

6. After 15 minutes or when the temperature has stabilized, set the FAN SPEED switch to the
HIGH position to increase the heat loss from the radiator, then continue to record the
temperature of the radiator every minute during 10 minutes or until the temperature
stabilizes.

7. Turn the DC SOURCE-1 LEVEL control fully counterclockwise (MIN). The SOLID SATE
RELAY LED indicator should remain off, thus indicating that power is no longer supplied
to the HEATER.

From the results in Table 1.1, plot Figure 1.5 the relationship between the temperature of
the radiator and time.

Indicate the time at which the fan speed passed from low to high in Figure 1.6.

8. Describe how temperature of the radiator varies before the fan speed passes from low to
high.

………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………….

Describe what happens to the temperature of the radiator after the fan speed has passed from
low to high. Briefly explain.

………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………

What change could be done in this open-loop temperature control system to improve
temperature stability?

………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………….

LAB SHEET Experiment 1: Open-Loop Temperature Control PAGE: - 6 -

 FACULTY OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING
SUBJECT: CONTROL SYSTEM ENGINEERING DEKC 2113

9. Set the POWER switch to O (OFF position) and remove all the cable leads.

Figure 1.5: Relationship between the temperature of the radiator and time

LAB SHEET Experiment 1: Open-Loop Temperature Control PAGE: - 7 -

 FACULTY OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING
SUBJECT: CONTROL SYSTEM ENGINEERING DEKC 2113

3. Discussion:
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

4. Conclusion:
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Lab instructor check off signature

LAB SHEET Experiment 1: Open-Loop Temperature Control PAGE: - 8 -

 FACULTY OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING
SUBJECT: CONTROL SYSTEM ENGINEERING DEKC 2113

Review Questions:

1. What is the primary objective of process control?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………

2. Describe what is the control element in a process control loop?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………

3. What is an open-loop process control system?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………

4. What is ‘load’ and ‘disturbance’ means in process control system?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………

5. What is the different between ‘controlled variable’ and ‘measured variable’?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………

6. Name the sensor that used in Lab-Volt Process Control Trainer to convert temperature signal
into electrical signal?
……………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………

LAB SHEET Experiment 1: Open-Loop Temperature Control PAGE: - 9 -

 UNIVERSITI TEKNIKAL MALAYSIA MELAKA
FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN ELEKTRIK

DEKC 2113 CONTROL SYSTEM ENGINEERING, SEM 1 SESSION 2022/2023

LAB ASSESSMENT IMPLEMENTATION & REPORT
EXPERIMENT 1: Open-loop Temperature Control

Student Details

Course/Section/Group : Semester/Session :

Name A : Matrix No. A :

Name B : Matrix No. B :
Name C : Matrix No. C :

A. LAB ASSESSMENT – INDIVIDUAL (VERBAL) Student A Student B Student C

1.0 Tools / Equipments / Components / Procedure 5 Marks
• Able to identify all related tools and equipments.
4 5 4 5 4 5
• Able to establish all connection between each equipments.
• Able to identify most of the related tools and equipments.
• Able to establish most of the connection between each 2 3 2 3 2 3
equipments.
• Able to identify a few of the related tools and equipments.
• Able to establish a few connection between each 1 1 1
equipments.
• Unable to identify all related tools and equipment.
0 0 0
• Unable to establish connection between each equipments.
2.0 Understanding of task performed 5 Marks
• Able to show thorough understanding of task performed 4 5 4 5 4 5
• Able to show considerable understanding of task performed 2 3 2 3 2 3
• Able to show limited understanding of task performed 1 1 1
• Unable to understand the task performed 0 0 0
TOTAL A (10 MARKS)

B. LAB REPORT – GROUP (WRITTEN) Group Marks

1.0 Results (Written) 10 Marks
• Able to display most of the required results 8 9 10
• Able to display some of the required results 4 5 6 7
• Able to display minimum information of the required results 1 2 3
• Not able to display all required response specifications 0
2.0 Discussion (Written) 7 Marks
• Sufficient and accurate analysis. Detailed discussion and
6 7
related to results.
• Sufficient but few inaccurate analysis. Discussion is related to
3 4 5
results.
• Insufficient analysis. Discussion is not related to results. 1 2
• No analysis and discussion.
0
3.0 Conclusion (Written) 3 Marks
• Clear and complete summarization of experiment/project
3
achievements.
• Sufficient summarization of experiment/project achievements.
2
• Insufficient summarization of experiment/project
1
achievements.
• Conclusion recommendations are not explained. 0

TOTAL B (20 MARKS)

TOTAL MARKS (30 MARKS) = TOTAL (A+B)

Evaluated by: ____________________________________ Signature: ________________________

Date : ____________________________________