Understanding PID Loop Monitoring

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Nick Malott | April 16, 2024

What is PID loop monitoring?

PID loop monitoring is the process of measuring and controlling the variables involved in your manufacturing system, such as temperature, pressure, flow, level, or speed. PID stands for proportional, integral, and derivative, which are the three types of feedback used to adjust the output of a controller to match the desired setpoint. A PID loop consists of a sensor, a controller, and an actuator, which work together to regulate your system’s performance. More than likely, you use PID loops extensively at your plant to control various process parameters.

Typically, a PID loop is tuned when commissioned and may require retuning due to mechanical wear, process variation, or changes in the control instrumentation over time. PID loop maintenance has traditionally been performed on an as-needed basis when process engineers identify that a loop is out of tune and impacting process control.

Why is PID loop monitoring important?

PID loop monitoring continuously captures data from running PID loops in the process, allowing you to view the performance history of a PID loop and driving the maintenance processes for identifying and rectifying loops that are performing poorly. PID loop monitoring can also identify gradual drifts in your process that indicate the need for maintenance, automatically notifying plant personnel before issues occur.

PID loop monitoring is important for several reasons. First, it ensures that the manufacturing system operates within the optimal range, avoiding deviations that could affect the quality, safety, or efficiency of your product. Second, it reduces energy consumption and waste generation, saving costs and minimizing environmental impact. Third, it enables the detection and diagnosis of faults, malfunctions, or disturbances in the system, giving you time to take corrective actions and perform preventive maintenance.

How can I optimize PID loop monitoring?

Our monitoring solutions can help you manage production PID loops by providing the following benefits:

  • Advanced analytics and visualization: Our solutions use data-driven algorithms and graphical interfaces to monitor, analyze, and track the performance of PID loops. They can identify and rank the most critical loops, detect and diagnose the root causes of loop problems, and suggest the required tuning parameters for each loop.
  • Remote access and control: Our solutions enable remote analysis of PID loops from any device, anywhere, anytime. They can also integrate with other systems and platforms, such as SCADA, PLC, or DCS, giving you a holistic view and more control over the manufacturing process.
  • Customized and scalable solutions: Our solutions are customized and scalable to meet your specific needs and challenges. They can handle any number of PID loops, any type of controller, and any industry or application.

Our PID loop monitoring solutions will help you improve the quality, safety, and efficiency of your manufacturing systems, optimize your energy consumption and waste generation, and enhance your operational reliability and productivity.