Hauptregelung

Hauptregelung is a German term used in control engineering to denote the central or supervisory regulation layer in a hierarchical control system. It governs the overall behavior of a system by setting reference values and coordinating the actions of subordinate controllers (Nebenregelungen). The Hauptregelung interprets measurements from the process, may apply models or optimization routines, and issues setpoints to local regulators. It is designed to handle disturbances, ensure stability, and optimize performance criteria such as safety, efficiency, or product quality.

In practice, the Hauptregelung is implemented in automation architectures as the supervisory control layer, for example in distributed control systems (DCS) or SCADA environments. It may perform tasks such as scheduling, fault detection, and strategic decision making, while local controllers maintain specific variables (temperature, pressure, flow) within tighter bounds. The exact scope of the Hauptregelung varies by domain: in process technology it often corresponds to the principal regulator that coordinates multiple subprocess regulators; in power or building automation it may act as the central controller that aligns subsystem setpoints with global objectives.

The term is sometimes used loosely, and not all sources distinguish it from "Hauptregelkreis" or "Leitregelung." Regardless, the concept emphasizes a multi-layer approach to control, where a main regulator provides high-level control and coordination, and subordinate regulators implement detailed control tasks.