Setpunktstyring

Setpunktstyring, or setpoint control, is a control strategy used to keep a process variable at a specified target value—the setpoint. It is a fundamental approach in automation and process control.

The system typically comprises a sensor, a controller, and an actuator connected to the process. The sensor measures the process variable; the controller calculates a control signal from the difference between the measurement and the setpoint (the error); the actuator applies the adjustment.

Common control policies include proportional, integral, and derivative (PID) control, on/off control with hysteresis, and more advanced model-based strategies. The choice depends on the dynamics of the process, required accuracy, and the acceptable level of energy use or wear.

Applications span building automation (heating, cooling, and ventilation), chemical and manufacturing processes, water management, and energy systems. Setpunktstyring helps maintain quality, safety, and efficiency by reducing fluctuations and responding to disturbances.

Key considerations include sensor accuracy, measurement delay, actuator limits, and tuning of the controller to prevent overshoot and oscillations. Inappropriate tuning or poor instrumentation can lead to instability or excessive wear.

Setpoints may be fixed or time-varying, allowing automated adjustments during different operating conditions. In some systems, adaptive or feedforward elements are used to improve performance when disturbances are predictable.