Watlow EZ-ZONE
®
RMC Module
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149
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Chapter 7 Features
tional Band or Cool Proportional Band value in 3
to 5° increments until it stabilizes, allowing time
for the system to settle between adjustments.
4. When the process has stabilized, watch Heat
Power
[`h;Pr]
or Cool Power
[`C;Pr]
(Operations
Page, Monitor Menu). It should be stable ±2%. At
this point, the process temperature should also
be stable, but it will have stabilized before reach-
ing the set point. The difference between the set
point and actual process value can be eliminated
with Integral.
5. Start with an Integral value of 6,000 and allow
10 minutes for the process temperature to reach
the set point. If it has not, reduce the setting by
half and wait another 10 minutes. Continue re-
ducing the setting by half every 10 minutes until
the process value equals the set point. If the pro-
cess becomes unstable, the Integral value is too
small. Increase the value until the process stabi-
lizes.
6. Increase Derivative to 0.1. Then increase the set
point by 11° to 17°C. Monitor the system’s ap-
proach to the set point. If the process value over-
shoots the set point, increase Derivative to 0.2.
Increase the set point by 11° to 17°C and watch
the approach to the new set point. If you increase
Derivative too much, the approach to the set
point will be very sluggish. Repeat as necessary
until the system rises to the new set point with-
out overshoot or sluggishness.
For additional information about autotune and PID
control, see related features in this chapter.
Autotuning with TRU-TUNE+
®
The TRU-TUNE+
adaptive algorithm will optimize
the controller's PID values to improve control of dy-
namic processes. TRU-TUNE+
monitors the Process
Value and adjusts the control parameters automati-
cally to keep your process at set point during set
point and load changes. When the controller is in the
adaptive control mode, it determines the appropriate
output signal and, over time, adjusts control param-
eters to optimize responsiveness and stability. The
TRU-TUNE+
feature does not function for on-off con-
trol.
The preferred and quickest method for tuning a
loop is to establish initial control settings and contin-
ue with the adaptive mode to fine tune the settings.
Setting a controller's control mode to tune starts
this two-step tuning process. (See Autotuning in this
chapter.) This predictive tune determines initial,
rough settings for the PID parameters. Then the loop
automatically switches to the adaptive mode which
fine tunes the PID parameters.
Once the Process Value has been at set point for
a suitable period (about 30 minutes for a fast process
to roughly two hours for a slower process) and if no
further tuning of the PID parameters is desired or
needed, TRU-TUNE+
may be turned off. However,
keeping the controller in the adaptive mode allows it
to automatically adjust to load changes and compen-
sate for differing control characteristics at various
set points for processes that are not entirely linear.
Once the PID parameters have been set by the
TRU-TUNE+
adaptive algorithm, the process, if shut
down for any reason, can be restarted in the adaptive
control mode.
Turn TRU-TUNE+ on or off with TRU-TUNE+ En-
able
[t;tUn]
(Setup Page, Loop Menu).
Use TRU-TUNE+
Band
[t;bnd]
(Setup Page,
Loop Menu) to set the range above and below the
set point in which adaptive tuning will be active.
Adjust this parameter only in the unlikely event
that the controller is unable to stabilize at the set
point with TRU-TUNE+
Band set to auto (0). This
may occur with very fast processes. In that case, set
TRU-TUNE+ Band to a large value, such as 100.
Use TRU-TUNE+
Gain
[`t;gn]
(Setup Page, Loop
Menu) to adjust the responsiveness of the adaptive
tuning calculations. Six settings range from 1, with
the most aggressive response and most potential
overshoot (highest gain), to 6, with the least aggres-
sive response and least potential for overshoot (low-
est gain). The default setting, 3, is recommended for
loops with thermocouple feedback and moderate re-
sponse and overshoot potential.
Before Tuning
Before autotuning, the controller hardware must be
installed correctly, and these basic configuration pa-
rameters must be set:
• Sensor Type
[`SEn]
(Setup Page, Analog Input
Menu), and scaling, if required;
• Function
[``Fn]
(Setup Page, Output Menu) and
scaling, if required.
How to Autotune a Loop
1. Enter the desired set point or one that is in the
middle of the expected range of set points that
you want to tune for.
2. Enable TRU-TUNE+.
3. Initiate an autotune. (See Autotuning in this
chapter.)
When autotuning is complete, the PID parameters
should provide good control. As long as the loop is in
the adaptive control mode, TRU-TUNE+
continuously
tunes to provide the best possible PID control for the
process.
ç
WARNING! During autotuning, the controller sets the out-
put to 100 percent and attempts to drive the Process Value
toward the set point . Enter a set point and heat and cool
power limits that are within the safe operating limits of your
system .
