An arrangement of control ComponentsA generic term for the uniquely identifiable elements, build... (for example, sensors, actuators, and control algorithms) with the intent of regulating a controlled variable at a set point. Control systems can be open loop or closed loop as follows:
- An open-loop control system is one whose output is a function of only the inputs to the system; and,
- A closed-loop system is one in which the output is fed back and compared to the input to generate an error signal, which is then used to generate a new output signal.