In control systems, what does 'loop tuning' refer to?

Loop tuning refers to the process of adjusting the parameters of a control system's controller—such as proportional gain, integral time, and derivative time—to achieve desired system performance. This involves optimizing how the controller responds to changes in the process variable to ensure stability, reduce overshoot, and minimize settling time. By fine-tuning these parameters, the control system can be made more efficient and responsive to disturbances or setpoint changes.

The goal is to enhance the overall performance of the control system, making it effective in maintaining the desired output despite varying conditions. Proper loop tuning is critical in industrial applications where precision and reliability are essential.