In control loop terminology, what is PV?

In control loop terminology, what is PV?

• A. The input the controller can adjust (MV).
• B. The output signal of the actuator.
• C. The current measured value of the process.
• D. The desired target value for the PV (Setpoint).

Answer: (C)

PV is the actual value of the process as it is measured in real time. In a closed-loop control system, sensors report the current state of the process (like temperature, level, pressure, etc.) and that measurement is fed back to the controller. The controller compares this PV to the target value, called the setpoint, and adjusts the manipulated variable to drive the process toward the setpoint. So PV is the current measured value, not the target, not the control signal, and not the actuator’s output. The target value would be the setpoint, and the thing the controller can adjust is the manipulated variable that influences the process through the actuator.

PV is the actual value of the process as it is measured in real time. In a closed-loop control system, sensors report the current state of the process (like temperature, level, pressure, etc.) and that measurement is fed back to the controller. The controller compares this PV to the target value, called the setpoint, and adjusts the manipulated variable to drive the process toward the setpoint. So PV is the current measured value, not the target, not the control signal, and not the actuator’s output. The target value would be the setpoint, and the thing the controller can adjust is the manipulated variable that influences the process through the actuator.