Which type of control strategy does PID control employ?

PID control employs a strategy that integrates three distinct components: proportional, integral, and derivative. This approach allows for more nuanced and stable control of a system by addressing different aspects of the error signal.

The proportional component adjusts the control output based on the current error, which is the difference between the desired setpoint and the measured process variable. The integral component accumulates past errors over time, helping to eliminate any residual steady-state error that may persist when only proportional control is used. The derivative component predicts future error based on its rate of change, enabling the control system to react preemptively to changes.

Together, these three components allow PID controllers to provide a balanced response that drives the system toward the desired setpoint efficiently while minimizing overshoot and oscillations. This combination of reactive and predictive control strategies makes PID a widely preferred method in various automation and control applications.