Motor Control and Servo Systems

A motor control system is a physical interface that governs the performance of a motor.
The system speaks to the motor using electrical signals, and performs a variety of tasks such as starting, stopping, speed control, and direction control of the motor.
Direct On Line (DOL) is a method of starting motors. In DOL starting of motors, full line voltage is applied across the motor terminals.
Star delta starters are probably the most common starters in the UK. They are used to reduce the start current applied to the motor during start.

Servomechanisms, or servo systems, are automated control systems where an output property of a device reacts to an input command by altering some property to a desired value.
These systems contain a sensor to detect the difference between desired and actual system behaviour, a controller to process any discrepancy, and an actuator to correct it, with each component communicating with the others.
In essence, a servo system is a self-correcting feedback system - often used as part of a control loop.
An example of a servo system in action can be a motor that adjusts its speed based on the load it is carrying, or a heating system that changes its output based on the ambient temperature.

Aspects of motor control and servo systems can be found in a variety of everyday objects such as automobiles, computers, heating systems, and manufacturing equipment.
In an automobile, the servo steering system helps drivers maintain control of the car, reacting to the driver’s movements and the conditions on the road.
In a computer, fan speed can be controlled automatically based on the current temperature of the system, preventing overheating.
In heating systems, a thermometer serves as the sensor for room temperature, the heater as the actuator, and the controller can be a simple on-off switch or a more complex device that allows variation in temperature.

Motor control systems are essential in many industrial settings, facilitating the smooth operation of machinery and thus the smooth operation of processes.
Servo systems are prevalent in numerous everyday technologies that improve and simplify life.
Understanding the inner workings of these systems is crucial for those involved in the design, testing, maintenance, and use of what are essentially staple technologies in today’s day and age.
Therefore, the study of Motor Control and Servo Systems is a critical topic in electronics.