Control Circuits
Basic Principles and Operation
What’s Ahead?
What is Control?
Manual and Automatic control
Contacts, Switches, and Coils
Logic Basics
Types of Control Circuits
Open Loop vs. Closed Loop
What is Control?
Control is a broad term that means anything
from a simple toggle switch to a complex
system with components such as relays,
timers, and switches.
What is Control?
Control circuits may
use the same
voltage that feeds
the loads they are
controlling.
What is Control?
Control circuits may
also be a different
voltage than the
loads they control.
This is done using a
separate power
supply or by using a
step-down
transformer.
Manual and Automatic control
Control circuits may require Manual
control, Automatic control, or a
combination of both.
Manual Control
Manual Control circuits use components that
require human interaction in order to operate.
Toggle switch
AC
source
Manual Control
Manual Control circuits use components that
require human interaction in order to operate.
Toggle switch
AC
source
Automatic Control
Automatic control circuits can operate
themselves without the need for human
interaction.
Float switch
AC
source
Automatic Control
Automatic control circuits can operate
themselves without the need for human
interaction.
Float switch
AC
source
Contacts, Switches, and Coils
The most common types of components
found in a control circuit are contacts,
switches, and coils.
Contacts
Contacts can be Normally Open (NO) or
Normally Closed (NC).
NO NC
Switches
Toggle
Pushbutton
Selector switch
Toggle Switches
Toggle switches are
generally used in 2-
wire control circuits.
Toggle Switches
2-wire control circuit
Toggle switch
AC
source
Toggle Switches
2-wire control circuit
Toggle switch
AC
source
Toggle Switches
2-wire control circuit
Toggle switch
AC
source
SAFETY TIP!
2-wire control circuits should not be used on mechanical
loads due to restart after a loss of power occurs.
Toggle Switches
2-wire control circuit
Toggle switch
AC
source
SAFETY TIP!
2-wire control circuits should not be used on mechanical
loads due to restart after a loss of power occurs.
Pushbuttons
Pushbuttons are
generally used in 3-
wire control circuits
because of their
momentary
operation.
Pushbuttons
3-wire control circuit
Start
Stop
AC
source C
C
Pushbuttons
3-wire control circuit
Start
Stop
AC
source C
C
Pushbuttons
3-wire control circuit
Start
Stop
AC
source C
C
Pushbuttons
3-wire control circuit
Start
Stop
AC
source C
C
Pushbuttons
3-wire control circuit
Start
Stop
AC
source C
C
Selector
Selector switches allow
manual or automatic
operation of a circuit.
Selector Switch
hand
AC off
source
auto
Selector Switch
hand
AC off
source
auto
Selector Switch
hand
AC off
source
auto
Selector Switch
hand
AC off
source
auto
Coils
When coils are energized, any contacts that are
controlled by them change from their normal to
energized state.
NO NC
C
Coils
When coils are energized, any contacts that are
controlled by them change from their normal to
energized state.
NO NC
C
Logic Basics
AND
OR
AND Logic
AND logic is a series relationship between
contacts in a control circuit. A control
circuit with two or more stop buttons
would be an example of AND logic.
AND Logic
Start
Stop Stop
AC
source C
C
OR Logic
OR logic is a parallel relationship between
contacts in a control circuit. A circuit
containing two or more start buttons is
an example of OR logic.
OR Logic
Start
Start
Stop Stop
AC
source C
C
Types of Control Circuits
Magnetic
Electronic
Programmable
Magnetic Control Circuits
Magnetic control circuits use the principles
of magnetic induction to properly operate
equipment. All components of this type
of circuit are hard wired together.
Magnetic Control Circuits
Start
Start
Stop Stop
AC
source C
C
Electronic Control Circuits
Electronic control circuits function through
the use of manufactured equipment
modules that use solid state
components. These components are
usually soldered together on a circuit
board.
Electronic Control Circuits
Programmable
A programmable logic controller is a
central module that has all of the circuit
switches (inputs) and coils (outputs)
connected to it. The circuit logic is
programmed into the controller through
the use of a computer. A microprocessor
(CPU) solves the logic of the program.
Programmable Logic Controllers
Programmable Logic Controllers
Open Loop vs. Closed Loop
Choosing between an open loop and a
closed loop will depend on the
requirements of the system you are
controlling.
Open Loop
An open loop system controls a process
without the use of any feedback.
Closed Loop
A closed loop system controls and monitors
a process through the use of feedback.
Control Circuits
Let’s Review!
What is Control?
Control is a broad term that means anything
from a simple toggle switch to a complex
system with components such as relays,
timers, and switches.
Manual and Automatic Control
Manual control circuits use components that
require human interaction in order to operate.
Automatic control circuits can operate
themselves without the need for human
interaction.
Contacts, Switches, and Coils
The most common types of components
found in a control circuit are contacts,
switches, and coils.
Logic Basics
AND logic is a series relationship between
contacts in a control circuit.
OR logic is a parallel relationship between
contacts in a control circuit.
Types of Control Circuits
Magnetic control circuits use the principles
of magnetic induction to properly operate
equipment. All components of this type
of circuit are hard wired together.
Types of Control Circuits
Electronic control circuits function through
the use of manufactured equipment
modules that use solid state
components. These components are
usually soldered together on a circuit
board.
Types of Control Circuits
A programmable control circuit is designed
on a computer and downloaded into a
device with a microprocessor.
Open Loop vs. Closed Loop
An open loop system controls a process
without the use of any feedback.
A closed loop system controls and monitors
a process through the use of feedback.
