Lab – Compare Closed-Loop and Open-Loop Control Systems

Objective
In this activity, you will compare closed-loop and open-loop control systems.

Background/Scenario
An open-loop control system does not monitor the output in order to determine what adjustments to make to
the input. For example, when using a clothes dryer you might set the timer on the dryer to run the drying cycle
for one hour. At the end of the hour, the dryer will stop. The level of dryness of the clothes will vary depending
upon their level of wetness at the beginning of the cycle.
In a closed-loop control system, the output is measured to determine whether it is the desired output and
adjust the input as appropriate. For example, if the clothes dryer is equipped with moisture sensors, the input
may be a level of dryness that adjusts the cycle by extending the drying time until the sensors indicate the
clothes are dried to a desired level.
Compare the systems listed in the table and determine if they are closed-loop or open-loop control systems.
Briefly explain your selections in the space provided.

Systems Open/Closed Loop Explain Your Answer

Clothes dryer with moisture sensor
Closed The moisture sensors provide measured
output that is compared to a reference for
desired dryness. The controller will extend
the drying cycle until the input and output are
equal.

Light switch to turn on the light Open Once the light switch is flipped to the on
position, current will flow until the switch is
reversed.

Thermostat to keep a constant Closed As it seeks to reduce the error between the
temperature desired and measured temperatures.

Volume on a radio Open Volume is adjusted manually of the operator.

Vehicle ignition switch Open The operator manually starts the vehicle

Ceiling fan Open It’s capacity can be adjusted by the operator

and it is manually turned on and off.

Clothes washing machine with Closed The water level sensor uses a pressure
water level sensor switch to detect the water level in the
washing machine.

From the Open Loop systems, select one and describe how you might make it a Closed Loop system:

Temperature controllers, Open loop: on a cold day, you may need to adjust the capacity of the controller to
higher to warm the house. However, during warmer weather, the same setting would leave the inside of the
house much warmer than the desired temperature. Closed loop: applies continuous heating/cooling with no
regard for the actual temperature output.

© 2017 Cisco and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. This document is Cisco Public. Page 1 of 2
Lab – Building a Switched Network with Redundant Links

Deborah Jane T. Auguis

BSIT 3R3

© 2017 Cisco and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. This document is Cisco Public. Page 2 of 2