T430(E)(A8)T

NATIONAL CERTIFICATE

CONTROL SYSTEMS N6
(8080016)

8 August 2018 (X-Paper)

09:00–12:00
REQUIREMENTS: 3-cycle semilogarithmic graph paper

This question paper consists of 7 pages, 1 diagram sheet, 1 Nichols chart,

a formula sheet of 2 pages and a Laplace transform table of 3 pages.

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DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING

REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA
NATIONAL CERTIFICATE
CONTROL SYSTEMS
TIME: 3 HOURS
MARKS: 100

INSTRUCTIONS AND INFORMATION

1. Answer ALL the questions.

2. Read ALL the questions carefully.

3. Number the answers according to the numbering system used in this question
paper.

4. Only use neat, labelled circuit diagrams to explain answers where required.

5. Use only blue or black ink.

6. Use drawing equipment and a pencil for ALL sketches and diagrams.

7. Write neatly and legibly.

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QUESTION 1

Indicate whether the following statements are TRUE or FALSE. Choose the answer
and write only 'True' or 'False' next to the question number (1.1–1.10) in the
ANSWER BOOK.

1.1 A disturbance is an undesired input signal which affects the value of the
controlled output response.

1.2 Total response is that part of the response which approaches zero as time
approaches infinity.

1.3 Bandwidth is defined as the ratio between the actual amount of damping and
the critical amount of damping.

1.4 The transfer function of a control system element may be defined as the ratio
of the Laplace transform of the output to the Laplace transform of the input
with all initial conditions assumed to be zero.

1.5 The time taken by the response to complete one full cycle is known as a time
period.

1.6 A ramp function is a function of time that has a value of zero up to time equal
to zero and for any value of time greater than zero it has a constant value of
one.

1.7 The condition brought about when two complementary energy-storing

components of a system produce an oscillation between them is known as the
undamped natural frequency.

1.8 First-order systems contain components that will cause fluctuations in

steady-state conditions.

1.9 A unit-impulse function of a control system is a mathematical equation

containing elements of the system to be transferred from the input to the
output assuming all initial conditions to be zero.

1.10 A feedback control system occurs when the control action is dependent of the
output.
(10 × 1) [10]

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QUESTION 2

Determine, with the aid of block-diagram algebra reduction, the control ratio for the
block diagram in FIGURE 1.

R C
K

0,1

FIGURE 1 [10]

QUESTION 3

3.1 The DIAGRAM SHEET (attached) shows a gain-versus-frequency and a

phase-versus-frequency curve for a system.

Determine the following from the graph:

3.1.1 The resonant peak value (Mp) (1)

3.1.2 The gain crossover frequency ( (1)

3.1.3 The phase crossover frequency ( (1)

3.1.4 The cut-off rate between 10 rad/s and 100 rad/s (1)

3.1.5 The gain margin (1)

3.1.6 The phase margin (1)

3.1.7 The stability of the system (2)

3.2 When is a system considered to be unstable during the analysis of Bode

diagrams? (2)
[10]

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QUESTION 4

The NICHOLS CHART (attached) illustrates a closed-loop gain-versus-phase plot.

4.1 Use the Nichols chart to determine the following:

4.1.1 The gain margin (1)

4.1.2 The phase margin (1)

4.1.3 The gain crossover frequency (1)

4.1.4 The phase crossover frequency (1)

4.1.5 The undamped natural resonant frequency (1)

4.1.6 The peak frequency response (1)

4.1.7 The peak magnitude and phase (2)

4.1.8 The closed-loop bandwidth (1)

4.2 State if the system is stable or unstable. (1)

[10]

QUESTION 5

A closed-loop transfer function for a system is given as:

5.1 Calculate the closed-loop roots if A = 0 ; 4 ; 20 and . Tabulate the answers. (5)

5.2 Plot the closed-loop roots on the S-domain graph as A varies from 0 to
infinity. (5)
[10]

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QUESTION 6

The transfer function of a second-order control system in Laplace format is given as:

Determine the following:

6.1 The natural resonant frequency (2)

6.2 The damping ratio (2)

6.3 The damping frequency (2)

6.4 The bandwidth (3)

6.5 The damping coefficient (1)

[10]

QUESTION 7

7.1 Draw a neat, labelled diagram of a linear variable-differential transformer. (6)

7.2 Explain the working principle of a linear variable-differential transformer. (4)

[10]

QUESTION 8

8.1 Name TWO classes of piston-type pumps. (2)

8.2 FIGURE 2 shows a diagram of a certain type of hydraulic pump. Study the
diagram and answer the questions.

FIGURE 2

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8.2.1 Name the pump in FIGURE 2. (1)

8.2.2 Identify the parts labelled A, B and C. (3)

8.2.3 Explain the operation of the pump identified in QUESTION 8.2.1. (4)
[10]

QUESTION 9

9.1 Give ONE disadvantage of using derivative control in pneumatic systems. (2)

9.2 Draw a neat, labelled diagram of a capacitive-pressure transducer. (5)

9.3 Explain the term steady state regarding integral control. (3)
[10]

QUESTION 10

10.1 Name TWO main groups into which electronic voltmeters are classified. (2)

10.2 Define each of the following terms with reference to waves and waveform
shapes:

10.2.1 Pulse-repetition frequency

10.2.2 Mark-to-space ratio

(2 × 2) (4)

10.3 List FOUR basic components of a cathode-ray oscilloscope. (4)

[10]

TOTAL: 100

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35

180º

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30
DIAGRAM SHEET

150º
25

120º
20

90º
15

60º
10

30º
5
PHASE (Degrees)

0 0º

-5 -30º

GAIN (dB)
-10 -60º

-15 -90º

-20 -120º

-25 -150º

-30 -180º

-35 -210º

-240º
T430(E)(A8)T

1 10 100 1000
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NICHOLS CHART

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FORMULA SHEET

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AMPLIFIERS BODE AND NICHOLS CHARTS

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LAPLACE TRANSFORM TABLE

No F(s) f(t)

1. 1

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8(a).

8(b).

9(a).

9(b).

10(a).

10(b).

11.

12(a).

12(b).

13(a).

13(b).

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14(a).
where 𝛹 =

14(b).
where

15(a).

15(b).

16(a).

16(b).

17.
where
(0 < 𝛹 < 𝜋)

18(a).

18(b).

19(a).

19(b).

20.
where
(0 < 𝛹 < 𝜋)

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21(a).

where

21(b).

where

(0 < 𝛹 < 𝜋)

22(a).

where

22(b).

23.

where

and/en

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