Lab – Open Loop Control Systems Objective

In this activity, you will describe the inputs, the plants, and the outputs of open-loop control systems.

Background/Scenario
Input is not dependent on the output in an open-loop control system. An example of an open-loop control
system is a light switch in your home. Moving the light switch to the “on” position is the input, closing the
circuit is the plant, and the light turning on is the output.

In this activity, you will consider the following examples of common open-loop control systems and describe
the applicable inputs, plants, and outputs.
1. Complete the Input, Plant, and Output fields for the Lawn Sprinkler and Toaster systems.
2. Add your own examples of open-loop control systems in the spaces provided below.

System Inp Pla Outp

ut nt ut
The switch is moved The light fixture’s The light fixture
Light Switch
to the on position. electrical circuit is turns on.
closed.
Lawn The moisture sensor Sensor determines The computer
Sprinkler detects when the that the soil is turns off the
soil is dry. moist/damp the sprinkler
signal to the
computer ends
Toaster Select the desired Heating process of Actual toast.
time and power bread.
input.
Washing Select the type of IC/microprocessor Washes Clothes.
Machine wash required. controls selected
program as the
process.

Traffic Light Select the desired Lights on Actual traffic

Controller time and power. control

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