What are the five basic components of a feedback control system?

A feedback control system, often referred to as a closed-loop feedback control system, relies on five fundamental components to maintain desired performance:1

• Input: The reference value or set point that defines the desired operating state for the system output.1
• Process being controlled: The specific operation or mechanism to which power is applied, such as a furnace, engine, or manufacturing process.1
• Output: The specific variable of the process that is being measured and compared against the input.1
• Sensing elements: Devices, such as sensors, used to monitor the current value of the output variable.1
• Controller and actuating devices: The mechanisms that compare the measured output to the input and adjust the process to minimize any difference between them. These often include components like motors, valves, or switches.1

These components work together to ensure that the actual output remains aligned with the intended input.1