Rule of thumb · Control SystemsNº 48 / 96
Find the edge, then back off
Tuning by hand: raise proportional gain until the loop just oscillates, then halve it.
Why it works
The heart of the Ziegler–Nichols method. The oscillation point measures the process; half that gain buys stability margin.
Do it exactly
Estimate with the rule, then check it against the calculator that models it properly.
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