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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