8.

Rate Limiter Explanation

8. Rate Limiter
The output of this block equals the input until the input rate of change exceeds the limit value (S3 and S4). When the rate of
change of the input is greater than the limit, the output changes at the rate established by the limit until the output equals the
input.

Outputs

S1
(8 ) Blk Type Description
S2
N
N R Output rate equals input rate until the input rate exceeds
the rate limit. Then, the output rate equals the limit.

Specifications

Spec Tune Default Type Range Description

S1 N 5 I Note 1 Block address of input

S2 N 0 I Note 1 Block address of track switch signal:

0 = track
1 = release

S32 Y 0.000 R Full Increase rate limit (1/sec)

S42 Y 0.000 R Full Decrease rate limit (1/sec)

NOTES:
1. Maximum values are: 9,998 for the BRC-100/200/300, IMMFP11/12
31,998 for the HC800, BRC-400/410, HPG800 and HAC

8.1 Explanation
Function code 8 limits the rate of change of the output according to preset limits. To activate this function set <S2> to a
logic 1. With <S2> set to a logic 0, the output is the same as the input.
Specification S3 is the rate limit of an increasing input signal in engineering units per second. As long as the input rate of
increase is less than S3, the output equals the input. When the rate at which the input increases exceeds the setting of S3,
the output changes at the rate set by S3 as long as the input rate of increase remains greater. Specification S4 limits the
output rate of decrease when the input rate of decrease is greater than S4.

8.2 Applications
Figure 8-1 illustrates how to use the rate limiter for bumpless transfer. In the example, the M/A station sends an automatic
(logic 1) or manual (logic 0) signal to <S2> of the rate limiter. When in automatic, function code 8 limits the rate of change to

2VAA000844R0001 Vol. 1 Rev. D 8-1

Applications 8. Rate Limiter

the set point. For example, placing the station in automatic may cause a drastic change in set point demand. The rate limiter
slows the increase or decrease set point demand to the station providing a bumpless transfer from manual to automatic.

M /A
PID M F C /P
S2 (19 ) S1 (8 0) S1
SP PV SP (8 )
P RO C ES S S1 2 00 S2 21 1 S2
PV SP O 22 0
VAR IA B L E S3 S3 21 0
TR A A
S4 S4 21 2
TS TR C /R S3 = 1
S5 21 4
TS C S4 = 1
S5 = 1.0 0 0 S 18 21 3
MI C -F
S6 = 1.0 0 0 S 19 21 5
S7 = 0.0 0 0 AX
S8 = 0.0 0 0 S 20
C /R
S9 = 10 5.00 S 21 S6 = 5
LX S7 = 9.2 E + 1 8
S10 = -5.0 0 0 S 22
S11 = 0 CX S8 = -9 .2 E+ 18
S12 = 0 S 24 HAA S9 = 9.2 E + 1 8
S 25 S 10 = 100 .0 0
L AA
S 11 = 0.0 00
S 26 Had S 12 = 0
S 27 L DA S 13 = -5 .0 00
S 28 S 14 = 0.0 00
AO
S 29 S 15 = 0
TRS2 S 16 = 255
S 30 T
TRPV S 17 = 0
S 23 = 0
S 31 = 60.00 0

T 01 59 4 A

Figure 8-1 Limit the Rate of Change of the Set Point

8-2 2VAA000844R0001 Vol. 1 Rev. D