Table of content

1. Definition

<aside> ℹ️

Step control is a form of safety control that ensures your setpoint increases or decreases gradually with a defined maximum rate, preventing any sudden or drastic changes.

</aside>

• Under AI KoPilot, step control is automated by our algorithm.
• If you are using Opera KoPilot, this setting is adjustable by end-users.
  • We strongly recommend using it for Heat and Vent setpoints. For instance, with the heat setpoint, you may want the temperature to rise gradually but allow it to drop more quickly. In this case, you can set the maximum increase value to 1°C and the maximum decrease value to 4°C per hour.
  • For controls like irrigation, step control is unnecessary if you want changes to take effect immediately. For instance, when adjusting the irrigation rest time, setting it to 0 will trigger irrigation without any delay.

2. Set up step control

1. Go to KoPilot feature and make sure your controller is Opera engine

2. Click the ellipsis button at the end of the corresponding setpoint row

3. Select Advanced editor

   

   Figure 1. Advanced editor button

4. A detailed Edit setpoint dialog will appear on the screen. You will see a checkbox option below the Formula section called Step control.

   

   Figure 2. Explanation of step control

5. Check on the Step control box to see the detailed settings. Please note that if you are using cases and periods in your formula, this step control will apply to all of them.

   1. By default, you can adjust a single value that is applied for both the maximum increase and decrease value.

      

      Figure 3. Single control for adjustment value

   2. If you want more flexibility, click the button at the end to activate the advanced settings, in which you can modify the increase value and the decrease value separately.

      

      Figure 4. Separate the increase and decrease adjustment values

   3. If you want to revert back to the default single value setting, click the button at the end.

      

      Figure 5. Revert to single value setting

   4. You can choose per hour or per time step for the defined time range. The time step here might be different based on your original setup.

      • In most Horticulture accounts, one time step equals five minutes.
      • In most Manufacturing accounts, one time step equals one minute.

   5. The maximum increase/decrease value must be more than 0. (This is a required error prevention, since if you set them as 0, it means your setpoint cannot be change at all.)

6. Once you have completed the control setup, click Save changes

   

   Figure 6. Save changes

You will be able to see a new toggle under your control formula.

Figure 7. How step control is displayed on the setpoint table