Overview
Control loops are the fundamental building blocks of any automation system. A control loop groups related parts — typically a sensor, a controller, and an actuator — that work together to maintain a process variable. For example, a temperature sensor feeding a PID controller that drives a heater forms one control loop.
The Configurator's signal grouping feature lets you organize your parts into explicit control loops, ensuring that wiring stays clean and each loop operates independently.
Creating Control Loops
In Step 2 (Configure) of the Configurator, your parts are displayed in a list that you can drag to reorder. Parts with the same loop assignment are visually grouped together with a shared border.
When you add parts to a new draft, the Configurator automatically assigns loop IDs based on a simple rule: each sensor starts a new loop, and subsequent controllers and actuators join that loop. You can always rearrange afterward.
Working with Loops
Moving Parts Between Loops
Select the Move to... dropdown on any part to reassign it to a different loop. This is useful when the auto-assignment doesn't match your intended control topology — for example, when one sensor feeds two separate controllers.
Splitting a Loop
Click the dashed divider button between two parts in the same loop to split it into two separate loops. The parts above the divider stay in the original loop; the parts below form a new loop.
Merging Loops
Click the merge button in a loop's header to combine it with the loop above. All parts from both loops join a single group.
Auto-Wiring Behavior
In Step 3 (Review Wiring), the Configurator generates connections automatically. Wiring respects loop boundaries — signals are connected only between parts within the same loop. This prevents accidental cross-wiring between independent control processes.
If you need a signal to cross loop boundaries (for example, a shared sensor feeding multiple controllers), you can manually add cross-loop connections in the Flow Editor after auto-wiring.
Legacy Drafts
Drafts created before signal grouping was available are automatically migrated. On first load, the Configurator assigns loop IDs using the sensor-starts-new-loop rule, preserving all existing connections. No manual intervention is needed.
Related Documentation
- Flow Editor — Visual wiring and node layout
- Room Assignments — Assigning loops to rooms
- Adding Rooms and Parts — Part selection and configuration