WAEC SSCE Electronics
Study notes for CONTROL SYSTEM — part of the WAEC SSCE Electronics syllabus. 1 learning objectives with explanations and exam tips.
A servo mechanism is an automatic control system that maintains or adjusts something to a desired position or speed. Think of it as a system with a "brain" that compares what you want with what's actually happening, then makes corrections automatically.
The system works in three steps: first, a sensor measures the current position; second, it compares this to your desired setting; third, if there's a difference, a motor or actuator makes adjustments until everything matches perfectly. It's like cruise control in a car—you set the speed you want, and the system automatically speeds up or slows down to maintain it.
A practical Nigerian example is the automatic voltage regulator (AVR) in many homes and offices. When the electricity supply drops, the AVR detects this and automatically boosts the voltage to keep your appliances running safely at the correct level.