What is the purpose of final control element?

The device that directly controls the value of the manipulated variable of a control loop. Often the final control element is a control valve.

A final control element is defined as a mechanical device that physically changes a process in response to a change in control system setpoint. Final control elements relevant to actuators include valves, dampers, fluid couplings, gates, and burner tilts to name a few. Final control elements are an essential part of process control systems, allowing an operator to achieve a desired process variable output by manipulating a process variable setpoint.

Many industrial facilities are recognizing the bottom line savings found from improved process control performance through precise and consistent control of final control elements.