Book excerpt: This book gives readers an understanding and appreciation of some of the theories behind control system elements and operations--without advanced math or calculus. It also presents some of the practical details of how elements of a control system are designed and operated--without the benefit of on-the-job experience. Chapter topics include process control; analog and digital signal conditioning; thermal, mechanical, and optical sensors; controller principles; and control loop characteristics. For those in the industry who will need to design the elements of a control system from a practical, working perspective, and comprehend how these elements affect overall system operation and tuning.