Cascade control typically involves the use of two controllers but only one ________.

Cascade control is a control strategy where two controllers are used in a hierarchical manner to improve system performance. The primary controller manages the main process variable, while the secondary controller regulates a process variable that directly influences the primary process control.

In this context, the final control element is the physical actuator or device that implements the control commands issued by the controllers. In a typical cascade control setup, the primary loop affects the final control element directly, while the secondary controller deals with its own process variable, regulating the input to the final control element.

By utilizing just one final control element, the system can effectively apply the output from both controllers to a single point of control. This arrangement allows for more precise control over complex processes by enabling faster response times and improved stability, as the secondary controller addresses disturbances at a more immediate level before they affect the overall process controlled by the primary controller.

This unique setup of using one final control element while employing two controllers is what distinguishes cascade control from other simple control strategies, where typically one controller corresponds to one final control element.