What does deadband in a switch refer to?

Deadband in a switch refers to the range between the actuation point and the reset. This is the interval in which the process variable must change before the switch will return to its original state. It reflects the amount of variation within which no action is taken by the switch, essentially preventing unnecessary cycling or triggering due to minor fluctuations in the process. This characteristic is critical in applications where stability is important, as it prevents the switch from responding to small changes that are not significant to the overall process, ensuring that only meaningful changes lead to operation. Understanding deadband helps in setting up control systems that are both efficient and stable.