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Temperature Controller
PTC10 — Programmable temperature controller

  • Up to 16 input channels
  • Up to 4 PID feedback control channels
  • 50 Hz PID sampling
  • 1 mK resolution
  • Data logging on removeable flash media
  • USB, Ethernet, RS232 interfaces (std.)
  • GPIB interface (opt.)


Introducing the PTC10 Programmable Temperature Controller from SRS — the ideal instrument for measuring temperature, controlling heaters, and logging temperature data.

The PTC10 Programmable Temperature Controller is a modular system that can be configured to suit a wide range of applications. The system consists of the PTC10 Controller and up to four I/O cards — two types of input cards for RTDs and thermocouples, and two types of output cards for controlling heaters. The I/O cards are ordered separately, and you can mix and match them in any way you wish.

Input Cards

The PTC321 input card supports up to four Pt RTD sensors. Each channel has a four-wire input with its own 1 mA current source for sensor excitation. The current can be reversed with each reading to cancel out stray thermocouple EMFs.

For thermocouples, the PTC330 four channel thermocouple input card should be used. It is factory configured to interface with either E, J, K or T type thermocouples. Each channel is electrically isolated allowing thermocouples to be attached to electrically-live equipment.

Both input cards have selectable low-pass filters that help reduce noise and improve PID feedback performance.

Output Cards

The PTC420 output card is a 120/240 VAC heater driver that delivers up to 5 A of current, and is intended to drive large heaters. Alternatively, the PTC430 DC output card delivers up to 50 VDC and 1 A of current for driving smaller heaters.

PID Feedback

Each output card is supported with a digital PID controller algorithm with automatic as well as manual tuning capability. You can servo PID controllers to any of the input signals, or the difference of any two input signals.

Since the temperature of most heaters is proportional to the square of the heater current or voltage, a square root filter is available to linearize the PID output.

Up to ten unique temperature ranges can be programmed with their own PID parameters.

Data Acquisition and Display

All temperature input channels are read simultaneously at a sampling rate that can be set between 1 Hz and 50 Hz. Temperature data can be displayed numerically or graphically on the LCD display. A group of channels can be plotted on the same graph or on smaller individual graphs.

Alarms

Upper and lower alarm levels, or rate-of-change limits, can be assigned to each input channel. If these limits are exceeded, an audible alarm sounds, and assigned relays change state.

Programmability

Remote operation is supported with GPIB (opt.), RS-232 and Ethernet computer interfaces. All instrument functions can be controlled and read over any of the interfaces.

The PTC10 stores data on USB devices like flash keys, flash card readers, and USB hard drives. Data is stored in binary format to minimize file size and access time, but can be converted to ASCII text using an included application.

Multi-Purpose Ports

The PTC10 also has four configurable general purpose DACs/ADCs, eight bidirectional digital lines, and four relays.

The General purpose DAC/ADC card can be replaced by the PTC332 single slot Pt RTD input card allowing you to use all four I/O slots for output cards. This makes the PTC10 into a complete 4 chennel temperature controller.

Flexibility

The PTC10 Programmable Temperature Controller has the flexibility to handle virtually any temperature control application. It’s as useful in the research lab as it is in industry. The PTC10 is the right choice for all your temperature control experiments.


Specifications
PTC10 Temperature Controller
Data acquisition rate 1 to 50 Hz
Temperature resolution <0.001°C
PID feedback Both manual and auto-tuning modes are available
Data display 320×240 pixel touchscreen.
  Both numeric and graphical data display
Alarms Upper and lower temperature limits. Rate-of-change limits can be set on each channel.
If exceeded, an audio alarm and a relay closure will occur.
Analog ports  
     # of ports

4 configurable DAC or ADC ports

     Range ±10 VDC
     Resolution 24-bit input, 16-bit output
     Update rate 50 Hz
     Connector BNC
Computer interface USB, Ethernet, and RS-232. GPIB is optional.
Power 10 A
  88 to 132 VAC or 176 to 264 VAC
  47 to 63 Hz or DC
Dimensions 17" × 5 " × 18 " (WHL)
Weight 25 lbs
Warranty

One years parts and labor on defects in material and workmanship.

PTC321 Pt RTD Card
Temperature -200 °C to 550 °C
Inputs Four 100 Ω Pt RTD 4-wire inputs
Excitation 1 mA
Accuracy

±30 mK

Noise

2 mKrms (10 samples/s)

Temp. coefficient 1.4 mK/°C
Signal conditioning

Selectable 1 and 10 second time constant (digital LPFs) are provided.                                             

Signal detection Card detects open and short circuit conditions.
PTC330 Thermocouple Card
Thermocouple types E, J, K, or T
Temperature range  
     E-type -270 °C to 1000 °C
     J-type -210 °C to 1200 °C
     K-type

-270 °C to 1370 °C

     T-type -270 °C to 400 °C
Inputs Four thermocouple inputs
Input capacitance <1 pF
Connector type Omega mini thermocouple jacks
Accuracy

±500 mK (over 12 months)

Noise 20 mKrms (10 samples/s)
Temp. coefficient

20 mK/°C (type K thermocouple at 164.0 K)

CMRR 100 dB
Common mode isolation 250 VAC
PTC420 AC Output Card
Output voltage 120/240 VAC
Max. output current 5 A
Cycle time

Adjustable between 1 and 240 s

Max. line voltage 250 VAC
Surge current 100 A max. (non-repetitive)
Output resolution 0.1 % at 10 s cycle time
Heater resistance (min.) 24 W (110 VAC), 46 W (230 VAC)
PTC430 DC Output Card
Max. output voltage 50 VDC
Voltage ranges 20 V and 50 V
Max. output current 1 A
Current ranges 0.1 A, 0.5 A, 1 A (50 V) or 2 A (20 V)
Output resolution

16-bit (24-bit with dithering)

Accuracy ±1 mA (1 A range)
±0.1 mA (0.5 A range)
±0.01 mA (0.1 A range)
Noise (rms), 25 Ω load

200 µV (2 A range)
15 µV (0.5 A range)
 5 µV (0.1 A range)

 


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Phone: (408) 744-9040 • Fax: (408) 744-9049 • email: info@thinkSRS.comwww.thinkSRS.com
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