Temperature controller modified to client order

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Dec 21, 2001

When temperature calibration specialist Isotech began work on a new high accuracy product range, it asked Eurotherm to provide assistance in providing temperature controllers and indicators

When temperature calibration specialist Isothermal Technology (Isotech) began development work on an advanced new high accuracy product range, it asked Eurotherm to provide assistance in providing suitable temperature controllers and indicators.

The resulting cooperation has resulted in a world-beating family of dry block temperature calibration products called the Plus Series.

The nine new Plus models, designed for use in a wide range of industrial, scientific and commercial calibration environments, are available in bench top and portable form.

They are capable of providing accurate calibration across a number of temperature ranges from -55C to +1200C, generally to within +/-0.2%.

All Plus models utilise user-friendly plug in controllers and indicators based on Eurotherm's standard 2216 temperature controller.

However, what appears to be a standard Eurotherm product has in fact been significantly modified for Isotech to provide the exceptional accuracy and specific user interface requirements that this type of application needs.

After discussing specific performance requirements with Isotech engineers, application support staff at Eurotherm realised that by modifying the standard 2216 (1/16 DIN plug in controller) hardware and software, an exceptionally cost-effective solution could be provided.

The resultant controller has a modified user interface facilitating continual use, changes to cold-junction compensation arrangements, a 5-point calibration curve (the standard has 2 calibration points), and programmable resolution allowing the normal displayed temperature range to be exceeded.

There are nine Plus models, covering different temperature calibration ranges, block volumes and mechanical configurations.

Each model is available in two variants, a Basic (B) version and a Site (S) version.

B versions incorporate one temperature controller with a dual display for Set Temperature and Dry Block Temperature, whilst S types additionally include a built-in digital indicator to which an external temperature sensor can be connected.

The plug-in controllers and indicators are exceptionally easy to use, with a clear display and simple user interface.

Power feedback is used to stabilise against supply voltage changes, and a digital filter circuit ensures high integrity of measurement without drift, rejecting 50/60Hz pick up and filtering out other sources of noise.

S models utilise an additional 2216 used as a digital temperature indicator that can be used with a 100 Ohm Resistance Thermometer, Thermocouples, (K, N, R, S, L, B, PL2, T, J and E) and DC process inputs including 4-20mA current transmitters.

A reference thermometer can be connected in this way, or the in-built indicator can be used to show the value from the sensor being calibrated.

As well as universal thermocouple inputs, the instruments have a PC interface and Windows compatible software as standard, with expandable options to calibrate up to 16 sensors at a time.

Special software (I-CAL) can event-capture images for automatic calibration of hand-helds, etc.

David Southworth, Isotech's Product Manager, believes that the new PLUS Series is a potentially world beating product, and that its outstanding performance/cost characteristics would have been extremely difficult to achieve without the support offered by Eurotherm engineers.

He comments: "We specifically approached Eurotherm in the early stages of development because of their acknowledged technical expertise and a long established culture of dedicated customer support.

We were not disappointed.

Eurotherm engineering staff got deeply involved in the design of the product very quickly, carrying out both software and hardware modifications to their standard 2216 product to meet our specific requirements.

The result is a control and indication solution which incorporates many man-years of development effort, and superior performance which puts us well ahead of our nearest competitors.".