Temperature Controllers

General considerations

All ovens and furnaces need some sort of control to ensure that they do not get too hot and cause damage to themselves, the items inside or the surrounding environment. On this page are some pointers to the types of controllers and recorders available.

Temperature controllers

When a closer control of the over-runs is needed it is necessary to have a “thinking” device to anticipate the proximity to the set temperature. These devices require a thermocouple to sense the chamber temperature and send an electrical signal to the controller circuitry. The circuit can be tuned so that it anticipates the time required for a power input change to affect the chamber temperature and so is able to reduce the power as the set point is being reached from a lower temperature or increasing if it is in a cooling cycle.

Simple controllers only allow one temperature to be fixed at a time and they do not have a built-in timer. A typical controller of this type is the VT 26 or F4 made by Vertex.

Program controllers

So that a time limit can be set on a heating program a more complex temperature controller is required. These are available from simple systems that just allow temperature and time at temperature to be set to complex controllers allowing a pause before starting, several temperature stages to be set along with the rate of temperature change between the stages and the length of time (or “dwell”) to be allowed at each stage.

The manufacturer of the most popular multiple program controller is Eurotherm.

Recorders

In order to have a record of the temperature treatment obtained in the furnace or oven it is necessary to have some recording device. This could be a paper chart or a digital record. Again Eurotherm have the answers.

Any particular features of heating and cooling rates will affect the type of controller to be used and as the requirements become more complicated the cost of the controller can become a significant part of the furnace package.

If you have any queries on these items please contact us and we will respond as quickly as possible.

Please E-mail us directly from here.


Eurotherm nanodac™ Recorder / Controller

Price EX Works: P.O.A + VAT

The ultimate in graphical recording combined with PID control and setpoint programs

  • Data Acquisition and Recording
  • PID Control Loops
  • 4 channels of precision analogue batch recording
  • EtherNET/IP Client or Server mode
nanodac recorder
 

Product Description:

The nanodac™ recorder/controller offers the ultimate in graphical recording combined with PID control for a box of its size. The compact ¼ DIN panel mount unit offers four high accuracy universal inputs for data recording and PID control. This secure data recording device with accurate control is enhanced by a full colour, ¼ VGA display to bring a crystal clear operator interface to even the smallest of machines.


Eurotherm piccolo™ Controller P116

Price EX Works: P.O.A + VAT

General Purpose Temperature and Process Controller

  • Precision PID control
  • Easy to use and apply
  • High reliability and quality
  • LED display
  • Three year warranty
piccolo™ p116 controller

Product Description:

The piccolo™ p116 controller is designed to offer outstanding performance in an affordable package providing a complete solution for a wide variety of applications, this range guarantees extremely easy access to parameterization and operation in a high quality unit.

Despite their advanced features, the controllers are easy to use and apply and may be customised for ease of operation. Full autotune is provided.