TC10/EC1x Controller

The TC10 controller is a user friendly, flexible and precise PID controller that is used in the EC1x, EC1.3W and EC1xHA model temperature chambers. The TC10 controller has an easy to use, menu driven interface with a 2-line by 16 character, backlit LCD. Temperature testing applications are facilitated by simple commands defining individual temperature segments. The controller can store up to 10 temperature profiles and up to 100 temperature segments into non-volatile memory and may be entered from the keyboard or uploaded remotely via the built-in GPIB or RS232/422 remote interfaces.Programming the controller to carry out multiple segments automatically is simplified by a BASIC-like command set consisting of integer variables, nested FOR/NEXT loops, GOSUB subroutine calls and IN/OUT instructions for communication with the various I/O ports.

Three menu-driven setup modes are available to tailor the controller to virtually any application. The CAL, SDEF and SINT menus respectively, permit selection and calibration of both chamber and user probes and modification of default and interrupt configuration parameters defining, for example, GPIB address, D/A output configuration, alarm function and loudness, baud rate and timeout interrupts. The controller may also be configured to operate cooling valve options available on EC1x models such as LN2 Auto Line Purge, 2 or 3 tank LN2/LCO2 and LN2 redundant valve.

The TC10 controller has 2 probe channels - the chamber probe, which senses chamber air temperature and the user probe which may be attached to the DUT - and either the chamber, the user or a combination of the two probes may be used for control. Both probes are electrically isolated to 250 volts and can be an RTD or J/K thermocouple. An additional 2 read-only probes (K thermocouple only) may be installed upon request to be used for monitoring product temperature. An expanded I/O interface allows the user to install custom test fixturing and accessories. The provision of analog input and output channels, auxiliary relay control, a user digital parallel port empower the fullest control and monitoring of all aspects of the application.

Below are some sample Local Programs demonstrating the power and flexibility of the TC10.

Simple Two Segment Local Program


EDIT #0 (Store LP in location #0) 
RATE = 10 (10C/min rate)
WAIT = 01:30:00 (Wait at 85C for 1.5 hrs.) 
SET = 85
WAIT = 30 (Wait at -50C for 30 min.)
SET= -50
WAIT = 5 (Go to 25C for 5 min.)
SET = 25
END

RUN#0 (Execute program #0)

Local Program with Cycles


EDIT #1 (Store LP in location #1)
FOR I1 = 0,10 (Execute 10 cycles)
RATE = 10 (10C/min rate)
WAIT = 01:30:00 (Wait at 85C for 1.5 hrs.)
SET = 85
WAIT = 30 (Wait at -50C for 30 min.) 
SET= -50
NEXT I1 (Repeat for 10 cycles)
WAIT = 5 (Go to 25C for 5 min.)
SET = 25
END

RUN#1 (Execute program #1 )

Ambient Blower Local Program


EDIT #2 (Store LP in location #2)
RATE = 10 (10C/min rate)
WAIT = 01:30:00 (Wait at 150C for 1.5 hrs.)
SET = 150
AB = 5,30 (Turn on ambient blower for  
          5 min. or until 30C is reached) 
WAIT = 30 (Wait at -50C for 30 min.) 
SET= -50
WAIT = 5 Go to 25C for 5 min. 
SET = 25
END

RUN#2 (Execute program #2)

N2 Gas purge Local Program


EDIT #3 (Store LP in location #3)
OUT0: 4,1 (Turn on N2 gas purge during 
              heating cycle)
RATE = 10 (10C/min rate)
WAIT = 01:30:00 (Wait at 150C for 1.5 hrs.)
SET = 150
OUT0:4,0 (Turn off N2 gas purge)
WAIT = 30 (Wait at -50C for 30 min.)
SET= -50
WAIT = 5 (Go to 25C for 5 min.)
SET = 25
END

RUN#3 Execute program #3

Local Program using GOSUB


EDIT #4 (Store LP in location #4)
FOR I0 = 0,3 (Execute 3 cycles of LP #3)
GOSUB #3
BKPNT I0 (Pause to record data and display 
            current cycle number)
NEXT I0
FOR I0 = 0,5 (Execute 3 cycles of LP #0)
GOSUB #0
BKPNT I0 (pause to record data and 
            display current cycle number)
NEXT I0
END

RUN#4 Execute program #4

Local Program using aux. digital output #2


EDIT #5 (Store LP in location #5)
OUT0:2,1 (Turn on user equipment)
RATE = 10 10C/min rate
WAIT = 01:30:00 Wait at 85C for 1.5 hrs.
SET = 85
BKPNT 1 (Pause to record data)
WAIT = 30 (Wait at -50C for a half hour)
SET= -50
BKPNT 2 (Pause to record data)
WAIT = 5 (Go to 25C for 5 min.)
SET = 25
OUT0:2,1 (Turn off user equipment)
END
RUN#5 (Execute program #5)

TC10/EC1x Controller Specs

Temperature Set Point Range: -200º C to +315ºC in 0.1ºC Steps
***EC1.3w -200ºC to +400ºC in 0.1ºC Steps***
Time at Temperature Range: 1.0 sec to 99 hr 59 min 59 sec or Continuous
Ramping Rate: 0.01ºC/min to chamber spec
Number of Set Temps/Times: Limited Only By Available Program Memory
(Typically 100+ Segments)
Number of Probe channels: 4 (2 for control, 2 additional read only upon request)
Absolute Error Over Temp Range (not including probe error): ±0.5ºC ( ±1ºC typical)
Long Term Stability (per month): ±0.2ºC
Temperature Resolution: 0.02ºC
Line Voltage Sensitivity (105-125 VAC): ±0.1ºC
Temperature Control Technique: PID Algorithm / Pulse Width Modulated
Local Operation: 29 Key Keyboard / 2 Line LCD
Remote Operation: Built-in IEEE-488 / RS232 / RS422 Interfaces
Analog output channels: 4 (0-5Vdc), 8 bit A/D
Analog input channels: 4 (0-5Vdc), 8 bit D/A, ±1 LSB accuracy
Auxiliary TTL output: Up to 5 available for external relay control
Auxiliary TTL input: 8 available for Logic High/Low sense
User Bus: 16 bit Address/ 8 bit data parallel port
Safety Features: Open/Short Probe Detection, Adjustable Over Temperature Thermostat or Electronic Limit Module, Software Upper and Lower Temperature Limit
Convenience Features: Configurable for Cooling options such as Auto Line Purge, 2 or 3 tank and redundant valves, Heat/Cool Enable/Disable Switches,Non-Volatile Memory for Programs, Setup Menus for Probe CAL, Remote Interrupt Operation and Default Conditions for Alarms and Analog and remote Interfaces, Time of Day Clock