Electron Dynamics TC M series User Manual

TC M-Series Temperature Controllers V1.08

Electron Dynamics Ltd, Kingsbury House, Kingsbury Road, Bevois Valley, Southampton, SO14 OJT

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TC M Temperature Controller User Manual V1.08

Index

1 Introduction..............................................................................................................................1

2 Controller Functions................................................................................................................2

2.1 Sensor measurement.....................................................................................................2

2.2 CPU ................................................................................................................................2

2.3 Output driver...................................................................................................................2

2.4 Communications.............................................................................................................2

2.5 Power..............................................................................................................................2

3 Connections.............................................................................................................................3

3.1 PT100 Measurements....................................................................................................3

3.2 PT1000 Measurements..................................................................................................3

3.3 Voltage sensor measurements.....................................................................................3

3.4 NTC thermistors .............................................................................................................3

3.5 Other temperature sensors............................................................................................4

3.6 TEC connection..............................................................................................................4

3.7 Power connection...........................................................................................................4

3.8 Alarm output ...................................................................................................................4

3.9 Inhibit ..............................................................................................................................4

3.10 USB.................................................................................................................................4

3.11 PCB Connector / Link positions...................................................................................4

4 LED Status...............................................................................................................................5

5 Thermal Issues........................................................................................................................5

5.1 Sensor Selection ............................................................................................................5

5.2 Thermal Assembly .........................................................................................................5

5.2.1 Heat sink size........................................................................................................5

5.3 Thermal Conduction.......................................................................................................5

5.4 Peltier Size .....................................................................................................................6

5.5 Drive Limit.......................................................................................................................6

5.6 Important stability issues ...............................................................................................6

6 Temperature Controlling .........................................................................................................6

6.1 Off mode.........................................................................................................................6

6.2 On/Off control .................................................................................................................6

6.3 PID Control.....................................................................................................................7

6.4 Tuning the PID parameters............................................................................................7

6.5 Temperature test mode..................................................................................................7

6.6 Relay Feedback – Autotuning .......................................................................................8

6.7 Ziegler - Nichols open loop – step response ..............................................................8

6.8 Ziegler - Nichols closed loop – ultimate gain method.................................................8

7 Graphical User Interface.........................................................................................................8

7.1 Pull Down Menus ...........................................................................................................9

7.1.1 File Menu...............................................................................................................9

7.1.2 Port ........................................................................................................................9

7.1.3 Help........................................................................................................................9

7.2 Control ............................................................................................................................9

7.2.1 Type.......................................................................................................................9

7.2.2 None ......................................................................................................................9

7.2.3 On/Off ....................................................................................................................9

7.2.4 Proportional .........................................................................................................10

7.2.5 Integral.................................................................................................................10

7.2.6 Derivative.............................................................................................................10

7.2.7 Derivative Filter ...................................................................................................10

7.2.8 Dead band...........................................................................................................10

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TC M Temperature Controller User Manual V1.08

7.2.9 Power Up State ...................................................................................................10

7.3 Set point........................................................................................................................10

7.3.1 Method.................................................................................................................10

7.3.2 Pot Range............................................................................................................11

7.3.3 Pot Offset.............................................................................................................11

7.3.4 PC Set Point........................................................................................................11

7.3.5 Control .................................................................................................................11

7.3.6 Output..................................................................................................................11

7.4 Sensor ..........................................................................................................................11

7.4.1 Type.....................................................................................................................11

7.4.2 X2, X, C Coefficients...........................................................................................11

7.4.3 NTC thermistors ..................................................................................................12

7.4.4 Units.....................................................................................................................12

7.5 Output ...........................................................................................................................12

7.5.1 Polarity.................................................................................................................12

7.5.2 Minimum ..............................................................................................................12

7.5.3 Maximum.............................................................................................................12

7.5.4 Frequency............................................................................................................12

7.6 Alarms...........................................................................................................................12

7.6.1 Minimum Alarm ...................................................................................................12

7.6.2 Maximum Alarm ..................................................................................................12

7.6.3 Minimum OK Temperature .................................................................................12

7.6.4 Maximum Temperature.......................................................................................12

7.6.5 Operational temperature max (Only available on certain GUI).........................12

7.6.6 Maximum Temperature (Only available on certain GUI)...............................12

7.7 Report ...........................................................................................................................13

7.7.1 Set point ..............................................................................................................13

7.7.2 Temperature........................................................................................................13

7.7.3 Control .................................................................................................................13

7.7.4 Output..................................................................................................................13

7.7.5 Alarms..................................................................................................................13

7.7.6 Faults ...................................................................................................................13

7.7.7 Temperature OK .................................................................................................13

7.8 Reading and Setting Parameters ................................................................................13

7.8.1 Read Button ........................................................................................................13

7.8.2 Write Button.........................................................................................................13

7.9 Figure TC M series Temperature Controller GUI (Java)............................................14

7.10 C++ GUI........................................................................................................................14

7.10.1 Additional features ..............................................................................................14

7.10.2 Data Logging.......................................................................................................15

7.10.3 C++ GUI ..............................................................................................................15

8 Communication Protocol.......................................................................................................15

9 Specification TC M Series ...............................................................................................16

9.1 Supply...........................................................................................................................16

9.2 Output ...........................................................................................................................16

9.3 Control ..........................................................................................................................16

9.4 Set point........................................................................................................................16

9.5 Alarm.............................................................................................................................16

9.6 Sensor ..........................................................................................................................16

9.7 Measurement Accuraccy .............................................................................................16

9.8 User ..............................................................................................................................16

9.9 Format ..........................................................................................................................16

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TC M Temperature Controller User Manual V1.08

10 Sources of Information .....................................................................................................17

There is a lot of information on the internet with some of it relevant have a look at these -......17

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TC M Temperature Controller User Manual V1.08

1 Introduction

Our TC M series of Temperature Controllers are designed for use with thermoelectric coolers also known as
TEC’s or Peltier devices. These offer precise temperature control from –200 ºC to 100ºC at up to 0.001ºC
stability. Our controller can be setup or controlled from a PC via USB this allows access to output limits,
PID terms, deviation alarms and operating modes.

A typical use for any precise temperature control system would be with laser diodes, infrared detection,
high gain amplifiers and cold plate assemblies.

The TC M series temperature controller is suitable for controlling single and multiple TEC arrays. It provides
a pulse width modulated output which effective provides a continuously variable output for cooling and
heating.

It is programmable from a PC allowing configuration and tuning to meet system requirements. This
configuration data is stored internally allowing standalone operation once programmed. Its interface and
command set allow the unit to be controlled remotely, in particular this allows changing of the set point and
alarm temperature settings.

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TC M Temperature Controller User Manual V1.08

2 Controller Functions

The controller has the following functional parts –

2.1 Sensor measurement

The input stage provides measurement for resitive and voltage output sensors. These are
measured by a sophisticated delta-sigma ADC which gives excellent accuracy and noise
suppression.
Suitable for Pt100 sensors - 100 R accuracy 0.001 C over –200 to +400 C range
Voltage sensors accuracy 0.01 mv or better

2.2 CPU

This provides all the intelligent control, measuring the input values and calculating the output
required for the control type. It also provides storage for the configuration parameters .

2.3 Output driver

This provides a bi-directional variable output drive to the TEC element(s). The output switches at
the preset repetition rate and adjusting for output value by setting the PWM duty cycle.

2.4 Communications

This is provided via USB

2.5 Power

The drive to the TEC’s is provided directly from the voltage supplied so this should be the same as
the TEC’s maximum rating or less.

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TC M Temperature Controller User Manual V1.08

3 Connections

3.1 PT100 Measurements

For PT100 measurements configure the following links on the TCM PCB

Lk1 connect pins 2 and 3

No other links

Connect PT100 sensor to J8 on pins 3 and 4 with screen to pin 6.

3.2 PT1000 Measurements

For PT1000 measurements configure the following on the TC M PCB.

LK1 connect pins 2 and 3

No other links

Connect PT1000 sensor to J8 on pins 3 and 4 with screen to pin 6.

3.3 Voltage sensor measurements

For voltage outputs sensors, LM35, LM50, LM51, LM 60, LM 61 configure the following links on the TCM
PCB

Lk1 link pins 1 and 2

Lk2 link pins 2 and 3

No other connections

Connect sensor to J8, Sensor + to pin 1, sensor output to pin 3 and sensor gnd to pin4 with screen
if used to pin 6.
In this configuration LM35 operates down to zero degrees C but not below

3.4 NTC thermistors

To connect NTC thermistors –

LK1 link pins 1 and 2
LK2 link pins 2 and 3
LK4 link pins 1 and 2
No other connections

Connect thermistor to J8 between pins 3 and pins 4, connect screen if used to pin 6

For best operation stick with 10K types these have a better range in this circuit. Other values can
be accommodated if required

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