Watlow DIN-A-MITE User Manual

AN INNOVATIVE ALTERNATIVE TO
INDUSTRY STANDARDS

TOTAL ENGINEERED

PACKAGE

wiring and a touch-safe exterior all in
one package. By designing the
DIN-A-MITE as a total unit, we’ve
eliminated the need to prep wires for
terminals, find the heat sink for rated
amperage and determine adequate
terminations. Watlow’s DIN-A-MITE is
a complete package you can install
and forget—everything is already done
for you.

The DIN-A-MITE®family
of power controllers
from Watlow
SCR control, heat sink,

®

includes

In this one package, you’ll get:

• Simplicity; easy, fast installation

• Minimal preparation time

• No component selection—you won’t
have to buy separate parts and
worry if they will work

• Minimal engineering involved—you
get a complete package, a finished
product

• Safety with a touch-safe exterior

• A more compact product than other
solid state alternatives for space and
cost savings

• A good replacement for
mercury displacement relay (MDR)

EASY, FAST INSTALLATION

Since all components are selected
and assembled for you, installation is
simple and easy, saving time and
money. All you have to do is strip
wires and connect. You’ve never
installed a power controller easier, or
faster.

• No drill and tap necessary

• Back panel or DIN-rail mounted

• Simple, safe wiring

• Similar footprint as MDRs for fast,
efficient retrofits

Power In

Your Hands

SAFE TO HANDLE

The DIN-A-MITE’s touch-safe exterior
protects hands from electric shock.
It’s completely safe to handle.

A

GENCY APPROVED

• UL®508 listed

®

• C-UL

• 3-year warranty

• CE

UL®and C-UL®are registered trademarks of Underwriter’s
Laboratories Inc.

approved

EXTEND THE LIFE OF YOUR HEATERS

ACHIEVE OPTIMUM

CONTROL WITH ZERO
CROSS SWITCHING

Zero cross switching extends life of
the power controller and heater by
switching fast, and providing
more accurate control of both
the heater element and the
process. With this improved
control, you’ll also see an
increase in parts produced
and less scrap, for improved
productivity and efficiency.

• Accurate control

• Improve productivity

PROTECTION FOR YOUR

SYSTEM

Zero cross switching produces minimal
RFI (radio frequency interference) to
help prevent electrical noise that could
possibly
interfere with other
equipment in your
system. This added
protection for your
entire thermal
system provides
you with less total
system downtime and less
maintenance for your system.

• Eliminate downtime

• Reduce system maintenance

RUGGED, BACK-TO BACK

SCR DESIGN ENSURES
LONG TERM RELIABILITY

The DIN-A-MITE meets high current
application requirements, tolerates

spikes and dissipates
less power. When
used properly, the
DIN-A-MITE outlasts
any other type of switch.
There’s no limit on the
number of cycles the
DIN-A-MITE can handle.

REDUCE WEAR ON

THERMAL SYSTEM

With optional variable time base
switching, the DIN-A-MITE output
automatically adjusts cycle time to

meet the demands of the
system. You’ll see benefits
such as:

• Less power required
by the thermal
system

• Heater output
equal to need

SYSTEM FAILURE

PREVENTION

A proven high current connection
scheme ensures optimum electrical
connection to prevent
heat buildup, which could
lead to system failure.

To ensure overall reliability
and reduce fear of hot
spots, we’ve eliminated
wires and fasteners which could
possibly break down and loosen,
as with other power controllers.

• Prevent heat buildup

• Improve reliability

SET POINT DEVIATION CAUSED BY SWITCH TYPE

Mechanical contactors suffer wide temperature deviations due to long cycle time.

MDRs can beswitched faster than contactors, but still deviate considerably from set point.

DIN-A-MITEs eliminate deviation, providing optimum control and long heater life.

Heaters switched using mechanical contactors suffer wide deviations due to long cycle
times—typically 30 seconds—needed to preserve life. Control is poor, heat is wasted, and
excessive expansion andcontraction of the heating elements shortens heater life. MDRs
can beswitched faster than contactors and will hold the heater closer to set point, but still
suffer deviations.

Fastest of all are solid state devices such as the DIN-A-MITE configured with variable
time base. Switching as fast as three ac wavecycles (less than 0.1 seconds), set point
deviation is virtually eliminated, giving the finest control, lowest power consumption,
and longest element life.

EASY AS A, B, C OR D, WATLOW HAS

®

A DIN-A-MITE FOR YOUR APPLICATION

OVENS AND FURNACES

In a coatings application, the
customer needed to rebuild an oven
to improve heater life and temperature
control, plus reduce electrical noise.
They needed a product that would fit in
the existing cabinet to avoid the costs
involved with increasing the size of the
cabinet. The customer replaced all of
the 100 amp mechanical contactors with
Watlow’s 100 amp DIN-A-MITE SCR
power controllers. This customer was
able to use the existing control panel
and mount the DIN-A-MITE controllers
in less space than the mechanical
contactors. Additionally, the
DIN-A-MITEs provided on-board
current transformers as well as
built-in semiconductor fusing.
These controllers improved heater
life and process temperature control
while reducing electrical noise with
zero cross firing.

Watlow’s variable time base DIN-A-MITE
controllers help to maintain process set
point without any overshoot or droop
variations in temperature, ensuring a
quality process. The small size of the
DIN-A-MITE means the size of clean
room control panels will be minimal,
thus saving money.

• Saves valuable space to increase
flexibility in semiconductor processing

• Minimal RFI to ensure long life of the
heaters and other system equipment.

LASTICS

P

In plastics processing, Watlow’s
DIN-A-MITE is an ideal replacement for
MDRs in injection molding, extrusion,
blown film extrusion and blow molding
systems. You’ll get better control of the
heater and the process, more
accurate temperatures, a more
consistent product, less rejects and
reduced downtime.

DIN-A-MITE FAMILY

APPLICATIONS:

• Food Equipment

• Life science/medical

• Ovens/Furnaces

• Packaging

• Petroleum/Chemical

• Plastics

• Semiconductor

• Wave Solder and
Reflow

SEMICONDUCTOR

Watlow knows the importance of
controlling temperature in the
semiconductor manufacturing process.
Even the slightest variation can cause
damage to expensive ingots and chips.

A plastics manufacturer used MDRs
in their equipment, but wanted longer
heater life that relays could not
provide. They were also encountering
some trouble with machines occasionally
shutting down. Watlow
recommended three-phase, two leg
DIN-A-MITE controllers to replace the
MDRs. The DIN-A-MITEs fit in the same
footprint as the relays, so there was no
need to reconfigure the machine
to accept the new controllers. The
DIN-A-MITEs also eliminated electrical
noise and prevented machine
stoppages, therefore reducing
downtime.

Look inside pocket for complete technical specifications of Watlow’s DIN-A-MITE power controllers.

Hg

®

DIN-A-MITE C

DIN-A-MITE B

Thru-Wall

DIN-A-MITE D

DIN-A-MITE A

DIN-A-MITE C

Fan-Cooled

DIN-A-MITE C

MERCURY FREE

A Retrofit
for MDRs

Because thedisposal of

mercury is a significant

environmental issue,

Watlow encourages you

to consider the use of the

DIN-A-MITE family

of power controllers

instead of mercury

displacement relays

(MDR).

Wedesigned the

DIN-A-MITE to a

similar size, amperage

specification, and

footprint as MDRs. So,

if eliminating mercury

from your equipment is a

concern, you’ll eliminate

mercury andreceive a

controller, with even

more features and

advantages.

Built and backed by Watlow’s experience and dedication ensuring you Control Confidence®.

®

TOTAL

3 Year Warranty

CUSTOMERCUSTOMER

SATISFACTIONSATISFACTION

DIN-A-MITE

A

Compact Solid State
Power Controller Delivers
Big Performance

®

The Watlow®DIN-A-MITE®Style A power controller provides
a low-cost, highly compact and versatile solid state option
for controlling electric heat. You also get all the quality you
expect from a Watlow designed and manufactured product.
DIN-rail and back panel mounting is standard on every
controller. There is no need to worry about mercury, the
DIN-A-MITE controller is mercury free.

Capabilities include single-phase zero cross switching up
to 25 amps at 600VÅ(ac) (see rating curve). A unique
integrated design removes the guesswork associated with
selecting a proper heat sink and adequate terminations for
the application.

Variable time base, 4-20mA process control or Vı(ac/dc)
input contactor versions are available. All configurations
are model number dependent and factory selectable. This
power controller also includes 200KA short circuit current
rating (SCCR) tested up to 480VÅ(ac) to prevent arch flash
with required fusing.

The DIN-A-MITE power controller is made in the
United States.

Watlow®and DIN-A-MITE®are registered trademarks of Watlow Electric
Manufacturing Company.

®

and C-UL®are registered trademarks of the Underwriter’s Laboratories, Inc.

UL

Features and Benefits

200KA Short Circuit Current Rating (SCCR)

• Prevents arc flash

DIN-rail or standard panel mount

• Versatile, quick and low-cost installation

Compact size

• Reduces panel space; less cost

Touch-safe terminals

• Increases safety for installer/user

No mercury

• Environmentally safe product

Faster switching with solid state

• Saves energy and extends heater life

®

508 listed, C-UL®and CE with filter

UL

• Meets applications requiring agency approval

Back-to-back SCR design

• Insures a rugged design

© 2005, 2008 Watlow Electric Manufacturing Company all rights reserved.

Your Authorized Watlow Distributor Is:

WIN-DMA-0908