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TC-48-20
TC-48-20
TC-48-20
TC-48-20
TC-48-20
TC-48-20

TC-48-20

The TC-48-20 is an easy to use yet powerful cool-only or heat-only PWM temperature controller. It is housed in a die-cast aluminum box, incorporates a keypad and display, and is capable of controlling from 0 to 50 volts and up to 20 amps. Two versatile alarm outputs are included, each capable of switching up to 1 amp of current. If a true linear-output control system is desired (for applications extremely sensitive to electrical noise) the TC-48-20 can be used as the control head for high-power, variable-output linear supplies. Most control parameters can be programmed via the built-in keypad, but the controller can also be connected to a computer via an optional RS232 serial cable for more advanced program control as well as data graphing and data logging. The software is shipped as a stand-alone program, but the LabVIEW source code (version 2011 and higher) is also available upon request and a sample read and write command programmed in Python is also available for download.

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The TC-48-20 is an easy to use yet powerful cool-only or heat-only PWM temperature controller. It is housed in a die-cast aluminum box, incorporates a keypad and display, and is capable of controlling from 0 to 50 volts and up to 20 amps. Two versatile alarm outputs are included, each capable of switching up to 1 amp of current. If a true linear-output control system is desired (for applications extremely sensitive to electrical noise) the TC-48-20 can be used as the control head for high-power, variable-output linear supplies. Most control parameters can be programmed via the built-in keypad, but the controller can also be connected to a computer via an optional RS232 serial cable for more advanced program control as well as data graphing and data logging. The software is shipped as a stand-alone program, but the LabVIEW source code (version 2011 and higher) is also available upon request. A sample read and write command programmed in Python (2.7) is also available for download from the SOFTWARE tab on this web page. Labeled wiring cables are included free of charge when purchasing interconnected standard products on the same order (thermoelectric cooling assembly or module, temperature controller and/or a power supply). The number of cables included (1-3 pairs) will depend on the number of components being interconnected.

FEATURES

  • Control board, keypad and display housed in a durable metal enclosure provide a complete temperature control solution
  • Single or dual power supply configurations allow a wide range of output voltages (power supply(s) not included–order separately per application)
  • Single power supply configuration: ≥9 VDC, <50 VDC input, powering both controller and TE device
  • Dual power supply configuration: ≥9 VDC, <50 VDC at 150 mA minimum for controller circuitry ≥0 VDC, <50 VDC for TE device
  • Maximum output current: 20 A combined TE device and alarm current (Note: controller does not have current limiting capability or internal fuse protection)
  • Cool-only or heat-only control modes, menu selectable
  • Temperature control range: -20 C to +100 C using the MP-3193 thermistor supplied with the controller, or -20 C to +85 C using a thermistor equivalent to 10 k-ohm, curve “B” from YSI Temperature, Inc.
  • Optional secondary thermistor input for sensing alarm conditions
  • Two available alarm outputs, capable of sinking up to 1 A each, for triggering alarms based on the primary (control) sensor and/or secondary sensor
  • Best-case control stability 0.1 C (when controlling a cold plate)
  • Proportional (P) bandwidth adjustment: 0.5 C to 100.0 C
  • Integral gain (I) adjustment: 0.00 to 10.00 repeats per minute
  • Derivative gain (D) adjustment: 0.00 to 10.00 cycles per minute
  • Output: square wave, 337 Hz, pulse-width modulated, with soft start
  • Analog proportional output signal for controlling programmable linear power supplies
  • Operating temperature range (non-condensing, total combined alarm and load current): Minimum: 0 C, Maximum: 48 C in horizontal orientation, 20 A output; 55 C vertical orientation, 20 A output; 53 C horizontal orientation, 17 A output; 59 C vertical orientation, 17 A output.
  • Built-in keypad can be used to program most of the controller’s parameters by way of easy to understand options.
  • Computer programmable via RS 232 communication; includes software (An optional RS-232 cable, part number MP-3023, is required)
  • RoHS compliant

APPLICATION
The TC-48-20 is a cool-only or heat-only thermoelectric temperature controller capable of controlling up to 50 volts and 20 amps. One standard thermistor, model MP-3193, is included. A second thermistor can be attached for monitoring and alarm purposes. The controller is housed in a die-cast aluminum box and incorporates a keypad and a liquid-crystal display. The display allows the user to monitor the sensor temperature, power output level, and menu settings. The integrated keypad accesses an easy-to-use menu system, allowing the user to adjust all of the basic controller parameters such as the set temperature, tuning parameters, and alarm parameters. The controller can also be connected to a computer via an RS232 serial port for more advanced program control as well as data graphing and data logging, using the supplied software.

TC-48-20software

All of the controller parameters, including some of the advanced parameters not adjustable through the onboard menu, can be adjusted using this software. (The MP-3023 RS-232 cable is optional and can be purchased separately; the software is always included.) The command set for the controller is also provided to allow the creation of custom software applications with other computers, such as National Instruments LabVIEW, for example. The GUI was programmed in LabVIEW, but LabVIEW itself is not required because the GUI uses an imbedded LabVIEW Runtime engine. However, the GUI’s LabVIEW source code (version 2011 and higher) is also available upon request.  A sample read and write command programmed in Python (2.7) is also available for download from the SOFTWARE tab on this web page.

The TC-48-20 controller regulates the output power to the TE device (or DC heater) using pulse-width modulation (PWM). By choosing the appropriate external power supply(s), the controller can control loads from 0 to <50 VDC via pulse-width modulation with the onboard power transistors. (When controlling voltages of less than 9 volts, a small additional power supply (PS-15-0.4) must be used to power the controller’s microprocessor.)

Two alarm outputs, each capable of controlling up to 1 A, can be used to control other loads such as pump, fans and resistive heaters, further enhancing the controller’s capabilities.

If a true linear-output control system is desired, the TC-48-20 can be used as the control head for controlling high-power, linear-output supplies. Some of these linear output supplies are available as basic switching power supplies, allowing the user to create a relatively low cost linear control system which generates much less waste heat when compared to a typical linear system. The linear output eliminates the PWM switching and is useful for Photo Multiplier Tube (PMT) coolers and other applications that are highly sensitive to electronic noise.

The TC-48-20 OEM is also available. This is a basic version of the controller for Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM’s) as a component in a system where the display, keypad, and box cover are not needed. The controller is shipped only as the basic control circuit PCB mounted on an aluminum panel.

Download TC-48-20 Manual
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Download Temperature Sensor Attachment Manual
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Standard Coolers and Temperature Controllers Catalog

Download TC-48-20 Software (See also Software License Agreement)

Download TC-48-20-Python.py Python code example (simple read and write command)

TC-48-20 3D Model in .pdf Format (Requires Adobe Reader 8.0 or higher)

3Dpdf-icon

3D PDF MODEL: Click on the link above to download a 3D model. You can rotate and view the cooler from any angle to better understand the physical properties ofthe product. (However, wire leads are not shown in the model.) This is a portable document format (.pdf) file, Adobe Reader 8 or higher is all that is required for viewing. 3D content may initially appear as a two-dimensional preview image. Clicking the 3D model with the Hand or Select tool enables (or activates) the model and opens the 3D toolbar.

3D Solid Models
Parasolid: TC-48-20.x_t (best for importing into SolidWorks)
See note below before downloading files.
STEP: TC-48-20.stp
See note below before downloading files.

NOTE WHEN DOWNLOADING FILES: When saving a solid model some browsers change the name of the file extension. If this happens save the file to your computer using the “Save link as…” option and then rename the file extension back to the appropriate type before using. (PC Users: Right click on the file link and select “Save link as…” from the menu. Mac Users: Hold the ‘Ctrl’ button on your keyboard while clicking on the file link and select “Save link as…” from the menu.) Alternatively, you can download as normal and rename the .htm or .html extension back to .x_t or .stp before using.

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