USER`S MANUAL

TCPU1 - Temperature Control and Power Unit

for TC-BASIC, TC-RADIATION, TC-ROTATION,
TC-WIDE RANGE and TC-REFLECTOMETRY

mri

Physikalische Geräte GmbH

Haid-und-Neu-Straße 7

76131 Karlsruhe

Fon: 0721-9658624

Fax: 0721-9658626

www.mri-gmbh.de
TCPU1 -Temperature Control and Power Unit for all mri chambers of type "TC"
“TCPU1” is a compact Temperature Control and Power Unit. The stable steel housing (3 HE) is designed for
table-top use (with additional cover) or for inserting it in a 19” rack (see just below). A PID-controller, installed
at the front panel, can be operated by six keys below the display or by a personal computer via RS 232
interface. The unit is designed for operation with all mri-chambers from “TC-basic” to “TC-reflectometry”.

The main switch and the power

ON/OFF-keys are located in the
center of the front panel.

The figure below shows the rear

panel of our “TCPU1”, with all
sockets and connectors.
Power output (8,5V/100A)
Cu- cables (35qmm) supply
the diverse heaters of our
temperature chambers.

The socket right above of the mains

input allows the connection and
control of our Power Unit “PU1”
necessary for the direct heater in our
“TC-radiation”. A 5-pole socket
(230V/AC T.S.) is used for a safety
switch-off (power) in case of over-
heating the electrodes (e.g. lack of
cooling water) of our temperature
chambers (TC`s). Furthermore a
cooling water (H2O in/out) flow-
control switches the PID-controller to “Stand-by” (no OP) if there is no cooling water. The 2-pole-socket
(230V/AC – TC wide range) is only used for a pressure-release valve stopping the LN2-flow to a “TC wide
range”.

The PID-controller has two independent sensor inputs. One (green) is designed for a calibrated type K
thermocouple with special compensation cable used for low temperature operation (“TC-wide range”). The
second (LEMO-socket) input can be connected by a standard cable to the type S or D thermocouples used in
our TC`s. Since the corresponding terminal at the controller is water-cooled (“isothermal cooling”) just as the
feedthrough-terminal at the temperature chambers, one standard cable can be used for different thermocouples.
Communication with personal computers by RS 232 interface is a standard feature of our “TCPU1”.

Controlled temperature (red) of the direct heater in a “TC-basic” by our “TCPU1”:

1.600
1.500
1.400
1.300
1.200
1.100
1.000
900
800
700
600
500
400
300
200
100
0

10:40:00 10:45:00 10:50:00

Zeit

.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Note: Configurations and specifications are subject to change without notice. – Feb. 2004 - mri Physikalische Geräte GmbH
USER’S MANUAL TCPU1/PU1 1

Contents page

Operating the controller from the front keys 2

Necessary parameters and its access for operating our modular temperature chambers
from “TC-basic” to “TC-reflectometry” 3

“TC-basic” with Ta- and PtRh-heater (sample carriers) 4

------Installation “TC-basic”/”TCPU1”
------Configuration and operating parameters

“TC-radiation” with Ta/PtRh heaters (sample carriers) and Ta/PtRh radiant heaters 5
------Installation “TC-radiation”/”TCPU1”-“PU1”
------Configuration and operating parameters

“TC-radiation/cc” with Al2O3 crucible heated by radiant heaters (Ta or PtRh) 6

“TC-reflectometry” with radiant heaters (Ta or PtRh) up to 800°C)
-------Installation “TC-radiation/cc”,”TC-reflectometry”/”TCPU1”
-------Configuration and operating parameters

“TC-rotation” with Ta/PtRh radiant heaters 7

“TC-furnace” with Ta / PtRh Omega heaters
-------Installation “TC-rotation/furnace”/”TCPU1”
-------Configuration and operating parameters

“TC-wide range” and “TC-reflectometry/lt” with Ta/PtRh-heaters 8

-------Installation “TC-wide range”,”TC-reflectometry/lt”/”TCPU1”
-------Configuration and operating parameters

Technical Data 9

Appendix: 10

---Cooling circuit (0250043)

---Electrical connections (no. 0250085): TCPU1 - TC-basic, TC-rotation, TC-wide range, TC-refl./lt, TC-furnace
---Electrical connections (no. 0250086): TCPU1 – TC-radiation/cc, TC-reflectometry
---Electrical connections (no. 0250087): TCPU1+PU1 – TC-radiation

---Dimensional Details
„TCPU1“
„PU1“

---Circuit diagram
“TCPU1”
“PU1”
USER’S MANUAL TCPU1/PU1 2

Operating the controller from the front keys:

The controller is adjusted to achieve in “AUTO”-mode simple ramping of temperature to selected setpoints (tem-
peratures).
After pressing the “main switch”, the controller (2404) is activated. After selftesting it shows the process value or
“S.br” (if no sensor is connected) in the display above. In “AUTO”-mode the lower value is a setpoint which can be
selected by the up button and down button. Switching to “MAN”-mode the lower output value OP is reseted to 0.0.
By pressing the up and down button the OP-value can be adjusted manually.

REMARK: The OP-value should be reseted first, then after changing to the “AUTO”-mode the green “power”
key (lamp on) must be pressed to activate the output power (OP) supplying the resistant heater of the
connected temperature chamber (see drawing 0250085 to 0250087)

The controller is switched to “AUTO”-mode. The scroll button activates –

---process value / °C
---OP / actual output value
---C.id /
---SPrr / value in °C/min.--------------This value can be changed by up/down button, depending on chamber type,
but maximum 300°C/min. for reliable controlling (see below).

EXAMPLE: Heating up to 500°C with a speed of 60°C/min.:

---High current cables, thermocouple cable and safety-switchoff circuit must be attached to the temperature cham-
ber. Cooling water circuit to “TCPU1” and chamber must be closed and supplied by water.

---Switched on the controller by “main switch”: Remember: setpoint lower than process value and OP / 0.0 !!
Quick-Reset of OP to 0.0 by pressing the “MAN” button
---Set SPrr / 60

---Press “power” (green, control light ON)

---Set setpoint value to 500

---The setpoint value starts at the actual value (room temperature) and increases with 60°C/min up to 500°C

---At the beginning the process value did not increase immediately. This is because of the “soft-starting” thyristor.
After some time the process value follows with some °C delay the rising setpoint.

By pressing “power” (red) the output power can be switched off independently from the controller. This is auto-
matically activated by a temperatur sensor at the chambers electrodes if they get hoter than 70°C (lack of cooling
water).
USER’S MANUAL TCPU1/PU1 3

Necessary parameters and its access for operating our modular temperature chambers
from “TC-basic” up to “TC-reflectometry”
Remark: If one chamber type is ordered together with “TCPU1” the following parameters and configurations
are implemented, but the corresponding access levels are not available for the customer with the basic
operating steps described in (1).
Customers which have ordered additional modules to use the flexibility of mri-chambers must have access to those
parameters and configurations.
In these cases we deliver “TCPU1” with the following preselected adjustments for simple change of parameters and
a description to change configuration (thermocouples and their specific ranges).

In addition to the scroll button you now use the page button.
Press it : Display:
1x-----------------------process value / °C
2x Atun /List
3x-----------------------Pid / List
4x-----------------------SP / List
5x-----------------------iP / List
6x-----------------------oP / List
7x-----------------------ACCES / List
8x------------------------process value / setpoint (basic indication)
You open the 6 “Lists” by pressing the scroll button:
AL/List 1FSH / 107 To stop LN2-flow at 107 °C with pressure-release valve (TC-wide range)
Atun/List drA /OFF/ON Adaptive tuning: Use only if starting PID sets
drA.t / 1 don`t work properly*
Pid/List-----------------G.SP / value (°C) above this temperature limit PID 2-parameters are used
Pb / value (%) PID 1
ti / value ( sec) “
td /value (sec) “
Pb2 / value (%) PID 2
ti2 / value (sec) “
td2 / value (sec) “
SP/List------------------SP L / value (°C) setpoints high and low
SP H / value (°C)
SP2L / value (°C)
SP2H / value (°C)
SPrr / value (°C/min) setpoint ramp
iP/List-------------------PV.iP / iP.1 sensor input 1 or iP.2 sensor input 2 (only for type K thermocouple)
Li.1 / process value iP.1 (read only)
Li.2 / process value iP.2 (read only)
OP/List------------------OP.Lo / 0.0
OP.Hi / value (%) power output limit

All values can be – must be – changed in correspondence with the used type of temperature chamber from
“TC.basic” to “TC-reflectometry”.
* The following PID-values are basic ones which can be optimised by adaptive tuning (drA / on)
which is useful for TC-wide range and TC-radiation with ceramic crucibles.
“dr A” can be used to find optimum PID-values from the starting ones or it can work all along your
temperature ramping. But before you finish “drA” must be “off” ! ! !
Changing this structure of operation by the user demands precise knowledge of this controller
and should be avoided
USER’S MANUAL TCPU1/PU1 4

“TC-basic” with Ta- and PtRh-heater (sample carriers):

--Installation “TC-basic”/”TCPU1” (see electrical connections 0250085):
High current cables adapted to electrodes of the chamber at the back wall.
Thermocouple cable plugged to the chambers feedthrough (back wall, LEMO) and to TCPU1 (LEMO)
Safety circuit – cable from TCPU1 to the temperature sensor (plugged connection).

Access to the configuration level and the settings:

---Press up and down button when powering (“main switch” ON) the controller
“Conf / 0”
---Set to “Conf / 2” by the up button. Wait 2 sec. “Conf / pass”
---Press scroll button to obtain “inSt / conf”
---Press page button (1x) to have “PV / conf”
---Press scroll button (3x) to get “rnG.L / 0”
---Press scroll button (1x) to get “rnG.H / value” and set value by the up or down button to 1600
---Press scroll button (1x) to get “PV / conf”
---Press page button (1x) to get “iP / conf”
---Press scroll button (1x) to get “inPt /…..” and set it by up and down button to “inPt / S.tc”
---Press page button (16x) until you reach “Exit / no” after setting it by the up button to “Exit / yes”
the controller leaves the configuration mode.

--Configuration and operating parameters

Configuration: inPt / S.tc (Ta und PtRh)
rnG.L / 0 (Ta und PtRh)
rnG.H / 1600 (Ta und PtRh)

Now the controller operates with type S thermocouple from room temperature up to 1600°C.
If the values of the 4 “Lists” accessible by the page / scroll button are set as follows:

Pid/List: -G.SP /307- -Pb /9000- -ti / 40- -td / 3- -Pb2 /7500- -ti2 / 4- -td / 1-
SP/List: -SP L / 0- -SP H / 1600- -SP2L / 0- -SP2H / 1600- -SPrr / max.300-
IP/List: -PV.iP / iP.1-
OP/List: -OP.Hi / 18-
USER’S MANUAL TCPU1/PU1 5

„TC-radiation“ with Ta / PtRh heaters (sample carriers) and Ta / PtRh radiant heaters:
--Installation “TC-radiation”/”TCPU1”,”PU1 (see electrical connections 0250087) :
High current cables of TCPU1 adapted to the high current feedthrough at the chamber body (front).
Thermocouple cable plugged to the chambers feedthrough (back wall) and TCPU1 (LEMO).
High current cables of PU1 adapted to the electrodes of the chamber at the back wall.
Safety circuit – cables from TCPU1 and PU1 to the corresponding temperature sensors at the chamber
(plugged connection).
Connection between TCPU1 and PU1 !

Access to the configuration level and the settings:

---Press up and down button when powering (“main switch” ON) the controller
“Conf / 0”
---Set to “Conf / 2” by the up button. Wait 2 sec. “Conf / pass”
---Press scroll button to obtain “inSt / conf”
---Press page button (1x) to have “PV / conf”
---Press scroll button (3x) to get “rnG.L / 0”
---Press scroll button (1x) to get “rnG.H / value” and set value by the up or down button to value given below
---Press scroll button (1x) to get “PV / conf”
---Press page button (1x) to get “iP / conf”
---Press scroll button (1x) to get “inPt /…..” and set it by up and down button to “inPt / type given below”
---Press page button (16x) until you reach “Exit / no” after setting it by the up button to “Exit / yes”
the controller leaves the configuration mode.

--Configuration and operating parameters

Configuration: inPt / to35.tc (Ta) / S.tc (PtRh)
rnG.L / 0 (Ta) /0 (PtRh)
rnG.H / 2000 (Ta) / 1600 (PtRh)

Now the controller operates with type D up to 2000°C with chambers having Ta-heaters or with type S
up to 1600°C with chambers having PtRh-heaters.

If the values of the 4 “Lists” accessible by the page / scroll button are set as follows:

Pid/List: -G.SP / 307- -Pb / 8000- -ti / 30- -td / 2- -Pb2 / 7000- -ti2 / 5- -td2 / 1-
SP/List: -SP H / 2000 (Ta), 1600 (PtRh)- -SP2H / 2000 (Ta), 1600 (PtRh)- -SPrr / max.300-
iP/List: -PV.iP / iP.1-
OP/List: -OP.Hi / 60 (Ta)- -OP.Hi / 27 (PtRh)-

TC-radiation with its two heaters – direct heater and radiant heater – allows in combination with PU1 and TCPU1 to
adjust the heating power of the direct heater (PU1) between 0% and 100% by a potentiometer at PU1.
Adjusted to 0.00 scale units means no direct heating but 100% heating of the sample carrier by radiation from the
radiant heater. The parameters of Pid/List are different from those above, but similar to those used in “TC-
radiation/cc” or “TC-reflectometry” which also operate only with radiant heater.
Adjusted to 0.80 scale units – for example – gives enough power to the direct heater to achieve 1000°C and having
the same temperature at the radiant heater (visually estimated). The parameters of Pid/List (see above) work in this
configuration, which is set originally.
Adjusted to 10.00 scale units is used for highest temperatures, which are mainly achieved by direct heating.
Working at the maximum of 2000°C (Ta and type D) we recommend to switch OFF (red button, light off) the
power of TCPU1. Then the radiant heater (not heated) is a very effective radiation shield reducing excessive heat
tranfer to the outer shields and the chamber walls.
USER’S MANUAL TCPU1/PU1 6

“TC-radiation/cc” with Al2O3 crucible heated by radiant heaters (Ta or PtRh):

“TC-reflectometry” with radiant heaters (Ta or PtRh) up to 800°C
--Installation “TC-radiation/cc”,”TC-reflectometry”/”TCPU1” (see electrical connections 0250086):
High current cables of TCPU1 adapted to the high current feedthrough at the chamber body (front).
Thermocouple cable plugged to the chambers feedthrough (back wall) and TCPU1 (LEMO).
Safety circuit – cables from TCPU1 to the corresponding temperature sensor at the chamber.

Access to the configuration level and the settings:

---Press up and down button when powering (“main switch” ON) the controller
“Conf / 0”
---Set to “Conf / 2” by the up button. Wait 2 sec. “Conf / pass”
---Press scroll button to obtain “inSt / conf”
---Press page button (1x) to have “PV / conf”
---Press scroll button (3x) to get “rnG.L / 0”
---Press scroll button (1x) to get “rnG.H / value” and set value by the up or down button to value given below
---Press scroll button (1x) to get “PV / conf”
---Press page button (1x) to get “iP / conf”
---Press scroll button (1x) to get “inPt /…..” and set it by up and down button to “inPt / type given below”
---Press page button (16x) until you reach “Exit / no” after setting it by the up button to “Exit / yes”
the controller leaves the configuration mode.

--Configuration and operating parameters

Configuration: inPt / S.tc (Ta) and (PtRh)
rnG.L / 0
rnG.H / 1500 (Ta), 1200 (PtRh), 800 (TC-reflectometry, Ta and PtRh)

Now the controller operates with type S thermocouple up to 1500°C with Ta-radiant heaters and up
to 1200°C using PtRh-radiant heaters or up to 800°C in TC-reflectometry with both heaters.

If the values of the 5 “Lists” accessible by the page / scroll button are set as follows:

Atun/ List drA / on* Must be set “drA / off” before the end of your temperature ramping !!!!!
Pid/List: -G.SP / 1500- -Pb / 800- -ti / 40- -td / 6-
SP/List: -SP H / 1500 (Ta), 800 (TC-reflect.)- -SP2H / 1200 (PtRh), 800 (TC-reflect.)- -SPrr / max.100-
iP/List: -PV.iP / iP.1-
OP/List: -OP.Hi / 60 (Ta)- -OP.Hi / 30 (PtRh)- -OP.Hi / 25 (TC-reflectometry)-

· *Use only for tuning of bad controlling with given Pid- parameters !
USER’S MANUAL TCPU1/PU1 7

“TC-rotation” with Ta / PtRh radiant heaters.

“TC-furnace” with Ta / PtRh Omega heaters.
--Installation “TC-rotation/furnace”/”TCPU1” (see electrical connections 0250085):
High current cables adapted to the electrodes of the chamber at the back wall.
Thermocouple cable plugged to the chambers feedthrough (back wall) and to TCPU1.
Safety circuit – cable from TCPU1 to the temperature sensor (plugged connection).

Access to the configuration level and the settings:

---Press up and down button when powering (“main switch” ON) the controller
“Conf / 0”
---Set to “Conf / 2” by the up button. Wait 2 sec. “Conf / pass”
---Press scroll button to obtain “inSt / conf”
---Press page button (1x) to have “PV / conf”
---Press scroll button (3x) to get “rnG.L / 0”
---Press scroll button (1x) to get “rnG.H / value” and set value by the up or down button to value given below
---Press scroll button (1x) to get “PV / conf”
---Press page button (1x) to get “iP / conf”
---Press scroll button (1x) to get “inPt /…..” and set it by up and down button to “inPt / type given below”
---Press page button (16x) until you reach “Exit / no” after setting it by the up button to “Exit / yes”
the controller leaves the configuration mode.

--Configuration and operating parametrs

Configuration: inPt / S.tc (Ta) / S.tc (PtRh) (also for operating in TC-basic MODE)
rnG.L / 0 /0
rnG.H / 1400 / 1200

The controller operates with type S thermocouple up to 1400°C with Ta-heaters and up to 1200°C
with PtRh-heaters.

If the 5 “Lists” accessible by the page / scroll button are set as follows:

Atun/ List drA / on* Must be set “drA / off” before the end of your temperature ramping !!!!!
Pid/List: -G.SP / 1400- -Pb / 1300- -ti / 30- -td / 5-
SP/List : -SP H / 1400 (Ta), 1100 (PtRh)- -SP2H / 1400 (Ta) ,1100 (PtRh)- -SPrr / max.100-
iP/List: -PV.iP / iP.1-
OP/List : -OP.Hi / 45 (Ta), 27 (PtRh)-

· *Use only for tuning of bad controlling with given Pid- parameters !
USER’S MANUAL TCPU1/PU1 8

“TC-wide range” and “TC-reflectometry/lt” with Ta / PtRh-heaters:

--Installation “TC-wide range”,”TC-reflectometry/lt”/”TCPU1” (see el. conn. 0250085):
High current cables adapted to the electrodes of the chamber at the back wall.
Type K hermocouple with special compensation cable to the green socket of the TCPU1.
Safety circuit – cable from TCPU1 to the temperature sensor (plugged connection).

Access to the configuration level and the settings:

---Press up and down button when powering (“main switch” ON) the controller
“Conf / 0”
---Set to “Conf / 2” by the up button. Wait 2 sec. “Conf / pass”
---Press scroll button to obtain “inSt / conf”
---Press page button (1x) to have “PV / conf”
---Press scroll button (3x) to get “rnG.L / 0”
---Press scroll button (1x) to get “rnG.H / value” and set value by the up or down button to value given below
---Press scroll button (1x) to get “PV / conf”
---Press page button (1x) to get “iP / conf”
---Press scroll button (1x) to get “inPt /…..” and set it by up and down button to “inPt / type given below”
---Press page button (16x) until you reach “Exit / no” after setting it by the up button to “Exit / yes”
the controller leaves the configuration mode.

--Configuration and operating parameters

Configuration: inPt / S.tc (for operating in TC-basic MODE))
rnG.L / -200
rnG.H / +450

The 5 “Lists” accessible by the page / scroll button must be set as follows:

AL/List 1FSH / 107 With pressure-release valve the LN2-flow from the dewar can be stopped
above 107 °C ( “1FSH”-flashes in the display).
Atun/List drA / on* Must be set “drA / off” before the end of your temperature ramping !!!!
Pid/List: -G.SP / +450- -Pb / 160- -ti /90- -td / 15-
SP/List: -SP L / -190- -SP H / 450- -SP2L / -190- -SP2H / 450- -SPrr / max. 20-
iP/List: -PV.iP / iP.2- second sensor input configured for type K thermocouple !**
OP/List: -OP.Hi / 13-
·
· *Use only for tuning of bad controlling with given Pid- parameters !

**For precise temperature measurement at lowest temperatures (below –150°C) a K-type thermocouple with com-
pensation line to the controller is necessary (direct contact with liquid nitrogen indicates exactly –196 °C).
USER’S MANUAL TCPU1/PU1 9

Technical Data:
“TCPU1 / PU1”:

Mains : AC 45…63Hz / 230V –20%/+15% max. 1100 VA

Fuse (inside) : 10 AT

Output : max. 8,5V/100A (AC)

Watercooled transformer with 2x2,9m Cu-cables (35qmm cross section)

Environmental temperature : max. 40°C

Cooling water : max 25°C , 3 – 5 bar , 0,8 – 1,0 l/min.

“2404 – controller”

see Eurotherm “Installation and operation handbook”

USER’S MANUAL TCPU1/PU1 10

Appendix: