Alpes Lasers TC-3 Manual de usuario
Page 2 · TC-3 Temperature Controller User’s Manual
Table of Contents
Introduction..........................................................................................3
Safety Terms and Symbols...................................................................
Quick Start............................................................................................ 6
Installation............................................................................................ 7
Front Panel Operation.........................................................................10
Settings and Menus............................................................................13
Rear Panel.......................................................................................... 19
Connecting to the TC-3.......................................................................20
Selecting the Fixture...........................................................................21
Remote Mode Operation.....................................................................21
Installing the USB Drivers...................................................................22
Working With Thermistors...................................................................23
Working With RTDs.............................................................................2
User Calibration of Resistance Sensors...............................................26
Working With AD590s and LM335s.....................................................26
External Fan Control...........................................................................27
Resistive Heaters and Heat/Cool Only Modes......................................29
Gain Control and the PID Loop............................................................29
Using the AutoTune Function..............................................................30
Using the AutoTune Function Remotely..............................................32
Compensating for Cable Resistance....................................................33
Internal Power Management...............................................................33
Specifications...................................................................................... 35
Error Messages...................................................................................37
Maintenance, Calibration and Warranty..............................................39
TC-3 Temperature Controller User’s Manual · Page 3
Introduction
Thank you for choosing the TC-3 Temperature Controller from Alpes
Lasers. Your TC-3 is a combination of leading edge technology
combined with years of experience in the field of temperature control.
With a crystal clear VFD display, high power outputs, multi-sensor
support, both RS232 and USB computer interfaces, and small footprint,
the TC-3 will fit into almost any temperature control application.
Unlike other temperature controllers in its class which use inexpensive
7-segment LED displays, the TC-3 takes advantage of its large VFD
display to simultaneously display set point temperature, actual
temperature, current, and voltage.
The user interface of the TC-3 is engineered to make using the
instrument straightforward. With its text-based menus, there is never
any confusion over which setting is being changed, and parameters
are displayed in clear English (no cryptic numbers or LEDs to decode).
The TC-3 offers all the features you would expect from a modern
temperature controller, including:
•AutoTune for automatic PID parameter calculation
•0.00 °C temperature stability
•0.01°C resolution for both set point and actual temperatures
•60W (5A/12V) and 120W (10A/12V) output power
Accessories
Alpes Lasers also sells several accessories designed to work with the
TC-3. These include:
•TC-LLH cable
This cable links the TC-3 controller to the Laser Laboratory
Housing.
•TC-HHL
This cable links the TC-3 to the High Heat Load housing. It
includes an extra BNC port to connect the laser driver.
•The TC-3 is made with the same technology than the
temperature controllers from Arroyo and Arroyo
products are compatible with it.
Page 4 · TC-3 Temperature Controller User’s Manual
Safety Terms and Symbols
The following safety-related terms are used in this manual:
•arnings (noted by the WARNING heading) explain dangers
that could result in physical injury or death;
•Cautions (noted by the CAUTION heading) explain conditions
that could result in damage to the instrument, other
equipment, or your device.
•Notes (noted by the NOTES heading) are not safety-related,
and are intended simply to point out important information.
If, at any time, any of the following conditions exist, or are suspected
of existing, discontinue use of the unit until it can be inspected by
qualified service personnel:
•Visible damage to the unit, including damage or stress caused
during product shipment;
•Storage of the unit outside the standard storage temperature
or humidity rating, or prolonged storage under harsh
conditions;
•Failure to operate properly.
If needed, contact your distributor or Alpes Lasers for service or repair
to ensure the safety of the product is maintained.
TC-3 Temperature Controller User’s Manual · Page 5
Symbols
Power Off Power On
Caution, refer to manual Earth ground
Caution, risk of electric shock
General arnings
ARNING
This instrument is intended for use by qualified
personnel who understand the shock and laser
hazards and are familiar with safety procedures
required to avoid injury. Read this manual
completely before attempting to use this product.
ARNING
To avoid electrical shock, ensure a 3-prong power
cord is used, and is plugged into a earth-grounded
receptacle. Failure to do so can result in severe
injury or death.
CAUTION
There are no user-serviceable parts inside. All
service and repair work shall be done by Alpes
Lasers or personnel authorized by Alpes Lasers.
Modifications done by non-authorized personnel
will void the warranty. Please see the Service
section later in this manual for instructions on
how to obtain service for this instrument.
Page 6 · TC-3 Temperature Controller User’s Manual
Quick Start
The TC-3 was designed with ease of use in mind, and you will likely
have little need for this manual for almost all of the features the unit
offers. The main Starter Kit Manual contains a Quick Start section that
contains specific features related to the lasers provided by Alpes
Lasers – this section covers more general grounds.
After unpacking the unit, ensure that the voltage selection on the Input
Power Connector (IPC) on the back of the unit is set to the correct
voltage. This is critical, as incorrect voltages can damage the unit. The
TC-3 is typically shipped in the 120V configuration from the factory,
but may be set to your local voltage. Make no assumptions and change
the voltage as needed. For more information, refer to the IPC section
below.
Once the voltage selection has been completed, plug the AC cord into
the unit and into the wall outlet. Turn on the power switch located on
the IPC, and the unit will power up, displaying the model information
and firmware version number.
Press the MENU button to enter the menu, and using the knob, turn to
the right until the I Lim setting is displayed. Press the knob to edit the
setting, and adjust the limit as appropriate to your Peltier. Press the
knob again to save the value. Make the same adjustments to the high
and low temperature limits (T-High Lim and T-Low Lim), as
appropriate for your application.
The unit may come pre-programmed for the laser it was bought with.
However, if you are using a different thermistor, you will need to verify
the Steinhart-Hart coefficients are set correctly. Navigate to the
Sensor Coeffs sub-menu, pressing the knob to enter the sub-menu.
Adjust the constants to reflect the values for your thermistor.
Once you have made all your adjustments, press the MENU button to
exit the menu (in the future, if you’re only changing one value, you do
not need to press the knob --- pressing the MENU button while
changing a value will save the value and exit).
Next, connect the cable between your fixture and the Output connector
of the TC-3. We recommend using our cables as they have been
designed to work well with the TC-3. If using your own cables, ensure
they have been properly wired according to the pin-out of the TC-3
and your fixture.
Finally, set the set point to an appropriate temperature and press the
Output button. The output will turn on and you will see the voltage
TC-3 Temperature Controller User’s Manual · Page 7
and current begin driving the fixture to the set point you have chosen.
Depending on the thermal size of your fixture, it may take seconds or
several minutes to reach the set point.
If you notice the temperature is oscillating around the set point and not
stabilizing, you may need to adjust the Gain setting in the menu. You
can use the AutoTune feature to automatically calculate the best PID
values, or select from a set of eight factory preset values that typically
cover most applications. To use the factory gains, if the temperature is
quickly jumping up and down, the Gain will typically need to be
reduced. If the temperature is slowly moving up and down, try a higher
Gain. You may need to experiment with several gain settings to find
the ideal value, and for even finer control, you can set the Gain to PID
and directly set the PID control values.
It’s that simple. For more detailed operating and installation
instructions, read on.
Installation
Installation of the TC-3 is very straightforward, as the quick start
section above illustrated. This section will provide additional details
and considerations for installing your TC-3.
After unpacking the unit, make sure all packing materials have been
removed and nothing obscures the ventilation ports on the back and
bottom of the unit.
Changing the Voltage Selection
Before powering on the unit, ensure that the voltage selection on the
IPC is set correctly. Improper voltage selection can easily damage the
unit. Changing the voltage selection requires that you remove the
voltage selection module from the IPC.
Remove the power cord from the unit. Using a small, flat-blade
screwdriver, insert the tip of the screwdriver into the two small
openings above and below the voltage indication to release the voltage
selection module from the IPC, as shown in the picture below.
Page 8 · TC-3 Temperature Controller User’s Manual
Input Power Connector (IPC)
Once the module has been removed, remove the small, white voltage
selection tumbler from the module, and then re-insert so that the
desired voltage is shown. Re-insert the module into the IPC.
Powering Up the Unit
Once the correct voltage selection has been made, connect the AC
power cord to the unit.
Turn the power switch, located on the front of the unit, into the on (|)
position. The unit will display the current firmware revision, go through
a quick power-up self-test, and return to the last known operating
state.
Ventilation
The TC-3 has vent holes on the rear and left side of the unit. You must
not block these vent holes, or overheating may occur, causing damage
to the unit.
CAUTION
Do not exceed 250VAC on the line input.
It is critical to select the proper voltage selection
prior to applying power to the unit. If the actual
voltage exceeds the voltage selection by +/-10%,
damage to the unit may occur.
TC-3 Temperature Controller User’s Manual · Page 9
Rack Mounting
Rack mounting kits (p/n 1401-RM-1 or p/n 1401-RM-2) for standard
19” racks are available at Arroyo Instruments for the TC-3, and
supports the rack mount of one (1401-RM-1) or two (1401-RM-2)
units in a 2U (3.5”) high opening. Because the unit draws air from the
side, and therefore inside the rack housing, be sure that the internal
rack ambient temperature (which will typically be several degrees
higher than room ambient) does not exceed the unit’s operating
temperature.
arm-up and Environmental Considerations
In order to achieve the highest level of accuracy, the TC-3 should be
powered on for at least one hour prior to taking measurements. In
addition, ensure that the unit is not operating outside the ambient
temperature range or humidity conditions.
CAUTION
Do not operate the unit above + 0°C ambient,
and ensure the instrument is properly ventilated,
or the unit may overheat and possible damage to
the instrument may occur.
Page 10 · TC-3 Temperature Controller User’s Manual
Front Panel Operation
Operation of the TC-3 is very straightforward. The sections below will
help familiarize you with the front panel, the display, and the menu
structure.
The front panel is designed for simplicity in operation. There are three
buttons on the front panel: Output, Menu, and the adjustment knob.
The Output button is used to turn the output on and off. Whenever the
output is on, the blue Output On LED will be lit.
The Menu button is used to enter the TC-3 menu. When in remote
mode, it acts as a Local button, returning the instrument to local
mode.
The large adjustment knob located on the right hand side of the unit is
used to change the set point or parameters in the menu. It also acts as
a push button, primarily as an enter button, when making changes in
the menu. When in the main screen, pressing the knob will change
from Normal to Large display mode.
There are four LEDs: a green power LED that is lit whenever the AC
power is turned on; the blue Output On LED that indicates the TC-3 is
actively controlling the temperature; a red Error LED that indicates an
error has occurred; and a yellow Remote LED that indicates the unit is
being controlled via a computer.
Whenever an error is generated, the red Error LED will light, and the
error will be displayed on the VFD display. There may be one or more
errors, but only the first error will be displayed. To display the next
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