Many industries rely on temperature regulation to ensure a viable business. Also known as a process controller or thermostat, the temperature controller has the simple job of monitoring the temperature. If any changes occur that take the readings outside the required amount they will act to add or withdraw heat.
Temperature controllers come in increasing complexity and temperature range according to the purpose. Maintaining a regular temperature is vital in the food and chemicals industry and for the storage of volatile. As well as external temperature control, ovens and refrigeration or equipment used in plants and laboratories need to maintain a steady and precise temperature to function accurately and safely.
How do I use a Temperature Controller in my Business?
ON/OFF
The most basic type of temperature controller operates via an ON/OFF system which is triggered when a set deviation is reached in the comparison between the desired and actual temperatures. They then act to adjust the input of heat. The ON/OFF controller ensures a steady, set range of temperature is maintained and is used commonly in storage or food handling applications preventing over-heating or over-cooling. The RS Pro Defrost Thermostat is a type of ON/OFF thermostat that comes with 2 outputs. It is ideal for refrigeration applications with an operating range of -60°C to 150°C.
Sample labs in mining, pathology, agriculture and food rely on temperature controllers for evaporation methods. These types of controllers can display the temperature of the block or sample and the actual time remaining in the sequence. Temperature set points can be low at 0.1°C.
PID
Other control systems such as the PID temperature controller offer highly precise temperature regulation. The PID system maintains a precise temperature in equipment by establishing the exact output value that is needed to maintain the required temperature. The RS PRO DIN Rail PID Temperature Controller measures and controls a process value and can control temperatures in a range of 0° – 1700°C. It allows three inputs, RTD, Universal Input TC and Voltage/Current (dc) and is ideal for applications in the petro-chemical and automotive industries and processing plants, among other uses.
Humidity Control
Many temperature controllers will also control humidity and are necessary in several industrial and scientific applications. The RS PRO Panel Mount PID is an example of a temperature controller used for temperature and humidity. It is programmable, with the option of PID or ON>OFF control, and can be auto-tuned in PID mode.
Features
Controllers can be linked to other devices to communicate via the internet, which allows the use of remote setpoints, and easy configurations. Other optional features include a transmitter power supply and dual-colour displays that help for rapid identification of controller states.
Temperature controllers are a vital piece of equipment in many industries. They come in a variety of specifications and are designed to work seamlessly in your particular environment, keeping your products in peak condition and your workers safe. Talk to your vendor to find out how to use temperature control efficiently in your business.
