Configurable temperature controller shortens time-to-market

Latest from Laird is a new series of easy-to-use temperature controllers specifically designed for closed-loop feedback control of thermoelectric assemblies (TEAs). The PR-59 Series proportional controller is configurable and can be integrated into a system with a minimal amount of programming, allowing design engineers to shorten product development and move products to market faster. Offering temperature control stability to within ±0.05°C, the highly accurate PR-59 Series delivers precise temperature stabilization required in advanced applications including analytical instrumentation, medical diagnostics, medical imaging, photonics laser system and telecom enclosures. Configurable for direct power, thermostatic or PID control, the PR-59 Series protects equipment and optimizes system performance. The closed loop temperature controller features scalable outputs for fans, thermoelectric modules (TEMs), thermistors, tach sensors, thermostat switches, alarms and LEDs. The controller can also be used as a stand-alone unit interface via the RS-232 interface to monitor and control parameters and settings in real-time. "Proportional controllers are often used in heating and cooling systems where the temperature must stay constant, regardless of the change in ambient temperature. Electrical engineers designing thermal control drive circuits for applications that require compact thermal management solutions with high-performance and high-reliability will benefit most from the PR-59 Series and its easy-to-use graphic user interface," said Anders Kottenauer, senior vice president, engineered thermal systems, Laird. The PR-59 Series uses feedback from a temperature sensor to vary the output of the power supply to control the temperature of an enclosure. The controller uses proportional regulation to maintain a constant temperature with no swing in the control temperature. This is accomplished by using a PID algorithm to determine the output value and a pulse width modulation (PWM) output to handle the physical control. The PR-59 is mountable at system level and comes with software to connect to PC. Settings can be adjusted while running a TEA, which is beneficial for product development, says the company.