Isotech 414 Operating instructions

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Annealing Furnace model 414 Iss.3 –06/12
ANNEALING FURNACE
MODEL 414
User Maintenance Manual/Handbook
Isothermal Technology Limited, Pine Grove, Southport, PR9 9AG, England
Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone] Internet: www.isotech.co.uk E-mail: [email protected]
The company is always willing to give technical advice and assistance where appropriate. Equally, because of the programme of continual
development and improvement we reserve the right to amend or alter characteristics and design without prior notice. This publication is for
information only.

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Annealing Furnace model 414 Iss.3 –06/12
CONTENTS
EMC INFORMATION...................................................................................................................................................................... 3
ELECTRICAL SAFETY..................................................................................................................................................................... 3
HEALTH AND SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS ..................................................................................................................................4
GUARANTEE.................................................................................................................................................................................... 5
CAUTIONARY NOTE..................................................................................................................................................................... 6
UNPACKING AND INITIAL INSPECTION ................................................................................................................................7
ELECTRICITY SUPPLY...................................................................................................................................................................7
SPECIFICATION..............................................................................................................................................................................8
MODEL 414 ANNEALING FURNACE INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................ 9
ANNEALING FURNACE .............................................................................................................................................................. 10
OPERATION................................................................................................................................................................................... 11
Altering the Furnace Temperature, (Setpoint) ............................................................................................................................. 11
COMMISSIONING ........................................................................................................................................................................ 12
ELIMINATING CONTAMINATION DURING THE CALIBRATION OF HIGH TEMPERATURE THERMOMETERS .. 13
IMPORTANT NOTE...................................................................................................................................................................... 14
MAINTENANCE ............................................................................................................................................................................ 15
GENERAL LAYOUT ...................................................................................................................................................................... 16

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Annealing Furnace model 414 Iss.3 –06/12
EMC INFORMATION
This product meets the requirements of the European Directive on Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC)
89/336/EEC as amended by EC Directive 92/31/EEC and the European Low Voltage Directive 73/25/EEC, amended
by 93/68/EEC. To ensure emission compliance please ensure that any serial communications connecting leads are
fully screened.
The product meets the susceptibility requirements of EN 50082-1, criterion B.
Symbol Identification
Publication
Description
ISO3864
Caution (refer to handbook)
IEC 417
Caution, Hot Surface
ELECTRICAL SAFETY
This equipment must be correctly earthed.
This equipment is a Class 1 Appliance. A protective earth is used to ensure the conductive parts can not become live
in the event of a failure of the insulation.
The protective conductor of the flexible mains cable which is coloured green/yellow MUST be connected to a suitable
earth.
The blue conductor should be connected to Neutral and the Brown conductor to Live (Line).
Warning: Internal mains voltage hazard. Do not remove the panels.
There are no user serviceable parts inside. Contact your nearest Isotech agent for repair.
Voltage transients on the supply must not exceed 2.5kV.
Conductive pollution, e.g. Carbon dust, must be excluded from the apparatus. EN61010 pollution degrees 2.

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Annealing Furnace model 414 Iss.3 –06/12
HEALTH AND SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
1. Read this entire handbook before use.
2. Wear appropriate protective clothing.
3. Operators of this equipment should be adequately trained in the handling of hot and cold items and liquids.
4. Do not use the apparatus for jobs other than those for which it was designed, i.e. the calibration of
thermometers.
5. Do not handle the apparatus when it is hot (or cold), unless wearing the appropriate protective clothing and
having the necessary training.
6. Do not drill, modify or otherwise change the shape of the apparatus.
7. Do not dismantle the apparatus.
8. Do not use the apparatus outside its recommended temperature range.
9. If cased, do not return the apparatus to its carrying case until the unit has cooled.
10. There are no user serviceable parts inside. Contact your nearest Isotech agent for repair.
11. Ensure materials, especially flammable materials are kept away from hot parts of the apparatus, to prevent
fire risk.

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Annealing Furnace model 414 Iss.3 –06/12
GUARANTEE
This instrument has been manufactured to exacting standards and is guaranteed for twelve months against electrical
break-down or mechanical failure caused through defective material or workmanship, provided the failure is not the
result of misuse. In the event of failure covered by this guarantee, the instrument must be returned, carriage paid, to
the supplier for examination and will be replaced or repaired at our option.
FRAGILE CERAMIC AND/OR GLASS PARTS ARE NOT COVERED BY THIS GUARANTEE
INTERFERENCE WITH OR FAILURE TO PROPERLY MAINTAIN THIS INSTRUMENT MAY INVALIDATE THIS
GUARANTEE
RECOMMENDATION
The life of your ISOTECH Instrument will be prolonged if regular maintenance and cleaning to remove general dust
and debris is carried out.
ISOTHERMAL TECHNOLOGY LTD.
PINE GROVE, SOUTHPORT
PR9 9AG, ENGLAND
TEL: [phone]/544611
FAX: [phone]
The company is always willing to give technical advice and assistance where appropriate. Equally, because of the
programme of continual development and improvement we reserve the right to amend or alter characteristics and
design without prior notice. This publication is for information only.

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Annealing Furnace model 414 Iss.3 –06/12
CAUTIONARY NOTE
ISOTECH PRODUCTS ARE INTENDED FOR USE BY TECHNICALLY TRAINED AND COMPETENT
PERSONNEL FAMILIAR WITH GOOD MEASUREMENT PRACTICES.
IT IS EXPECTED THAT PERSONNEL USING THIS EQUIPMENT WILL BE COMPETENT WITH THE
MANAGEMENT OF APPARATUS WHICH MAY BE POWERED OR UNDER EXTREMES OF TEMPERATURE, AND
ARE ABLE TO APPRECIATE THE HAZARDS WHICH MAY BE ASSOCIATED WITH, AND THE PRECAUTIONS
TO BE TAKEN WITH, SUCH EQUIPMENT.

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Annealing Furnace model 414 Iss.3 –06/12
UNPACKING AND INITIAL INSPECTION
Our packing department uses custom designed packaging to send out your unit, but as accidents can still happen in
transit, you are advised, after unpacking the unit, to inspect it for any sign of shipping damage, and confirm that your
delivery is in accordance with the packing note. If you find any damage or that part of the delivery is missing notify us
or our agent, and the carrier immediately. If the unit is damaged you should keep the packing for possible insurance
assessment.
ELECTRICITY SUPPLY
Before connecting to the electricity supply please familiarise yourself with the parts of the handbook relevant to your
model.
Your unit's supply voltage requirement is specified on a plate on the instrument along with the serial number. All
instruments will work on an electricity supply frequency of 50Hz or 60Hz.
The apparatus is provided with an approved power cord. If the plug is not suitable for your location then the plug
should be removed and replaced with an appropriate plug.
Take care to ensure the old plug is disposed safely.
The cable is colour coded as follows:
COLOUR
FUNCTION
Green/yellow
Earth (Ground)
Brown
Live (line)
Blue
Neutral
Please ensure that your unit is correctly connected to the electricity supply.
A Residual Current Devices sometimes referred to an RCD, ELCB or ground fault detector is included with the
220/240 V unit.

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Annealing Furnace model 414 Iss.3 –06/12
SPECIFICATION
Voltage
220/240 V
Power
1000 W
Supply Frequency
50/60Hz
Maximum Operating Temperature
1000°C
Working Volume
450mm x 50mm dia approx.
Dimensions
Height 880mm
Width 400mm
Depth 620mm
Weight (nett)
40kg

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Annealing Furnace model 414 Iss.3 –06/12
MODEL 414 ANNEALING FURNACE INTRODUCTION
One of the duties of a calibration laboratory manager is to ensure that the S.P.R.T.’s used in the Laboratory are fully
annealed and still within specification.
Just using the thermometers within the laboratory will cause work-hardening to take place within the platinum coil of
the SPRT.
Therefore regular annealing is required to ensure the S.P.R.T.’s are in an ideal condition.
In 1990 the new temperature scale ITS-90 specified the use of S.P.R.T.’s up to the Silver point (961.78°C). At these
temperatures quartz is very porous and in reducing atmospheres the S.P.R.T.’s can quickly become contaminated.
The Isotech Annealing Furnace offers a safe solution for those who wish to anneal S.P.R.T.’s up to 1000°C.

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Annealing Furnace model 414 Iss.3 –06/12
ANNEALING FURNACE
The Annealing Furnace has two independent control systems, one for temperature control and the other for over-
temperature protection.
The furnace uses a Eurotherm 2116 over-temperature cut-off controller. On these models RESET button is located
below the over-temperature controller. The SP value should be set approximately 50°C higher than the operating
controller setting. If this limit should be exceeded the red push button switch will reset the apparatus once the
furnace temperature has fallen below the SP value.
To turn on system power at start up (or as required), it is necessary to depress the red push button.
Altering the Alarm Temperature, (Setpoint)
1. Switch the unit on.
2. The controller will briefly show its software version before displaying an indication of the furnace
temperature.
3. Momentarily press either the UP or DOWN key once to display the alarm setpoint. This value should be set
to 50°C approximately above the operating controller temperature.
4. To alter the value press and hold the UP key to raise the value or the DOWN key to lower the value.
5. The display will return to show the nominal furnace temperature when no key is pressed for 0.5 second.

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Annealing Furnace model 414 Iss.3 –06/12
OPERATION
Altering the Furnace Temperature, (Setpoint)
1. Switch the unit on. The power switch is located on the power entry module, front panel.
NOTE: Do not switch the unit off until the block has cooled. Preferably below 200°C but not above 600°C
or damage to the controller may occur.
2. The controller will briefly show its software version before displaying an indication of the block temperature.
3. Momentarily press either the UP or DOWN key once to display the setpoint (desired temperature).
4. To alter the value press and hold the UP key to raise the value or the DOWN key to lower the value.
5. The display will return to show the nominal block temperature when no key is pressed for 0.5 second.
The other controller functions are hidden from the operator. The values are pre-set and should not be
changed.

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COMMISSIONING
Connect the 3 core supply cable to a plug capable of passing up to 13 amps.
Plug in, and switch on. Press the red reset button; this will energise the apparatus.
The rate of change of temperature for the ceramic furnace liner at low temperature must be controlled, and for this
reason the furnace controller has been pre-programmed to warm up slowly to its working temperature. The
parameters used to effect this control are not directly accessible, for safety reasons.
Set the main controller to 100°C and the over-temperature controller to 150°C.
When the main controller has stabilised. Reduce the over-temperature controllers setting until the relay operates and
the apparatus has switched off.
The apparatus is now ready for use.
All other controller functions are hidden from the operator. The values are preset and should not be changed.
The annealing/pre-heating furnace controller has been pre-set to produce a slow change in temperature, in line with
the heating and cooling rates recommended for annealing of thermometers. Do not over-ride the control settings.
The recrystallised alumina liner has a closed end and thermometers may be placed directly into the liner for annealing.
However, for high temperature applications, the use of a supplementary kit is recommended, as described later.

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Annealing Furnace model 414 Iss.3 –06/12
ELIMINATING CONTAMINATION DURING THE CALIBRATION OF
HIGH TEMPERATURE THERMOMETERS
It is quite feasible to heat a high temperature thermometer to 1000°C and return it to ambient temperature without
altering the water triple point resistance value by more than 0.5mK equivalent.
Instructions in the Isotech 962 and 96178 thermometer handbooks explain how to handle and keep clean the
thermometers. It is imperative that procedures are followed because contaminants can penetrate and pass through
physically-intact quartz sheaths at temperatures above 800°C.
The completed assembly is depicted below:
Air percolates through the quartz wool oxidising any pollutants and rendering them harmless and unable to penetrate
the quartz sheath of the thermometer.
The combination of air-flow and positioning ensures that thermometers will not become contaminated at high
temperature.
An air pump is fitted internally and runs continuously. The supplied quartz tube is connected to the air outlet via the
plastic hose. Ensure that the metal pipe fitting is pushed fully into the air outlet, a sharp click is heard when the
components correctly mate. The air flow rate can be adjusted from the front panel control.

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IMPORTANT NOTE
Since the calibration of sensors at high temperatures can be fraught with difficulties, if any doubt exists, please consult
Isotech for advice before embarking on any exercise in which there is a risk of contamination of the sensors you are
trying to calibrate.

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Annealing Furnace model 414 Iss.3 –06/12
MAINTENANCE
Unless damaged in transit, the apparatus should operate for many years without maintenance or fault.
It has been common practice in the past to list a number of possible fault modes and corrective actions. However,
our experience suggests that the very low incidence of failure almost implies modes not encountered previously and,
therefore, not easy to envisage before-hand.
Therefore, we now prefer to work differently. With international communications so good these days, if anything
goes wrong with the apparatus, or you need any other after sales service, please contact Isotech by telephone, fax or
e-mail (or the agent from whom you purchased the apparatus). On our help-line we are anxious to serve you and will
swiftly be able to help you solve your problem, or deal with a technical enquiry.

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Annealing Furnace model 414 Iss.3 –06/12
GENERAL LAYOUT
ISOTHERMAL TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
PINE GROVE, SOUTHPORT, PR9 9AG, ENGLAND
ANNEALING
FURNACE
Model 414
Flow Gauge
Air Flow Adjustment
Set / Reset
Supply On / Off
Over-temperature Controller
Controller
Power Entry
FRONT VIEW REAR VIEW