Isotech MEDUSA 510 Series Operating instructions

Page 1 of 41
Medusa 510/511 Series Iss.12 –08/13
MEDUSA 510/511 SERIES
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.

Page 2 of 41
Medusa 510/511 Series Iss.12 –08/13
CONTENTS
GUARANTEE.......................................................................................................................................................................................4
EMC INFORMATION ......................................................................................................................................................................... 5
ELECTRICAL SAFETY .........................................................................................................................................................................5
ENVIRONMENTAL RATINGS ........................................................................................................................................................ 5
HEALTH AND SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS ..........................................................................................................................................6
„DO‟S AND DON‟TS‟..........................................................................................................................................................................7
CAUTIONARY NOTE......................................................................................................................................................................... 8
TRANSIT CLAMP ................................................................................................................................................................................ 9
UNPACKING AND INITIAL INSPECTION ..................................................................................................................................... 10
ELECTRICITY SUPPLY...................................................................................................................................................................... 10
INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................................................................................11
COMPARISON CALIBRATION ....................................................................................................................................................11
Using the Controller ...............................................................................................................................................11
Using the Indicator - (Not Basic (B) Model) ...........................................................................................................11
USING EXTERNAL STANDARDS .........................................................................................................................12
MODE OF OPERATION................................................................................................................................................................... 13
ITS-90 FIXED POINT CALIBRATION ..........................................................................................................................................13
METAL BLOCK BATH .................................................................................................................................................................. 13
BLACK BODY SOURCE................................................................................................................................................................ 14
SURFACE SENSOR CALIBRATION.............................................................................................................................................. 14
ADJUSTING THE TIMER .................................................................................................................................................................. 15
THERMOMETRIC FIXED POINTS (a tutorial note) .........................................................................................................................16
HINT ON HOW TO MEASURE THE TRUE TEMPERATURE INSIDE THE ACCESSORIES SUPPLIED WITH THE MEDUSA
SERIES ................................................................................................................................................................................................ 17
The Controller ........................................................................................................................................................17
The Reference Thermometer.................................................................................................................................17
The Industrial Thermometer ..................................................................................................................................17
SPECIFICATION ............................................................................................................................................................................... 18
MEDUSA 1 PERFORMANCE GRAPHS.............................................................................................................................................19
MEDUSA 2 PERFORMANCE GRAPHS............................................................................................................................................. 20
OPERATING THE MEDUSA.............................................................................................................................................................21
FRONT PANEL LAYOUT ............................................................................................................................................................. 21
THE TEMPERATURE CONTROLLER .......................................................................................................................................... 21
ALTERING THE SETPOINT ......................................................................................................................................................... 21
ADVANCED CONTROLLER FEATURES..................................................................................................................................... 21
Setpoint Ramp Rate................................................................................................................................................. 21
Instrument Address.................................................................................................................................................22
Monitoring the Controller Status............................................................................................................................22
Units........................................................................................................................................................................ 22
The Temperature Indicator (Not Basic (B) Models)............................................................................................... 22
Setting the Input Type.............................................................................................................................................22
Enabling / Disabling Custom Calibration................................................................................................................. 23
Instrument Address.................................................................................................................................................23
Monitoring the Indicator Status...............................................................................................................................24
Units........................................................................................................................................................................ 24
Advanced Indicator Operation................................................................................................................................ 24
CALIBRATION DATA EXAMPLE .....................................................................................................................................................25
CONNECTING A CURRENT TRANSMITTER (UP TO 20MA) ...................................................................................................... 26
SELECTING CONFIGURATION LEVEL ......................................................................................................................................26
Testing Thermostats ...............................................................................................................................................27
OPERATING THE MEDUSA 511...................................................................................................................................................... 28
USING THE PC INTERFACE ............................................................................................................................................................29
CONNECTIONS...........................................................................................................................................................................29
CAL NOTEPAD.................................................................................................................................................................................30
DEVELOPMENT ...........................................................................................................................................................................30
HOW TO INSTALL CAL NOTEPAD ...........................................................................................................................................31

Page 3 of 41
Medusa 510/511 Series Iss.12 –08/13
PROTOCOL .................................................................................................................................................................................. 31
DIAGNOSTIC ALARMS.....................................................................................................................................................................32
CONTROLLER ERROR MESSAGES.............................................................................................................................................. 32
INITIAL TESTING.............................................................................................................................................................................. 33
MAINTENANCE ...............................................................................................................................................................................34
FIGURE 2 ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 35
FIGURE 3: 511 3 ZONE VERSION - 110V VERSION...................................................................................................................36
APPENDIX 1: MEDUSA SERIES TROUBLE SHOOTING ................................................................................................................ 37
Unit fails to operate.................................................................................................................................................37
Indicator reads incorrectly ......................................................................................................................................37
Cannot establish PC Communications....................................................................................................................37
APPENDIX 2: ACCESSORIES PARTS LIST FOR MEDUSA 510 ....................................................................................................... 38
APPENDIX 2: ACCESSORIES PARTS LIST FOR MEDUSA 511 ....................................................................................................... 39
APPENDIX 3: INDICATOR CONFIGURATION (Reference Only).................................................................................................40
Config.INST.............................................................................................................................................................40
Config.IP..................................................................................................................................................................40
Config.CAL..............................................................................................................................................................40
Config.AL ................................................................................................................................................................41
Config.HA................................................................................................................................................................41
Config.1A ................................................................................................................................................................41
Config.2A ................................................................................................................................................................41

Page 4 of 41
Medusa 510/511 Series Iss.12 –08/13
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.
We recommend that this instrument to be re-calibrated annually.
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.

Page 5 of 41
Medusa 510/511 Series Iss.12 –08/13
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 manual)
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 cannot become live
in the event of a failure of the insulation.
The protective conductor of the flexible mains cable which is colored 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 degree 2.
This apparatus has two input connectors for temperature sensors. These inputs are only suitable for either a
thermocouple or resistance thermometer. No other sensor or signal may be connected.
ENVIRONMENTAL RATINGS
Operating Temperature 5-35°C
Relative Humidity 5-95%, non condensing

Page 6 of 41
Medusa 510/511 Series Iss.12 –08/13
HEALTH AND SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
1. Read this entire manual 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.

Page 7 of 41
Medusa 510/511 Series Iss.12 –08/13
‘DO’S AND DON’TS’
DO NOT handle the accessories when they are very hot or very cold.
DO NOT place hot or cold accessories back in the carrying case
DO NOT use the pocket designed for the black body source sensor to measure the temperature of the insert or
surface calibrator.
DO use that pocket for pre-warming or storage.
DO NOT spill liquids inside the Medusa.
DO NOT rely on the controller to tell you the temperature of the insert. Its job is only to provide an isothermal
volume. It is the calibrated working standard that is used to measure actual temperature.

Page 8 of 41
Medusa 510/511 Series Iss.12 –08/13
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.

Page 9 of 41
Medusa 510/511 Series Iss.11 –07/12
TRANSIT CLAMP
EVERY EFFORT HAS BEEN MADE TO PACKAGE THIS UNIT FOR TRANSPORT AND TO ENSURE ITS
GOOD CONDITION ON ARRIVAL AT ITS DESTINATION
BEFORE COMMISSIONING IT IS NECESSARY TO REMOVE THE FURNACE CORE TRANSIT CLAMP.
TO AVOID DAMAGE PLEASE FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS
1. Slacken the central nut using the required tube spanner; the insertion of a screwdriver through the tube
spanner will prevent the central stud turning.
2. Remove the 4 bolts securing the transit clamp to the side of the unit. Loosen each screw equally by degrees
and then completely remove the screws.
3. Gently lift the transit clamp vertically; a central tube which has secured the furnace core will then slide out.
The 4 screws should then be replaced to secure the handles to the side of the unit.
4. Normal commissioning procedure may now be followed.
5. Keep the transit clamp and use it if the furnace is ever transported.

Page 10 of 41
Medusa 510/511 Series Iss.11 –07/12
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. Should you find any damage or that part of the delivery is missing,
please notify your nearest distributor or Isothermal Technology, 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 manual relevant to your
model.
Your unit's supply voltage requirement is specified on a plate on the instrument along with the serial number. All
Medusa 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.
THE APPARATUS MUST BE CORRECTLY EARTHED (GROUNDED)
The units on/off switch is located on the power inlet. Take care NOT to switch the unit off when it is hot - allow to
cool first.

Page 11 of 41
Medusa 510/511 Series Iss.11 –07/12
INTRODUCTION
The Medusa range of products allows unprecedented flexibility for the calibration of temperature sensors. The
Medusa may be used with the following options:
1. An ITS-90 Fixed Point Apparatus
1. As a Metal Block Bath
2. A Black Body Source
3. A Surface Sensor Calibrator
The Medusa is available in two variants. The Basic (B) model which incorporates a single temperature controller.
The Potts and Site (S) model also include a temperature indicator and timer.
COMPARISON CALIBRATION
By definition, one compares industrial thermometers to a calibrated standard.
There are 3 methods commonly used.
Using the Controller
Using the controller as the “calibrated standard” this method means that the complete bath is calibrated by
comparing the controller reading to a calibrated standard placed in the bath.
This is a common method but is unsafe since the control sensor is
a) Inaccessible
b) in the wrong place to give correct temperature of the insert
For these reasons it fails to satisfy ISO9000 and gives large uncertainties.
Using the Indicator - (Not Basic (B) Model)
Here an indicator and external calibrated sensor are used to measure the temperature of
the insert. This arrangement gives good accurate and reliable results. To recalibrate
however it does mean sending the whole calibrator back to the calibration laboratory.
This, the calibrator is self-contained, self-sufficient and meets ISO9000 requirements.

Page 12 of 41
Medusa 510/511 Series Iss.11 –07/12
USING EXTERNAL STANDARDS
Here a separate indicator and calibrated sensor are used to measure the inserts temperature. This can give the most
accurate and reliable results, depending on the indicator.
It means that the calibrator does not need calibrating only the indicator and its calibrated sensor need re-calibration,
but this option is more bulky, expensive and less portable than 2). It also meets ISO9000 requirements.

Page 13 of 41
Medusa 510/511 Series Iss.11 –07/12
MODE OF OPERATION
ITS-90 FIXED POINT CALIBRATION
The ITS-90 fixed point function of the Medusa is well suited for fast, convenient, mess free calibration of
thermometers to uncertainties as low at 0.001°C.
The special cell is placed into the Medusa calibration well.
The equipment incorporates a timer which can change temperatures to allow MELTING or FREEZING of a Cell.
Once initiated the Cell can be arranged to be on the melt plateau during the day and automatically frozen and bought
back to the melt plateau overnight.
It works this way:-
The Medusa automatically switches on some 2 to 3 hours before the working day starts and gets the cell onto its melt
plateau. The indicator tells the user on their arrival in the morning that the melt has begun and calibration can
commence.
If left unused the melt continues to 6 to 12 hours and probably during the night the timer switches the apparatus off
to re-freeze the cell, the cycle is repeated each day, giving the user the fixed point all day, every day without
attention except to occasionally clean the fan filter if it becomes clogged with dust.
The Medusa works by having a controller which is set about 1°C above the fixed point which is inside the apparatus It
has an indicator with a thermometer which is used to monitor the state of the fixed point cell. It is also fitted with a
timer to automatically switch on and off the apparatus.
Indium, Tin Lead and Zinc Fixed Points all look the same, being an ingot of pure metal placed in a graphite crucible
which, to keep dirt, moisture and air out are sealed, usually in quartz glass. To avoid the use of quartz glass the
graphite crucibles are sealed into metallic containers without contamination of the pure ingot inside the crucible.
On power up the timer is set to run at setpoint 1 for 20 hours at setpoint 2 for 4 hours.
METAL BLOCK BATH
The metal block bath function of the Medusa is well suited for fast, convenient, mess free calibration of temperature
sensors.
The Medusa metal insert is placed into the calibration well.
The thermometers under test are placed into suitable holes in metal insert, see accessory page. A calibrated
reference probe should be placed into the insert and the actual temperature can be read from the temperature
indicator.
For traceable calibration the actual value of the insert temperature should be recorded along with the values from the
sensors under test.

Page 14 of 41
Medusa 510/511 Series Iss.11 –07/12
BLACK BODY SOURCE
The black body function of the Medusa is well suited for fast, convenient, mess free calibration of infra-red
temperature sensors.
The Medusa black body target, see accessory page, is placed into the calibration well. The units under test should be
aligned with the target.
A calibrated reference probe should be placed into the hole in the block and the actual temperature can be read from
the temperature indicator to which the infra red thermometer(s) are compared.
SURFACE SENSOR CALIBRATION
The surface sensor function of the Medusa is well suited for fast, convenient, mess free calibration of most surface
temperature sensors.
The Medusa surface sensor insert, see accessory page, is placed into the calibration well.
A calibrated probe, see accessory page, is placed in the pocket of the surface sensor insert and connected to the
temperature indicator. Surface sensors are placed on top of the insert and when stable compared to the calibrated
probe.

Page 15 of 41
Medusa 510/511 Series Iss.11 –07/12
ADJUSTING THE TIMER

Page 16 of 41
Medusa 510/511 Series Iss.11 –07/12
THERMOMETRIC FIXED POINTS (a tutorial note)
Temperature scales used in science and industry are defined by a series of "fixed points", which are realised by
establishing thermal conditions under which pure materials exhibit equilibrium between two or three phases. A scale
assigns numerical values to the temperatures at which these phase equilibria exist. For example, the temperature at
which pure water exists simultaneously in its liquid, solid and gas phases (triple point) has been assigned the numerical
value of 0.01°C on the International Temperature Scale, and the value of 273.16K on the Kelvin Thermodynamic
Temperature Scale. Examples of other defining fixed points of the International Temperature Scale of 1990 are the
respective liquid-solid equilibria of tin, zinc and silver under 1 standard atmosphere pressure.
In some important disciplines it is desirable to realise a thermometric fixed point between 0 and 100°C, frequently in
the vicinity of body or environmental-temperature. The melting temperature of high purity gallium, 29.7646°C, is a
fixed point that can be useful in this context.
The solid-liquid equilibrium point of gallium is realised in cells such as those shown in figure 1. A quantity of pure
gallium is contained in a vessel which provides, also, a re-entrant well for insertion of a thermometer. The cycle for
realising the melt equilibrium is as follows:
The gallium starts in a single phase, assumed for present purposes to be liquid. The cell is placed in a cold
environment until the gallium has solidified. The phase-change of the metal can be determined by tracing the
temperature of the well. As the metal cools from the liquid phase, the temperature will begin to fall. An initial
smooth drop in temperature will be observed, and then at some temperature below the freezing temperature there
will be seen a reversal and a subsequent rise in temperature. This "undercool" phenomenon is characteristic of many
pure materials, most of which can remain liquid at temperatures below their normal freezing points (if the metal were
initially solid, the temperature would fall uninterruptedly to that of the cold environment).
The reversal takes place as the first crystalline solid forms in the liquid; the temperature rises to the liquid-solid
equilibrium plateau temperature as the metal gives up latent heat on freezing, remaining thereafter at this
temperature until the metal is completely solid. Beyond this stage there will be a smooth drop in temperature to that
of surrounding environment.
To establish the melting condition, the cell is then transferred to an environment maintained at a temperature slightly
above the melt temperature of gallium. This environment may be a stirred fluid bath of sufficient heat capacity and
control capability, or may be the Medusa POTTS or Gallium Temperature Standard Apparatus Model 17402B which
is designed automatically to raise the temperature of the cell to initiate melting of the metal and then to maintain it at
a correct level. The temperature to which the cell is exposed to melt the metal does not determine the solid-liquid
equilibrium temperature, but it can have a substantial effect on the duration of the (constant-temperature) melt
plateau.
The monitoring thermometer will indicate a rise in temperature in the well as the solid gallium approaches the melt
temperature. Then, beyond the instant at which liquid first begins to form, the temperature will remain constant until
all the metal has melted. The end of the melt plateau is signalled by a rise in well temperature to the temperature of
the surrounding environment. An ITL 17401 gallium cell used in the Model 17402B system can give a plateau duration
of at least 12 hours.
The melting cycle is now complete. The material in the cell is entirely in the liquid phase. Another cycle may be
started immediately, if desired.
17cc of water should be poured into the re-entrant tube to allow proper conduction between cell and thermometer.
For the highest accuracy measurements (to less than 0.1mK of the ITS-90 value) an hour should elapse between
switching to melt and commencing measurements. Alternatively, once the melt has began the water in the well can
be replaced by warm water at say 40°C to initiate a melt round the re-entrant tube. See CCT96/8 for additional
guidance.

Page 17 of 41
Medusa 510/511 Series Iss.11 –07/12
HINT ON HOW TO MEASURE THE TRUE TEMPERATURE INSIDE
THE ACCESSORIES SUPPLIED WITH THE MEDUSA SERIES
The controller of the Medusa controls and reads the temperature of the block surrounding the deep calibration well.
There are various accessories including the surface calibration insert, black body etc. These adapt the Medusa to
perform varied calibration functions.
None of these accessories actually get to the block temperature and hence the controller‟s temperature because each
accessory has a different immersion characteristic. For this reason the Medusa like all comparison baths requires a
reference thermometer to indicate the true temperature inside the accessory.
Remember the following:-
The Controller
The controller is used to set a constant temperature and create an isothermal environment for the comparison
calibration of temperature sensors.
The Reference Thermometer
The Reference Thermometer is placed in the accessory or insert and measures the true temperature inside the insert
or accessory.
The Industrial Thermometer
The Industrial thermometer is placed in the accessory or insert and is compared to the True Temperature as
indicated by the reference thermometer. An insert will typically have a 1% immersion error. For more details see -
Depths of Immersion. Tavener J. P. Volume 9.2. Isotech Journal of Thermometry pages 79-87.

Page 18 of 41
Medusa 510/511 Series Iss.11 –07/12
SPECIFICATION
Voltage : 230VAC (or 115VAC) see ratings plate
Power : 1800W
Supply Frequency : 50/60Hz
Maximum Operating Temperature : Medusa 1 - 550°C
: Medusa 2/Medusa 511 - 700°C
Minimum Operating Temperature : Medusa 1 - 30°C
: Medusa 2/Medusa 511 - 35°C
Stability (Absolute over 30 Minutes)
Metal Block Bath : ±0.03°C
Black Body Source : ±0.3°C
ITS-90 Fixed Point Apparatus : ±0.0002°C
Calibration Volume : 45mm dia by 285mm deep
Standard Insert Hole Dimensions : 6 x 8mm
Insert Options : Standard 6x8mm x 250mm deep
: Adjustable Height Equalising Block
: Special drilling available to customer requirements.
: Blank
Dimensions (not including handle) : Height 430mm
: Width 310mm
: Depth 300mm
Weight : Medusa 1 - 17Kg
Medusa 2/Medusa 511 - 26kg

Page 19 of 41
Medusa 510/511 Series Iss.11 –07/12
MEDUSA 1 PERFORMANCE GRAPHS

Page 20 of 41
Medusa 510/511 Series Iss.11 –07/12
MEDUSA 2 PERFORMANCE GRAPHS