Isotech milliK Operating instructions

© Isothermal Technology Page 1 of 102 923 milliK manual - issue: 1.10
User Maintenance Manual/Handbook
Issue 1.10
Software version 2.0.0+
Firmware version 2.0.0+
Isothermal Technology Limited, Pine Grove, South ort, PR9 9AG, England
Isothermal Technology Limited, Pine Grove, South ort, PR9 9AG, EnglandIsothermal Technology Limited, Pine Grove, South ort, PR9 9AG, England
Isothermal Technology Limited, Pine Grove, South ort, PR9 9AG, England
Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone] Internet:
Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone] Internet: Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone] Internet:
Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone] Internet: www.isotech.co.uk
www.isotech.co.ukwww.isotech.co.uk
www.isotech.co.uk E
EE
E-
--
-mail:
mail: mail:
mail:
[email protected]
[email protected][email protected]
[email protected]
The com any is always willing to give technical advice and assistance where a ro riate. Equally,
because of the rogramme of continual develo ment and im rovement we reserve the right to amend
or alter characteristics and design without rior notice. This ublication is for information only.

© Isothermal Technology Page 2 of 102 923 milliK manual - issue: 1.10
Contents
1 Introduction........................................................................................................................5
1.1 Unpacking ...................................................................................................................5
1.2 Safety...........................................................................................................................5
2 Getting Started ...................................................................................................................8
2.1 A Quick Tour of Your milliK .....................................................................................9
2.2 Driving your milliK...................................................................................................11
2.2.1 The ‘Graph’ Window.........................................................................................12
2.2.2 The ‘Numeric’ Window.....................................................................................12
2.2.3 The ‘Settings’ Window ......................................................................................13
2.2.4 The ‘Instrument’ Window..................................................................................15
2.3 Battery Operation ......................................................................................................17
3 Detailed Description by Function ....................................................................................18
3.1 Using a PRT/SPRT with milliK................................................................................18
3.1.1 Configuring milliK to measure a PRT/SPRT ....................................................19
3.1.2 Determining Self-Heating of a PRT/SPRT........................................................21
3.1.3 Using 3 or 4 Wire Measurement........................................................................21
3.2 Using a Thermistor with milliK ................................................................................23
3.2.1 Configuring milliK to Measure Temperature with a Thermistor.......................24
3.3 Using a Thermocouple with milliK...........................................................................25
3.3.1 Using Internal Reference Junction Compensation.............................................26
3.3.2 Using External Reference Junction Compensation............................................26
3.3.3 Using an Ice-Point for the Reference Junction ..................................................27
3.3.4 Configuring milliK to Measure a Thermocouple...............................................28
3.4 Using a 4-20mA Transmitter with milliK.................................................................30
3.4.1 Configuring milliK to Measure a 4-20mA Transmitter.....................................31
3.5 Measuring the Difference Between Two Channels...................................................32
3.6 Changing Graph Scales .............................................................................................32
3.7 Using Rolling Statistics.............................................................................................33
3.8 Logging Results to a File ..........................................................................................34
3.8.1 Transferring Logged Data to a PC.....................................................................36
3.8.2 File Format for Logged Data .............................................................................36
3.8.3 Clearing Logged Data from Internal Memory ...................................................37
3.9 Using the Thermometer Database .............................................................................38
3.9.1 Creating a New Thermometer Entry..................................................................38
3.9.2 Using a PRT with IEC60751 (2008) Conversion ..............................................40
3.9.3 Using a PRT with Callendar Van Dusen Conversion........................................41
3.9.4 Using a PRT with ITS90 Conversion ................................................................42
3.9.5 Using a Thermocouple with Calibration Coefficients / Data Pairs....................43
3.9.6 Using a Thermistor with the Steinhart-Hart Polynomial ...................................44
3.9.7 Using a Thermistor with Polynomial Temperature Conversion ........................45
3.9.8 Using a 4-20mA Transmitter with Linear Conversion ......................................46
3.10 Updating the Software ...........................................................................................47
3.11 Using and Changing Passwords ............................................................................47
3.11.1 Recovering a Lost Password..............................................................................49
3.12 Controlling Temperature Sources with milliK ......................................................49
3.12.1 Creating a Temperature Profile..........................................................................51
4 Connecting Thermometers to milliK ...............................................................................53
4.1 Connecting PRTs/SPRTs to milliK...........................................................................53
4.2 Connecting Thermistors to milliK.............................................................................54

© Isothermal Technology Page 3 of 102 923 milliK manual - issue: 1.10
4.3 Connecting Thermocouples to milliK .......................................................................55
4.4 Connecting 4-20mA Transmitters to milliK .............................................................56
5 Calibration........................................................................................................................57
5.1 Standards Required for Calibration...........................................................................58
5.1.1 Making a 4-Terminal Short-Circuit ...................................................................58
5.1.2 Making a 0mV Source in a Thermocouple Connector ......................................59
5.2 Checking the Calibration...........................................................................................59
5.2.1 PRT/SPRT Resistance Range ............................................................................60
5.2.2 Thermistor Resistance Range (500kΩ) – Span Check ......................................61
5.2.3 Thermocouple Voltage Range – Zero Check.....................................................62
5.2.4 Thermocouple Voltage Range – Span Check ....................................................63
5.2.5 4-20mA Transmitter Range – Zero and Span Check.........................................63
5.2.6 Reference Junction Compensation Accuracy ....................................................64
5.3 Adjusting the Calibration ..........................................................................................66
5.3.1 Starting the Calibration Adjustment Feature .....................................................66
5.3.2 Adjusting SPRT (115Ω) Resistance Range .......................................................67
5.3.3 Adjusting PRT (460Ω) Resistance Range .........................................................68
5.3.4 Adjusting Thermistor (500kΩ) Resistance Range.............................................68
5.3.5 Adjusting Zero Voltage Offsets .........................................................................69
5.3.6 Adjusting Voltage Gain .....................................................................................69
5.3.7 Adjusting 4-20mA Transmitter Range...............................................................70
5.3.8 Adjusting the RJC Sensor Calibration ...............................................................71
5.4 Exporting Calibration information............................................................................72
6 Maintenance and Cleaning...............................................................................................73
7 Interfacing with milliK ....................................................................................................74
7.1 RS232 Interface.........................................................................................................74
7.1.1 Establishing an RS232 Connection....................................................................75
7.2 Ethernet Interface ......................................................................................................76
8 SCPI Command Set .........................................................................................................79
8.1 Command Terminators..............................................................................................79
8.2 SCPI Command Structure .........................................................................................79
8.3 SCPI Numeric Suffices .............................................................................................80
8.4 Parameters .................................................................................................................80
8.5 Units ..........................................................................................................................81
8.6 Making Measurement Using SCPI Commands ........................................................81
8.6.1 Measuring Resistance using SCPI Commands ..................................................82
8.6.2 Measuring Voltage using SCPI Commands ......................................................82
8.6.3 Measuring Temperature using SCPI Commands...............................................83
8.6.4 SCPI Commands................................................................................................85
8.6.5 Command: *IDN?..............................................................................................86
8.6.6 Command SENSe:FUNCtion[:ON]...................................................................86
8.6.7 Command SENSe:FUNCtion[:ON]? .................................................................86
8.6.8 Command SENSe:CHANnel .............................................................................86
8.6.9 Command SENSe:CHANnel? ...........................................................................87
8.6.10 Command SENSe[:RESistance]:RANGe[:UPPer]............................................87
8.6.11 Command SENSe[:RESistance:]RANGe[:UPPer]?..........................................87
8.6.12 Command SENSe:RESistance:WIRes...............................................................88
8.6.13 Command SENSe:RESistance:WIRes?.............................................................88
8.6.14 Command SENSe:CURRent .............................................................................88
8.6.15 Command SENSe:CURRent?............................................................................89

© Isothermal Technology Page 4 of 102 923 milliK manual - issue: 1.10
8.6.16 Command INITiate[:IMMediate][:ALL]...........................................................89
8.6.17 Command FETCh[:SCALar]? ...........................................................................89
8.6.18 Command READ[:SCALar]? ............................................................................89
8.6.19 Command MEASure[:SCALar]:VOLTage[:DC]<channel#>? .........................89
8.6.20 Command MEASure[:SCALar]:RESistance<channel#> ..................................90
8.6.21 Command MEASure[:SCALar]:CURRent?......................................................90
8.6.22 Command MEASure[:SCALar]:RJC?...............................................................90
8.6.23 Command MONitor<channel#>? ......................................................................91
8.6.24 Command CALibrate:UNLock..........................................................................91
8.6.25 Command CALibrate:LOCK.............................................................................91
8.6.26 Command CALibrate:RESistance:GAIN ..........................................................92
8.6.27 Command CALibrate:RESistance:GAIN? ........................................................92
8.6.28 Command CALibrate:VOLTage:OFFSet<channel#>.......................................92
8.6.29 Command CALibrate:VOLTage:OFFset<channel>?........................................93
8.6.30 Command CALibrate:VOLTage:GAIN ............................................................93
8.6.31 Command CALibrate:VOLTage:GAIN?...........................................................93
8.6.32 Command CALibrate:CURRent:GAIN.............................................................94
8.6.33 Command CALibrate:CURRent:GAIN? ...........................................................94
8.6.34 Command CALibrate:RJC:OFFSet ...................................................................94
8.6.35 Command CALibrate:RJC:OFFSet? .................................................................95
8.6.36 Command CALibrate:IDENtification................................................................95
8.6.37 Command CALibrate:IDENtification?..............................................................95
8.6.38 Command CALibrate:IDENtification:LAST?...................................................95
8.6.39 Command CALibrate:PASSword......................................................................96
8.6.40 Command CALibrate:VALid?...........................................................................96
9 Specification ....................................................................................................................97
10 Approvals.......................................................................................................................100
10.1 CE Declaration ....................................................................................................100
10.2 FCC Statement.....................................................................................................100
10.3 Standards Applied................................................................................................101
11 Revision History ............................................................................................................102

© Isothermal Technology Page 5 of 102 923 milliK manual - issue: 1.10
1 Introduction
The milliK precision thermometer provides a complete measurement and control interface for
users wishing to make high accuracy temperature measurements or calibrate thermometers. It
supports a wide range of thermometer types including 25ΩSPRTs, 100ΩPRTs, thermistors,
thermocouples and 4-20mA transmitters (self-powered and loop-powered) and can control
Isotech temperature sources, sequencing through a programmable list of temperature set
points whilst logging data to internal memory or a USB drive.
The milliK sets new measurement standards in its class (<±5ppm for SPRTs/PRTs, <±2µV
for thermocouples and <±1µA for current transmitters). The Windows™ CE operating
system provides a simple and intuitive operator interface and with a wide range of interfaces
(USB, RS232, Ethernet) allows the user to access the comprehensive features of the milliK.
1.1 Unpacking
Your product should comprise the following items:
milliK Precision Thermometer
power supply with interchangeable plug heads
two Lemo 6-pin connectors
null modem RS232 cable
this user manual
If any item is missing or damaged, please report this immediately to your supplier. If
possible, we recommend that you retain the packaging material in case you need to return the
instrument for calibration or service.
1.2 Safety
The milliK is a precision instrument, designed for use in a laboratory or light industrial
environment. It complies with the requirements of safety standard EN61010-1 (2001) and is
therefore safe to use in laboratory or light industrial environments. It is not intended for use
outdoors or in extreme environments (refer to specification in Section 9).

© Isothermal Technology Page 6 of 102 923 milliK manual - issue: 1.10
!
The milliK is likely to be connected to thermometer sensors in use and the operator should
take care to ensure that the complete system is safe. For example, metal sheathed
thermometers may be connected to the milliK and then placed in a furnace powered from a
230V electrical supply. Single fault conditions in such a furnace could lead to the
thermometer wires and the front terminals of the milliK to which they are connected
becoming electrically live and therefore a hazard to the operator. Suitable precautions should
be taken, such as using an isolating transformer in the supply to such a furnace. If you require
further advice on safety issues, please contact Isothermal Technology or one of our appointed
distributors - we have extensive experience of thermometry and can provide advice and
equipment to help you.
Retain these instructions. Use only as specified in these operating instructions or the intrinsic
protection may be impaired.
Please observe the following safety precautions:
Do not use your milliK if it is damaged
Only connect the power supply to an electrical supply that conforms to the
specification given on its rating plate
This equipment is for indoor use within an ambient temperature range of 0°C to 40°C
with maximum relative humidity of 95%
This equipment is for use in moderate climates only. NEVER use the equipment in
damp or wet conditions
Avoid excessive heat, humidity, dust & vibration
Do not place liquid filled containers on the equipment
Do not use where the equipment (or any associated accessories) may be subjected to
dripping or splashing liquids
Ensure all cables and wires are routed safely to avoid tripping: also to avoid sharp
bends and pinches
Clean only with a damp cloth. Do not wet or allow moisture to penetrate the
equipment. Do not use solvents; see section 6 for details of cleaning procedure
The product should be subjected to regular in-service inspections as required by local
regulations; a yearly interval is suggested
Do not apply earth test currents to any terminals nor to the shrouds of the USB,
RS232, or Ethernet connectors
The product is designed to comply with EN 61010-1 and can be flash tested. It is
fitted with radio frequency interference suppressors. Therefore it is recommended that
only a D.C. test be performed. Performing flash tests repeatedly can damage
insulation
This equipment contains no user-serviceable parts. Refer all repairs to qualified
service personnel. Contact Isothermal Technology or one of our appointed distributors
for details of approved service outlets
The power supply has been approved to the following safety standards:

© Isothermal Technology Page 7 of 102 923 milliK manual - issue: 1.10
UL60950-1, 2
nd
Edition: 2007-03-27
CSA C22.2 No. 60950-1-07, 2
nd
Edition: 2007-03
EN 60950-1: 2006 including A11
BS EN60950-1: 2006
AS/NZS60950-1: 2003 including amendments 1, 2 and 3

© Isothermal Technology Page 8 of 102 923 milliK manual - issue: 1.10
2 Getting Started
The power supply operates from any standard AC electrical supply (90-264V RMS at 47-
63Hz), so unless your supply is unusual you can simply connect the power supply to a
suitable electrical outlet.
The power supply is fitted with a standard BS 1363 plug head but is provided with alternative
heads that cover the majority of electrical sockets used worldwide. If you need to connect to
an outlet socket that is not supported by the plug heads provided you should source a suitable
electrical supply lead locally that is fitted with a C8 connector, you can then plug this directly
into the C8 socket on the power supply. The plug head can easily be changed:

© Isothermal Technology Page 9 of 102 923 milliK manual - issue: 1.10
Plug the DC connector from the power supply into the “DC Power” socket on the rear of the
milliK. Press the on/off button on the front panel to turn on your milliK. The milliK will load
the operating system and software (15s) and then restore itself to the settings used when it
was de-powered. This manual provides comprehensive details on using your milliK, in
addition video tutorials are available on the Isotech website (see www.isotech.co.uk/video-
library.php).
2.1 A Quick Tour of Your milliK
On the front of your milliK you will find two sets of connectors (Lemo 6-pin circular
connectors for SPRTs/PRTs/thermistors and miniature thermocouple connectors) for
channels 1 and 2. On the rear of your milliK you will find the 4mm sockets for channel 3
(used exclusively for 4-20mA transmitters).
Colour
LCD
Up/Down/
Left/Right/
Enter keys
Context
Sensitive
Function
Keys
Channel 1
Lemo
Connector
Channel 1
Miniature
Thermocouple
Connector
Channel 2
Lemo
Conne
ctor
Channel 2
Miniature
Thermocouple
Connector
On/Off
Button
Tilt
Feet

© Isothermal Technology Page 10 of 102 923 milliK manual - issue: 1.10
The milliK is controlled using the ←
←←
←→
→→
→↑
↑↑
↑↓
↓↓
↓↵
↵↵
↵(left/right/up/down/enter) key cluster and the
4 function keys located below the display. The ←
←←
←→
→→
→↑
↑↑
↑↓
↓↓
↓keys are used to navigate between
items on the screen and the ↵
↵↵
↵key is used to select or toggle the highlighted item. The
function keys select the context sensitive function displayed above each key. The milliK will
display soft keyboards when required so that all features of the milliK can be accessed using
these keys. You can also connect a keyboard and/or mouse to the USB port (rear panel) and
use these to control the milliK. The function keys below the display are mapped to keys F1-
F4 on the keyboard.
The milliK is also equipped with two RS232 ports (these are completely interchangeable), a
USB 2.0 host port and Ethernet port (10/100MBit), available on the rear panel. The milliK is
primarily for use as a bench-top laboratory standard but can also be powered from 4 x AA
cells (Ni-MH, Alkaline or Lithium) if a suitable electrical supply is not available (typical
rechargeable Ni-MH cells provide > 4 hours operating life). The battery compartment is
located on the rear panel.
Battery
Compartment
DC
Power
Input
RJ45
Ethernet
Connector
USB Host
Connector
RS232
Connector
(COM1)
RS232
Connector
(COM2)
4mm
Sockets for
Channel3
(4-20mA)