TestEquity F4T Installation and operating instructions

Copyright © 2014-19 TestEquity LLC Rev. 4.5 – July 29, 2019
Portions of this manual are used with permission from Watlow Electric Manufacturing Company, 2014-19
F4T Touch Screen Controller
Cascade Control Addendum
Revision 4.05 and higher Firmware
TestEquity LLC
6100 Condor Drive
Moorpark, CA 93021
Support: 877-512-3457 Toll Free
805-480-0638
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805-498-9933
http://www.testequity.com

Table of Contents
Chapter 1 – Safety Instructions__________________________________________________5
Introduction _____________________________________________________________________ 5
Safety Notices ____________________________________________________________________ 5
Chapter 2 – Using Cascade Control ______________________________________________7
Overview ________________________________________________________________________ 7
Navigating and Understanding the User Interface ______________________________________ 8
Home Screen – No Profile Running __________________________________________________________8
Part Control vs. Air Temperature Control ____________________________________________ 9
Part Control Mode________________________________________________________________________9
Part Control Mode During a Profile __________________________________________________________9
Air Control Mode _______________________________________________________________________10
Air Control Mode During a Profile __________________________________________________________10
Simple Set Point Enable __________________________________________________________________10
Data Logging____________________________________________________________________ 11
Logged Parameters ______________________________________________________________________11
More Information _______________________________________________________________________11
Chapter 3 – Communications __________________________________________________13
Ethernet Parameters _____________________________________________________________ 13
Changing Ethernet Parameters _____________________________________________________________13
Ethernet Parameters and Settings ___________________________________________________________13
RS-232 Parameters_______________________________________________________________ 14
Changing RS-232 Parameters ______________________________________________________________14
RS-232 Parameters and Settings ____________________________________________________________14
Common Modbus Registers________________________________________________________ 15
F4T Mode _____________________________________________________________________________15
F4 Compatibility Mode (Data Map 3)________________________________________________________17
SCPI Programming Mode _________________________________________________________ 18
GPIB and Ethernet Modbus Interface Converters (optional) ____________________________ 20
Serial Modbus-to-GPIB Converter (Options 1052 and 0003)______________________________________20
Serial Modbus-to-Ethernet Converter (Option 1056) ____________________________________________20
Programming Syntax for the F4T Controller __________________________________________________21
Chapter 4 – Retransmit Option TE-F4T-RETRANSMIT ___________________________23
Introduction ____________________________________________________________________ 23
Connections _____________________________________________________________________ 23

Chapter 1 – Safety
TestEquity F4T Controller Page 5
Chapter 1 – Safety Instructions
Introduction
Follow all CAUTION notices to prevent damage to the chamber or your test sample. Failure to
follow all CAUTION notices may void your warranty. CAUTION may also indicate a
potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, may result in minor or moderate personal
injury.
The safety alert symbol !precedes a general CAUTION statement.
Safety Notices
!CAUTION: The Watlow F4T Manuals are written by the manufacturer, Watlow, for a
wide variety of applications and configurations. Not all features or functions
are applicable. Only the capabilities of model F4T1L2EAA2D7030 are
applicable.
!CAUTION: The Series F4T “Alarm” functions are NOT used in the chamber’s safety
system. TestEquity does NOT recommend using the Series F4 alarm function
as the main protection device. The independent EZ-Zone Limit Controller
functions as the main protection device.
!CAUTION: When using Part Temperature Control, the Part Thermocouple must always be
attached to the device under test (DUT). Failure to do this will result in erratic
temperature control. If you do not want to attach the thermocouple to the
DUT, then select “Air Control” on the F4T.
!CAUTION: When using Part Temperature Control, the Part Thermocouple must never be
placed outside the chamber. Failure to do this will result a thermal runaway,
up to the limits set on the Limit Controller.
!CAUTION: The Series F4T Temperature Controller has been properly configured by
TestEquity to match the chamber’s system requirements and to perform
optimally over a wide range of operating conditions. Improper modifications
to these setup values can result in erratic performance and unreliable
operation. Setup examples in the Watlow Series F4T Manuals are NOT
applicable to this chamber. Do not attempt to modify the setup values, unless
you thoroughly understand what you are doing. If there is any doubt, please
call TestEquity before proceeding.
!CAUTION: Configuration files are unique to each particular model chamber and must
NEVER be transferred to a different model chamber.
!CAUTION: NEVER select “Factory” in the “Restore Settings From” prompt in the Device
Details menu in Composer Software. This will erase all controller
configuration settings. The chamber will not work if you do this.

Chapter 2 – Using Cascade Control
TestEquity F4T Controller Page 7
Chapter 2 – Using Cascade Control
Overview
Cascade Control is the technical
name for a multi-loop control
system where the air temperature
set point (Inner Loop) is
determined by deviation of the
part temperature (Outer Loop)
from its set point. The graph
shown here represents Air
Temperature vs. Part Temperature
when Cascade Control is used.
The Air Temperature is allowed to
overshoot or under shoot as
required in order to achieve the
desired Part Temperature while
minimizing lag time.
The controller is configured at the factory to allow the Air Temperature to deviate no more than
+15°C or –15°C from the Part Temperature set point. This means if the set point is 85°C, the Air
Temperature could go as high as 100°C if the Part Temperature lagged sufficiently during a heat
up condition. In the example shown here, the Air Temperature went as high as 90.7°C when the
Product Temperature achieved 83.0°C. Conversely, the Air Temperature went as low as 18.6°C
when the Product Temperature achieved 23.4°C in order to reach a 23.0°C set point. In both
instances, The Air Temperature then began to approach the Part Temperature as the part began to
stabilize, until the two temperatures were ultimately nearly identical.
Without Cascade Control the Part Temperature will take longer to stabilize due to its thermal
mass as shown in the graphs below.
Air Temperature vs. Part Temperature without Cascade Control Part Temperature’s approach to set point with and without
Cascade Control

Chapter 2 – Using Cascade Control
Page 8 TestEquity F4T Controller
Navigating and Understanding the User Interface
Home Screen – No Profile Running
After powering up the controller a white screen will appear first while initializing. Once the
startup process is complete the Home Screen will be presented as shown below. The image
below shows the Home screen for a TestEquity Temperature Chamber with Cascade Control
while it is NOT running a profile.
①Temperature PV (Process Value):The Temperature page displays the actual Part
Temperature for PV. This is the Outer Loop.
②Air Sensor PV (Process Value):The Air Sensor page indicates the actual Air Temperature
for PV. This is the Inner Loop.
③Output Widget Bar:Function keys or output status (ON/OFF). The control mode can be
easily changed from Part Temperature Control or Air Control by pressing the Air Control
key. The default condition is shown above, with the controller operating in Part Temperature
Control mode (no green check mark in the Air Control box). See page 9 for more
information.
④Next Page: The Home screen has been setup to display multiple pages (loops). The left and
right arrows on each side of the home screen provide navigation from one to the other. Each
of the subsequent two pages has been configured by TestEquity to be a full-screen view of
just the Temperature page or the Air Sensor page respectively.
Please refer to the F4T Touch Screen Controller User’s Guide for further details on how to
navigate and use the F4T Controller.
User
2. Air Sensor
PV
4. Next Page
1. Temperature
PV
3. Output
Widget

Chapter 2 – Using Cascade Control
TestEquity F4T Controller Page 9
Part Control vs. Air Temperature Control
The control mode can be easily changed from
Part Temperature Control or Air Control by
pressing the Air Control button. The default
condition is shown below, with the controller
operating in Part Temperature Control mode (no
green check mark in the Air Control box). Air
Control will always be OFF any time the power is
recycled.
Part Control Mode
When configured for Part Control (Air Control button has no green check mark), the F4T will
attempt to control the temperature at the Part Sensor. In this mode, the Part Sensor must always
be attached to your test sample. Failure to do this will result in erratic temperature control.
The Air Sensor screen will always indicate chamber’s Air Temperature. This will usually be
different from the Part Temperature, especially during temperature transitions. The Air
Temperature will tend to approach the Part Temperature as the part begins to stabilize. The two
temperatures may never be the same, especially with a heavy test sample or an energized test
sample.
The F4T is configured at the factory to allow the Air Temperature to deviate no more than +15°C
or –15°C from the Part Temperature set point. This means if the set point is 85°C, the Air
Temperature could go as high as 100°C if the Part Temperature lagged sufficiently during a heat
up condition, or as low as –55°C if the set point is –40°C.
Part Control Mode During a Profile
Part Control mode has an impact on these profile parameters:
Guaranteed Soak Deviation/Guaranteed Soak Values: The amount by which the actual part
temperature is allowed to differ from the set point for steps with Guaranteed Soak Enable set to
On. In such steps when the actual part temperature differs from the set point by more than this
value, the step timer stops running until the actual part temperature returns to within the band
defined by the set point plus or minus this value. Each profile can have its own set of Guaranteed
Soak values.
Wait For Process:Holds the profile until the part temperature reaches the specified value.

Chapter 2 – Using Cascade Control
Page 10 TestEquity F4T Controller
Air Control Mode
When configured for Air Control (Air Control
button has a green check mark), the F4T will
attempt to control the temperature at the Air
Sensor, shown at the PV (Process Value) in the
Air Sensor screen. This is how a chamber without
cascade control ordinarily works. In this mode,
the Part Sensor does not have to be attached to
anything.
If you press the arrow on the right side of the
display you will get a screen that displays the Air Sensor and Part Sensor. You can use this
screen to monitor the Part Sensor even if you are in Air Control Mode. Pressing the arrow on the
left side of this screen will return you to the Home Screen.
In Air Control Mode, the PV (Process Value) in the Temperature screen is the Air Temperature.
Air Control will always be OFF any time the power is recycled.
Air Control Mode During a Profile
Part Control mode has an impact on the following profile parameters:
Guaranteed Soak Deviation/Guaranteed Soak Values: The amount by which the actual air
temperature is allowed to differ from the set point for steps with Guaranteed Soak Enable set to
On. In such steps when the actual air temperature differs from the set point by more than this
value, the step timer stops running until the actual air temperature returns to within the band
defined by the set point plus or minus this value. Each profile can have its own set of Guaranteed
Soak values.
Wait For Process:Holds the profile until the air temperature reaches the specified value.
Simple Set Point Enable
This function is similar to turning Air Control ON. If you leave Air Control OFF and turn Simple
Set Point Enable ON, the F4T will attempt to control the temperature at the Air Sensor.
However, the Guaranteed Soak and Wait For Process will be controlled by the Part Sensor.
This function is located in the Temperature Loop Operational Parameter screen. Pressing the
vertical ellipsis or anywhere within the outlined box shown below will provide access to the
Loop Operational Parameter screen.