THORLABS TC200 User manual

TC200, TC200-EC
Temperature Controller
User Guide

Temperature Controller
Table of Contents
Chapter 1 Warning Symbol Definitions................................................................................................1
Chapter 2 Description ............................................................................................................................2
Chapter 3 Safety......................................................................................................................................3
Chapter 4 Features.................................................................................................................................4
4.1. Front and Rear Panel................................................................................................. 4
4.2. Operation.................................................................................................................... 5
Chapter 5 Stand-Alone Operation.........................................................................................................7
5.1. Initial Setup ................................................................................................................ 7
5.2. Turning the Controller On......................................................................................... 7
5.3. Enabling the Heater................................................................................................... 7
5.4. Adjusting the Temperature in NORMAL Mode......................................................... 7
5.5. Turning the Heater Off............................................................................................... 8
5.6. Navigating the Front Panel........................................................................................ 8
5.6.1. Overview ...............................................................................................................................8
5.6.2. Selecting and Adjusting the Gains: P, I, D, and Tune...........................................................9
5.6.3. Selecting the Temperature Sensor: PTC100 vs. PTC1000 vs. TH10K..............................10
5.6.4. Selecting and Adjusting the Maximum Temperature and Power: TMAX and PMAX .........11
5.6.5. Selecting the Units Displayed: Celsius vs. Fahrenheit vs. Kelvin.......................................11
5.6.6. Selecting the Operating Mode: NORMAL vs. CYCLE ........................................................12
5.7. CYCLE Mode............................................................................................................ 13
5.8. TUNE Function......................................................................................................... 14
5.9. TMAX Function ........................................................................................................ 14
5.10. Sensor Alarm ........................................................................................................... 15
5.11. Setting the PID Gains .............................................................................................. 15
Chapter 6 Operating from a Computer...............................................................................................16
6.1. Overview................................................................................................................... 16
6.2. Installation................................................................................................................ 16
6.2.1. Software and USB Driver Installation..................................................................................17
6.3. The Command Line Interface.................................................................................. 20
6.3.1. Setup and Connection.........................................................................................................20
6.3.2. Terminal Commands and Queries......................................................................................21
Chapter 7 Output Connector Pin-Outs...............................................................................................25
Chapter 8 Temperature Sensor Specifications.................................................................................26
8.1. PT100 and PT1000 ................................................................................................... 26
8.2. TH10K....................................................................................................................... 26
Chapter 9 Troubleshooting..................................................................................................................27
Chapter 10 General Maintenance..........................................................................................................28

Temperature Controller
10.1. AC Line Voltage....................................................................................................... 28
10.2. Installing Fuses........................................................................................................ 28
10.3. General Maintenance............................................................................................... 28
10.4. Cleaning ................................................................................................................... 28
Chapter 11 Auxiliary Output.................................................................................................................. 29
11.1. Operating the Gas Cell Heater ................................................................................ 29
11.2. Alternate Use of the Auxiliary Output..................................................................... 29
Chapter 12 Specifications...................................................................................................................... 30
12.1. Accessories ............................................................................................................. 30
Chapter 13 Warranty............................................................................................................................... 31
Chapter 14 Regulatory ...........................................................................................................................32
Chapter 15 Certifications and Compliance..........................................................................................33
Chapter 16 Thorlabs Worldwide Contacts........................................................................................... 34

Temperature Controller Chapter 1: Warning Symbol Definitions
Rev N, July 31, 2017 Page 1
Chapter 1 Warning Symbol Definitions
Note: Throughout this manual, references to temperature are with respect to °C, even though the TC200 can be
set to display °C, °F, or K.
Below is a list of warning symbols you may encounter in this manual or on your device.
Symbol
Description
Direct Current
Alternating Current
Both Direct and Alternating Current
Earth Ground Terminal
Protective Conductor Terminal
Frame or chassis Terminal
Equipotentiality
On (Supply)
Off (Supply)
In Position of a Bi-Stable Push Control
Out Position of a Bi-Stable Push Control
Caution, Risk of Electric Shock
Caution, Hot Surface
Caution, Risk of Danger
Warning, Laser Radiation
Caution, Spinning Blades May Cause Harm

Temperature Controller Chapter 2: Description
Page 2 TTN051989-D02
Chapter 2 Description
The TC200 Temperature Controller is a bench top controller intended for use with resistive heating elements rated
up to 18 Watts. This general purpose instrument can drive various types of heaters, including foil and resistive coil
types. It accepts feedback from either positive or negative temperature coefficient thermistors, has programmable
P, I, and D gains, and will display the temperature in °C, °F, or K. In addition, it can be programmed for up to five
sequential temperature settings along with associated ramp and hold times for each level. A user-programmable
maximum temperature limit provides protection to the device being heated, and a user-programmable power limit
protects the heating element from being over driven.
Capable of stand-alone operation from a simple keypad interface, the TC200 can be interfaced with a PC
using a standard USB Type B connector and our TC200 Application Program. Interfacing with a PC can
also be achieved by using LabViewor LabWindowswith a simple command-line interface from any
terminal window.
Contents of Package
Each TC200 is shipped with the following standard accessories:
TC200 User Guide
IEC 320-Compatible 120 VAC Line Cord for North American AC Wall Sockets (with the TC200) or
230 VAC Line Cord for Europe (with the TC200-EC)
CD-ROM Containing TC200 Application Software and USB Drivers
USB Standard B Cable

Temperature Controller Chapter 3: Safety
Rev N, July 31, 2017 Page 3
Chapter 3 Safety
SHOCK WARNING
HIGH VOLTAGE INSIDE
To avoid electrical shock, the power cord protective grounding conductor must be connected to
ground. Do not operate without cover installed. Refer servicing to qualified personnel.
Thorlabs provides the proper 120 VAC power input cable with each TC200 for use in the United States and the
proper 230 VAC power input cable with each TC200-EC for use in Europe. If using this unit anywhere else, the user
will need to supply a properly grounded power cable to power the unit.
ATTENTION
Do not obstruct the air ventilation slots in the housing.
All statements regarding safety of operation and technical data in this instruction manual will only apply when the
unit is operated correctly.
WARNING
Before applying power to your TC200 system, make sure that the protective conductor of the 3
conductor mains power cord is correctly connected to the protective earth contact of the socket
outlet! Improper grounding can cause electric shock resulting in severe injury or even death.
Make sure that the line voltage rating marked on the rear panel agrees with your local supply and that the
appropriate fuses are installed. Changing of the mains fuse can be done by the user (see page 28 for details).
ATTENTION
This unit must not be operated in explosive environments.
With the exception of the mains fuses, there are no user-serviceable parts in this product.
This device can only be returned when packed into the complete original packaging, including all foam packing
inserts. If necessary, ask for a replacement package.
Mobile telephones, cellular phones or other radio transmitters are not to be used within the range of three meters
of this unit since the electromagnetic field intensity may exceed the maximum allowed disturbance values according
to EN50082-1.

Temperature Controller Chapter 4: Features
Page 4 TTN051989-D02
Chapter 4 Features
4.1. Front and Rear Panel
Figure 1 TC200 Front and Rear Panel
1. Power Switch –Turns the unit On and Off.
2. Power On Indicator –When this text is lit, power is applied to the unit.
3. LCD Display –Provides status and temperature information when in the main screen as shown above.
Various programmable mode screens are accessible via the Keypads (4). See Navigating the Front
Panel on page 8 for more details.
4. Keypads –Used to adjust the temperature set-point (Temp Set), enable and disable the output, and
navigate through the various Mode screens.
5. Heater On Indicator –When this text is lit, the output relay is energized, and the heater controller is
enabled. Note: there are situations where the indicator (and relay) will NOT be on, yet the heater controller
will still be enabled –See Maximum Temperature Shutdown on page 6.
6. Cooling Fan
1
2
4
5
6
7
9
10
8
3

Temperature Controller Chapter 4: Features
Rev N, July 31, 2017 Page 5
7. Main Output –Use this output to connect to the heating system. See page 25 for connector information.
8. Auxiliary Output –This output is intended for use only with Thorlabs' GCH Gas Cell Heaters. It provides
an unregulated output current proportional to the Main Output current. See page 29 for more information.
9. USB Connector –Use this connector for all serial interface connections.
10. AC Input Connector
4.2. Operation
1. Programmable Proportional (P), Integral (I), and Derivative (D) gain settings –The P, I, and D gains
can each be set to values from 0 to 250 (I and D) and 1 to 250 (P gain only). These values indicate
representative shares of each gain stage, not absolute gain values (which are fixed internally). Adjust each
of the gains accordingly to affect the best response from the particular heating system being controlled.
See page 9 for more details.
2. Automatic Offset Tune –Often times P, I, or D controllers will not perform as one would hope, leaving
either an offset value or constant oscillations about the set-point. The TUNE function allows the user to
tune the output of the TC200 exactly to the set-point value without having to adjust the P, I, or D controls.
Ideally the I gain and D gain settings should be set to zero and only the P gain should be adjusted to provide
a stable temperature. Once the temperature has reached its maximum value (which should be slightly less
than the set-point), enabling the TUNE function will digitally calculate the offset and adjust the output to
meet the set-point.
3. Selectable Resistive Sensors –The TC200 allows the use of three different types of resistive temperature
sensors: platinum PT100 and PT1000 resistors with Positive Temperature Coefficients (PTC), and a
standard Negative Temperature Coefficient (NTC) TH10K 10 kΩresistor. When selecting TH10K as the
sensor, you can also enter the Beta value for the device to provide more accurate operation. The default
Beta value shipped with the unit is 3970. See page 26 for more information on the sensors.
4. Maximum Temperature Limit –A value for a maximum temperature limit (TMAX) can be programmed
into the TC200. TMAX can range from 20.0 to 205.0 C. The set-point value is limited to a maximum of
TMAX or 200.0 C, whichever is lower. If TMAX is set to a value that is below the current set-point
temperature, the set-point will automatically be lowered to the TMAX value, along with all stopping
temperatures programmed into the cycle parameters that are greater than TMAX. Note: The capability to
attain Maximum Temperature is load dependent.
5. Maximum Power Limit –A value for a maximum output power (PMAX) can be programmed into the
TC200. Based on a maximum output voltage of 24 VDC, the PMAX value will provide the proper current
limit to the output current source that is required to limit the maximum power to the heating device.
6. Selectable Temperature Display Units –All temperature values displayed on the front panel LCD display
can be presented in either C, F, or K. Internally, the unit operates strictly on C formats. Due to the
conversion factor used, values displayed in F will not increment at even 0.1steps as they do with C and
K.
7. NORMAL vs. CYCLE Modes –Two operating modes are possible with the TC200. In NORMAL mode, the
unit operates as a single point controller, maintaining the set-point for as long as the user requires. In
CYCLE mode, the user can program one to five distinct temperature levels. A “ramp” time (in minutes) can
be programmed for each step to determine how long it will take to get from the starting temperature to the
stopping temperature. A “hold” time (also in minutes) can be programmed to determine how long the system
will stay at the stopping temperature before moving on to the next step. During the course of any step,
CYCLE Mode can be paused, stopping the ramp or hold timers at their present count. Removing the paused
function will resume the cycle at the same point at which it was paused.

Temperature Controller Chapter 4: Features
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8. Sensor Alarms –The TC200 can determine whether a temperature sensing element is short circuited or
not installed (open circuit). If a short or open circuit occurs, the TEMP ACTUAL field in the main LCD display
screen will read !SENSOR! If the sensor alarm occurs during normal operation, the output will immediately
be disabled. The unit cannot become enabled again until the error is resolved.
ATTENTION
The TC200 can only determine shorted or open sensor connections; it cannot determine if the
installed sensor does not match the programmed sensor selection. Care must be taken to ensure
that the settings match the actual sensor used, or damage will occur to the heating system.
9. Maximum Temperature Shutdown –Based on the setting of the TMAX parameter discussed above, if
the TC200 reads back a temperature value that equals or exceeds TMAX, the output relay will be opened
and !TMAX! will be displayed in the MODE field of the main LCD display screen. The controller, however,
will remain enabled. Once the system temperature lowers down to the set-point value, the output relay will
be closed, connecting the controller to the heater again. If the temperature increases past TMAX again, the
relay will open. If this cycle occurs three times, on the third time, the relay will open and the controller will
automatically disable. The TMAX text will continue to be displayed until it is cleared manually by the user
by either pressing the SELECT keypad while in the main screen, or by pressing the ENABLE keypad.

Temperature Controller Chapter 5: Stand-Alone Operation
Rev N, July 31, 2017 Page 7
Chapter 5 Stand-Alone Operation
5.1. Initial Setup
1. Place the unit on a dry, level working surface.
2. Make sure the POWER switch on the front of the unit is in the OFF position (0).
3. Plug the female end of the provided AC line cord into the AC Input Receptacle on the rear of the unit. Plug
the male end into a properly grounded AC socket.
4. Connect the heater to be controlled to the MAIN OUTPUT connector on the rear panel of the unit. Refer to
page 25 for information on proper connections to the output connectors.
5.2. Turning the Controller On
1. Press the POWER switch to the ON position (|). If the AC line voltage is sufficient and the internal power
supply in the unit is fully functional, the PWR ON indicator will light up and the LCD screen will display a
brief message stating the model number and the firmware revision. After approximately 2 seconds, this
message will scroll off of the screen and the main LCD screen will appear.
2. The default power-up settings for the main screen are always NORMAL Mode, heater disabled, the last
active sensor type used, and the last temperature set-point that was active on the unit. To change these
settings, see Navigating the Front Panel on page 8.
3. All parameters from the last working session with the controller will be loaded during unit initialization. These
include: PID gain settings, “Tuning” offset, sensor selection (including the TH10K Beta value if applicable),
Maximum Temperature TMAX setting, Maximum Power PMAX setting, the last display units used (°C, °F,
or K), and all cycle mode parameters for the five programmable cycle steps.
4. If the heater has not been operated yet, the TEMP ACTUAL field on the LCD display should show a value
appropriate for a “cold” system (somewhere around room ambient temperature). If it is noticeably different,
you should double-check that the selected sensor (PTC100, PTC1000, TH10K) matches the actual sensor
used in your heating system.
5.3. Enabling the Heater
1. Press and release the ENABLE keypad on the front panel to turn on the heater. At this time, the Heater ON
indicator will immediately light up. If not, see page 27 for troubleshooting suggestions.
2. If successfully enabled, the STATUS field in the LCD screen will read “ENABLED” and the MODE field will
read either “NORMAL” or “CYCLE” depending on the particular mode chosen.
5.4. Adjusting the Temperature in NORMAL Mode
The set-point temperature can be changed at any time while in NORMAL Mode, regardless of whether the controller
is enabled, simply by pressing the UP or DOWN arrow keypads. Pressing the UP arrow will increment the
temperature by 0.1°, and pressing the DOWN arrow will decrement the temperature by 0.1°. As with all of the
numeric adjustments that can be done on the TC200, holding the arrow keypads down will accelerate the rate of
increase or decrease the longer the arrow keypad is held down.

Temperature Controller Chapter 5: Stand-Alone Operation
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5.5. Turning the Heater Off
When necessary, the heater output can be turned off by either pressing and releasing the ENABLE keypad
or pressing the POWER switch to the OFF ( 0 ) position, which will turn off the entire unit.
The heater will also turn off immediately if a shorted or open temperature sensor is detected. In that case,
!SENSOR! will be displayed on the LCD screen.
Whenever the unit is ON and the heater is not enabled, the status will be indicated as “DISABLED” on the
LCD and the HEATER ON indicator will be turned off.
5.6. Navigating the Front Panel
5.6.1. Overview
The front panel contains six keypads that can be used for various functions depending on what menu screen
is actively displayed.
The Main Display screen displays the selected temperature sensor, the basic operating mode (NORMAL
or CYCLE), the current temperature set-point, the current actual temperature, and various status messages
such as ENABLED, DISABLED, !TMAX!, and !SENSOR! alarms.
There are five MODE screens: PID parameters, Sensor Select, TMAX/PMAX values, Units Display
(°C, °F, or K), and NORMAL vs. CYCLE Mode.
There is a sixth sub-menu for programming the CYCLE Mode parameters: Stop Temp, Ramp Time, and
Hold Time.
Use the MODE keypad to access the Mode screens.
While a menu is displayed, use the SELECT keypad to move the flashing cursor to the various selection
options.
Pressing the ENTER keypad while in the Main Display screen and in NORMAL mode has no effect.
Pressing the ENTER keypad while in the Main Display screen and CYCLE Mode will PAUSE the cycle.
See CYCLE Mode on page 13 for more details.
Pressing the ENTER keypad while in a Mode menu screen will accept and save the option that corresponds
to the flashing cursor and advance you to the next menu screen or back to the MAIN screen, depending on
the situation.
Use the UP and DOWN keypads to change the set-point temperature while in the Main screen.
Use the UP and DOWN keypads to change numerical options while in any of the Mode screens.
Pressing the MODE keypad at any time while in a mode menu will do one of the following:
oIf you are in the PID Mode screen, pressing the MODE keypad will advance to the Sensor Select
menu without changing any of the current PID values.
oIf you are in the Sensor Select screen, pressing the MODE keypad will advance to the TMAX/PMAX
Mode screen without changing the sensor selection.
oIf you are in the TMAX/PMAX Mode screen, pressing the MODE key will advance to the Display
Units Selection screen without changing the units.

Temperature Controller Chapter 5: Stand-Alone Operation
Rev N, July 31, 2017 Page 9
oIf you are in the Display Units Selection screen, pressing the MODE keypad will advance to the
NORMAL vs. CYCLE Mode screen without changing the units.
oIf you are in the NORMAL vs. CYCLE Mode screen, pressing the MODE keypad will advance to
the Main screen without changing the Operating Mode selection.
Pressing the ENABLE keypad at any time, in any screen* will either enable or disable the heater, depending
on its current status.
* While in the Cycle Parameters screen, you can only disable the heater.
Special Functions –While in the Main Display screen, the SELECT keypad will perform two special
functions:
oIf you are using Thorlabs’ gas cell heaters in conjunction with the auxiliary output, pressing the
SELECT key will momentarily display the auxiliary heater’s temperature. This function only works
when the PTC100 sensor is selected.
oIf a TMAX error occurs, pressing the SELECT keypad will clear the error.
5.6.2. Selecting and Adjusting the Gains: P, I, D, and Tune
Changing the P, I, or D Gains
1. While in the Main Screen press the MODE keypad once.
2. The screen will now display the P, I, and D values as well as the text “TUNE”or “DETUNE”.
3. The cursor will be flashing over the “P”for the proportional gain value.
4. Adjust the P gain using the UP or DOWN arrow keypads. The P gain is adjustable from 1 to 250.
5. Press the SELECT keypad to move the cursor to the “I”for integral gain.
6. Adjust the I gain using the UP or DOWN arrow keypads. The I gain is adjustable from 0 to 250.
7. Press the SELECT keypad to move the cursor to the “D” for derivative gain.
8. Adjust the D gain using the UP or DOWN arrow keypads. The D gain is adjustable from 0 to 250.
9. Press the MODE keypad to escape to the next Mode screen (Sensor Select) without making any changes
to the current parameters.
10. Alternatively, press the ENTER keypad to accept any changes made to the P, I, or D values and return to
the Main Display screen.
Note: The PID screen is the only Mode screen that will return directly to the Main Display screen upon
pressing the ENTER keypad. All other Mode screens will save changes and advance to the next Mode
screen.

Temperature Controller Chapter 5: Stand-Alone Operation
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Activating or Deactivating the TUNE Function
Note: The TUNE function is only accessible in NORMAL mode when the heater is enabled. It cannot be accessed
at any time in CYCLE mode or when the heater is disabled.
1. While in the Main Display screen, press the MODE keypad once.
2. The screen will now display the PID values and “TUNE”or “DETUNE”depending on the status of the
TUNE function.
3. Press the SELECT key three times to advance to the TUNE/DETUNE text.
4. Press the ENTER keypad once.
5. The MAIN screen will now be displayed.
6. Please refer to TUNE Function on page 14 for more information on tuning the TC200.
5.6.3. Selecting the Temperature Sensor: PTC100 vs. PTC1000 vs. TH10K
Programming the Appropriate Temperature Sensor
1. While in the Main Display screen press the MODE keypad twice.
2. The screen will now display PTC100, PTC1000, TH10K, and the Beta value.
3. The cursor will be flashing over the “P” for PTC100.
4. Pressing the ENTER keypad at this time will select the PTC100 and advance you to the next Mode screen
(TMAX/PMAX).
5. Otherwise, press the SELECT keypad to move the cursor to the “P” for PTC1000.
6. Pressing the ENTER keypad at this time will select the PTC1000 and advance you to the next Mode screen
(TMAX/PMAX).
7. Otherwise, press the SELECT keypad to move the cursor to the “T” for TH10K.
8. Pressing the ENTER keypad at this time will select the TH10K and advance you to the “B” for the Beta
value within the same Mode screen.
9. Use the UP or DOWN keypads to adjust the Beta value in increments of 10 from 2000 to 6000. For entering
exact Beta values, see The Command Line Interface on page 16 or The TC200 Application Software
on page 16.
10. Pressing the ENTER keypad at this time will accept the Beta value and advance you to the next Mode
screen (TMAX/PMAX).
11. Press the MODE keypad to escape to the next Mode screen (TMAX/PMAX) without making any changes
to the current parameters.
Note: Any attempt to change the sensor while the heater is enabled will immediately disable the heater.

Temperature Controller Chapter 5: Stand-Alone Operation
Rev N, July 31, 2017 Page 11
5.6.4. Selecting and Adjusting the Maximum Temperature and Power: TMAX and PMAX
Changing the TMAX or PMAX Values
1. While in the Main Screen display, press the MODE keypad three times.
2. The screen will now display the TMAX and PMAX values.
3. The cursor will be flashing over the “T” for the TMAX value.
4. Adjust the TMAX value using the UP or DOWN arrow keypads. TMAX is adjustable from 20.0 C to
205.0 C.
5. Press the SELECT Key to move the cursor to the “P” for the PMAX value.
6. Adjust the PMAX value using the UP or DOWN arrow keypads. PMAX is adjustable from 0.1 Watts to
18.0 Watts.
7. Press the MODE keypad to escape to the next Mode screen (Units Select) without making any changes to
the current parameters.
8. Alternatively, press the ENTER keypad to accept any changes made to the TMAX or PMAX values, and
then advance to the next mode screen (Units Select).
5.6.5. Selecting the Units Displayed: Celsius vs. Fahrenheit vs. Kelvin
The Main screen and Mode screens display various information regarding the output temperature. These values
can be displayed as °C, °F, or K, depending on the user’s preferences.
Changing the Format of the Temperature Display
1. While in the Main Display screen, press the MODE keypad four times.
2. The screen will now display the Display Units Selection menu with the text “CELSIUS”, “KELVIN”, and
“FAHRENHEIT”.
3. The cursor will be flashing over the “C” in CELSIUS.
4. Pressing the ENTER keypad at this time will select Celsius and advance you to the next Mode screen
(NORMAL vs. CYCLE Mode).
5. Otherwise press the SELECT keypad to move the cursor to the “K” for KELVIN.
6. Pressing the ENTER keypad at this time will select Kelvin and advance you to the next Mode screen
(NORMAL vs. CYCLE Mode).
7. Otherwise press the SELECT keypad to move the cursor to the “F” for Fahrenheit.
8. Pressing the ENTER keypad at this time will select Fahrenheit and advance you to the next Mode screen
(NORMAL vs. CYCLE Mode).
9. Pressing the MODE keypad at any time will advance you to the next Mode screen without changing the
display format.

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5.6.6. Selecting the Operating Mode: NORMAL vs. CYCLE
Changing the Operating Mode
1. While in the Main screen press the MODE keypad five times.
2. The screen will now display “NORMAL MODE”and “CYCLE MODE”.
3. The cursor will be flashing over the “N” for NORMAL mode.
4. Pressing the ENTER keypad at this time will select NORMAL mode and advance you to the MAIN screen.
5. Press the MODE keypad to escape to the Main screen without making any changes to the current mode.
6. Otherwise, press the SELECT keypad to move the cursor to the “C” for CYCLE mode.
7. Press the MODE keypad to escape to the Main screen without changing to CYCLE mode.
8. Pressing the ENTER keypad at this time will select CYCLE Mode and advance you to the Cycle Parameters
screen described in the following section.
Changing the Cycle Parameters
The Cycle Parameters menu is a sub-menu of the NORMAL vs. CYCLE Mode menu that can only be accessed if
CYCLE Mode has been selected.
The Cycle Parameters can only be adjusted if the heater is disabled. You can navigate and review the parameter
settings while a cycle is in progress, however.
Once you have accessed the Cycle Parameters menu you can make adjustments as follows:
1. Use the SELECT keypad to move the cursor to the parameter that you wish to change:
The STOP Temperature is located in the upper left, “T=nnn.n”.
The RAMP time is located in the upper right, “Rt=nnn m”
The HOLD time is in the lower left, “Ht=nnn m”
The STEP # is in the lower right.
2. Use the UP and DOWN arrow keypads to increase or decrease the parameters.
3. Use the SELECT keypad to advance to the various parameters.
The valid range for the STOP temperature is 20.0 C to TMAX or 200.0 °C, whichever is lower.
The valid range for the RAMP and HOLD times is 1 to 999 minutes.
4. Pressing the ENTER keypad at any time will accept the changes and advance you to the next step’s
parameter screen. After step 5, you will be returned to the Main screen.
5. Pressing the MODE keypad at any time will return you to the Main screen without changes.
Note: The cycles will initiate the next time the heater is enabled.

Temperature Controller Chapter 5: Stand-Alone Operation
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5.7. CYCLE Mode
The STOP temperature determines the final temperature that the system will try to go to in the amount of
time determined by the Ramp time value.
The RAMP time is how long it will take to go from a starting temperature to a stopping temperature.
The HOLD time is how long the cycle will stay at the STOP temperature before advancing to the next step,
also known as “dwell time”.
The initial starting temperature is determined to be whatever the TEMP SET value is at the start of a cycle.
After that, the starting temperature of the subsequent step is the stopping temperature from the previous
step. That is, the stopping temperature for step 1 will be the starting temperature for step 2, and so forth.
The number of steps can be reduced by programming in the same STOP Temperature for any steps that
you don’t need. That is, if you only want one cycle that ramps from TEMP SET to the STOP temperature
over a certain amount of time, simply program in the same STOP temperature for steps 2 –5. Once the
step 1 HOLD time expires, the cycle will “jump” over steps 2 – 5 and resume operation in NORMAL mode.
NOTE: By the same token, if your starting value for TEMP SET is the same as your stopping value for step
1, then step 1 will appear to be jumped over. If ALL off your stopping values are the same as your TEMP
SET value then it will appear as though the cycle never happened.
During the course of a cycle, the following actions can be taken:
1. While in the Main screen, pressing the ENTER keypad at any time will cause the scan to pause. Once
paused, the cycle will hold at the current ramp or hold time count and remain there with the heater still
enabled. Pressing the ENTER keypad again will cause the scan to resume at the current channel.
2. While in any screen, pressing the ENABLE keypad at any time will cause the cycle to terminate
completely, turning off the heater, disabling the output, and changing the operating mode to NORMAL.
3. At no time during an active cycle can the set-point be adjusted from the Main screen using the UP or
DOWN arrow keypads.
4. At no time during an active cycle can any of the cycle parameters be adjusted.
CYCLE Mode will be terminated and changed back to NORMAL Mode as follows:
oLetting a cycle completely run its course will change the mode back to NORMAL, and the
temperature will remain at the last stopping temperature with the heater still enabled.
oPressing the ENABLE keypad during an active cycle will terminate the cycle and disable the heater.
oFrom the main screen, press the MODE keypad five times:
The NORMAL vs. CYCLE Mode menu will come on, with NORMAL mode as the active
selection.
Pressing the ENTER keypad at this point will terminate the cycle at the current temperature
and return you to the Main screen. The heater will remain enabled.

Temperature Controller Chapter 5: Stand-Alone Operation
Page 14 TTN051989-D02
5.8. TUNE Function
The TUNE function is a manually enabled feature that digital calculates the offset between the TEMP SET
value and the TEMP ACTUAL value. The offset is only calculated at one time and is not actively adjusted
after that point.
Once the TUNE function is activated, the TEMP ACTUAL value should slowly adjust to within 0.1 C of the
TEMP SET value. The rate of adjustment and accuracy depends on the PID settings.
The TUNE function should only be set once the output has reached a final value and has settled completely.
Activating a TUNE function while the temperature is changing will result in less than ideal performance.
If the unit is being DETUNED, the output will develop an offset between the set-point and actual
temperatures.
Note: For best results, the I and D values should be set to zero. The output must be completely settled before
starting a TUNE function. If for whatever reason the output needs to be retuned, you must select DETUNE from
the Gains mode screen, wait for the offset to settle out, and then select TUNE again.
The offset value calculated by any tune function will be saved to memory and will be loaded on the next
power up of the unit.
To determine if an offset value exists from a tuning action, simply enter the PID Gains mode screen. If the
text reads DETUNE, then there is an offset preset.
In general, the offset should be consistent for a large range of temperatures for the same heating system.
It may be necessary, however, to detune and then re-tune after changing set points.
Adjustments to the P, I, or D gains will affect the offset value and therefore, if the P, I, or D values are
adjusted after a tuning action has been done, the offset will be detuned.
The TUNE function can only be set while in NORMAL Mode. It is not accessible while operating in CYCLE
Mode. Once an offset is tuned in NORMAL mode, however, the tuning action will still apply to the target
temperatures set in the cycle parameters.
5.9. TMAX Function
The TMAX function allows the user to set the maximum temperature to which the control will operate.
The TEMP SET set-point temperature will be limited to the current TMAX or 200.0 C, whichever is lowest.
If the TMAX value is adjusted to a value lower than the current TEMP SET value, the TEMP SET value will
be changed to match TMAX. Note: The capability to attain Maximum Temperature is load dependent.
The STOP temperature values in the cycle parameters are limited to the current TMAX or 200.0 C,
whichever is lowest. If the TMAX value is adjusted to a value lower than any of the current STOP
temperature values, the STOP temperature values will be changed to match TMAX.
If the TC200 reads back a temperature value that equals or exceeds TMAX, the output relay will be opened
and !TMAX! will be displayed in the MODE field of the Main Display screen. The controller, however, will
remain enabled. Once the system temperature reduces down to the TEMP SET set-point value, the output
relay will re-close, connecting the controller to the heater again. If the temperature increases past TMAX
again, the relay will re-open. If this cycle occurs three times, on the third time, the relay will open and the
controller will automatically disable. The TMAX text will continue to be displayed until it is cleared manually
by the user by either pressing the SELECT keypad while in the Main screen, or pressing the ENABLE
keypad.

Temperature Controller Chapter 5: Stand-Alone Operation
Rev N, July 31, 2017 Page 15
If the temperature stabilizes to TEMP SET after having crossed the TMAX threshold less than three times,
the !TMAX! alarm will remain active in the Main Display screen to alert a user to the fact that the system
exceeded TMAX momentarily. The !TMAX! display can be cleared by pressing the SELECT keypad while
in the Main Display screen.
Pressing the SELECT keypad while in the Main Display screen will always clear the TMAX count and resets
the alarm.
Pressing the ENABLE keypad at any time with a TMAX alarm present will disable the heater and clear and
reset the TMAX alarm.
5.10. Sensor Alarm
The TC200 can determine whether a temperature sensing element is short circuited or not installed (open
circuit). If this occurs, the TEMP ACTUAL field in the Main LCD display screen will read !SENSOR! If the
sensor alarm occurs during normal operation, the output will immediately be disabled. The unit cannot
become enabled again until the error is resolved.
ATTENTION
The TC200 can only determine shorted or open sensor connections; it cannot determine if the
installed sensor does not match the programmed sensor selection. Care must be taken to ensure that
the settings match the actual sensor used, or damage will occur to the heating system.
A common sense approach to verifying the proper sensor is selected is to simply connect a heating system
to a unit that has been sitting at room ambient temperature for a while. Observe the TEMP ACTUAL value
displayed on the TC200. If the sensor has been properly programmed, the display will show a value
corresponding to the room ambient temperature.
5.11. Setting the PID Gains
The PID gains determine the overall stability and accuracy of the entire heating system. Incorrect values,
especially for the Integral (I) gain, could result in undesired overshoots and instabilities.
A good approach to setting these values is to start with a mid-range value (125) for the P gain and to set
both I and D gains to zero (0).
Enable the heater and observe the response and settling times. Typically, the system will undershoot the
set-point and settle to a value below TEMP SET. Despite the offset, the temperature should remain fairly
stable.
If the temperature offset is too great (greater than 3 to 4°), an increase in P gain might be required.
The offset can now be adjusted out by setting the I gain to a suitable value. Always start with a low value
(typically less than 10). Observe any changes in the system response after each adjustment to I gain. If the
value is too large, you will observe overshoot and oscillations about the set-point. If it is too low, you will
not remove the offset.
After arriving at a value for I gain, apply a Step function to the system by increasing the TEMP SET value
by a few degrees. Observe the response and adjust the gains accordingly.
The D gain is the hardest to observe any influence on, as it generally affects the rate at which the system
responds to disturbances. For most small heater systems being controlled by the TC200, a value of zero
(0) for the D gain is sufficient for good operation.

Temperature Controller Chapter 6: Operating from a Computer
Page 16 TTN051989-D02
Chapter 6 Operating from a Computer
6.1. Overview
The TC200 Temperature Controller is fully operational from a remote computer via a USB interface.
Connection from the computer to the TC200 is made with a standard B, USB cable.
The TC200 can be accessed directly using a command line interface and any Terminal Communications
software, such as HyperTerminal.
The TC200 can also be controlled using the TC200 Application Software provided with the unit.
6.2. Installation
Please note that you will require administrative rights on the Computer on which you plan to install the
TC200 Software.
Prior to connecting the TC200 to your computer, the USB drivers must be installed. Insert the CD packad with the
TC200 into the CD drive of your PC and you should be presented with the following “AutoPlayr” dialog box:
Click the Launch Thorlabs, Inc. CD item to start the CD Starter application, you should then be presented with the
following “CD-Starter” dialog box:
.

Temperature Controller Chapter 6: Operating from a Computer
Rev N, July 31, 2017 Page 17
Figure 2 CD Starter Screen
6.2.1. Software and USB Driver Installation
Please click “Install Software and Drivers”to begin installation of the Application and drivers, please follow the
On-Screen instructions and dialog boxes presented, to complete the installation.
Note: The USB interface is performed using an RS232 to USB converter. Your computer will reflect this as a COM
Port in your Device Manager, not a USB port.
Note: If using Windows XP, you may be presented with the following dialog box:
Figure 3 Admin Control –Windows XP
You may choose which user(s) are granted access to the TC200 software. To install the software for all users,
you must have administrative rights, if you do not, please contact your Computer Admin. If you have trouble
installing the software as noted above, you may have to Un-Check “Protect my computer and data from
unauthorized program activity”.
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