Temperature Controller Calibration

Hi there,

If your temperature element is wired to the controller - the controller also has a transmitter circuit, so yes it would be necessary to calibrate it. For more information - refer to the controller documentation.

Regards,

Craig

What do you mean by "different heater"?

Are you using a heater with a different rating (e.g. 120W vs 100W)?

Are you using a different brand but with the same rating?

Are you using heaters with different diameters or lengths?

The answers to these questions will determine what the correct answer will be. Please provide more information.

If you're using the heaters with the same wattage, you should be fine if the heater fits into the heating bar as well as the original. If it is a loose fit, you'll have problems getting the same performance.

If you didn't change the temperature sensor, I don't see how changing the heater will affect the calibration. The new heater may be slower or faster, or it be more powerful or less powerful than the original, but that will only affect the performance, not the reading.

regards,

Vulcan

Are you using the same type thermocouple as you did with the other controller? Temp. controllers are usually set for a certain type thermocouple (j, k, s, r and so on) I have had problems before with a controller being set for a J type and I would be trying hook it to a K type thermocouple or visa versa. Most PID controllers are able to be set to several different type thermocouples in the programing menu. This is just an idea but I think it is worth checking before troubleshooting further and usually it is very easy to check. I have several Watlow brand controllers in use and they are very simple to check and/or change the thermocouple type and they will not be accurate if it is not set correctly.

Yes, very necessary. By calibration you are comparing your instrument reading or measurement to a standard of known acurracy (calibrated also to a national/international standard traceable to national metrology laboratory in your place)

Now a days, its very simple to calibrate controllers, they are users friendly.

You said that you are getting different reading because you used different heater.

Using different heater higher or lower rating, the cycle time of on and off is affected, you may need to to adjust its P, I, D parameters to tune again to its response to load deviation, that's why you are getting different reading.

If your cotroller has auto tune function try to swicth it on, if still you not getting good response, Try asking a help with your machine supplier.