Flexible Temperature Control for Process Instrumentation

Intertec (UK) has launched an explosion-proof smart programmable controller for precision temperature regulation of process instrumentation and analyser enclosures in hazardous environments. Suitable for use with any explosion-proof electric heater from Intertec’s extensive range of compatible heaters, the new generation Smart Controller 2.0 brings exceptional flexibility to thermal management. Advanced facilities include fieldbus networking, extensive monitoring and diagnostic routines, programmable temperature ramping, data logging, and temperature monitoring with user-definable limits.

The controller has a switching capacity of up to 10 A, enabling it to be used with explosion-proof heaters with power ratings as high as 2,300 W, depending on the ambient and required enclosure/equipment temperatures and the heater supply voltage.

Heater systems based on Smart Controller 2.0 may be used to control the temperature of equipment or the surrounding air in an enclosure or cabinet very accurately, and are especially suitable for use with analytical instruments that need to be maintained at high temperatures and are located in hazardous environments. Typical applications include analysers handling difficult media in oil, gas and petrochemical processing plants.

When used in conjunction with an Intertec CP xxxTHERM HI explosion-proof heater, the controller provides an all-in-one solution that does not require separate safety certification. The complete controller/heater system is fully approved to international explosion proof standards including ATEX, IEC, CSA C/US and GOST.

Intertec’s range of THERM HI explosion-proof electric heaters includes both finned and block styles, for convection air heating or direct equipment heating by conduction, and covers output power levels from 60 W to 500 W. As standard, they are available with a choice of 120 V or 230 V input, and are also CSA C/US approved for 277 V.

The new digital PID (proportional-integral-derivative) controller provides a very high level of accuracy and functionality. Operating as a remote terminal unit (RTU), it uses the Modbus RTU communications protocol over an

RS485 serial network to facilitate easy integration with existing process control systems. As many as 31 controllers can be set up and monitored in one branch of a network.