This Product Selection Guide contains information to help select products in the Controllers - Process, Temperature category on DigiKey.com
Process and temperature controllers are small, integrated devices used to maintain a process variable, usually temperature, at some desired set point. Typically making use of a sensor such as a thermocouple or RTD that is located external to the controller, the simplest of these devices is similar in function to a common household thermostat, providing an on/off signal that can be used to control a device such as a heater or furnace to maintain a temperature at some desired set point. More advanced devices add higher level communications capability and more sophisticated control algorithms to improve connectivity and temperature control performance.
SelectionCharacteristics
Type: Indicates the style and configuration of the device.
Input Range: Indicates the span(s) of analog signal quantities over which a device is designed to operate.
Output Type: Indicates the type of electrical output the device provides, such as analog, relay, or voltage.
Control Method: Indicates the control scheme(s) implemented by a device.
Communications: Enumerates communication interface(s)/protocol(s) implemented by a controller.
Number of Characters Per Row: For products incorporating a segmented display, the display width in terms of number of alphanumeric characters that can be shown on each row of the display.
Display Type: Describes the user interface for indication.
Display Characters - Height: Indicates the vertical dimension of the digits/letters used by a device to visually display information about some quantity measured or controlled by a device.
Voltage - Supply: Typically represented by a range, this indicates the low and high voltage limits which one can expect standard operation. Voltages outside this range may damage the device and other system components.
Panel Cutout Dimensions: Indicates the size and shape of the hole that would accommodate the device for mounting.
Mounting Type: Indicates how the device is attached.
Termination Style: Selection of termination style used to connect the device to a system, such as quick connect or screw terminals.
Ingress Protection: IP (Ingress Protection) ratings such as (IP20, IP65, IP67, etc.) define how likely water and dirt will get into the system. The first number represents dirt and solid contaminants while the second represents water and liquids.
IP Ratings
| Solids | Liquids | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Protected against solids larger than 50mm. | Protected against vertically falling drops of water. Limited Ingress permitted. |
| 2 | Protected against solids larger than 12.5mm. | Protected against vertically falling drops of water with the enclosure tilted up to 15 degrees from vertical. Limited ingress permitted. |
| 3 | Protected against solids larger than 2.5mm. | Protected against spraying water up to 60 degrees from vertical. Limited ingress permitted for 3 minutes. |
| 4 | Protected against solids larger than 1mm. | Protected against water splashed from any direction. Limited ingress permitted. |
| 5 | Protected against dust. Limited ingress of dust permitted. | Will not affect operation of equipment 2-8 hours. Protected against jets of water. Limited ingress permitted. |
| 6 | Dust tight. No ingress of dust 2-8 hours. | Protected against powerful jets of water. Limited ingress permitted. |
| 7 | ______________________ | Protected against the effects of immersion in 15cm-1m for 30 minutes. |
| 8 | ______________________ | Continuous immersion in water up to 3m for long periods of time. |
| 9 | ______________________ | Protected against high pressure jets of hot water. (30 seconds) |
| 9K | ______________________ | Protected against high pressure jets of hot water. (2 minutes) |
Features: These are different capabilities or properties of the device such as a digital input or time delay.
ProductExamples
| MFR PART # | E5C2-R20JW AC100240 32572 |
|---|---|
| DIGI-KEY PART # | Z7669-ND |
| MANUFACTURER | Omron Automation and Safety |
| DESCRIPTION | Temperature Controller (Type J) 100 ~ 240VAC Panel Mount |
| DATASHEET | Click Here |
| MFR PART # | AKT7212100 |
|---|---|
| DIGI-KEY PART # | 1110-4128-ND |
| MANUFACTURER | Panasonic Industrial Automation Sales |
| DESCRIPTION | Process, Temperature Controller (RTD, Type B, C, E, J, K, N, PLII, R, S, T) 24VAC/DC DIN Rail |
| DATASHEET | Click Here |
| MFR PART # | DTB4896RRE |
|---|---|
| DIGI-KEY PART # | DTB4896RRE-ND |
| MANUFACTURER | Delta Electronics/Industrial Automation |
| DESCRIPTION | Process, Temperature Controller (RTD, Type B, E, J, K, L, N, R, S, T, TXK, U) 100 ~ 240VAC Panel Mount |
| DATASHEET | Click Here |