OMRON Releases Enhanced Versions of Temperature Controller

Keywords: temperature controllers, high-visibility displays, digit shift function, management efficiency, temperature control.

OMRON Corporation announces the release of the following digital temperature controllers:

• E5CC (48×48mm)
• E5EC (48×96mm)

These two new temperature controllers are based on OMRON's existing temperature controller, of which over 3 million units have been sold worldwide.  They feature the same level of usability and the same wiring and basic operation methods of the previous model, yet are more compact lengthwise, have enhanced capabilities, and feature extra high-visibility white LCD displays with larger characters.

Though PLCs and touch panels are commonly used to manage temperature control, since temperature control settings need to be adjusted often, there is a demand for stand-alone temperature controllers to facilitate frequent adjustments.  Such demand is also becoming apparent in China and other emerging markets.  There is also demand for high-visibility displays to confirm displayed values and settings in a variety of viewing conditions.

Main features

1. Enhanced visibility with newly redesigned LCD
To enhance visibility, large white characters (15.2 mm high for E5CC and 18 mm for E5EC) are used to show present value (PV).  Viewing angle range and contrast ratios have also been enhanced with the new LCD.  The display can be read unambiguously from greater distances and in less favorable lighting conditions.

2. Enhanced user-friendliness
Since E5CC and E5EC units can be powered simply by connecting them to a computer via a USB communication converter cable (sold separately) they can be operated from a desk without any additional cabling.  Parameter setting can be carried out without an instruction manual with the CX-Thermo configuration tool software (sold separately).  E5CC and E5EC units feature a 'digit shift function,' that makes it easier to adjust target values.

Each digit of four-digit values can be set independently unlike conventional units with only one adjustment button.

3. Enhanced control capabilities
E5CC and E5EC units boast 50ms sampling periods (5 times faster than the previous model) despite their being standard general-purpose temperature controllers.

The kind of temperature control which up till now only could be performed with advanced controllers is now possible with E5CC and E5EC units meaning they are able to cover a wider range of applications.

4. Enhanced functions with an increased number of inputs and outputs
E5EC units can handle a maximum of 4 auxiliary outputs and 6 event inputs.   E5CC and E5EC units also handle various other input/outputs including transfer outputs and remote SP inputs from external devices.  With this increased number of inputs/outputs and optional functions, temperature control which up till now has required multiple controller units can now be performed with a single controller thereby contributing to maintenance and inventory management efficiency.

ARC Advisory Group