Sensor Inputs; Temperature Control - Lakeshore 336 User Manual

2 c 1: Introduction
HAPTER

1.1.1 Sensor Inputs

1.1.2 Temperature
Control
Model 336 Temperature Controller
Another innovative first from Lake Shore, the ability to custom label sensor inputs
eliminates the guesswork in remembering or determining the location to which a
sensor input is associated. As we strive to maintain increasingly demanding work-
loads, ease of use and the ability to stay connected from anywhere in the world are
critical attributes. With standard Ethernet, USB, and IEEE-488 interfaces and an intu-
itive menu structure and logic, the Model 336 was designed with efficiency, reliable
connectivity, and ease of use in mind. While you may need to leave your lab, Ethernet
ensures you'll always be connected to your experiments. The new intuitive front
panel layout and keypad logic, bright graphic display, and LED indicators enhance the
user friendly front panel interface of the Model 336.
In many applications, the unparalleled feature set of the Model 336 allows you to
replace several instruments with one, saving time, money and valuable laboratory
space. Delivering more feedback, tighter control, and faster cycle times, the
Model 336 keeps up with increasingly complex temperature measurement and con-
trol applications. It is the ideal solution for general purpose to advanced laboratory
applications. Put the Model 336 temperature controller to use in your lab and let it
take control of your measurement environment.
The Model 336 offers 4 standard sensor inputs that are compatible with diode and
RTD temperature sensors. The field installable Model 3060 thermocouple input
option provides support for up to two thermocouple inputs by adding thermocouple
functionality to inputs C and D.
Sensor inputs feature a high-resolution 24-bit analog-to-digital converter; each
input has its own current source, providing fast settling times. All four sensor inputs
are optically isolated from other circuits to reduce noise and to provide repeatable
sensor measurements. Current reversal eliminates thermal electromotive force
(EMF) errors in resistance sensors. Nine excitation currents facilitate temperature
measurement and control down to 300 mK using appropriate negative temperature
coefficient (NTC) RTDs. Autorange mode automatically scales excitation current in
NTC RTDs to reduce self heating at low temperatures as sensor resistance changes by
many orders of magnitude. Temperatures down to 1.4 K can be measured and con-
trolled using silicon or GaAlAs diodes. Software selects the appropriate excitation cur-
rent and signal gain levels when the sensor type is entered via the instrument front
panel. The unique zone setting feature automatically switches sensor inputs,
enabling you to measure temperatures from 300 mK to over 1,500 K without inter-
rupting your experiment.
The Model 336 includes standard temperature sensor response curves for silicon
diodes, platinum RTDs, ruthenium oxide RTDs, and thermocouples. Non-volatile
memory can also store up to 39 200-point CalCurves for Lake Shore calibrated tem-
perature sensors or user curves. A built-in SoftCal™ algorithm can be used to gener-
ate curves for silicon diodes and platinum RTDs that can be stored as user curves.
Temperature sensor calibration data can be easily uploaded and manipulated using
the Lake Shore curve handler software.
Providing a total of 150 W of heater power, the Model 336 is the most powerful tem-
perature controller available. Delivering very clean heater power, it precisely controls
temperature throughout the full scale temperature range for excellent measurement
reliability, efficiency, and throughput. Two independent PID control outputs supply-
ing 100 W and 50 W of heater power can be associated with any of the four standard
sensor inputs. Precise control output is calculated based on your temperature set-
point and feedback from the control sensor. Wide tuning parameters accommodate
most cryogenic cooling systems and many high-temperature ovens commonly used
in laboratories. PID values can be manually set for fine control, or the improved