Timers and Counters

Self-contained machines such as fryers for fast-food restaurants, cook-and-hold ovens, and bakery equipment usually employ a simple automatic controller. A typical controller includes one or more timer functions and, occasionally, a counter to turn the process on and off at programmed intervals in response to some external event. Timers and counter controls can be either electromechanical or solid state. They control a set of relay contacts commanded by settings dialed or keyed into their front-panel controls. In general, single-function electromechanical devices are used when the cost factor is more important than high accuracy. One reason is that these