Serial / Digital Temperature Controllers
Last Updated: April 1, 2025
Description
Serial/Digital Temperature Controllers are devices used to maintain and regulate temperature within a specified range. They convert analog temperature signals into digital data, allowing for precise monitoring and control of temperature settings. These controllers are equipped with digital displays that show temperature readings in units such as Kelvin, Celsius, or Fahrenheit, and they can be configured to work with various types of temperature sensors.
Working Principle
Digital temperature controllers operate by converting analog temperature inputs into digital signals through an A/D conversion process. This digital data is then processed by a microcontroller, which uses programmed algorithms to determine the necessary adjustments to maintain the desired temperature. The controller then converts the digital output back into an analog signal to adjust the heating or cooling elements accordingly. This closed-loop feedback system ensures accurate temperature control and stability, making digital controllers highly useful in environments where precise temperature regulation is critical.
Applications
Digital temperature controllers are widely used in laboratory settings for precise temperature management in experiments and processes. They are also employed in industrial applications where maintaining a specific temperature is crucial, such as in chemical processing, food production, and semiconductor manufacturing. For example, in cryogenic applications, digital controllers are used to regulate the temperature of cryostats and cryocoolers, ensuring that samples are kept at the required low temperatures.
Advantages over other Temperature Controllers
Digital temperature controllers offer several advantages over analog controllers. They are generally more cost-effective, with microcontrollers available at low prices. Digital controllers provide greater flexibility, allowing for easy configuration and parameter adjustments through software. They are also less susceptible to environmental impacts such as electrical noise, which can affect the performance of analog controllers. Additionally, digital controllers can handle complex algorithms for precise temperature control, making them suitable for a wide range of applications.
Limitations
One limitation of digital temperature controllers is their reliance on electronic components, which can be sensitive to power fluctuations and may require stable power supplies to function correctly. Additionally, while digital controllers offer high precision, they may require more complex setup and calibration compared to simpler analog controllers. The need for software configuration can also be a barrier for users who are not familiar with programming or digital systems.
Considerations
When selecting a digital temperature controller, it is important to consider the initial cost, which can vary depending on the features and capabilities of the controller. Operating expenses may include the cost of maintaining a stable power supply and potential software updates. Durability is another factor, as digital controllers with robust designs are more likely to withstand harsh industrial environments. Accuracy is a key consideration, with digital controllers generally offering high precision, but this may require regular calibration to maintain. Replacement and maintenance costs should also be evaluated, as digital controllers may require specialized components or expertise for repairs.
from Cincinnati Sub-Zero Products
Save Valuable Programming Time with CSZ's Next Generation Controller. CSZ ’S new EZT-570S touch screen controller is designed with an improved interface and added functionality for ease of use. The controller, which utilizes smart-phone technology, allows users to choose to navigate their... [See More]
- Control Signal: Serial / Digital
- Control: Limit; PID; Fuzzy Logic
- Controller Type: Environmental; Humidity; Laboratory
- Features: Datalogger; Is a Chart Recorder
from RS Components, Ltd.
EPC3004 PID Temp controller, 96 x 96mm [See More]
- Control Signal: Switched Output; Serial / Digital; Other; 1 DC Output, 1 Logic, 1 Relay, 4 Digital I/O
- Standards and Compliance: RoHS
- Inputs: 2
from RS Components, Ltd.
Controller EPC 3008, no module, Ethernet [See More]
- Control Signal: Switched Output; Serial / Digital; Other; 1 Relay, 4 Digital I/O
- Inputs: 2
- Control: PID
- Standards and Compliance: RoHS
from RS Components, Ltd.
Power Controller Epower 2 Phase, 400A, 6 [See More]
- Control Signal: Serial / Digital; Other; Analogue, Digital
- Inputs: 3
- Form Factor: Chassis; Panel Mount
- Control Outputs: 2
from RS Components, Ltd.
controller meroTRON 761870 [See More]
- Control Signal: Serial / Digital; Other; Digital
- Inputs: 2
- Form Factor: DIN; DIN Rail
- Control Outputs: 2
from RS Components, Ltd.
controller meroTRON 761871 [See More]
- Control Signal: Serial / Digital; Other; Digital
- Inputs: 2
- Form Factor: DIN; DIN Rail
- Control Outputs: 2
from RS Components, Ltd.
controller meroTRON 761872 [See More]
- Control Signal: Serial / Digital; Other; Digital
- Inputs: 2
- Form Factor: DIN; DIN Rail
- Control Outputs: 2
from RS Components, Ltd.
controller meroTRON 761873 [See More]
- Control Signal: Serial / Digital; Other; Digital
- Inputs: 2
- Form Factor: DIN; DIN Rail
- Control Outputs: 2
from West Control Solutions
The Partlow 1160+ is part of the Plus Series of controllers that take flexibility and ease of use to new levels. The 1160+ controller is an evolved product from the West N6100. The product benefits from having more versatile features and user-friendly functionalities such as remote setpoint inputs,... [See More]
- Control Signal: Analog Voltage Output; Current Loop Output; Switched Output; Serial / Digital; RS485
- Form Factor: DIN
- Control: Limit; PID
- Interface: Digital Front Panel
from Distech Controls, Inc.
6 Universal inputs, 5 triac outputs (PWM or digital), 2 universal outputs [See More]
- Control Signal: Analog Voltage Output; Current Loop Output; Serial / Digital; Triac 1.0A @ 24VAC
- Features: Multi-Function; PC-Based
- Control: PID
- Form Factor: DIN; Stand-Alone (optional feature); Part of Networked System
from Thermotron Industries
The 8200 Controller is a 7 ” touchscreen controller built by Thermotron ’s highly-skilled software and hardware engineers specifically for use with an environmental chamber. The user interface is intuitive and supports robust climatic chamber operations and user-selected data access on a... [See More]
- Control Signal: Serial / Digital
- Features: Datalogger; PC-Based
- Controller Type: Environmental; Humidity; Laboratory; Environmental Testing Chambers
- Form Factor: Chassis
from Chromalox
1/4 DIN Format. 2 Control Loops. Large Graphical / Text LCD Display. Inputs - 2 Analog, 9 Digital, Remote Setpoint. 9 Outputs - Relay, SSR Drive, Triac, Analog (Linear). Up to 7 Programmable Event Outputs. Simplified Programming Wizard. Cascade and Ratio Control. Valve Motor Drive Control. Profiling... [See More]
- Control Signal: Analog Voltage Output; Current Loop Output; Switched Output; Serial / Digital; Network / Fieldbus Output; RS232, RS485, Modbus RTU Master or Slave, Ethernet - Modbus TCP Slave
- Features: Datalogger (optional feature)
- Control: Limit; Linear
- Form Factor: DIN
from Russells Technical Products
Russells BlueStar ™ color touch screen controller is a powerful state of the art chamber controller/microprocessor that makes programming your test chamber a breeze. Take control of your Russells chamber with a touch of the finger. BlueStar ™ is packed with features that you would not... [See More]
- Control Signal: Analog Voltage Output; Current Loop Output; Serial / Digital; Contact: 2A Max. Resistive, 80VA Inductive
- Features: Datalogger; Is a Chart Recorder; Rate Indication/ Control; Totalizing (Length or Roll Diameter) Indication/ Control; PC-Based
- Control: Limit
- Form Factor: Stand-Alone
from Clark Solutions
The new PXR series controllers are the newest additions to Fuji Electric ’s trusted line of temperature and process controllers. They are now packed with features and options and come in several sizes — 1/32 DIN, 1/16DIN, 1/8 DIN and 1/4 DIN. These controllers have all the standard... [See More]
- Control Signal: Analog Voltage Output; Serial / Digital
- Features: Rate Indication/ Control
- Control: PID
- Form Factor: DIN
from Florite International, Inc.
The 900 Series is an economic one loop microcomputer-based instrument incorporating user selectable digital and analog inputs, as well as analog and relay outputs. Other 900 Series features include .005% high accuracy PID, batch, and dose control functions. Additionally, the 900 Series encompasses... [See More]
- Control Signal: Analog Voltage Output; Current Loop Output; Switched Output; Serial / Digital; Network / Fieldbus Output; Screw Terminal
- Control: Limit; Linear; Feedforward; PID
- Controller Type: Laboratory
- Features: PLC; Multi-Function; Datalogger; Is a Chart Recorder; Rate Indication/ Control; Totalizing (Length or Roll Diameter) Indication/ Control
from OMEGA Engineering, Inc.
The CSC32 series compact benchtop controllers are ideal for laboratory use and applications requiring portable temperature and process control. Pre-wired input and output receptacles in the rear of the case enable quick and easy connections to power, input, power output and digital communications. [See More]
- Control Signal: Analog Voltage Output; Switched Output; Serial / Digital; RS232/485
- Features: Is a Chart Recorder; Rate Indication/ Control
- Control: Limit; PID
- Form Factor: Stand-Alone
from HM Digital, Inc.
New controller includes extended range, digital calibration, on-screen temperature, tri-color display and 4-20mA output. FEATURES. Monitors and controls TDS/EC levels for high output commercial systems. Large, bright L.E.D. display. 4-20mA output signal can connect to a PLC to record values. An... [See More]
- Control Signal: Serial / Digital
- Accuracy: 2.0
- Control: Limit
from Cubic Sensor and Instrument Co.,Ltd.
INTRODUCTION. AM6108 HVAC system controller is with built-in IAQ sensor modules, which integrated NDIR CO2 sensor, laser PM2.5 sensor, HVAC indoor air quality sensor. It can monitor and display indoor CO2 concentration, PM1.0 PM2.5 PM10 concentration, HCHO, VOC and RH&T. The signal of controller can... [See More]
- Control Signal: Analog Voltage Output (optional feature); Serial / Digital
- Control: Linear; PID
- Controller Type: Environmental; HVAC; Humidity
- Features: PLC; Multi-Function; Rate Indication/ Control
from West Control Solutions
The 1166 is a powerful, single loop profile controller for complex processes. It offers profiling capability with 4 programs each of 16 free format segments making it a leader in its class. The 1166 is an easy to use controller, which benefits from an informative display providing maximum process... [See More]
- Control Signal: Analog Voltage Output; Current Loop Output; Switched Output; Serial / Digital; RS485
- Form Factor: DIN
- Control: Limit; PID; Fuzzy Logic
- Interface: Digital Front Panel
from Thermotron Industries
Thermotron ’s 8800 Controller incorporates state-of-the-art controlling, monitoring, graphing, and reporting on a 12 ” touchscreen for a wide range of Thermotron environmental test chambers. Data collection and operation are intuitive and reliable with a Windows ®-based interface. [See More]
- Control Signal: Pulse / Frequency; Serial / Digital
- Features: Datalogger; PC-Based
- Controller Type: Environmental; Humidity; Laboratory; Environmental Testing Chambers
- Form Factor: Chassis
from Chromalox
1/4 DIN Format. 1 control loop. Large Graphical / Text LCD Display. Inputs: 2 Analog, 9 Digital, Remote Setpoint. 9 Outputs - Relay, SSR Drive, Triac, Analog (Linear). Up to 7 Programmable Event Outputs. Simplified Programming Wizard. 2nd Universal Input also For Monitoring. Ratio Control. Valve... [See More]
- Control Signal: Analog Voltage Output; Current Loop Output; Switched Output; Serial / Digital; Network / Fieldbus Output; RS232, RS485, Modbus RTU Master or Slave, Ethernet - Modbus TCP Slave
- Features: Datalogger (optional feature)
- Control: Limit; Linear
- Form Factor: DIN
from Florite International, Inc.
The Florite Model 990X is an innovative, technically superior, high quality and reliable microcomputer-based controller suitable for any commercial or industrial application. The instruments user configurable screw-terminal channels enable any mix of up to eight inputs and or outputs regardless of... [See More]
- Control Signal: Analog Voltage Output; Current Loop Output; Switched Output; Serial / Digital; Network / Fieldbus Output; Screw Terminal, DA15
- Control: Limit; Linear; Feedforward; PID
- Controller Type: Laboratory
- Features: PLC; Multi-Function; Datalogger; Is a Chart Recorder; Rate Indication/ Control; Totalizing (Length or Roll Diameter) Indication/ Control
from OMEGA Engineering, Inc.
The CY325 Series dual-channel temperature controller is capable of supporting nearly any diode, RTD, or thermocouple temperature sensor. Two independent PID control loops with heater outputs of 25 and 2 W are configured to drive either a 50 or 25 Ù load for optimal control flexibility. [See More]
- Control Signal: Analog Voltage Output (optional feature); Serial / Digital; Network / Fieldbus Output (optional feature); IEEE 488, RS232
- Control: PID
- Controller Type: Environmental; HVAC
- Features: Rate Indication/ Control
from West Control Solutions
The Partlow 1400+ is part of the Plus Series of controllers that take flexibility and ease of use to new levels. The 1400+ controller is an evolved product from the West N4100. The product benefits from having more versatile features and user-friendly functionalities such as remote setpoint inputs,... [See More]
- Control Signal: Analog Voltage Output; Current Loop Output; Switched Output; Serial / Digital; RS485
- Form Factor: DIN
- Control: Limit; PID
- Interface: Digital Front Panel
from Thermotron Industries
The AST-8800 Controller features an intuitive, Windows ®-based user interface specifcially designed for use with HALT HASS test chambers. The flat screen color monitor displays power spectral density, temperature, and vibration data from a HALT or HASS test. Users define how multiple... [See More]
- Control Signal: Serial / Digital
- Features: Datalogger; PC-Based
- Controller Type: Environmental; Humidity; Laboratory; Thermal Shock Chambers
- Form Factor: Chassis
from OMEGA Engineering, Inc.
The Omega ® DPiTH and CNiTH Series instruments monitor and control both temperature and relative humidity. All meters and controllers in the series are high quality, highly accurate instruments featuring Omega's award-winning iSeries technology, uncompromising accuracy, and Made in the U.S.A. [See More]
- Control Signal: Analog Voltage Output; Switched Output; Pulse / Frequency; Serial / Digital; Network / Fieldbus Output; RS232/485, IEEE 802.3
- Control: Limit
- Controller Type: Environmental; HVAC; Humidity
- Features: Rate Indication/ Control
from West Control Solutions
The 1401+ limit controller is a member of the P series family. The instrument provides a latched relay output which is activated when process value either exceeds or falls below the a pre-set limit level, providing a fail-safe cut off which has to then be reset before the process can continue. The... [See More]
- Control Signal: Switched Output; Serial / Digital; RS485
- Form Factor: DIN
- Control: Limit
- Interface: Digital Front Panel
from Thermotron Industries
This climatic chamber controller allows for flexibility and versatility during thermal shock and temperature cycling profile operation. A 12 ” touchscreen displays the intuitive, Windows ®-based operating system. The 8825 Controller allows temperature programs that utilize the chamber's... [See More]
- Control Signal: Serial / Digital
- Features: Datalogger; PC-Based
- Controller Type: Environmental; Humidity; Laboratory; Environmental Testing Chambers
- Form Factor: Chassis
from OMEGA Engineering, Inc.
The CN8240/CN8260 1/8 DIN vertical and 1/4 DIN temperature/ process controllers are extremely versatile and user-friendly. The operator needs to review only those parameters relevant to the particular application during setup. A dual digital display offers optimum process information at a glance. [See More]
- Control Signal: Analog Voltage Output; Switched Output; Pulse / Frequency; Serial / Digital; RS232/485
- Control: Limit; PID
- Controller Type: Environmental; HVAC
- Features: Rate Indication/ Control
from West Control Solutions
The 1460 is a sophisticated, single loop controller which provides extensive profiling programming options for complex processes. The controller can create a profile with up to 121 segments, store up to 8 programs and configure and store extra programs on a PC. The 1460 has been designed to provide... [See More]
- Control Signal: Analog Voltage Output; Current Loop Output; Switched Output; Serial / Digital; RS422 & RS485
- Form Factor: DIN
- Control: Limit; PID
- Interface: Digital Front Panel
from OMEGA Engineering, Inc.
The CN3101 is a compact, fully programmable high or low limit controller. It is UL listed and has FM approval as a limit controller. With user programmable inputs, outputs and high/low limit features, it is adaptable to almost any limit control application, and can easily be reconfigured as needed. [See More]
- Control Signal: Analog Voltage Output; Switched Output; Serial / Digital; RS232/485
- Control: Limit (optional feature); Fuzzy Logic (optional feature)
- Controller Type: Environmental; HVAC
- Features: Multi-Function; Rate Indication/ Control
from West Control Solutions
A compact, fully featured controller for demanding applications. Pro-16 is the only controller of its size, flexible with up to 6 outputs, 2 digital inputs, a remote setpoint input, RS485 communications* and linked to best in class Blue Control software. The Pro-16 offers many integrated features... [See More]
- Control Signal: Switched Output; Serial / Digital; RS485
- Form Factor: DIN
- Control: Limit
- Interface: Digital Front Panel
from OMEGA Engineering, Inc.
The CN7500 Series temperature/process controller ’s advanced control features can handle the most demanding temperature or process applications. Enclosed in a compact 1/32 DIN housing, the CN7500 has dual, 4-digit LED displays for local indication of process value and setpoint. Control methods... [See More]
- Control Signal: Analog Voltage Output; Current Loop Output; Switched Output; Serial / Digital; RS485
- Features: Rate Indication/ Control
- Control: Limit; PID
- Form Factor: DIN
from West Control Solutions
The Pro-EC44 dual temperature controller has been designed to simplify user operation through an intuitive HMI combined with easy-to-use configuration and simulation software, Blue Control ©. This allows the controller to be used by a variety of personnel without compromising the functionality... [See More]
- Control Signal: Switched Output; Serial / Digital; RS485
- Form Factor: DIN; 1/4 DIN Format
- Control: Limit
- Interface: Digital Front Panel
from OMEGA Engineering, Inc.
The CN7600 Series 1/8 DIN temperature/process controllers offer versatility and reliability for temperature and process monitoring applications. Designed as a vertical mount 1/8 DIN controller, the CN7600 features dual outputs, universal input, and up to three additional alarm outputs. The second... [See More]
- Control Signal: Analog Voltage Output; Current Loop Output; Switched Output; Serial / Digital; RS485
- Features: Rate Indication/ Control
- Control: Limit; PID
- Form Factor: DIN