Chapter 3: Use
19
Chapter 3
:
Use
This chapter covers normal use of the TDC5 Temperature Controller. The TDC5 is intended primarily for use in
the Gamry Instruments CPT Critical Pitting Test System. It should also prove useful in other applications.
The TDC5 is based on the Omega CS8DPT temperature controller. Please read the Omega documentation to
familiarize yourself with the operation of this apparatus.
Using Framework Scripts to Set Up and Control Your TDC5
For your convenience, the Gamry Instruments Framework
™ software
includes a number of Explain
™
scripts that
simplify setup and tuning of the TDC5. These scripts include:
TDC5 Start Auto Tune.exp
Used to start the controller auto-tune process
TDC5 Initialize Settings.exp
Restores the TDC5 to the factory default settings
There is one downside to using these scripts. They only run on a computer that has a Gamry Instruments
potentiostat installed in the system and currently connected. If you do not have a potentiostat in the system, the
script will show an error message and terminate before it outputs anything to the TDC5.
Thermal Design of Your Experiment
The TDC5 is used to control the temperature of a electrochemical cell. It does so by turning on and off a heat
source that transfers heat to the cell. Optionally, a cooler can be used to remove heat from the cell. In either
case, the TDC5 switches AC power to the heater or cooler to control the direction of any transfer of heat.
The TDC5 is a closed-loop system. It measures the temperature of the cell and uses feedback to control the
heater and cooler.
Two major thermal problems are present to some degree in all system designs:
The first problem is temperature gradients in the cell. They are invariably present. However, they can be
minimized by proper cell design.
You cannot run any TDC5 script on a computer that does not include a Gamry Instruments
potentiostat.
Tuning the TDC5 so that it works optimally on your experimental setup is very difficult using
the front-panel controls of the TDC5. We
strongly recommend
that you use the scripts listed above to tune
your TDC5.
