ZONE CONTROL
1. FEATURES AND INHANCEMENTS
•
3 separately controlled zones ( 3 t/c inputs, 3 outputs )
•
Adjustable offsets for each thermocouple (t/c)
•
Continues to fire with 1 or 2 failed thermocouples (t/c’s)
•
Suspend ramping when any zone lags the set-point
•
Reset function which zeros the t/c offsets, turns the errors on, and sets the lag to 13 degrees
•
Decimal points in the display can be used as pilot lights
Press the “8” key during a firing and the 1000’s decimal point will light when the top elements are on, 100’s
decimal point when middle elements are on, and 10’s decimal point when the bottom elements are on.
2. GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The V6-CF advanced 3-zone control system is programmed the same as the single zone control but it has new
features to ensure even firing from the top to the bottom of the kiln. A 3-zone control has 3 temperature sensor inputs
(thermocouples) and 3 independent outputs so the kiln can have 3 separately controlled sections (zones). The
controller senses the temperature in each section of the kiln, compares the temperature to the desired temperature
(traveling set-point) and adjusts the power going to each section separately giving each just the right amount of power
to keep the temperature at the correct setting. The single zone controller only measures the temperature at the center
of the kiln and gives all sections the same amount of power.
3. ADJUSTABLE LAG
For tighter control from one section to the next, the controller has a programmable “lag” feature so the user can set
how much the temperature in any zone can lag behind the traveling set-point. The maximum lag setting is 99, the
default setting is 13. The controller senses when any section is lagging behind the traveling set-point and keeps the
controller from increasing the traveling-set point until the lagging section catches up. Ramping of the traveling set-
point is only suspended when a section is behind by more than the programmed “lag”. A smaller “lag” will result in
tighter control between the sections but it will increase the firing time. “rSEt” will set the “lag” to 13. Therefore,
anytime a section is more than 13 degrees behind the traveling set-point the controller will wait for the lagging section
to catch up before increasing the traveling set-point. Turning error codes (ErCd) off will also turn off the lag feature.
4. THERMOCOUPLE OFFSETS ( see T/C offsets and Cone offsets in the OPTIONS
SECTION for more information)
Normal variation in thermocouples (t/c) can cause a section to fire too hot or too cool. The zone control has an offset
feature to adjust the reading of each thermocouple to compensate for any error. For example, if shelf cones indicate
that the bottom section is under firing, it means that the controller thinks the bottom section actually reached the
ending temperature when it really was below the ending temperature. To correct this problem, a negative
thermocouple offset is required. This offset will be subtracted from the actual reading and will lower the temperature
reading in that section. A negative offset will cause a section to fire to a higher temperature increasing the heat-work
for that section. A positive offset will cause a section to fire to a lower temperature decreasing the heat-work for
that section. “rSEt” in Other menu will return all the t/c offsets to 0.
5. THREE THERMOCOUPLES
Besides better measuring of the temperature, the zone control also offers security through its three thermocouples.
With a single zone controller, a firing will be stopped if the thermocouple (t/c) fails. The zone control with 3 t/c’s,
will continue to fire if one or two of its thermocouples fail during a firing. If the top or bottom thermocouple fails
that section will be controlled by the middle t/c. If the middle thermocouple fails the middle section will be controlled
by the top t/c. If at “IdLE” and a t/c fails, the display will alternate between FAIL and the number of the failed t/c
(1,2,3). The temperature of each zone can be viewed. The temperature will alternately flash with the currently
selected zone. To select zone 1, press the “1” key and tC 1 will alternate with the current zone 1 temperature. For
zone 2 press the “2” key, for zone 3 press the “3” key.
