RKC Instrument announces the introduction of SA201, a 32nd DIN instrument with large all red dual displays. The SA201 is designed for close vertical or horizontal mounting to effectively utilize control board or panel space. The internal assembly can be removed from the front of the case for easy inspection or maintenance.

The SA201 accepts a wide variety of input types and 4-20mA, relay, and voltage pulse outputs. An optional digital contact input is available for RUN/STOP and SV1/SV2 switching. The 4-20mA output is programmable to a control output or retransmission of the set value or process value. Optional temperature and control loop break alarms can be selected to detect heater breaks, thermocouple, RTD, relay failures and short circuits. Ranges and scaling are field-programmable. DeviceNet and Profibus connectivity is available as well as serial RS-485 communications.

Coupled with size and the ability to capture both peak and low values and to reset from the front of the controller it is cost effective as an indicator.

The same functions are available with a green and red display in RKC's SA200.

9-5-02
RKC Instrument announces a new compact micro processor based thyristor "Power Controller" which responds quickly to setting input changes in fast response applications such as RTP (Rapid Thermal Process). The 48mm width unit is packed with standard functions which include gradient setting, ramp-up and ramp-down with a soft-start and soft-down, and high/low output limiters. Additional features include three types of output modes and base-up setting (output bias).

The THV operates at 100 up to 240V AC and automatically selects power supply frequency 50 or 60Hz. Three types of control modes are selectable: phase control, zero-cross control to suppress high frequency noise, or zero-cross control.

Set values and input signals can be checked and monitored easily by the front digital display keys. Setting can also be made with an external setting unit like a variable resistor.

The HA Series, available in 1/4 and 1/8 DIN sizes, is a panel mounted controller with a large bright LED display for easy viewing. A maximum of two PID loops of control is provided in a single unit. Select from single loop, dual loop, or cascade control modes. It has a multi-memory area which stores up to 16 sets of parameters allowing the unit to serve as a 32-segment ramp/soak controller. Modbus, Profibus, and DeviceNet communications are available. Additional functions include power feed forward and independent dual digital communication ports.

The same features and high sampling speed are offered in the SRX modular DIN rail mounted controller. The SRX controls up to two loops per unit but up to 31 modules may be joined to form a system, saving on wiring and labor expenses. The ramp/soak function provides for 16 patterns of 16 segments for a total of 256 segments.

RKC INSTRUMENT ANNOUNCES AN ADDITIONAL OPTION FOR THE HEATER BREAK ALARM ON THE VERSATILE CB SERIES CONTROLLERS

A new two point input allows for a Three Phase Heater Break Alarm in addition to the single phase currently offered. Heater Break alarms reduce down time by detecting a heater load that has been either partially or completely broken. The HBA function requires a 30 or 100 Amp current transformer to check actual amperage on the heater load. The series continues to offer three other user-programmable alarms that may be set for High, Low, Band, or Loop Break Alarm.

The CB Series, available in 1/16th, 1/8th vertical and horizontal, 72mm and 1/4th DIN sizes,
feature large, easy-to-read displays. The series accepts thermocouple, RTD, current and voltage input with ranges and scaling that are user-programmable. Relay, voltage, and current outputs are available as plug- in modules for easy field installation. MODBUS protocol is available.

Other features include digital inputs, analog retransmission for use with chart recorders or other devices requiring process information, and RUN/STOP or RUN/Standby modes. These contact inputs allow the user to remotely control PID loop calculations and output to the process without turning off the display.

4-8-02:

SOUTH BEND, IN - RKC Instrument announces DeviceNet and Profibus communications gateways for its product lines. The new COM-G and COM-H modules are compact DIN rail mounted units that convert standard serial communication protocols to Profibus or DeviceNet following ODVA guidelines.

The COM-G converter interfaces with RKC single loop controllers to enable them to work as a slave to the PLC via Profibus. A single COM-G accepts up to 31 instruments to be linked.

The new COM-H converts protocol between RKC standard/ANSI used by multi-loop controls and the PLC to DeviceNet. It can link with up to 20 zones of autotuning PID control.

3-20-02:

SOUTH BEND, IN - RKC Instrument announces the introduction of the H-PCP-J Power/CPU module for their SR Mini HG modular process control system. The new module contributes to saving engineering time and effort spent on communication programming.

The new module can talk MODBUS, DeviceNet or Profibus and RKC host communication at the same time by using an additional communications port, allowing the controller to communicate with a host PC at a control room and a local operator at the factory floor. Interfacing a temperature control system has never been easier! The Mapman function built into the H-PCP-J will automatically write data into most PLC's, reducing programming time normally required. Selections for PC type and serial communications protocol type are easily made by a DIP switch. The communication speed at all ports has been increased up to 38.4K.

The SR Mini HG System is an advanced high performance multi-zone PID Temperature control system. The system is capable of controlling up to 320 temperature zones per operator interface. The unique design enables the process engineer to freely configure the controller for specific applications. Each module, no larger than four 3 ½" floppy disks, has two PID loops and mounts inside a control panel on a DIN rail. The SR Mini System is ideal for processing accurate temperature control loops in conjunction with a PLC system or as a stand alone temperature control system.

2-24-02:

SOUTH BEND, IN - RKC Instrument announces the release of the new SA100 16th DIN controller with an optional DIN rail mounting socket. The socket allows for quick and easy mounting. Maintenance is simple as the unit can be easily separated from the socket.

The SA100 has two methods of determining PID constants. Self-tuning constantly monitors the control state and adjusts PID parameters for optimum control. Auto-tuning is executed on demand by the user and allows the PID constants to be reset and held in memory.

The SA100 accepts thermocouple, RTD, and voltage or current inputs. An optional digital contact input is available for RUN/STOP switching or SV1/SV2 switching. The two points of output can be used for control, alarms, or analog retransmission. Alarm choices include Temperature, Set Value, and Loop Break.

The SA100's communication option is RS-485 interface for networking to computers,
PLC's and SCADA software. Protocol may be either MODBUS or ANSI.

The versatility of the SA100 makes it suitable to both the end-user and OEM markets in numerous applications.