User Manual
52
Contact us today | Tel 763.571.3121 | minco.com
Integral: A controller feature that continuously
compensates for droop by integrating errors over time
and adjusting the proportional band up and down. Also
expressed as “reset” (integral time = 1/reset rate). General
rule: Short integral times give faster correction, but too
short causes oscillation.
ISO 9001: A quality management system that is accepted
worldwide.
Kapton™: An amber-colored, polyimide material that has
high temperature capability and very good mechanical,
chemical, and electrical insulating properties. Kapton is a
DuPont trade name.
Laminate: To bond materials using heat and pressure.
Mica: A fairly brittle phyllosilicate mineral used to insulate
heaters. It is used primarily for its high temperature and
high watt density capabilities.
On/off: A simple control scheme where output is on below
the setpoint, off above, as with a thermostat.
Outgassing: The expulsion of gases, especially in a
vacuum or high temperature environment.
Overtemping: A heater exceeding its target temperature
due to damage or to the heater itself or one of its external
components
PID (Proportional, Integral, Derivative): A control
algorithm incorporating proportional, integral, and
derivative action.
Polyester: A synthetic polymer used to electrically
insulate heaters, flex-circuits, and Thermal-Ribbons™.
It is an economic alternative to polyimide, when high
temperature and chemical resistance are not critical.
Polyimide (Kapton): A flexible, amber-colored, translucent
film to electrically insulate heaters, flex circuits, and
Thermal-Ribbon sensors. It is widely used for its
temperature range and resistance to chemicals. DuPont’s
tradename for Polyimide is Kapton™.
Point-wise Thermal Regulation: The ability of SmartHeat
to control heating at individual points on the heater
surface based on ambient conditions at each point.
Prescribed set point: The temperature goal designed into
a SmartHeat heater as the point of production.
Profile: A method of providing uniform temperature, by
varying watt density in a single heater to accommodate
non-uniform heat loss from the heat sink.
Proportional band: A region around the setpoint where
the output is proportional to the process’s distance from
that setpoint. For example, 100% heater power during
warmup is proportioned to 75%, then 50%, then 25% as
temperature nears setpoint. General rule: Set just wide
enough to prevent temperature from wandering outside
band during normal operation.
Proportional control: A control method where the
controller output is proportional to the temperature
difference from set point.
PSA (Pressure-Sensitive Adhesive): An adhesive that does
not require heat or extreme pressure to apply. Simply peel
off the release liner, and firmly press into place.
PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene): A flexible electrically
insulating material known for its “non-stick” characteristic.
It is often used for its excellent chemical resistance.
DuPont’s tradename for PTFE is Teflon™.
Quantum Tunneling: The process by which electrons
travel between conductive carbon particles in a non-
conductive silicone matrix.
Radiation: The transfer of thermal energy through space
(especially a vacuum) by electromagnetic waves.
Resistance density: Resistance per unit area. Usually
listed as a maximum, it is dependent upon construction
materials such as foil, adhesive, and insulation.
Resistance tolerance: The range of actual resistance from
nominal (or target resistance), at a reference temperature
(usually 0°C). Generally, wire elements have a tighter
resistance tolerance than etched foil elements.
RS-485: A communication standard for interfacing
computers to process instruments. Allows multiple
instruments on a single twisted-pair cable. Convertible to
RS-232 with proper adapter.
RTD (Resistance Temperature Detector): A sensor whose
resistance changes with temperature. The most accurate
of commonly used thermometer types.
Safety Temperature: The temperature at which a
SmartHeat heater becomes an isolator, completing
shutting down current flow.
Self-limiting technology (SLT): The characteristic of the
carbon-silicone matrix (CSM) that stops current flow at any
area where the set-point temperature is reached.