Stanford Research PTC420

The Stanford Research Systems PTC10 Programmable Temperature Controller is a modular system for precise temperature measurement and PID feedback control across scientific and industrial applications. The architecture supports up to 16 input channels and 4 independent PID control loops with a 50 Hz sampling rate, delivering 1 mK temperature resolution. Users configure the system by selecting dedicated input cards for RTDs, thermistors, diodes, or thermocouples, paired with heater output cards tailored to their specific requirements.

– Technical Specifications

Control & Measurement
• PID sampling rate: 50 Hz
• Temperature resolution: 1 mK
• Maximum input channels: 16
• Maximum PID feedback control channels: 4

Input Card Options

PTC321 Pt RTD Card:
• 4-channel, 100 Ω Pt RTD input
• Temperature range: −200 °C to 850 °C
• Accuracy: ±30 mK
• Noise: 2 mKrms at 10 samples/s
• Temperature coefficient: 1.4 mK/°C
• Excitation: 1 mA current source, reversible per reading
• Digital low-pass filters: selectable 1 and 10 second time constants

PTC323 2-Channel Thermistor/Diode/RTD Card:
• Supports 2-wire or 4-wire configurations
• Diodes: 0 to 2.5 V input, 10 µA excitation, ±(10 µV + 0.01% of reading) accuracy
• RTDs: resistance ranges 0–10 Ω to 0–2.5 MΩ with proportional excitation (1 mA to 1 µA)
• Thermistors: resistance ranges 0–10 Ω to 0–300 kΩ with proportional excitation (1 mA to 5 µA)

PTC330 Four-Channel Thermocouple Card:
• Factory-configured for E, J, K, N, or T type
• Electrically isolated channels
• Integral isothermal block with RTD cold junction sensor

PTC320 Single-Channel Card:
• Reads resistive and diode temperature sensors including thermistors, RTDs, cryogenic diodes, and ruthenium oxide sensors

– Key Features

• Modular I/O architecture with mix-and-match card selection
• Open and short circuit detection on RTD inputs
• Data logging to removable flash media
• Dual current source excitation with stray thermocouple EMF cancellation (PTC321)

– Compatibility & Integration

Standard interfaces: USB, Ethernet, RS-232. Optional GPIB interface available.