Cooling Photodiode Arrays0 pages

Temperature Controller Module
for Peltier-cooled Detector Arrays
In der Au 27
61440 Oberursel / Germany

PELTIER-tc

Phone: +49 (0) 6171 / 9758 – 0
Fax: +49 (0) 6171 / 9758 – 50
E-Mail: sales@tec5.com
Internet: www.tec5.com

Product-ID: 0106550.xx (PELTIER-tc)
Document: ds_PELTIER-tc_017e.doc

Functional Description
The temperature controller module PELTIER-tc was
designed specifically for cooling detector arrays used in
optical spectroscopy. Operating as a linear controller,
possible crosstalk of the cooling current to the detector
output signal is minimized.
Functionally, the PI-control adjusts the current across
the Peltier element to reach a sensor temperature equal
to the preset setpoint temperature. If the difference
between monitor and setpoint voltage is below 10 mV,
the digital output ‚temperature o.k.’ is activated and the
relay contacts are closed.
With user-supplied thermistors connected to the board,
the Peltier current output may be disabled automatically
if excess temperature of one of the heatsinks attached
to the sensor or the controller electronics is detected.

Installation Steps
Functional Properties
• Temperature controller module for Peltier-cooled
photodiode arrays with thermistor
• For 1-, 2- and 3-stage Peltier elements
• Analog, bipolar PI-type controller
• Possible cooling stability: better than ± 10 mK
• Maximum cooling current: 3 A
• Operating voltage range +5 V to +12 V
• Adjustable current limit
• Thermistor current 10 µA or 100 µA
• Adjustment of the setpoint temperature with
▫ four fixed-value resistors,
▫ a potentiometer or
▫ an analog input voltage alternatively
• Monitor outputs (analog voltage) for
▫ Setpoint temperature
▫ Actual temperature
▫ Cooler current
• Digital output ‚temperature o.k.’
• Temperature error indication by
▫ LED
▫ Digital output signal
▫ Two relay contact pairs
• Connection terminals for two temperature sensors
(thermistors) for current shutdown at excess heatsink temperature of the Peltier element and /or the
controller electronics, alternatively for remote on/off
switching
• Connection terminals for two fans
• Modular mechanical design with heatsink mounting

To put the module in operation, please follow the steps
described below. All details for each step are contained
in particular sections of this document. These steps are
required unless the temperature controller module has
been preconfigured to your particular sensor by tec5.
• Determine key operation parameters of configuration
(required: Peltier current limit, operating voltage,
thermistor current, setpoint temperature).
Note:
The sections „Peltier Current Limit“ and „Safe Operating Area“ contain important information for selection of the operating voltage and the current limit. If
not applied properly, these settings may damage the
photodiode array or the temperature controller module.
• Check the factory settings of your module and modify it to implement the selected key parameters. All
modifications have to be performed by qualified
electronics personnel in a static-discharge protected
environment, obeying the typical handling precautions for electronics equipment.
• Connect the equipment according to your system
configuration, connect a voltage meter to pin 5 (signal ‘current_mon’) and pin 3 (GND) of CON101.
Connect CON300 to a (switched-off) power supply
providing the selected operating voltage and the
Peltier current limit plus a margin of 0.3 A.
• Watching the voltage meter, turn on the power supply. If the initial monitored Peltier current exceeds
the selected current limit, immediately turn the
power supply off and check the settings.