Page 2 · 5240 TECSource User’s Manual

Table of Contents

Introduction ............................................................................................... 3
Safety Terms and Symbols ....................................................................... 4
Quick Start ................................................................................................ 6
Installation ................................................................................................. 7
Front Panel Operation ............................................................................... 9
Settings and Menus ................................................................................ 12
Rear Panel ............................................................................................... 17
Connecting to the TECSource ................................................................ 18
Selecting the Fixture ............................................................................... 18
Remote Mode Operation......................................................................... 19
Installing the USB Drivers ....................................................................... 19
Working With Thermistors ....................................................................... 20
Controlling the Temperature Rate of Change ......................................... 21
Changing the Set Point Step Size........................................................... 22External Fan Control ............................................................................... 22
Resistive Heaters and Heat/Cool Only Modes........................................ 23
Gain Control and the PID Loop ............................................................... 24
Using the AutoTune Function ................................................................. 25
Using the AutoTune Function Remotely ................................................. 26
Compensating for Cable Resistance ...................................................... 27
Specifications .......................................................................................... 28
Error Messages ....................................................................................... 29
Maintenance, Calibration and Warranty ................................................. 31
EC Declaration of Conformity ................................................................. 33
UK Declaration of Conformity ................................................................. 34

5240 TECSource User’s Manual · Page 3

Introduction
Thank you for choosing the 5240 TECSource from Arroyo Instruments. Your
TECSource is a combination of leading edge technology combined with yearsof experience in the field of temperature control.
With a crystal clear VFD display, 28W of TEC power, a USB computer interface,and small footprint, the TECSource will fit into almost any temperature control
application.
Unlike other temperature controllers in its class which use inexpensive 7segment LED displays, the TECSource takes advantage of its large VFD display
to simultaneously display set point temperature, actual temperature, current, andvoltage.
The user interface of the TECSource is engineered to make using the
instrument straightforward. With its text-based menus, there is never any
confusion over which setting is being changed, and parameters are displayed inclear English (no cryptic numbers or LEDs to decode).
The TECSource offers all the features you would expect from a modern
temperature controller, including:••••

AutoTune for automatic PID parameter calculation
0.004°C temperature stability
0.01°C resolution for both set point and actual temperatures
28W (4A/7V) output power

What’s in the Box
Along with the TECSource itself, a CD with electronic copies of this manual, theComputer Interfacing Manual, and USB drivers are included. For USA
customers, a power cord is included. For non-USA customers, an IEC-60320C13 rated AC power cord must be provided by the end user.
Accessories
Arroyo Instruments also sells several accessories designed to work with the
TECSource. These include:•

TECSource Cable, 2m (p/n 1260B)
This cable has DB-15 male/female connectors for interfacing to theLaserMount or other connectorized fixtures, and supports up to 5A of
TE current.

Page 4 · 5240 TECSource User’s Manual

•
•

•

•

•
•

TECSource Cable, 2m, Pigtailed (p/n 1261B)
This cable has a female DB-15 connector for plugging into the
TECSource and tinned leads for wiring into custom solutions.
TECSource Cable, 2m (p/n 1262B)
Like the 1260B, this cable has DB-15 male/female connectors forinterfacing to the LaserMount or other connectorized fixtures, but also
includes the wiring for the fan supply, and supports up to 10A.
TECSource Cable, 2m, Pigtailed (p/n 1263)
Like the 1261B, this cable has a female DB-15 connector for plugging
into the TECSource and tinned leads for wiring into custom solutions,but also includes the wiring for the fan supply, and supports up to 10A.
2U Rack Mount Kit, 2 Bay (p/n 1400-RM)
For installing your 5235/5240 TECSource or 4200 Series
LaserSource into a standard 19” rack. The rack mount kit has space
for two instruments, but if you plan to only install a single instrument,
also order a 1 Bay Blank (p/n 1400-BL) to fill the unused opening.
10kΩ Thermistor (p/n 1600)
Accurate to ±0.2°C.
USB Cable, 3m (p/n 1201)

Safety Terms and Symbols
The following safety-related terms are used in this manual:•••Warnings (noted by the WARNING heading) explain dangers that
could result in physical injury or death;
Cautions (noted by the CAUTION heading) explain conditions that
could result in damage to the instrument, other equipment, or yourdevice.
Notes (noted by the NOTES heading) are not safety-related, and areintended simply to point out important information.

If, at any time, any of the following conditions exist, or are suspected of existing,discontinue use of the unit until it can be inspected by qualified service
personnel:•••

Visible damage to the unit, including damage or stress caused during
product shipment;
Storage of the unit outside the standard storage temperature or
humidity rating, or prolonged storage under harsh conditions;
Failure to operate properly.

If needed, contact your distributor or Arroyo Instruments for service or repair toensure the safety of the product is maintained.

5240 TECSource User’s Manual · Page 5

Symbols
Power OffPower On

Caution, refer to manual

Earth ground

Caution, risk of electric shock
General Warnings

WARNING
This instrument is intended for use by qualified
personnel who understand the shock and laser hazards
and are familiar with safety procedures required to avoid
injury. Read this manual completely before attempting
to use this product.

WARNINGTo avoid electrical shock, ensure a 3-prong power cord
is used, and is plugged into a earth-grounded
receptacle. Failure to do so can result in severe injury or
death.

CAUTION

There are no user-serviceable parts inside. All service
and repair work shall be done by Arroyo Instruments or
personnel authorized by Arroyo Instruments.
Modifications done by non-authorized personnel willvoid the warranty. Please see the Service section laterin this manual for instructions on how to obtain service
for this instrument.

Page 6 · 5240 TECSource User’s Manual

Quick Start
The TECSource was designed with ease of use in mind, and you will likely havelittle need for this manual for almost all of the features the unit offers. Thissection will show how you can quickly get the unit up and running in almost notime.
The 5240 has a universal input power supply, accepting 90 to 240 VAC, and 50
or 60 Hz. This covers all conventional power worldwide, but ensure your AC
power meets these requirements.
Plug the AC cord into the unit and into the wall outlet. Turn on the power switch
located on the IPC, and the unit will power up, displaying the model informationand firmware version number.
Press the MENU button to enter the menu, and using the knob, turn to the right
until the I Lim setting is displayed. Press the knob to edit the setting, and adjust
the limit as appropriate to your Peltier. Press the knob again to save the value.
Make the same adjustments to the high and low temperature limits (T-High Lim
and T-Low Lim), as appropriate for your application.
The unit comes pre-programmed for the BetaTHERM 10K3A1 thermistor. If the
TECSource is being connected to a LaserMount, no changes need to be made,as this is the thermistor used in the mount. However, if you are using a different
manufacturer’s thermistor or a different BetaTHERM thermistor, you will need toverify the Steinhart-Hart coefficients are set correctly. Navigate to the Sensor
Coeffs sub-menu, pressing the knob to enter the sub-menu. Adjust theconstants to reflect the values for your thermistor.
Once you have made all your adjustments, press the MENU button to exit themenu (in the future, if you’re only changing one value, you do not need to press
the knob --- pressing the MENU button while changing a value will save thevalue and exit).
Next, connect the cable between your LaserMount or other fixture and the
Output connector of the TECSource. We recommend using our cables as they
have been designed to work well with the TECSource. If using your own cables,
ensure they have been properly wired according to the pin-out of the
TECSource and your fixture.
Finally, set the set point to an appropriate temperature and press the Output
button. The output will turn on and you will see the voltage and current begin
driving the fixture to the set point you have chosen. Depending on the thermal
size of your fixture, it may take seconds or several minutes to reach the set
point.

5240 TECSource User’s Manual · Page 7

If you notice the temperature is oscillating around the set point and notstabilizing, you may need to adjust the Gain setting in the menu. You can use
the AutoTune feature to automatically calculate the best PID values, or selectfrom a set of eight factory preset values that typically cover most applications.
To use the factory gains, if the temperature is quickly jumping up and down, theGain will typically need to be reduced. If the temperature is slowly moving up
and down, try a higher Gain. You may need to experiment with several gain
settings to find the ideal value, and for even finer control, you can set the Gain to
PID and directly set the PID control values.
It’s that simple. For more detailed operating and installation instructions, readon.

Installation
Installation of the TECSource is very straightforward, as the quick start section
above illustrated. This section will provide additional details and considerations
for installing your TECSource.
After unpacking the unit, make sure all packing materials have been removed
and nothing obscures the ventilation ports on the back and bottom of the unit.
The 5240 has a universal input power supply, accepting 90 to 240 VAC, and 50
or 60 Hz. This covers all conventional power worldwide, but ensure your AC
power meets these requirements.

CAUTION
Do not exceed 250VAC on the line input.
It is critical to select the proper voltage selection prior toapplying power to the unit. If the actual voltage exceeds
the voltage selection by +/-10%, damage to the unit
may occur.

Powering Up the Unit
Once the correct voltage selection has been made, connect the AC power cord
to the unit.
Turn the power switch, located on the rear input power connector, into the on (|)
position. The unit will display the current firmware revision, go through a quick
power-up self-test, and return to the last known operating state.

Page 8 · 5240 TECSource User’s Manual

Ventilation
The TECSource has vent holes on the rear and sides of the unit. You must not
block these vent holes, or overheating may occur, causing damage to the unit.

CAUTION
Do not operate the unit above +40°C ambient, andensure the instrument is properly ventilated, or the unit
may overheat and possible damage to the instrument
may occur.

Rack Mounting
A rack mount kit (p/n 1400-RM) for standard 19” racks is available for the
TECSource, and supports the rack mount of one or two units in a 2U (3.5”) highopening. The rack mount kit provides sufficient clearance below the units forventilation, so units can be rack mounted immediately above other equipment(no rack spacers required). Because the unit draws air from the bottom, andtherefore inside the rack housing, be sure that the internal rack ambient
temperature (which will typically be several degrees higher than room ambient)does not exceed the unit’s operating temperature. If only racking one
instrument, you will also need a bay blank (p/n 1400-BL) to cover the second
opening in the rack mount kit.
Warm-up and Environmental Considerations
In order to achieve the highest level of accuracy, the TECSource should bepowered on for at least one hour prior to taking measurements. In addition,
ensure that the unit is not operating outside the ambient temperature range orhumidity conditions.

5240 TECSource User’s Manual · Page 9

Front Panel Operation
Operation of the TECSource is very straightforward. The sections below will
help familiarize you with the front panel, the display, and the menu structure.

The front panel is designed for simplicity of operation. There are three buttons
on the front panel: Output, Menu, and the adjustment knob.
The Output button is used to turn the output on and off. Whenever the output ison, the blue Output LED will be lit.
The Menu button is used to enter the TECSource menu. When in remote mode,it acts as a Local button, returning the instrument to local mode.
The large adjustment knob located on the right hand side of the unit is used tochange the set point or parameters in the menu. It also acts as a push button,
primarily as an enter button, when making changes in the menu. When in themain screen, pressing the knob will change from Normal to Large display mode.
There are four LEDs: a green power LED that is lit whenever the AC power isturned on; the blue Output LED that indicates the TECSource is actively
controlling the temperature; a red Error LED that indicates an error has
occurred; and a yellow Remote LED that indicates the unit is being controlled via
a computer.
Whenever an error is generated, the red Error LED will light, and the error will be
displayed on the VFD display. There may be one or more errors, but only the
first error will be displayed. To display the next error, press Menu button. To
clear all errors, press the knob. A list of error codes can be found in the Error
Messages section below.
When the unit is in remote mode, the yellow Remote LED will be lit. Moreinformation about how the instrument behaves in remote mode can be found in
the Remote Mode Operation section below.

Page 10 · 5240 TECSource User’s ManualControl Modes
The TECSource offers three control modes: constant temperature mode (TMode), and constant resistance mode (R Mode), and constant current mode (IteMode).
Changing the control mode is done through the menu by changing the Modeparameter to T Mode, R Mode, or Ite Mode.
Constant temperature mode uses the sensor constants to calculate theresistance of the thermistor at the desired or actual temperature.
While most users will only need the temperature control mode, the constantresistance mode allows you to bypass the sensor equation and directly selectthe sensor set point. This can be useful when only the desired sensor value isknown, or when the sensor-to-temperature conversion values are not available
for your sensor.
Main Display Screen
On the main display you will find the set point and two or three measurements,
depending on the configuration you have chosen. An example display is shown
below:

Sample Display

The set point will depend on the control mode you have selected. When in T
Mode, the set point will be temperature. When in R Mode, the set point will be in
kilo ohms. When in Ite Mode, the set point will be in amps.
Measurements
The second line of the display contains the measurements appropriate for thecontrol mode. In T Mode, the actual temperature, current, and voltage can bedisplayed, depending on the display mode. In R Mode, the actual sensor value
is displayed instead of the actual temperature. In Ite Mode, the actual
temperature is displayed.

5240 TECSource User’s Manual · Page 11

No Set Point Error
Because 5240 TECSource uses a digital PID loop, it will always stabilize at theset point, and you will never have a temperature offset, which is different frommost other temperature controllers.
Using Limits
The TECSource supports three different types of limits: temperature, sensor,
and current. There is both a temperature high and temperature low limit, and if
the actual temperature exceeds either of these limits, the output will be shut off.
Likewise, both high and low limits exist for the sensor (R limits), and the output
will be shut off if the sensor measurement exceeds either of these limits.

Page 12 · 5240 TECSource User’s Manual

Settings and Menus
All parameters of the TECSource can be viewed and changed within the menu.
The menus are constructed with the most used parameters first. To change any
setting, press Menu to enter the menu then rotate the knob to select theparameter to change. Press the knob to begin changing the value. As a visualindication that you are in edit mode, you will see an asterisk appear next to thevalue. Once you have made your change, press the knob or Menu button to
store the value. Pressing the Menu button will store and exit the menu, whilepressing the knob will store the value but leave you in the menu to makeadditional changes.
Some settings are contained inside a sub menu, such as communications
settings. To access the sub menu, simply press the knob to enter the sub menu
when its name is displayed.
Below is a complete list of available settings:
Menu

Description

Root Menu

Main Menu

Factory
Default

Mode

This set the operating mode (T Mode, R
Mode, or Ite Mode) of the temperature
controller.

T ModeMount

Specify the mount connected to the
TECSource. If using a LaserMount, selectthe appropriate model. Otherwise, selectUser Defined.

User
DefinedI Lim

I Lim sets the current limit of the temperature
controller. The limit should be set to a valuethat is suitable for your Peltier device.

3A

Gain

Gain controls the response of thetemperature controller. A higher gain value
will cause the controller to respond more
quickly to the difference between the set
point and the actual temperature, while alower value will cause it to respond more
slowly. Select PID for direct access to the PID
parameters. Read more on setting gain
below.

10

PID P

The proportional term of the PID loop. Will
only be available if Gain is set to PID.

1

5240 TECSource User’s Manual · Page 13

Menu

Description

Factory
Default
0.01

PID I

The integral term of the PID loop. Will only beavailable if Gain is set to PID.

PID D

The derivative term of the PID loop. Will only
be available if Gain is set to PID.

0

SensorSets the temperature measurement sensor.
Can be Therm 100uA or Therm 10uA.

Therm
100uA

T-Low Lim

T-Low Lim is the lower temperature limit. If
operating in T Mode and the actual
temperature drops below this value, theoutput will be turned off. Temperature limits
not monitored in R Mode or Ite Mode. Limit
monitoring can also be disabled in software(see TEC:ENAB:OUTOFF command).

-99°C

T-High Lim

T-High Lim is the upper temperature limit. If
operating in T Mode and the actual
temperature rises above this value, theoutput will be turned off. Temperature limits
not monitored in R Mode or Ite Mode. Limit
monitoring can also be disabled in software(see TEC:ENAB:OUTOFF command).

125°C

R-Low Lim

R-Low Lim is the sensor low limit. If
operating in R Mode and the actual sensor
measurement drops below this value, theoutput will be turned off. R limits are notmonitored in Ite Mode. Limit monitoring canalso be disabled in software (seeTEC:ENAB:OUTOFF command).

0.01kΩ

R-High Lim

R-High Lim is the sensor high limit. If
operating in R Mode and the actual sensor
measurement exceeds this value, the output
will be turned off. R limits are not monitoredin Ite Mode. Limit monitoring can also bedisabled in software (seeTEC:ENAB:OUTOFF command).

45kΩ

Tol Time

Tolerance time is the amount of time, inseconds, that the actual temperature must bewithin the set point temperature +/- the Tol
Temp value for the unit to be considered intolerance.

5 seconds

Page 14 · 5240 TECSource User’s Manual

Menu

Description

Factory
Default
0.1°C

Tol Temp

Tolerance temperature is a temperature band(in °C) around the set point temperature.
When the actual temperature is within thisband for longer than the Tol Time setting,then the unit is considered to be in tolerance.

H/C ModeThis selects the heating and/or cooling modeof the TECSource. See the section below
titled “Resistive Heaters and Heat/Cool Only
Modes” for more information.

Heat/CoolExt FanThis selects the voltage for the auxiliary fan
power supply. See the section below titled“External Fan Control” below for more
information.

Off

Ext Fan Pwr

When Ext Fan is set to Custom, this sets the
specific fan voltage from 4.0 to 8.5 volts. See
the External Fan Control section below for
more information.

8.5

Ext FanModeControls when the fan operates. See theExternal Fan Control section below for more
information.

Auto

Ext Fan Off

When Ext Fan Mode is set to Delay, thissetting defines the number of minutes todelay turning off the fan after the TEC output
has been turned off. See the External Fan
Control section below for more information.

5 minutes

Cable R

The resistance of the cable and connectors,
in ohms. This setting allows for accurate
voltage measurement at the TEC byremoving the voltage loss of the cable.

0.0080Ω

T RateSelects a desired temperature ramp rate indegrees Celsius per minute. Set to 0.0°C/min
to disable rate limiting.

0.0°C/min

Tset Step

Adjusts the increment of the temperature set
point from 0.01°C to as much as 10°C perknob tick.

0.01°C5240 TECSource User’s Manual · Page 15

Menu

Description

Factory
Default

AutoTune PID Menu
See using the AutoTune Function later inthis manual for details on this item.
Sensor Coefficients Menu
ThermA

The A term in the Steinhart-Hart equation.

1.12924E-03

ThermB

The B term in the Steinhart-Hart equation.

2.34108E-04

ThermCThe C term in the Steinhart-Hart equation.

0.87755E-07

Communications Menu
Set While
Rmt

If enabled, allows the set point to be adjusted
when in remote mode.

No

Err While
Rmt

To turn off the display of errors while inremote mode, set this value to “No”. To
display errors while in remote mode, set thisvalue to “Yes”.

Yes

Terminal
Mode

Terminal mode simply echoes any characters
received over the USB interface.

No

Msg Term

This controls the output message
termination, and can be set to CR/LF, CR, LF,
or None.

CR/LF

System Menu
Disp Mode

Display mode, which is used to control the
layout on the main screen. Normal will
display four values, typically the set pointtemperature, read back temperature, current,
and voltage. Large will display the read backtemperature, sensor, or current, dependingon the mode (T, R, or ITE mode,
respectively). When changing the set point,
the set point will be displayed during the set
point change.

NormalBrightness

The vacuum florescent display can be set toone of eight brightness levels.

100%

Page 16 · 5240 TECSource User’s Manual

Menu

Description

Factory
Default
Yes

AudibleBeep

This setting controls when the unit produces
audible feedback. Set to No to prevent
sound, or Yes or audible alerts such an error
messages.

Lockout
Knob

Lockout knob allows you to disable knob
operation from the main display. This
prevents accidental changes of the set point.
The knob will always work in the menus
regardless of this setting.

No

Knob Speed

Controls the adjustment speed of the knob.
Possible values are slow, medium, and fast.

Slow

Output Off SettingsThi Limit

When enabled, the output will turn off if thetemperature rises above the Thi limit.

Yes

Tlo Limit

When enabled, the output will turn off if thetemperature drops below the Tlo limit.

Yes

R Limit

When enabled, the output will turn off if thesensor rises above the Rhi limit or drops
below the Rlo limit.

No

ITE Limit

When enabled, the output will turn off if thecurrent hits the ITE limit.

No

TEC Open

When enabled, the output will turn off if thecontroller detects a TEC module open
condition.

Yes

Out of Tol

When enabled, the output will turn off if thecontroller goes out of tolerance, as definedby the tolerance time and tolerance
temperature.

No

Sensor OpenWhen enabled, the output will turn off if thecontroller detects a sensor open condition.

Yes

Sensor Short

When enabled, the output will turn off if thecontroller detects a sensor short condition.

Yes5240 TECSource User’s Manual · Page 17

Rear Panel
In addition to the input power connector described above, there are twoconnectors on the rear panel of the TECSource: an Output connector and a
USB connector.

TECSource Rear PanelTEC Output Connector
The Output connection is a female DB-15, and has the following pin-out:
DB-15 Pin
Description
1, 2, & 9
TE (+)
3, 4, & 10
TE (–)
5&6
Earth Ground7
Sensor+8
Sensor –
11
Fan+
12
Fan –
13 thru 15
No connection
Output Connector (DB-15 Female)
USB Connector
The USB connector is a standard Type B female connector, and can be plugged
into any USB 1.1 or USB 2.0 port. For more information on using the USB
interface, see the Computer Interfacing Manual which is included on the CDthat accompanied this product.

Page 18 · 5240 TECSource User’s Manual

Connecting to the TECSource
Arroyo Instruments carries four cable assemblies specifically designed forconnecting the TECSource to temperature controlled fixtures or devices.
For applications where the 5240’s fan supply is not required, use the 1260B or
1261B cable. The 1260B has DB-15 connectors on both ends, and is typicallyused with Arroyo Instruments mounts, such as the 203 and 205 Butterfly
LaserMounts. The 1261B has bare wires on the mount end, allowing you toterminate the cable as needed.
For applications requiring the 5240’s fan supply, use the 1262B in place of the
1260B, and the 1263 in place of the 1261B. The 1262B & 1264 cables add
additional wiring for the fan supply.

NOTE
Connections to the TECSource and the fixture must be
secure. Tighten any screws on the DB-15 connectors,
and make sure all connections are in good condition.

See the manual for your fixture for additional safety and operational information.

Selecting the Fixture
The TECSource has integrated support for many of the mounts offered by
Arroyo Instruments, such as the 205 TEC Butterfly LaserMount. To simplify
operation when using these mounts, you can change the Mount setting in themenu to the mount type you are using. By selecting a mount, the current limit,
temperature limits, default gain, and sensor settings are automatically adjusted
to values appropriate to the mount, and menu settings limited to the capabilitiesof the mount. For example, when the 205 is selected, the Sensor setting is
hidden from the menu, and the current limit is adjusted to the mount’s rated limit
to prevent damage to the mount’s Peltier cooler.
Adjusting the Mount setting to User Defined removes all software limits, allowing
unrestricted operation of the TECSource.

5240 TECSource User’s Manual · Page 19

Remote Mode Operation
Remote mode operation is when the TECSource is being controlled by acomputer over the USB interface. When in remote mode, the TECSource
behaves differently, preventing you from affecting the operation of the
instrument. Some of the primary differences are you will not be able to change
the set point (unless this is enabled, see Set While Rmt setting in “Settings andMenus” above), and you cannot enter the menu.
The instrument will automatically enter remote mode as soon as it received avalid command, and the yellow Remote LED will light up. You can exit remotemode at any time by pressing the MENU button, which has a secondary function
to return the TECSource to local operation when in remote mode.
Details on how to communicate with the TECSource can be found in a separate
Computer Interfacing Manual, which is included on the CD that accompanied
the product, and also available for download off the Arroyo web site.

Installing the USB Drivers
Using the TECSource via USB is just as simple as using a serial port. In fact,
once you have installed the USB drivers, the instrument will appear as a virtual
serial port that you can use just like a normal serial port.
To install the drivers, simply plug in the instrument to your computer. When the
Add New Hardware wizard appears, insert the CD you received with the
TECSource and follow the on-screen instructions. Drivers are also available fordownload off the Arroyo web site.
Once the drivers are installed, to determine the COM port number, go to Control
Panel and select System. Once the System Properties dialog appears, choose
the Hardware tab then click on the Device Manager button. When the Device
Manager appears, click on the plus sign to the left of Ports. The port identified
as an USB Serial Port is the TECSource. In the event you have multiple
TECSource instruments plugged in simultaneously, you will need to experiment
to see which instrument was assigned to which port. For example, you couldchange the set point when the output was off to see which unit’s set pointchanged.

Page 20 · 5240 TECSource User’s Manual

Working With Thermistors
The TECSource is designed to work with negative temperature coefficient (NTC)
thermistors, such as the BetaTHERM 10K3A1 thermistor used in theLaserMounts. A thermistor works by translating temperature into resistance,with resistance decreasing as temperature increases (hence the ‘negative
coefficient’).
Here is a typical response curve of a thermistor:

50000

Resistance (Ω)

40000

30000

20000

10000

0
-10.00

10.00

30.00

50.00

70.00

90.00

110.00Temperature (°C)

Typical Resistance vs. Temperature Graph
As can be seen be the graph, the resistance of the thermistor drops very quickly.
In the typical control range (0°C to 40°C), typical 10K thermistors offer goodsensitivity to changes in temperature, and this is the range in which most 10K
thermistors are typically used. 10K thermistors can be used at much higher
temperatures, but will suffer poorer temperature stability performance becauseof the lower sensitivity. When evaluating the performance of a thermistor, it isimportant to understand the resistance sensitivity of the thermistor at yourapplication temperature, which varies greatly by temperature and thermistor
types.
The TECSource supports operation using a 10μA or 100μA constant current
source, which limits the upper control range to 450kΩ and 45kΩ, respectively.
To minimize noise and maximize stability, you should select highest current
while still allowing you full operation across your required temperature range.

5240 TECSource User’s Manual · Page 21

The typical setting is 100μA, but your application will determine the actual
needs.
The Steinhart-Hart Equation
As can be seen from the temperature versus resistance graph above, resistancevaries inversely with temperature in a non-linear fashion. This relationship can be
accurately modeled by polynomial equations, and one such being the SteinhartHart equation:

1= A + B * ln( R) + C * ln( R) 3
T
The coefficients A, B, and C can usually be obtained from the thermistor
manufacturer. The TECSource defaults to the coefficients for the BetaTHERM
10K3A1 thermistor (A = 1.12924x10-3, B = 2.34108x10-4, C = 0.87755x10-7). You
can change the coefficients under the Sensor Coeffs menu.

Controlling the Temperature Rate of Change
Some applications require that temperature is changed at a specific rate toprevent damage that might otherwise come from rapid changes in device
temperature. Using the T Rate setting in the menu, it is possible to control thetemperature ramp rate of the controller, limiting the rate of change to specificdegrees Celsius per minute.
Because the temperature rate function relies on the instrument tracking a
gradually changing set point, a proper gain setting (or PID values) are importantto achieve a smooth and continuous temperature transition.
To disable the temperature rate function, simply set T Rate to 0.0°C/min.

Page 22 · 5240 TECSource User’s Manual

Changing the Set Point Step Size
In many applications, user will manually adjust the instrument between a few set
points, such as thermal testing in a production environment. In theseapplications the high resolution of the temperature set point can actually be ahindrance, as precisely adjusting between 25.00°C and 50.00°C, for example,
will entail over- and under-shoots as the operator changes from one set point to
the other.
Using the Tset Step setting in the menu, you can select a step size of 0.01, 0.05,
0.1, 0.5, 1, 5, or 10°C. In the above application, a step size of 5°C would allow for
rapid and easy adjustment between the two temperatures.
Note that the step will adjust based on the current set point, so, for example, if
the set point was 25.31°C and the step size was 5°C, the instrument would
adjust to 30.31°C, 35.31°C, etc. you may want to adjust the set point to a goodstarting point before increasing the step size.
Note that changing the step size will not change the resolution of the displayed
value for either the set point or the actual temperature.

External Fan Control
The 5240 TECSource has a built-in 4 to 8.5V DC power supply designed toprovide up to 350mA to an external fan, such as those built into the 200 & 240
Series LaserMounts. When using the TECSource with mounts that require afan, no additional external power supply is needed; however, the 1262B cable isneeded to connect the fan power to the mount.
Fan control is setup in the menu using the Ext Fan, Ext Fan Pwr, Ext FanMode, and Ext Fan Off settings.
Ext Fan can be set to Off, Slow, Medium, Fast, or Custom. When set to Off, thefan power is never turned on. Slow, Medium, and Fast correspond to 6.5V, 7.5V,
and 8.5V. To select a different voltage, choose the Custom setting and thenadjust the Ext Fan Pwr menu item to the desired voltage, from 4.0V to 8.5V.

NOTE
If you are using both 5240 and 5300 TECSources, takenote that the speed control settings of Slow, Medium,and Fast do not coorespond to the same voltages on the5240 and 5300 TECSources, and the maximum voltage
is different (8.5V on the 5240 and 12V on the 5300).

5240 TECSource User’s Manual · Page 23

While many fans have a nominal voltage of 12V, they will still operate at 8.5V,
just at a slower RPM (spin rate). This is usually not a problem, as the incremental
thermal performance gain of running a fan at 12V versus 8.5V is typically small,and you have the benefit of a quieter fan when operating at 8.5V. However, if
your fan requires 12V, or more than 350mA, then you will need to use an
external supply.
The fan on/off mode can be controlled using the Ext Fan Mode setting. There
are five modes:
Auto
On
Delay
Cool
Heat

Fan is turned on whenever the TEC output is on, and turns off when the
TEC output is turned off.
Fan is always on.
Similar to the Auto mode, the fan is turned on whenever the TEC output
is on, but when the TEC is turned off, the fan will remaining running foran addition number of minutes as defined by the Ext Fan Off setting.
Fan is turned on whenever the TEC output is on and cooling, offotherwise.
Fan is turned on whenever the TEC output is on and heating, offotherwise.

Resistive Heaters and Heat/Cool Only Modes
The TECSource supports temperature control using resistive heaters instead of
Peltier coolers. With resistive heaters, cooling is obviously not possible, and the
TECSource must be configured to not attempt to cool the output, or a run-away
condition will occur when the cooling current actually causes additional heating.
If your application requires, you can also configure the TECSource to operate ina cool-only mode. This is only possible with Peltier coolers, as resistive heaters
will heat regardless of the direction of current.
To change the cooling mode, adjust the H/C Mode setting to Heat/Cool, Heat
Only, or Cool Only, as appropriate.

Page 24 · 5240 TECSource User’s Manual

Gain Control and the PID Loop
The TECSource supports a fully configurable PID loop, allowing fullcustomization of the PID control parameters. To simplify control, eight standard
gain settings are also defined, and many applications can achieve acceptableperformance with these predefined gain settings, eliminating the need tounderstand and adjust the PID loop.
The predefined gains are numbered 1 through 300, and set using the Gainmenu setting. Increasing the gain value will increase the speed of the control
loop. For full access to the PID parameters, change the Gain setting to PID, andthe individual P, I, and D values will be available as settings in the menu.
The PID parameters function within a mathematical formula as described below:
PID Formula:

Where

Output = P *  + I *  dt + D *ddt is the error in the system, expressed as: = Target - Actual
The controller can calculate ideal PID values using the AutoTune function,
discussed in detail in the next section.
To manually adjust the PID, start by changing the I and D values to zero, andadjust the P value so that it reaches the set point as quickly as possible without
overshooting the set point an unacceptable amount. Gradually increase the Ivalue until the set point is achieved without oscillation. In many systems, the Dterm is not needed and may be left at zero.
For additional information on PID loop tuning, consult online resources such as
Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PID_controller) or search for terms suchas “Ziegler-Nichols method”, or “PID Loop”.

5240 TECSource User’s Manual · Page 25

Using the AutoTune Function
The TECSource is capable of automatically determining PID parameters formost applications. Using a form of the Ziegler-Nichols method, the TECSource
will step through a process to determine the thermal response of the mount,which can then be used in a mathematical model to calculate the PID
parameters.
The PID parameters generated by AutoTune are not necessarily the ideal PID
parameters, and small improvements may be possible by further refining theresults manually.
Before starting the AutoTune function, it is best to begin from ambientconditions, either with the TEC off and the mount stabilized at ambient, or the
TEC on and the set point around 25°C. While this is not required, it can produce
better results. AutoTune only functions in temperature mode. PID parametersmust be manually determined for R mode.
Make sure the current and temperature limits are set prior to starting AutoTune.
AutoTune will intentionally cause your mount to oscillate, so the temperature
limit should be at least 5 to 10 degrees away from the test point to avoid tripping
a limit during the process.
To start the AutoTune function, select the AutoTune PID menu entry from themain menu and press ENTER. If you wish to perform AutoTune remotely, see thefollowing section for more information.
The instrument will ask for the AutoTune test point. You will want to select yourtypical operating point. If you will be operating at two or more set points, you willusually want to select the set point furthest away from ambient. Once thetemperature test point is selected, press ENTER.
The instrument asks for a final confirmation to start the AutoTune process. Press
ENTER to start, or MENU to exit.
Once the AutoTune process starts, the display will indicate the present
temperature, which step it is performing, and the word “AutoTune” will flash on
the display.
Once the AutoTune process is complete, the output will remain on and thedisplay will show “AutoTune Successful”. The three PID parameters will also be
displayed. Due to display limitations, only the first 2 places of resolution isdisplayed, but additional resolution is available by viewing the PID parameters in
the menu. The Gain setting will be changed to PID.

Page 26 · 5240 TECSource User’s Manual

If the AutoTune process fails, the instrument will display an E-436 AutoTune
Failed error message and turn the output off. Any of the following can cause the
AutoTune to fail:•••Noisy temperature measurements, which make it difficult to accurately
measure oscillations
Any condition that causes the output to turn off (temperature limits,
sensor limits, etc.)
Systems with very low P or I terms

In the Auto-Tune fails due to thermal system limitations, you will need tomanually modify the PID parameters as described in the section above or selectfactory gain setting.
You can turn the output off at any time to cancel the AutoTune process, and the
PID parameters will remain unchanged (an E-436 will also be displayed).

Using the AutoTune Function Remotely
The AutoTune function can be done remotely, and works essentially the same as
local operation. The TEC:AUTOTUNE command starts the process, and requires
one parameter, which is the AutoTune temperature test point.
The command will immediately put the instrument into AutoTune mode, and thedisplay will indicate progress in the same way as local operation. The
TEC:AUTOTUNE? query can be used to monitor the process of AutoTune. A
response of 1 indicates AutoTune is in progress. Once complete, the instrument
will respond with a 2 if AutoTune failed or a 3 if AutoTune succeeded. A
response of 0 is returned if the instrument has never started an AutoTune
process.
Turning the output off remotely will cancel the AutoTune process and generate
an E-436 error.
More details on the use of the command can be found in the Computer
Interfacing Manual.

5240 TECSource User’s Manual · Page 27

Compensating for Cable Resistance
Because the high currents the TECSource can drive through the Peltier, thevoltage loss through the cable and connectors of the system can significantly
affect the TEC voltage measurement. In most cases, accurate voltage
measurements are not needed, and the default compensation of the instrument
is sufficient. To improve the compensation, the Cable R setting in the menu
allows you to specify the cable resistance, which is then used to dynamicallysubtract the voltage drop by simply using the formula V = IR to calculate thevoltage loss, where I is the TEC ITE current, and R is the Cable R setting. Thisvalue is then removed from the voltage measurement to display an accurate
TEC voltage measurement.
The safest method of calculating cable resistance is to short the ITE+ and ITE–
connections, making sure whatever you are using to short the terminals is notitself adding resistance to the circuit. Use short, heavy gauge wires, preferably
soldered onto the terminals to minimize any resistance the short might add.
Place the short as close to the Peltier as is reasonable. A simple approach is to
unplug the cable from the mount and place a shorting plug on the mount end of
the cable, which is easily made from a male DB15 connector and a soldering
iron to solder the ITE+ and ITE– pins together. Make sure the Peltier isdisconnected to protect it from current overloading during the test.
Change the instrument to ITE mode and set the current to 3A. Depending on
your setup, you may first need to change the Mount to User Defined and adjust
the limit to 3A. Turn on the output and after the voltage has stabilize, make anote of it and turn the output off. Enter the measured voltage into the following
equation to calculate Cable R:
Cable R = Voltage / 3
Enter the resulting values into the Cable R menu entry and return the instrument
to its original configuration. Typical values for Cable R are 0.008 to 0.040, but
depend on your actual configuration.

Page 28 · 5240 TECSource User’s Manual

Specifications
All values relate to a one-hour warm-up period.

Description
Drive Channel
Current
Range (A)Compliance Voltage (V)Max Power (W)Resolution (A)Accuracy (±[% set point + mA])
Noise/Ripple (mA, rms)
Temperature Control
Range (ºC)1
Resolution (ºC)
Thermistor Accuracy (± ºC)2
Short Term Stability (1hr) (± ºC)4
Short Term Stability (24hr) (± ºC)4
Measurement Channels
Current
Resolution (mA)
Accuracy (±[% reading + mA])
Voltage
Resolution (mV)
Accuracy (±[% reading + V])
Sensor
10µA Thermistor
Range (kΩ)
Resolution (kΩ)
Accuracy (± [% reading + kΩ])
100µA Thermistor
Range (kΩ)
Resolution (kΩ)
Accuracy (± [% reading + kΩ])
Current Limit
Resolution (mA)
Accuracy (±mA)
Other
Fan Supply
TEC Connector
Display Type
Computer Interface
Power
Size (H x W x D) [inches (mm)]Weight [lbs (kg)]Operating Temperature
Storage Temperature

1

4
>7
28
0.01
0 + 30<3-99 to 250
0.01
0.053
0.004
0.01
10
0 + 3010
0 + 0.05
0.1 – 4500.01
0.05 + 0.05
0.05 – 45
0.001
0.05 + 0.005
1050
4 – 8.5V, 350mA max
Female DB-15
2x20 VFD
USB 2.0 Full Speed
90 – 240 V, 50/60 Hz, 60W
1.82(47) x 8.5 (215) x 11.13 (283)
3.4 (1.54)+10°C to +40°C-20°C to +60°C

Software limits. Actual range dependent on sensor type and system dynamics
Accuracy figures are the additional error the 5240 adds to the measurement, and does not include thesensor uncertainties.
3
25°C, 100µA thermistor
4
Stability measurements done at 25°C using a 10kΩ thermistor on the 100µA setting. The number is ½
the peak-to-peak deviation from the average over the measurement period.
2

5240 TECSource User’s Manual · Page 29

Error Messages
Error
Code
E-100

Description

Cause

General Error

E-102

Message too long

E-104
E-123

Type not allowed
Path not foundE-124

Data mismatch

E-126
E-127

Too few or too many
elements
Change not allowed

E-201

Data out of range

E-202

Invalid data type

E-204

Suffix not valid

E-402

Sensor open, output
turned off
Module open, output
turned off
I limit, output turnedoff
V limit, output turned
off
Thermistor resistancelimit, output turned off

The error code is non-specific, and isgenerally used when no other error code issuitable.
The message is too long to process(USB/Serial only).
The RADix type was invalid
The message used an invalid pathcommand (USB/Serial only).
The message contained data that did notmatch the expected format (USB/Serial
only).
The command requires more or less than
the number of parameters actually supplied.
An attempt was made to change aparameter that cannot be changed, or iscurrently read-only.
The message attempted to set a value thatwas outside the allowable range (USB/Serial
only).
When trying to parse the message, the data
was in an invalid format (USB/Serial only).
An invalid number base suffix (radix) was
encountered when parsing a number(USB/Serial only).
A sensor open circuit was detected and theoutput was turned off.
A Peltier module open circuit was detected
and the output was turned off.
A current limit was detected and the output
was turned off.
A voltage limit was detected and the output
was turned off.
The thermistor resistance limit (high or low)
was exceeded and the output was turnedoff.
The temperature limit (high or low) was
exceeded and the output was turned off.
The sensor type was changed, causing theoutput to be turned off.

E-403
E-404
E-405
E-406
E-407
E-409

Temperature limit,
output turned off
Sensor changed,
output turned off

Page 30 · 5240 TECSource User’s Manual

Error
Code
E-410

Description

Cause
The temperature went out of tolerance andthe output was turned off.

E-416

Temperature was outof tolerance, output
turned off
Sensor short, output
turned off
Cal failed

E-419

TEC not stable

E-433

Not a TEC

E-434

Ite limit exceeds
cable rating

E-435

Mode Change

E-436

AutoTune failed

E-437

AutoTune in T mode
only

E-997

Control error, cycle
power

E-998

Command notsupported
Non-specific error

E-415

E-999

A sensor short circuit was detected and theoutput was turned off.
An error occurred during calibration thatcaused the calibration to fail. The unit is nolonger in calibration mode.
The TEC is considered stable if thetemperature has changed less than 0.02°C
for more than 20 seconds.
The TEC:CHAN command attempted to
select a non-TEC channel
The cable plugged into the unit is not rated
to carry the current as set by the current
limit. Use a 1262B cable, 1263 cable, or
custom cable with ID pin connected toanalog ground, or reduce the current limit
below 5A.
A mode change occurred when the output
was on, forcing the output off.
The AutoTune process failed. See the“Using the AutoTune Function” for more
information.
The AutoTune process is only available in T
(temperature) mode. In R mode, the PID
parameters must be determined manually.
A hardware control error occurred, cycle
power to resolve. If error continues to occur,contact factory.
A command was received that is notsupported by this instrument.
A non-specific error was encountered.

5240 TECSource User’s Manual · Page 31

Maintenance, Calibration and Warranty
Maintenance
The TECSource requires no regular maintenance other than product calibration.
To clean the instrument, use cotton cloth that is only damp (not wet) with a lightsolution of soap and water.
Fuses
Under normal operation, you should never need to replace a fuse. However, ifeither fuse does blow, use only T 250V, 1.0A, IEC 60127-2 5x20mm metric fuses
as replacements.
If, after replacing the fuse, it continues to blow, immediately discontinue use of
the instrument and contact service for support.
Service
Service and repair for the TECSource can be obtained by contacting the
distributor from where you purchased the instrument, or directly from Arroyo
Instruments. A complete list of distributors is available on the Arroyo web site.
You can contact Arroyo Instruments through one of these methods:
By mail:By phone:
By fax:By email:On the web:Arroyo Instruments
1201 Prospect Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
USA+1 (805) 543-1302+1 (805) 543-1303
support@arroyoinstruments.com
http://www.arroyoinstruments.com

In all cases, Arroyo Instruments requires a return materials authorization (RMA)
number. You must contact Arroyo Instruments and obtain an RMA number prior
to returning your instrument, or the shipment may be rejected and sent back toyou.

Page 32 · 5240 TECSource User’s Manual

Warranty
Arroyo Instruments warrants that this product will be free from defects in material
and workmanship and will comply with Arroyo Instruments’ publishedspecifications at the time of sale for a period of one year from date of shipment.
If found to be defective during the warranty period, the product will either be
repaired or replaced at Arroyo Instruments’ option.
To exercise this warranty, write or call your local Arroyo Instruments
representative, or contact the factory directly at the address given above. You
will be given prompt assistance and return instructions. Send the product, freight
prepaid, to the indicated service facility. Repairs will be made and the instrument
returned freight prepaid. Repaired products are warranted for the balance of theoriginal warranty period or 90 days, whichever first occurs.
Limitation of Warranty
The above warranties do not apply to products which have been repaired or
modified without Arroyo Instruments’ written approval, or products subjected tounusual physical, thermal or electrical stress, improper installation, misuse,abuse, accident or negligence in use, storage, transportation or handling. This
warranty also does not apply to fuses, batteries, or damage from battery
leakage.
THIS WARRANTY IS IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESSED ORIMPLIED, INCLUDING ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR
FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR USE. ARROYO INSTRUMENTS SHALL NOT BE
LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGESRESULTING FROM THE PURCHASE OR USE OF ITS PRODUCTS.

5240 TECSource User’s Manual · Page 33

EC Declaration of Conformity

EC Declaration of Conformity
I/Weof

Arroyo Instruments
1201 Prospect Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
USA

declare that5240 TECSource Temperature Controller
In accordance with the following directives
EMC Directive: 89/336/EEC
Low Voltage Directive: 73/23/EEC
RoHS Directive: 2015/863/EU
has been designed and manufactured to the following specifications:
EMC Directive Test Standards
EN 61326
Electrical Equipment for Measurement, Control and Laboratory Use EMC
Requirements. This encompasses 10 individual Tests
Low Voltage Directive Test Standards
EN 61010
Electrical Equipment for Measurement, Control and Laboratory Use
Safety Requirements.
This Certificate is the Manufacturer’s Declaration which states that the 5240 TECSource
Temperature Controller is Compliant to the above noted EU Directives and are therefore,
eligible to bear the CE MARK.
I hereby declare that the equipment named above has been designed to comply with therelevant sections of the above referenced specifications. The unit complies with all
essential requirements of the Directives.
Paul Corr(NAME OF AUTHORIZED PERSON)

President(TITLE OF AUTHORIZED PERSON)(SIGNATURE OF AUTHORIZED PERSON)

1 February 2011

(DATE OF ISSUE)

Page 34 · 5240 TECSource User’s Manual

UK Declaration of Conformity

EC Declaration of Conformity

I/We
of

Arroyo Instruments
1201 Prospect Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
USA

declare that5240 TECSource Temperature Controller
In accordance with the following U.K. Legislation Regulations:Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016
Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Regulations 2016
The Restriction of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances inElectrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations 2012
has been designed and manufactured to the following specifications:
EMC Directive Test Standards
EN 61326
Electrical Equipment for Measurement, Control and Laboratory Use EMC
Requirements. This encompasses 10 individual Tests
Low Voltage Directive Test Standards
EN 61010
Electrical Equipment for Measurement, Control and Laboratory Use
Safety Requirements.
This Certificate is the Manufacturer’s Declaration which states that the 5240 TECSource
Temperature Controller is Compliant to the above noted U.K. Legislation and are
therefore, eligible to bear the UKCA MARK.
I hereby declare that the equipment named above has been designed to comply with therelevant sections of the above referenced specifications. The unit complies with all
essential requirements of the U.K. Legislation Regulations.
Paul Corr(NAME OF AUTHORIZED PERSON)

President(TITLE OF AUTHORIZED PERSON)(SIGNATURE OF AUTHORIZED PERSON)

September 27, 2022

(DATE OF ISSUE)

5240 TECSource User’s Manual · Page 35

NOTES:

Page 36 · 5240 TECSource User’s Manual

Copyright © 2022, Arroyo Instruments. All Rights Reserved.

P/N 530-1027 Rev E