RE: Eurotherm Temperature Controller Support

[<emma.shepherd@diamond.ac.uk>]

Hi Chris,

 

We have several Eurotherm controllers at Diamond Light Source for use in sample environments, including the 2704.  We have developed some generic EPICS support for the 2000 series with StreamDevice (using the EIBisynch interface).  This basically allows you to set it into manual/automatic mode, change the setpoint, ramp rate and PID parameters.  So far we have only tried it out for a single control loop.  It works fine, but this interface is quite limited and to really delve into the full capability of the 2704 you need to use Modbus.  This is on my ‘to-do’ list but I haven’t had time to get started on it yet.

 

As a more general comment, our experience is that the 2704 seems to be extremely configurable, but this means it comes with a fairly steep learning curve.  The Modbus and EIBisynch interface documentation is a little obscure (at least to a non-expert!) but so far I have had a good response from the Eurotherm technical support team which is encouraging.

 

If you’re interested in the StreamDevice support we already have, let me know and we will put it up on our website for you to download.

 

Hope that helps,

Emma

 

From: tech-talk-bounces@aps.anl.gov [mailto:tech-talk-bounces@aps.anl.gov] On Behalf Of Chris Whiting
Sent: 15 October 2010 20:27
To: tech-talk@aps.anl.gov
Subject: Eurotherm Temperature Controller Support

 

I am developing an automated vacuum bakeout station for CHESS at Cornell University. I have been searching for temperature controllers which allow for 10 (or more) PID control loops, and have come across the Eurotherm 2704VC controller (this particular controller has extra inputs and outputs for vacuum equipment).

Another goal of the project, in addition to building a working bakeout station, is to use, and learn more about, the EPICS control system. I have found support written originally for the Eurotherm 800 series controllers on the Modules page, and have been told it works for the 2000 series even though it should not.

I am wondering if anyone has developed support specifically for the 2704 Eurotherm controller using the newer Modbus module or StreamDevice methods (or other newer methods), as these were not available when the support for the Eurotherm 800 series was developed.

Suggestions or comments about using the Eurotherm 2704/2500 temperature controllers for this application would also be welcomed.

Thank you for your help.

Chris Whiting
CHESS
Cornell University

 

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