Eurotherm Mini8 Modular Temperature Control Controller

Eurotherm Mini8 Modular Temperature Control Controller

Mini8 is a compact multi loop programmable temperature control acquisition controller under Schneider's Eurotherm brand. It features a modular IO plug-in architecture and combines multi loop PID regulation and multi-channel data acquisition functions. It can be used in conjunction with PLC to share analog temperature measurement and temperature control calculations, and is widely used in industrial temperature control scenarios such as heat treatment, extrusion, and ovens. It is equipped with iTools graphic configuration software and supports multi bus communication.

Product Overview

Positioning: Replace expensive analog modules of PLC, integrate PID temperature control, data acquisition, logical operation, program segment control, and formula management; Benchmarking the performance of the Continental 3000 series panel instrument.

Hardware dimensions: 124 × 108 × 115mm, with a net weight of approximately 1kg, installed horizontally on DIN35 rails, with a reserved heat dissipation space of ≥ 25mm above and below the cabinet; Power supply DC17.8-28.8V, overall power consumption ≤ 15W.

Environmental specifications: working temperature of -10~70 ℃, humidity of 5%~95%, no condensation; Compliant with EN61010 (installation category II, pollution level 2), EN61326 industrial EMC, with cUL and CE certification.

Core capacity: up to 16 PID closed-loop circuits, with a maximum of 32 analog inputs for a single module combination; Built in software function library, supporting curve programs, formulas, and mathematical logic.

Optional I/O module (4 slots for the whole machine, limited by slot position)

1. Analog input class

TC4/TC8 thermocouple card (4/8 channels): supports K/J/S/R/B/T/N/L, mV, custom division, 20 bit modulus, cold end compensation ± 1 ℃, wire breakage detection, and 42V isolation between channels.

RT4 thermistor card (PT100/PT1000 universal, 4-channel): 2/3/4 wire connection, temperature measurement -242~850 ℃, single lead maximum impedance of 22 Ω, high-precision sampling.

CT3 current transformer acquisition card (3-channel): external current transformer (10-1000:0.05), 0-50mA power frequency acquisition, used for heater fault diagnosis, single channel CT can monitor up to 6 sets of loads.

DI8 digital input card (8 switch values): DC10.8~28.8 is ON, -28.8~5V is OFF, minimum pulse width is 110ms, electrically isolated.

2. Output category

DO8 transistor solid-state output (8 channels): DC15-30V load, maximum 100mA per channel, supports time proportional power regulation (SSR drive), overcurrent self limiting.

RL8 relay output (8 channels, limited to slots 2 and 3 only, with a maximum of 2 pieces and 16 points for the whole machine): Contact 264VAC/2A, mechanical contact with absorption circuit, minimum conductivity of 220ms, strong electrical isolation.

AO4/AO8 analog output (4/8 channels 4~20mA, only slot 4): 0~20mA, maximum load 360 Ω, accuracy ± 0.5% FS, isolated type.

3. The body comes standard with IO: the power board comes with 2 relays and 2 DI digital inputs

Core software functions

1. PID control

Optional 4/8/16 PID, supporting single/dual cooling algorithms (air-cooled/water-cooled/oil cooled), automatically self-tuning; Output options include 4-20mA analog, on-off, and time proportional SSR output, with disturbance free switching, feedforward, loop disconnection alarm, remote setting value, and rate limiting.

2. Program segment programming (SP program, optional)

Up to 8 independent programs, each with 16 stages of temperature control/constant temperature, and 8 event switch outputs per program, used for automatic temperature control in heat treatment furnace processes.

3. Formula function (optional)

8 sets of process formulas, one click modification of machine parameters through HMI, quick switching of processes for multi specification products.

4. Heater fault detection (requires CT3 card)

Real time detection of heater open circuit, short circuit, half load, SSR breakdown, up to 8 load fault alarms per controller, periodic inspection and current collection.

5. Calculation Toolbox (Built in Massive Function Blocks)

Mathematics: 24 methods including addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, square root, logarithm, extremum, sample and hold, etc;

Logic: XOR, compare, latch, etc;

Timer, counter, integrator, curve interpolation, range calibration, dual value undisturbed switching;

32 analog channels+32 digital channels+32 disconnection alarms, which can be latched/delayed.

6. OEM encryption: can lock configuration programs to prevent device programs from being illegally copied and stolen.

Communication configuration (mutually exclusive protocol, choose one for ordering)

Serial Modbus RTU (RS485): Dual RJ45, 3/5 cable optional, 4800~19200bps;

Fieldbus: DeviceNet, Profibus DP;

Industrial Ethernet RJ45: Modbus TCP, EtherNet/IP, EtherCAT, speed 10/100M.

The panel displays LED indicators for RUN, ERR, and bus status, which intuitively show the running, fault, and communication status.

Configuration and matching

Eurotherm iTools software: graphical wiring GWE configuration, drag and drop function block soft wiring, online monitoring of parameters, faults, and curves;

Supporting accessories: precision sampling resistors, current transformers of different specifications, programming connection wires, etc;

Ordering coding rules: Free selection based on circuit number, IO type, communication, program/recipe/software options.

Typical supporting scheme

Temperature control+alarm: TC8 temperature measurement+DO8 solid-state output driver SSR+CT3 current measurement (heating wire fault monitoring);

Multi channel acquisition: multiple TC/RT cards+AO transmitters, combined with an upper level recorder (Eurofins 6000 paperless recorder);

PLC extension: Bus docking with PLC to upload on-site temperature measurement and control data.