Computer controlled dry thermostat for T3Ster: T3STERTHSTA

Figure 7-5: Connection of the thermostat unit to the T3Ster Main System Unit

A Peltier-cell cooled, dry thermostat is available for the T3Ster equipment as an add-on option. The thermostat unit is controlled by via the thermostat control port of the T3Ster Main System Unit. The thermostat connection cable (shipped with the thermostat) has to be connected to the JP2 socket on the Power-switch and Thermostat Driver module (see section 5.3). This way the T3Ster Measurement Control & Evaluation software performs the simultaneous control of the thermostat unit and the entire T3Ster equipment.

The thermostat unit is

• aimed at the calibration of temperature sensors used for thermal steady-state and transient testing of semiconductor devices and packages,
• suitable to provide "cold plate" for the thermal testing as well.

The thermostat module of the T3Ster Measurement Control & Evaluation Tool provides automatic temperature excursion and calculation of the sensitivity parameter of diode or resistance sensors. The recorded calibration diagrams (such as shown in Figure 7-6) can be saved for later use. The identified sensitivity parameter to be used as sensitivity parameter in Channel Attributes window of the T3Ster Measurement Control & Evaluation Tool (Figure 7-3).

Figure 7-6: Calibration diagram recorded by the T3Ster-thermostat

Major parameters:

• Temperature range: 5 - 90 °C
• Accuracy: ± 0.2 °C
• Settling time: 90 sec for DT = +10 °C (in case of an empty cavity)
• Cavity size: 46x46x10 mm³ (extendable to 46x46x15 mm³)
• Power sinking capability: min 10 W (above 30 °C)
• Overheating protection: above 95 °C
• Size (w/h/d): 24 cm x 16 cm x 37 cm
• Weight: approx. 4 kg
• Supply: own 110 V..230 V / 50 Hz..60 Hz power mains.

The temparature of the thermostat - when properly connected and switched on - is controlled by the T3Ster software. That is why the thermostate temperature may run away of the thermostat is switched on without software control, thus switch on the thermostat only if the T3Ster Main System Units is switched on and T3Ster software is in the position to control the thermostat. For details of the thermostat control refer to section 6.4 of the T3Ster Measurement Control & Refernce Guide.

Note, that the thermostat control module of the T3Ster software is licensed only if a thermostat unit is purchased.