Product News

Introducing the New 1/32 and 1/16 DIN Panel Mount EZ-ZONE^® PM Controller with Integrated Control Loop Functionality from Watlow^®

St. Louis, MO (June 3, 2008) - Watlow, a leading designer and manufacturer of heaters, controllers and temperature sensors, announces the introduction of its EZ-ZONE™ PM controller. The EZ-ZONE PM controller extends the integrated control loop functions first introduced in the EZ-ZONE ST integrated controller to the popular 1/32 and 1/16 DIN panel mount package sizes.

Watlow's EZ-ZONE PM controller offers solutions to reduce system complexity and lower the cost of control loop ownership. You can configure the EZ-ZONE PM in a variety of ways:

• as a discrete PID controller with adaptive tuning,
• as a discrete, agency approved, over/under limit controller, or
• as an integrated control loop solution by combining the PID functionality, over/under limit functionality and high amperage NO-ARC power switching output in a single panel mount package. Combining these features reduces the required panel space, the cost of wiring and the cost of installing multiple discrete components.

Significant reductions in thermal loop installation costs are realized when the limit control function and the power switching function are integrated into a single panel mount package. Having a less crowded panel, fewer wiring connections, fewer discrete components and better thermal loop monitoring with error reporting are all benefits to the user. Watlow's EZ-ZONE PM controller decreases design and assembly time, requires less panel space, minimizes system complexity and best of all, lowers the total cost of ownership. This all comes packaged in a UL^® listed product, resulting in further savings on agency related panel/product inspection costs.

The EZ-ZONE PM controller is highly scalable so the user only pays for what is needed. EZ-ZONE PM is the answer for those seeking a discrete PID controller, an over/under limit controller or an integrated thermal loop solution. Buyers can also select from a variety of industrial communication protocols including EIA 485, EIA 232, EtherNet/IP™ or Modbus^® TCP to remotely configure, manage and monitor the system's performance. Other options include load current measuring capability, a remote set point input, ramp soak programming capability and control variable retransmission.

Standard EZ-ZONE PM features include RoHS compliance by design, TRU-TUNE™+ adaptive control, Watlow's patented programmable menu system, serial communications for controller configuration with a downloadable Windows^® PC-based software configuration package (at no charge), 3PT armor sealing system, Consistent Termination Labeling (CTL) system, EZ-KEY programmable "hot-key", dual row seven-segment displays, front panel removable, Factory Mutual (FM) approval on limit models, parameter save/restore memory, full featured alarms, removable wiring connections and an industry leading three-year warranty.

EZ-ZONE PM controller can be used in temperature/process controlling applications such as plastics processing, packaging, environmental chambers, semiconductor processing, analytical instrumentation and general equipment use.

EZ-ZONE PM is UL^®, CSA, RoHS, W.E.E.E., NEMA 4X UL 50 and IP66 approved and can be ordered with Class 1 div. 2 approvals on controllers with non-relay outputs. More information can be found at www.watlow.co.uk/ez-zone or by calling a local sales representative at +44 (0) 115 964 0777.

About Watlow

Since the company's founding in 1922, Watlow has brought its thermal expertise to numerous applications, including semiconductor, plastics processing, foodservice equipment, life sciences, power generation, aerospace and others. Headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, Watlow is the largest custom designer and manufacturer of industrial heaters, sensors, controllers and software with offices and manufacturing facilities around the world.