IS200TBTCH1BBC - Thermocouple Terminal Board

SPECIFICATIONS

Part No.: IS200TBTCH1BBC
Manufacturer: General Electric
Country of Manufacture: United States of America (USA)
Number of channels :24
Thermocouple types: E, J, K, S, T
Span: -8 mV to +45 mV
Product Type: Thermocouple Terminal Board
Availability: In Stock
Series: Mark VIe

Functional Description

IS200TBTCH1BBC is a Thermocouple Terminal Board developed by GE. It is a part of Mark VIe control system. The thermocouple terminal board is designed to accommodate up to 24 thermocouple inputs. The inputs from these thermocouples are wired to two barrier-type blocks on the terminal board. Barrier-type blocks are chosen for their reliability and ease of use. They provide a secure and robust connection, ensuring that the thermocouple wires are held firmly in place. This helps to prevent accidental disconnection or short circuits, which can be critical in temperature monitoring and control systems.

Thermocouple types

Each of these thermocouple types has distinct characteristics suitable for different temperature ranges and environments:

• Type E: Chromel-Constantan, used for medium temperature ranges, with a high output and good accuracy.
• Type J: Iron-Constantan, suitable for lower temperature ranges, commonly used in older equipment.
• Type K: Chromel-Alumel, the most widely used type, suitable for a wide temperature range.
• Type S: Platinum-Rhodium, suitable for very high temperatures, used in laboratories and industrial applications.
• Type T: Copper-Constantan, suitable for very low temperatures, often used in cryogenics.

Features

• Communication between the thermocouple terminal board and the I/O processor is facilitated through DC-type connectors. These connectors are designed for direct current applications, ensuring efficient and reliable signal transmission. They provide a stable connection, which is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the temperature data being transmitted to the I/O processor.
• The I/O processor interprets the signals from the thermocouples and converts them into meaningful temperature data, which can then be used for monitoring, control, or data logging purposes. The combination of the thermocouple terminal board and the I/O processor thus forms a complete system for precise temperature measurement and control in various industrial, laboratory, and research applications.

Installation

• Thermocouples are wired directly to two I/O terminal blocks. These removable blocks, which are mounted on the terminal board and secured with two screws each, facilitate easy and secure wiring connections for thermocouples.
  • Mounting and Securing: The terminal blocks are designed to be removable for convenience. They are mounted on the terminal board and held in place with two screws, ensuring stability and ease of maintenance or replacement. This design allows for quick disconnection and reconnection of thermocouples during installation or troubleshooting.
  • Terminal Specifications: Each block features 24 terminals, capable of accepting wires up to #12 AWG (American Wire Gauge). This accommodates a variety of wire sizes, ensuring compatibility with different thermocouple types and installation requirements.
  • Shield Terminal Strip: A shield terminal strip, which is attached to the chassis ground, is located on the left side of each terminal block. This feature is crucial for maintaining signal integrity and reducing electrical noise. By grounding the shield, any electromagnetic interference (EMI) that might affect the accuracy of the thermocouple readings is minimized. This ensures that the temperature measurements are precise and reliable.
• Wiring Instructions:
  • Prepare the Thermocouple Wires: Strip the insulation from the ends of the thermocouple wires, ensuring you do not damage the conductors.
  • Connect to Terminal Blocks: Insert the stripped ends of the thermocouple wires into the appropriate terminals on the I/O terminal blocks. Make sure to match the polarity (positive and negative) correctly according to the thermocouple type.
  • Secure the Connections: Tighten the screws on the terminal blocks to secure the thermocouple wires in place. Ensure that the connections are tight and there is no loose wiring.
  • Attach Shielding: If using shielded thermocouple cables, connect the shield to the shield terminal strip on the left side of the terminal block. This connection should also be secure to maintain effective grounding.
  • Final Check: Double-check all connections to ensure they are secure and properly aligned. Confirm that the terminal blocks are firmly mounted to the terminal board with the screws.

Cold Junctions

• CJ Signal Integration: The cold junction signals are integrated into the signal space of the thermocouple terminal board. This integration allows for continuous monitoring and adjustment to ensure the accuracy of temperature measurements.
• Averaging of CJ Signals: Typically, the system uses the average of the two cold junction signals to provide a more stable and reliable reference point. Averaging helps to mitigate any discrepancies between the two junctions, enhancing the overall accuracy of the temperature readings.
• Configurable Limits: Acceptable limits for the cold junction signals are configured within the system. These limits define the operational range within which the cold junction temperatures should remain. Configuring these limits is crucial for ensuring that the system operates correctly and provides accurate temperature data.
• Logic Signal for Out-of-Limit Conditions: If a cold junction signal goes outside the predefined acceptable limits, a logic signal is triggered. This signal acts as an alert indicating that there is an issue with the cold junction temperature, which could affect the accuracy of the thermocouple readings. This proactive approach allows for timely intervention to correct any issues.
• Impact of CJ Compensation Errors: The accuracy of cold junction compensation is directly tied to the accuracy of the thermocouple readings. A 1 oF error in cold junction compensation will result in a corresponding 1 oF error in the thermocouple reading. This one-to-one error relationship underscores the importance of maintaining precise cold junction compensation to ensure reliable temperature measurements.

The WOC team is always available to help you with your Mark VIe requirements. For more information, please contact WOC.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is IS200TBTCH1BBC?
It is a Thermocouple Terminal Board developed by GE under the Mark VIe series.

What happens when a thermocouple exceeds the hardware limits?
When a thermocouple's reading exceeds the preset hardware limits, a logic signal is generated. This signal indicates that the temperature has gone beyond the acceptable range. Consequently, the system stops scanning the affected thermocouple input to avoid processing potentially erroneous data.

Are the hardware limits configurable?
No, the hardware limits are preset and non-configurable. They are set near the extreme ends of the thermocouple's operating range to ensure safe and reliable operation within the defined temperature boundaries.

What is a composite diagnostic alarm?
A composite diagnostic alarm is a system-wide alert that is triggered when any one of the thermocouple inputs exceeds its hardware limits. This alarm serves as a comprehensive warning that indicates a potential issue with one or more thermocouples, prompting immediate attention to diagnose and resolve the problem.