IKA HBC 5 control Heating Circulator

Overview

The IKA HBC 5 control is a high-precision, German-engineered heating circulator designed for demanding laboratory applications requiring stable thermal environments across wide temperature ranges—from ambient +10 K up to 250 °C. Built upon the DIN 12876-1 Class III (FL) safety framework for flammable liquid handling, it employs a robust stainless-steel bath vessel with optimized thermal insulation and an integrated large-surface-area heating coil for uniform heat distribution and minimal thermal gradients. Its core operating principle relies on forced convection via a digitally regulated pressure/suction pump, enabling precise external circulation to reactors, jacketed vessels, or analytical instrumentation. Unlike basic water baths, the HBC 5 control functions as a closed-loop thermal management system—capable of maintaining setpoint accuracy within ±0.01 K under dynamic load conditions—making it suitable for calibration-critical workflows, reaction kinetics studies, and material testing per ISO 17025-compliant laboratories.

Key Features

• High-stability temperature control: ±0.01 K at setpoint, verified per DIN 12876-1 and traceable to PT100 working sensor + redundant PT1000 safety sensor
• Dual-mode operation: Seamless switching between internal bath temperature regulation and external process temperature feedback using optional external PT100 probe
• Intuitive human-machine interface: 4.3-inch color TFT display with multilingual menu navigation (English, German, French, Spanish, Chinese), tactile rotary encoder + push-button controls
• Integrated safety architecture: Dual independent temperature monitoring circuits, audible/visual over-temperature alarms, adjustable safety limit (0–260 °C), and automatic shutdown on sensor failure or low fluid level
• Wireless remote operation: WiCo wireless controller (up to 10 m / 30 ft range) enables safe use inside fume hoods or behind shielding without compromising real-time parameter visibility
• Front-mounted drain valve with hose connection port: Enables controlled, operator-safe emptying of hot bath media without direct contact
• Cooling coil integration: Optional connection to external chiller for hybrid heating/cooling applications (e.g., ramp-and-hold protocols)

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The HBC 5 control accommodates standard laboratory media including deionized water, silicone oils (e.g., Syltherm XLT, Dow Corning 200), and glycol-water mixtures. Its stainless-steel bath (min. depth: 150 mm; max. volume: 7 L) complies with DIN 12876-1 Class III (FL) for use with flammable liquids up to flash point 60 °C. The unit meets IP21 ingress protection per DIN EN 60529, operates continuously at 100% duty cycle, and is certified for ambient conditions of 5–40 °C and ≤80% RH. It supports GLP/GMP data integrity requirements through labworldsoft®-enabled audit trails, timestamped event logging (including safety triggers), and 21 CFR Part 11–compliant user access control when interfaced via USB or RS232.

Software & Data Management

Equipped with native USB and RS232 interfaces, the HBC 5 control integrates seamlessly with IKA’s labworldsoft® software for remote control, real-time data acquisition, and automated protocol execution—including ramp-soak-hold sequences and multi-step temperature profiles. All operational parameters (temperature, pump speed, fluid level, safety status) are logged with millisecond timestamps and exportable in CSV or XML format. Firmware updates are performed directly via USB stick using official IKA-signed binaries, ensuring version traceability and cryptographic integrity. The device stores up to 10 user-defined programs internally and supports scheduled start/stop via built-in timer (0–99 h 59 min).

Applications

• Calibration of thermometers, RTDs, and thermocouples per ISO/IEC 17025 and ASTM E74
• Thermal conditioning of viscometers, rheometers, and DSC sample stages
• Temperature-controlled synthesis in jacketed glass reactors (e.g., 1–5 L scale)
• Stability testing of pharmaceutical formulations per ICH Q1A(R3)
• Material property evaluation: coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), glass transition (Tg), and melt flow index (MFI) prep
• Environmental simulation for electronics component aging tests (JEDEC JESD22-A108)

FAQ

What safety certifications does the HBC 5 control meet?
It conforms to DIN 12876-1 Class III (FL) for flammable liquid handling, carries CE marking per EU Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC and Low Voltage Directive 2014/35/EU, and satisfies EN 61010-1 for laboratory electrical safety.
Can the unit be used with external temperature sensors?
Yes—it features a dedicated PT100 input for external process temperature feedback, enabling cascade control of reactor jackets or distillation heads.
Is firmware update capability included?
Yes—updates are delivered via USB stick using officially signed binaries; version history and installation logs are retained onboard.
Does it support regulatory-compliant data archiving?
When operated with labworldsoft®, it generates time-stamped, tamper-evident logs compliant with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 Annex 11 and EU GMP Annex 11 requirements.
What is the maximum external circulation pressure and flow rate?
The integrated pressure/suction pump delivers up to 0.7 bar (pressure mode, zero flow) and 26 L/min (at 0 bar backpressure), with fully adjustable speed and direction control.