IKA ICC 100 lite Compact Immersion Circulator

Overview

The IKA ICC 100 lite is a compact, high-precision immersion circulator engineered for stable thermal control in laboratory bath applications. Designed and manufactured in Germany under strict adherence to DIN 12876 Class III safety standards, it operates on the principle of forced convection via an integrated impeller-driven internal recirculation system—eliminating the need for external tubing or pump connections. Its heating-only architecture delivers rapid thermal equilibration across aqueous and oil-based media, with temperature stability maintained at ±0.05 K at 70 °C (validated per DIN 12876). The device employs dual PT1000 resistance temperature detectors—one for active PID control and a redundant unit for independent safety cutoff—ensuring fail-safe operation during unattended runs. Its FL marking certifies suitability for use with flammable liquids, while IP21 ingress protection safeguards against vertically falling droplets and solid objects >12.5 mm, supporting safe integration into shared lab environments.

Key Features

• Compact footprint (135 × 303 × 180 mm) optimized for benchtop space efficiency without compromising thermal performance
• Dual-sensor architecture: primary PT1000 for precision PID regulation and secondary PT1000 for independent overtemperature shutdown (adjustable safety limit: 0–110 °C)
• High-power 2100 W heating element with dynamic power modulation—enables rapid ramping and fine-grained stabilization across the full ambient-to-100 °C range
• Integrated low-level liquid detection with visual and audible alarm—prevents dry-run damage and ensures operational integrity
• Comprehensive digital interface: LED display with 0.1 K resolution, real-time working/safety temperature readouts, and status indicators for alarm, heating, and communication activity
• Standardized mechanical clamping system compatible with universal lab stands and vessel geometries; minimum recommended bath depth: 150 mm
• Full compliance with DIN 12876 for laboratory heating equipment—including Class III classification, FL marking, and continuous-duty certification (100 % duty cycle)

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The ICC 100 lite supports a wide range of sample containers—including standard glass beakers, stainless-steel baths, and silicone-coated immersion vessels—provided minimum depth and thermal mass requirements are met. It is validated for use with water, silicone oils, glycerol-water mixtures, and other non-corrosive heat-transfer fluids rated for temperatures up to 100 °C. As a DIN 12876 Class III FL device, it meets stringent European safety requirements for laboratory heating equipment, including mechanical stability, thermal cut-off redundancy, and electrical insulation integrity. Its construction adheres to EN 61010-1 for electrical safety and EN 60529 (IP21) for environmental protection. While not intrinsically rated for hazardous area use, its FL designation confirms suitability for controlled handling of flammable liquids under standard lab ventilation protocols.

Software & Data Management

The ICC 100 lite features native RS232 and USB interfaces for bidirectional communication with host systems. When paired with IKA’s labworldsoft software (v4.0+), users gain remote parameter configuration, real-time temperature logging, script-based protocol execution, and export-ready CSV data output. All communication events—including setpoint changes, alarm triggers, and safety cutoffs—are timestamped and stored locally, supporting GLP-compliant documentation workflows. The device supports audit-trail-capable operation when used in conjunction with validated labworldsoft installations compliant with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements (electronic signatures, user access control, and immutable log archiving). Firmware updates are delivered via USB and maintain full backward compatibility with existing labworldsoft configurations.

Applications

• Enzyme kinetics assays requiring precise, sustained incubation at 37–65 °C
• Calibration of thermometers, RTDs, and thermocouples against traceable reference standards
• Viscosity measurements using rotational or capillary viscometers where bath temperature directly impacts fluid behavior
• Controlled solubility studies of pharmaceutical actives in aqueous or co-solvent systems
• Pre-heating and thermal conditioning of samples prior to GC, HPLC, or spectroscopic analysis
• Stability testing of reagents and standards under ISO/IEC 17025-accredited quality systems
• Teaching labs requiring robust, low-maintenance thermal platforms for undergraduate physical chemistry experiments

FAQ

Does the ICC 100 lite support external cooling or refrigeration?
No—it is a heating-only circulator. However, it can be operated in conjunction with an external chiller unit to achieve bath temperatures as low as –25 °C, provided the chiller’s output is plumbed into the bath vessel separately.
Is calibration traceability supported out of the box?
Yes. The device includes built-in calibration adjustment functionality and supports user-initiated offset correction. Full metrological traceability requires periodic verification against NIST-traceable references using the dual PT1000 sensor architecture.
Can multiple ICC 100 lite units be controlled simultaneously via one PC?
Yes. labworldsoft supports daisy-chained RS232 or individually addressed USB connections for centralized multi-unit monitoring and synchronized protocol execution.
What is the minimum bath volume required for stable operation?
A minimum working volume of 2 L is recommended for optimal thermal homogeneity and sensor response time; this assumes a bath depth ≥150 mm and adequate vessel cross-section to accommodate the immersion head without flow restriction.
Does the device meet FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements for electronic records?
The hardware itself does not enforce Part 11 controls—but when deployed with validated labworldsoft configurations (including role-based access, electronic signatures, and audit-log integrity), it forms part of a compliant data acquisition ecosystem.