IKA IC control pro 12 c Immersion Circulating Thermostat

Overview

The IKA^® IC control pro 12 c is a high-precision immersion circulating thermostat engineered for stable, programmable temperature control in laboratory applications requiring external circulation—such as jacketed reactors, rotary evaporators, calorimeters, and material testing systems. Based on resistive heating and forced convection via an integrated pressure/suction pump, the device delivers thermally uniform fluid transfer across closed-loop or open-bath configurations. Its core architecture adheres to DIN 12876 Class III safety standards for laboratory thermostats, ensuring robust thermal management under continuous operation (100% duty cycle). Designed and manufactured in Staufen, Germany, the IC control pro 12 c integrates dual PT100/PT1000 sensor redundancy, active overtemperature protection with user-definable safety limits (0–260 °C), and real-time TFT-based monitoring of both process and safety temperatures—enabling traceable, GLP-compliant thermal workflows.

Key Features

• High-stability temperature control with ±0.01 K stability at setpoint—achieved through PID-regulated heating and adaptive thermal compensation
• Adjustable dual-mode circulation: internal recirculation within the bath or external delivery to auxiliary equipment via M16×1 threaded ports (NW 8)
• Integrated pressure/suction pump delivering up to 26 L/min at 0 bar backpressure, with max. pressure of 0.7 bar and suction capability of 0.4 bar
• Dual-sensor architecture: primary PT100 for process control + independent PT1000 for hardware-level safety cutoff
• TFT display with simultaneous readout of working temperature, safety temperature, pump status, and alarm history
• Comprehensive alarm system—including visual (LED), audible (buzzer), and digital alerts for temperature deviation, sensor failure, and safety limit breach
• RS232 and USB interfaces support remote parameter configuration, data logging, and integration into LIMS or SCADA environments per FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements (with validated software)
• IP21-rated enclosure compliant with DIN EN 60529; suitable for standard laboratory environments (5–40 °C, ≤80% RH, non-condensing)

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The IC control pro 12 c is compatible with water, silicone oil, glycol-water mixtures, and other thermally stable heat-transfer fluids rated for operation up to 250 °C. When used with the optional stainless steel bath tank M (included in the full package), it supports immersion depths from 95 to 135 mm and accommodates vessels with base diameters up to 292 mm × 105 mm. The unit meets DIN 12876 Class III classification for thermostats intended for use with flammable media (FL designation), including operation with oils above flash point thresholds. All electrical design complies with CE, RoHS, and low-voltage directives (2014/35/EU). Calibration support is available per ISO/IEC 17025-accredited procedures, and firmware supports audit-trail-enabled operation for GMP/GLP-regulated labs.

Software & Data Management

Native communication via RS232 or USB enables bidirectional command exchange using ASCII-based protocols. IKA’s Labworldsoft™ (v5.0+) provides validated instrument control, automated method sequencing, and timestamped data export in CSV or XML formats—with configurable sampling intervals down to 1 second. The system supports electronic signatures, user access levels (admin/operator), and full audit trail generation for all parameter changes, alarms, and calibration events—meeting FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements when deployed with appropriate IT infrastructure and SOPs. Raw temperature logs include PT100 measurement values, safety sensor readings, pump RPM, and error codes for root-cause analysis during QA investigations.

Applications

• Temperature regulation of jacketed glass reactors (e.g., during exothermic synthesis or cryogenic condensation)
• Stabilization of distillation and extraction systems, including rotary evaporators and Soxhlet apparatus
• Calibration of thermocouples, RTDs, and infrared sensors against traceable reference standards
• Material property testing—viscosity profiling, polymer curing kinetics, and thermal expansion studies
• Biological incubation support where precise external thermal coupling is required (e.g., perfusion systems)
• QC/QA validation of thermal processes in pharmaceutical, chemical, and food manufacturing environments

FAQ

What fluids are compatible with the IC control pro 12 c?

Water, silicone oils (e.g., DC200 series), and ethylene glycol/water blends are approved for use. Fluid selection must respect maximum operating temperature (250 °C) and flash point safety margins per DIN 12876 FL classification.
Can this unit cool as well as heat?

No—the IC control pro 12 c is a heating-only circulator. For combined heating/cooling, consider the IKA RV control series with integrated refrigeration modules.
Is external bath tank included in the base configuration?

The IC control pro 12 c unit itself does not include a bath tank. However, the complete “IC control pro package” (sold separately) contains the stainless steel tank M, PT100.30 sensor, CC1 cooling coil, CM.IC cover, and BS.IC bridge—fully preconfigured for immediate deployment.
How is temperature calibration performed?

Calibration is supported via two-point adjustment using certified reference thermometers. The device stores calibration offsets per sensor channel and retains them after power cycles. Full traceability documentation is available upon request from IKA’s metrology service.
Does the pump support dry-run protection?

Yes—the unit monitors flow resistance and temperature gradients to detect low-fluid or air-lock conditions, automatically reducing pump speed and triggering an alarm before mechanical damage occurs.