Huber CC-118A Heating Circulating Bath

Overview

The Huber CC-118A Heating Circulating Bath is a precision-engineered laboratory temperature control system designed for stable, reliable thermal management of external devices and samples. Operating exclusively in heating mode, it leverages a high-efficiency 2 kW resistive heating element combined with dual-pump architecture—comprising both pressure and suction circulation—to ensure uniform thermal distribution within its 18 L transparent polycarbonate or stainless steel bath reservoir. Its core function is to maintain setpoint temperatures between 25 °C and 100 °C (with extended operational capability down to 15 °C under specific conditions), achieving exceptional stability of ±0.02 °C under steady-state conditions. This level of performance meets stringent requirements for applications demanding minimal thermal drift, including calorimetric measurements, viscometry sample conditioning, enzymatic reaction kinetics, and long-duration stability testing. The unit complies fully with DIN 12876 Class III/FL safety standards, permitting safe operation with flammable heat transfer fluids such as silicone oils or glycols—critical for laboratories adhering to ISO/IEC 17025 or GLP-compliant workflows.

Key Features

• Integrated Pilot ONE E-grade Basic controller with 5.7-inch capacitive touchscreen, intuitive graphical interface, and 11-language support—including English, German, French, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean—for global laboratory usability.
• Dual-circulation architecture: independent pressure pump (max. 27 L/min at 0.7 bar) and suction pump (max. 22 L/min at 0.4 bar) enable robust internal homogenization and precise external loop control via optional pump combiner accessories.
• Comprehensive safety system featuring dual redundant overtemperature protection, low-level fluid detection, and automatic shutdown—certified to DIN 12876 Class III/FL for use with flammable media.
• High-resolution temperature regulation supported by Pt100 sensor input, 5-point calibration capability, and RS232/Ethernet/USB Device & Host connectivity for audit-ready data logging and remote supervision.
• Programmable timer with calendar-based start functionality, real-time clock synchronization, and user-defined ramp/soak profiles for unattended overnight or multi-day experiments.
• IP20-rated enclosure, compact footprint (333 × 520 × 335 mm), and lightweight design (8 kg) facilitate integration into fume hoods, analytical workstations, or modular lab setups.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The CC-118A accommodates a broad range of external equipment requiring controlled thermal input—including spectrophotometer cells, rheometer jackets, chromatography columns, and material test fixtures—via standardized M16×1 AG male pump connections. Its bath opening (275 × 161 mm, depth 150 mm) supports immersion of large-format vessels or custom fixtures. When operated with certified heat transfer fluids (e.g., Dow Corning PMX-200 silicone oil), the system satisfies DIN 12876-1:2020 requirements for Flammable Liquid (FL) compatibility, enabling safe deployment in environments governed by EU Directive 2014/34/EU (ATEX) or OSHA 1910.119 process safety standards. All electronic controls conform to IEC 61000-6-3 (EMC emission) and IEC 61000-6-2 (immunity), ensuring electromagnetic compatibility in shared instrument racks. Documentation includes CE marking, Declaration of Conformity, and traceable factory calibration certificates aligned with ISO/IEC 17025 clause 6.5.2.

Software & Data Management

The Pilot ONE controller natively supports time-stamped temperature logging at user-selectable intervals (1 s to 60 min), with data export via USB flash drive in CSV format for post-processing in MATLAB, Excel, or LIMS platforms. Ethernet connectivity enables integration into enterprise-wide LabVantage or Thermo Fisher SampleManager systems using standard Modbus TCP or HTTP API protocols. Optional Huber LabSoft software (v4.2+) provides centralized fleet monitoring, firmware updates, alarm history review, and 21 CFR Part 11-compliant electronic signatures when deployed with Windows-based domain authentication. Audit trails record all parameter changes, calibration events, and operator logins—fully compliant with FDA GLP and GMP Annex 11 expectations for regulated pharmaceutical or biotech labs.

Applications

• Controlled-temperature sample conditioning prior to HPLC, GC, or UV-Vis analysis.
• Thermal stabilization of optical components during interferometric or ellipsometric measurements.
• Accelerated aging studies per ASTM D5722 and ISO 188 for polymer degradation kinetics.
• Calibration of temperature-sensitive transducers, thermistors, and RTDs against NIST-traceable references.
• Food microbiology incubation support (e.g., AOAC 977.27) where precise thermal ramping is required for pathogen enumeration.
• Material science testing of phase-change behavior in waxes, bitumens, and thermoplastic elastomers per ASTM D3418.

FAQ

Can the CC-118A be used with flammable heat transfer fluids?
Yes—it is certified to DIN 12876 Class III/FL, permitting operation with silicone oils, glycols, and other Class IIIB combustible liquids when installed per manufacturer-specified ventilation and grounding guidelines.
Is external temperature feedback supported?
Yes—the unit accepts external Pt100 sensor input via dedicated terminal block, enabling cascade control loops where bath temperature is regulated based on sample or jacket temperature rather than internal bath setpoint.
What is the minimum fill volume required for safe operation?
The bath must be filled to its full 18 L capacity; partial filling compromises thermal mass, destabilizes temperature control, and may trigger low-level alarms or disable heating.
Does the Pilot ONE controller support firmware updates?
Yes—updates are delivered via USB stick or Ethernet using Huber’s official LabSoft Update Manager; version history and release notes are published on the Huber Technical Support Portal.
Is the CC-118A suitable for ISO 17025-accredited calibration labs?
Yes—its documented temperature stability (±0.02 °C), traceable factory calibration, and audit-trail-capable data logging meet ILAC-G8:2023 requirements for reference equipment used in accredited thermal calibration services.