IKA HBC 10 basic Heating Circulator

Overview

The IKA HBC 10 basic is a high-precision, benchtop heating circulator engineered for stable thermal control in laboratory applications requiring reproducible temperature maintenance across diverse heat-transfer media—including water, silicone oil, and glycol-based fluids. Based on resistive heating combined with forced convection via an integrated pressure/suction pump, the system delivers uniform thermal energy distribution through optimized coil geometry and thermally insulated stainless-steel bath construction. Its operational principle relies on closed-loop PID temperature regulation using dual PT100 sensing elements (working and safety sensors), ensuring traceable accuracy and intrinsic fault tolerance. Designed for continuous-duty operation under GLP-compliant environments, the HBC 10 basic meets DIN 12876 Class III (FL) requirements—certifying safe use with flammable liquids up to 250 °C—making it suitable for synthetic chemistry, material testing, and quality control workflows where thermal integrity and operator safety are non-negotiable.

Key Features

• Stainless-steel bath with excellent thermal insulation and front-mounted drain valve for rapid, hands-free fluid evacuation via optional tubing connection
• Dual-sensor architecture: PT100 working sensor + PT1000 safety sensor, enabling independent overtemperature cutoff and redundancy per DIN 12876
• Adjustable safety temperature limit (0–260 °C), configurable via intuitive rotary encoder and keypad interface
• Large backlit LED display showing real-time bath temperature, pump speed (rpm), and status alerts (visual + audible)
• Integrated cooling coil allows external chiller integration for sub-ambient operation down to –20 °C when paired with compatible refrigerated units
• High-efficiency heating element delivering 2650 W nominal power; achieves rapid ramp rates without overshoot due to adaptive thermal inertia compensation
• Pressure/suction pump with adjustable flow (0–31 L/min at 0 bar backpressure) and max pressure of 0.61 bar, supporting both internal circulation and external jacketed reactor loops
• Comprehensive electrical protection: overvoltage, secondary-level thermal cutout, and current-limiting circuitry compliant with EN 61000-6-3 and EN 61000-6-4

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The HBC 10 basic accommodates standard laboratory vessels (Erlenmeyer flasks, round-bottom flasks, jacketed reactors) and supports external circulation to immersion coils, condensers, or custom thermal manifolds. Its DIN 12876 Class III (FL) certification confirms suitability for use with flammable solvents including ethanol, acetone, and diethyl ether within defined flashpoint and vapor pressure limits. The device complies with IEC 61010-1 for laboratory equipment safety, carries CE marking, and conforms to IP21 ingress protection standards for dust and vertical drip resistance. All firmware and hardware design elements support audit readiness under ISO/IEC 17025 and FDA 21 CFR Part 11 when used with validated labworldsoft® data acquisition protocols.

Software & Data Management

Equipped with RS232 and USB interfaces, the HBC 10 basic enables bidirectional communication with Windows-based PCs running IKA’s labworldsoft® software suite. This platform provides full remote control—including setpoint programming, pump speed modulation, alarm logging, and real-time graphing—while generating time-stamped, user-identifiable records compliant with electronic record retention requirements. Firmware updates are distributed via IKA’s secure download portal and installed locally without third-party dependencies. All parameter changes, safety events, and calibration actions are timestamped and stored in non-volatile memory with tamper-evident audit trails—essential for GMP/GLP documentation and regulatory inspections.

Applications

• Controlled-temperature reaction monitoring in organic synthesis and polymerization studies
• Calibration of temperature-sensitive analytical instruments (e.g., viscometers, densitometers, UV-Vis spectrophotometers)
• Thermal conditioning of samples prior to mechanical or rheological testing
• Stabilization of chromatographic columns and detector cells in HPLC and GC systems
• Long-duration stability testing of pharmaceutical formulations under accelerated aging conditions
• Support of enzymatic assays requiring precise thermal management between 10 °C and 250 °C

FAQ

What is the maximum operating temperature with water versus heat-transfer oil?
With water, the upper limit is 100 °C at ambient pressure; with silicone or mineral oils, the unit achieves stable operation up to 250 °C.
Can the HBC 10 basic be used for cooling applications?
It does not include active refrigeration but features an integrated cooling coil compatible with external chillers, enabling operation down to –20 °C when connected to a suitable recirculating chiller.
Is external temperature sensor input supported?
Yes—the device includes a dedicated PT100 input port for remote probe placement, allowing temperature feedback from the sample vessel rather than the bath medium.
Does the unit support automated calibration verification?
It offers built-in calibration adjustment for both temperature and pump speed parameters, traceable to NIST-certified references via documented procedures in the user manual.
What safety certifications apply to flammable liquid handling?
DIN 12876 Class III (FL) certification verifies compliance with explosion-protection requirements for use with Class I flammable liquids, including ignition source isolation and surface temperature limitation.