IKA IC control pro 20 c Immersion Circulator with Stainless Steel Bath

Overview

The IKA IC control pro 20 c is a high-precision immersion circulator engineered for demanding laboratory temperature control applications requiring exceptional thermal stability and operational flexibility. Designed and manufactured in Staufen, Germany, this unit integrates a stainless steel bath (L-shaped, 26 L capacity) with an advanced PID-controlled heating and circulation system. Its core operating principle relies on forced convection via a dual-mode pressure/suction pump—capable of both internal bath homogenization and external recirculation through external reactors, jacketed vessels, or analytical instrumentation. The system maintains temperature uniformity across the bath volume through real-time feedback from two independent platinum resistance thermometers: a primary PT100 sensor immersed in the fluid and a secondary safety PT1000 sensor embedded in the heater block. This dual-sensor architecture ensures compliance with DIN 12876 Class III requirements for safety-critical temperature-controlled equipment used in pharmaceutical, chemical, and materials research laboratories.

Key Features

• Precision temperature control from 10 °C to 250 °C with long-term stability of ±0.01 K (DIN 12876 verified)
• TFT touchscreen interface with intuitive navigation, real-time trend display, and multilingual support (English, German, French, Spanish, Chinese)
• Integrated stainless steel bath (255 × 262 mm opening; max. 292 × 278 mm) optimized for compatibility with standard lab glassware and modular reactor systems
• Dual-pump architecture supporting adjustable flow rates up to 26 L/min at 0 bar backpressure, with independent pressure (0.7 bar) and suction (0.4 bar) capability
• Comprehensive safety suite including programmable overtemperature cut-off (0–260 °C), redundant thermal monitoring, acoustic/visual alarms, and electromagnetic valve output (24 VDC, 0.8 A) for external emergency shutdown integration
• Full connectivity: RS232 and Micro-USB ports for instrument control, data logging, and remote configuration via IKA Labworldsoft™ software
• IP21-rated enclosure (DIN EN 60529) and 100% continuous duty cycle rating for unattended operation under GLP/GMP-aligned workflows

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The IC control pro 20 c supports a wide range of heat-transfer media—including water, silicone oil, and glycol-based fluids—enabling use across aqueous, high-temperature, and low-volatility applications. Its bath geometry accommodates standard round-bottom flasks (up to 5 L), jacketed reactors, viscometers, and calorimetric cells. The system conforms to DIN 12876 Class III for laboratory thermostats used in applications where temperature deviation may impact experimental validity or safety. It meets CE marking requirements and adheres to RoHS directives. While not inherently FDA 21 CFR Part 11 compliant out-of-the-box, audit-ready electronic records—including temperature logs, alarm events, and parameter changes—can be exported in CSV or PDF format for inclusion in regulated quality documentation when paired with validated Labworldsoft™ configurations.

Software & Data Management

IKA Labworldsoft™ provides full PC-based control, real-time graphing, and automated data export for the IC control pro 20 c. Users can define multi-step temperature programs, monitor live pump status and sensor readings, and trigger event-based actions (e.g., alarm activation upon deviation >0.05 K). All logged data includes timestamps, operator ID fields (when integrated with network authentication), and digital signatures to support ALCOA+ principles (Attributable, Legible, Contemporaneous, Original, Accurate, Complete, Consistent, Enduring, Available). The system supports calibration certificate import and traceable sensor offset adjustment, fulfilling ISO/IEC 17025 metrological requirements for accredited testing laboratories.

Applications

• Controlled-rate heating/cooling of reaction mixtures in synthetic organic chemistry and catalysis studies
• Viscosity measurement using rotational rheometers requiring stable thermal environments (e.g., Brookfield, Anton Paar)
• Calibration of temperature-sensitive analytical instruments (HPLC columns, GC injectors, DSC reference cells)
• Stability testing of pharmaceutical formulations per ICH Q1A(R3) guidelines
• Material testing of polymers and composites under defined thermal ramp profiles
• Enzyme kinetics assays requiring precise thermal maintenance between 20–80 °C

FAQ

Does the IC control pro 20 c support external cooling units?
Yes—it features an integrated NW 8 cooling coil port and supports connection to external chillers or dry ice/ethanol baths for sub-ambient operation down to –20 °C when used with compatible coolant media.
Can the bath temperature be controlled remotely via Ethernet or Wi-Fi?
No native Ethernet or Wi-Fi interface is included; however, RS232-to-Ethernet gateways or USB-to-serial adapters enable networked operation when configured with Labworldsoft™ on a host PC.
Is the stainless steel bath removable for cleaning or replacement?
Yes—the L-shaped bath is mechanically secured and field-replaceable without tools, supporting routine decontamination and long-term serviceability.
What is the minimum immersion depth required for probe-based temperature sensors?
The recommended minimum immersion depth for PT100 probes is 95 mm; optimal accuracy is achieved at ≥135 mm, as specified in the DIN 12876 validation protocol.
Does the device support GLP-compliant electronic signature functionality?
Electronic signatures are managed at the software layer via Labworldsoft™; full 21 CFR Part 11 compliance requires server-side validation, user access controls, and audit trail configuration—available in enterprise deployment packages.