IKA ICC 100 lite eco 18 Immersion Circulator

Overview

The IKA ICC 100 lite eco 18 is a compact, high-precision immersion circulator engineered for stable, energy-efficient temperature control in laboratory bath applications up to 100 °C. Designed and manufactured in Staufen, Germany, this device operates on the principle of direct resistive heating combined with forced convection via an integrated pump—enabling rapid thermal equilibration and exceptional short-term stability (±0.05 K) across its full operating range (ambient to 100 °C). Unlike recirculating chillers or dual-mode thermostats, the ICC 100 lite eco 18 is optimized exclusively for heating-only workflows, eliminating unnecessary complexity and reducing power consumption while maintaining compliance with DIN 12876 Class III safety standards for laboratory heating equipment. Its FL marking certifies suitability for flammable liquid environments when used with compatible bath media (e.g., water, silicone oil, or glycol–water mixtures), subject to user-defined maximum temperature limits per fluid compatibility guidelines.

Key Features

• High-stability PID temperature control with dual PT1000 sensors—one for process regulation and one dedicated to independent safety cutoff
• Robust stainless-steel heating element and corrosion-resistant pump housing, rated for continuous 100% duty cycle operation
• Integrated visual and audible alarm system with configurable safety temperature limit (0–110 °C)
• LED display with 0.1 K resolution and simultaneous readout of setpoint, actual temperature, and safety sensor value
• Compact footprint (135 × 303 × 180 mm) and lightweight design (4.2 kg) for flexible benchtop integration
• Dual digital interfaces—RS232 and USB-B—for seamless integration into automated lab systems and remote parameter logging
• IP21 ingress protection rating ensures operational reliability under standard laboratory environmental conditions (5–40 °C, ≤80% RH)
• Compliance with DIN 12876 Class III and EN 61000-6-3 (EMC) standards supports use in regulated quality control and R&D settings

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The ICC 100 lite eco 18 is intended for use with externally mounted bath vessels—including the included IB 18 eco polypropylene tank (18 L capacity) and optional BL.ICC lite bridge assembly. Minimum bath depth of 150 mm ensures adequate submersion of the immersion probe and prevents dry-run damage. While rated for water up to 100 °C, users must verify thermal and chemical compatibility of alternative media (e.g., silicone oils, ethylene glycol solutions) against manufacturer-specified flash points and viscosity limits. The unit meets DIN 12876 Class III requirements for heating devices used in laboratories handling flammable substances, and its FL designation confirms suitability for controlled use with low-flashpoint liquids when operated within validated temperature thresholds. No CE, UKCA, or FDA 21 CFR Part 11 certification is claimed; however, audit-ready calibration records may be generated using optional software tools compatible with RS232/USB data export.

Software & Data Management

Data acquisition and remote configuration are supported via native RS232 and USB-B serial protocols. IKA’s LabWorldSoft (v4.0+) enables real-time monitoring, scheduled ramp/soak profiles, and timestamped CSV export of temperature logs—including both primary and safety sensor values. All communication adheres to ASCII-based command syntax compliant with IEC 62591 (WirelessHART) framing conventions for interoperability with SCADA and LIMS platforms. Audit trails—comprising operator ID, parameter changes, alarm events, and calibration timestamps—can be archived locally or routed to networked storage. While the device itself does not embed electronic signatures or role-based access control, its deterministic response behavior and deterministic firmware versioning support GLP/GMP-aligned validation protocols when deployed with documented IQ/OQ/PQ procedures.

Applications

• Enzyme kinetics assays requiring precise thermal stabilization between 25–85 °C
• Material testing of polymers and thermosets during curing or glass transition analysis
• Calibration of reference thermometers and RTDs against NIST-traceable standards
• Controlled solubility studies in pharmaceutical development (e.g., USP dissolution medium conditioning)
• Sample pre-warming prior to GC, HPLC, or rheological measurements
• Long-duration incubation of cell culture reagents and buffers without evaporation-induced concentration drift

FAQ

Can the ICC 100 lite eco 18 be used with external circulation loops?
No—it is designed exclusively for internal recirculation within a single bath vessel. External pumping requires a separate circulation thermostat (e.g., IKA RTC series) with dual-port fluid routing.
Is calibration traceable to national standards?
Yes—optional factory calibration with DAkkS-accredited certificate (DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025) is available upon request; field recalibration is supported using certified reference probes and IKA’s calibration utility.
What is the minimum bath volume required for stable operation?
A minimum working volume of 12 L is recommended to ensure thermal mass sufficient for ±0.05 K stability at 100 °C; the IB 18 eco tank (18 L) meets this requirement.
Does the unit support cooling functionality?
No—this is a heating-only circulator. For sub-ambient control, consider the IKA RTC series or paired chiller integration.
How often should the safety temperature sensor be verified?
Per DIN 12876 guidance, functional verification of the redundant PT1000 safety circuit is recommended before each high-risk application and at least daily during extended operation.