IKA ICC 150 lite pro 12 c Compact Immersion Circulator with Stainless Steel Bath (12 L Capacity)

Overview

The IKA ICC 150 lite pro 12 c is a compact, CE-certified immersion circulator system engineered for precise, stable, and reproducible temperature control in laboratory applications requiring thermal uniformity across liquid media. Designed and manufactured in Staufen, Germany, this unit integrates a high-efficiency heating element, dual PT1000 resistance temperature detectors (one for active PID control, one for independent safety cutoff), and a bidirectional pressure/suction pump—enabling both internal bath circulation and external recirculation through auxiliary equipment such as reactors, jacketed vessels, or analytical instrumentation. Its core operating principle relies on closed-loop PID temperature regulation, where real-time feedback from the high-accuracy PT1000 sensor continuously adjusts power delivery to maintain setpoint stability within ±0.05 K—a specification validated per DIN 12876 Class III standards for laboratory thermostats. The system supports continuous 24/7 operation and is rated for use with water, silicone oils, and other thermally stable heat-transfer fluids up to 150 °C, making it suitable for applications ranging from enzymatic assays and polymer curing to calibration of temperature-sensitive sensors.

Key Features

• Compact immersion design (135 × 303 × 180 mm) with integrated pump—no external chiller or controller required for basic operation
• Dual-sensor architecture: primary PT1000 for precision control + secondary PT1000 for independent overtemperature protection (adjustable 0–160 °C)
• PID-based digital temperature regulation with 0.1 K display resolution and ±0.1 K control accuracy
• Bidirectional circulation capability: delivers up to 15 L/min flow at 0 bar backpressure; maintains 0.3 bar pressure output and 0.1 bar suction capacity
• Robust stainless steel bath (IB 12 pro, M-size, 12 L volume) included in standard delivery—rated for continuous operation at 150 °C
• Comprehensive safety suite: visual/audible alarms, electronic overvoltage protection, secondary thermal cutoff, and IP21 ingress protection
• Standard communication interfaces: RS232 and USB-B for integration into lab automation frameworks or data logging systems
• Full compliance with DIN 12876 Class III (laboratory thermostats), EN 61000-6-3 (EMC), and EN 61000-6-2 (immunity)

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The ICC 150 lite pro 12 c is compatible with aqueous solutions, glycol-water mixtures, mineral oils, and silicone-based heat-transfer fluids. It is not intended for use with flammable solvents or corrosive media without verified chemical compatibility assessment. The stainless steel bath (IB 12 pro) meets material requirements for long-term thermal cycling and resists oxidation under sustained 150 °C operation. From a regulatory standpoint, the device conforms to DIN 12876-1:2018 for safety and performance classification of laboratory thermostats, and its electrical design complies with IEC 61010-1 for measurement, control, and laboratory equipment. While not inherently 21 CFR Part 11 compliant, audit-ready data export via RS232/USB enables integration with validated LIMS or ELN platforms supporting GLP/GMP workflows—provided user-defined procedures govern data integrity, access control, and electronic signature implementation.

Software & Data Management

The ICC 150 lite pro 12 c operates autonomously via its front-panel LED interface but supports external command and monitoring through ASCII-based serial protocols over RS232 or USB-B. IKA’s optional Labworldsoft software (v5.0+) provides full remote control—including setpoint ramping, timer-based activation/deactivation, real-time temperature logging, and alarm event history export in CSV format. All temperature readings are timestamped and traceable to the internal clock; raw sensor values (PT1000 resistance) are accessible for metrological verification. Data files include instrument ID, firmware version, and user-configurable metadata fields—facilitating alignment with ISO/IEC 17025 documentation requirements. No proprietary drivers are required: USB-B connection enumerates as a CDC ACM device under Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Applications

• Temperature-controlled enzymatic reactions and protein denaturation studies
• Calibration of thermocouples, RTDs, and infrared thermometers against NIST-traceable references
• Thermal preconditioning of samples prior to rheological, viscometric, or spectroscopic analysis
• Stabilization of optical cells, cuvettes, and flow cells in UV-Vis and fluorescence instrumentation
• Heating and circulation in small-scale chemical synthesis reactors (e.g., 50–500 mL jacketed vessels)
• Material testing under controlled thermal load (e.g., polymer melt index, adhesive cure profiling)
• Environmental simulation for electronics component aging tests

FAQ

What is the minimum bath depth required for optimal thermal uniformity?
The stainless steel bath (IB 12 pro) requires a minimum fluid depth of 150 mm to ensure full submersion of the heating element and pump inlet—critical for avoiding dry-run damage and maintaining specified temperature stability.
Can this unit be used for cooling applications?
No—the ICC 150 lite pro is a heating-only system. External refrigerated circulators or chillers must be connected via the pump interface for sub-ambient operation; the unit itself lacks active cooling capability.
Is the USB interface compatible with modern operating systems?
Yes—USB-B connection functions as a standard CDC ACM serial device; no additional drivers are needed on Windows 10/11, macOS 12+, or current Linux distributions.
How is traceability ensured during GLP-compliant temperature validation?
The dual PT1000 architecture allows independent verification of control vs. safety sensor outputs; combined with timestamped CSV logs and firmware version reporting, this supports full audit trails when paired with documented SOPs for instrument qualification (IQ/OQ/PQ).
What maintenance intervals are recommended for sustained accuracy?
IKA recommends annual verification of temperature accuracy using a calibrated reference thermometer (e.g., ASTM E74-compliant probe); pump seals and bath gaskets should be inspected biannually for signs of thermal degradation.