IKA ICC Control Pro 12 Circulating Thermostat System
| Brand | IKA |
|---|---|
| Origin | Germany |
| Model | ICC Control Pro 12 |
| Circulation Capacity | Up to 12 L/min |
| Temperature Range | –20 °C to +150 °C (with appropriate bath fluid) |
| Stability | ±0.01 °C |
| Pump Type | Non-contact magnetic drive, corrosion-resistant |
| Interface | Touchscreen controller with Ethernet/USB connectivity |
| Compliance | CE, RoHS, IEC 61010-1 |
Overview
The IKA ICC Control Pro 12 Circulating Thermostat System is an engineered precision temperature control platform designed for demanding laboratory applications requiring stable, uniform, and programmable thermal environments. Based on forced-circulation thermoregulation via a closed-loop liquid bath system, it delivers high-reproducibility temperature maintenance across external equipment—including reactor jackets, viscometers, spectrophotometer cells, calorimeters, and material testing fixtures. Its core architecture integrates a high-efficiency refrigeration-compression unit, a dual-mode heating system (PTC ceramic + immersion heater), and a non-contact magnetic-drive circulation pump—ensuring minimal vibration transfer, zero seal leakage risk, and long-term operational reliability under continuous duty cycles. The system operates within a broad functional range of –20 °C to +150 °C, contingent upon compatible heat-transfer fluids (e.g., silicone oil, ethanol/water mixtures, or specialized low-temperature baths), and achieves thermal stability of ±0.01 °C at setpoint under static load conditions.
Key Features
- Intelligent touchscreen controller with intuitive icon-based navigation and multilingual UI support (English, German, French, Spanish, Chinese)
- Real-time monitoring of bath temperature, outlet/inlet temperatures, circulation pressure, and system status alarms
- Programmable ramp-soak profiles with up to 10 segments and user-defined hold times
- Integrated Ethernet and USB ports enabling remote operation, firmware updates, and data export via IKA Labworldsoft™ software
- Automatic self-diagnostic routines at startup and during idle phases to verify refrigerant pressure, pump function, and sensor integrity
- Robust stainless-steel reservoir housing with integrated fluid level sensor and overtemperature/overpressure safety cutoffs
- Low-noise operation (<52 dB(A)) suitable for shared laboratory spaces and ISO-classified cleanrooms
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The ICC Control Pro 12 supports external circulation through standard ½” G BSP or NPT threaded ports and accommodates tubing inner diameters from 6 mm to 12 mm. It is compatible with glass, stainless-steel, and PTFE-lined reactors; jacketed cuvettes; and modular synthesis workstations. From a regulatory perspective, the system meets essential requirements of IEC 61010-1:2010 for electrical safety in laboratory equipment and carries CE marking under the EU Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC and Low Voltage Directive 2014/35/EU. While not intrinsically certified for hazardous area use, its design adheres to best practices for leak-tightness and thermal containment—making it suitable for GLP-compliant environments when paired with validated SOPs. Optional audit-trail logging (via Labworldsoft™) supports alignment with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements for electronic records and signatures when deployed in regulated QC/QA workflows.
Software & Data Management
IKA Labworldsoft™ serves as the native control and documentation interface for the ICC Control Pro 12. The software enables full remote parameterization—including PID tuning, alarm threshold definition, and profile scheduling—as well as real-time graphical plotting of temperature trends across multiple channels. All session data (timestamps, setpoints, deviations, error codes) are stored in encrypted CSV or XML formats with configurable retention policies. For laboratories operating under quality management systems (ISO 9001, ISO/IEC 17025), Labworldsoft™ supports user-level access control, electronic signature capture, and change history tracking—facilitating traceability during internal audits or regulatory inspections. Data export complies with ASTM E2500-13 guidelines for instrument qualification documentation.
Applications
- Precise temperature conditioning of reaction mixtures in parallel synthesis platforms
- Calibration of thermocouples, RTDs, and infrared sensors against NIST-traceable references
- Thermal stress testing of polymers, adhesives, and composites per ASTM D696 and ISO 11359
- Viscosity measurements requiring constant bath temperature per ASTM D445 and ISO 3104
- Stabilization of optical components in UV-Vis and FTIR spectroscopy setups
- Controlled cooling/heating cycles in accelerated stability studies (ICH Q1A)
FAQ
What is the maximum recommended circulation distance between the ICC Control Pro 12 and the connected device?
For optimal thermal response and pressure stability, IKA recommends a total tubing length ≤ 5 meters (including vertical lift ≤ 1.5 m) using smooth-bore, low-permeability tubing.
Can the ICC Control Pro 12 operate unattended overnight?
Yes—provided the fluid level is verified, ambient temperature remains within 15–30 °C, and safety interlocks (dry-run protection, overtemperature cutoff) are enabled per factory default settings.
Is third-party software integration supported?
Via Modbus TCP protocol over Ethernet, the unit exposes real-time process variables (PV, SP, pump speed, alarms) for integration into SCADA or LIMS platforms compliant with IEEE 1344-1995 standards.
How often should the heat-transfer fluid be replaced?
Fluid replacement intervals depend on operating temperature range and usage frequency; IKA advises annual analysis of viscosity, acid number, and water content—replacing fluid if degradation exceeds ASTM D92 or D97 thresholds.
Does the system include validation documentation out-of-the-box?
Factory-supplied IQ/OQ documentation templates are included on USB drive; full PQ execution requires site-specific installation conditions and must be performed by qualified personnel per ISO/IEC 17025 Clause 5.5.
