Introducing the AwTherm
AwTherm is a temperature controlled water activity station – used for determining the water activity of a sample, maintained at a known temperature. Water activity, which is used as a measure of product consistency, is a parameter that is strongly dependent on temperature, and so for consistent, repeatable measurements, it is vital to maintain known and stable thermal conditions.
AwTherm is based on the same technology as the Rotronic HygroGen2 temperature and humidity calibration suite of instruments which manipulate forced air to create highly stable thermal conditions with minimal gradients within the measurement environment.
Physical Location
To ensure correct operation please ensure that:
1. The unit is level and stable;
2. There is at least 15 mm clearance underneath and at least 100 mm at the back of the unit to enable adequate air flow;
Electrical Supply
Power Isolation
The unit is supplied with a mains cord set. The unit should be disconnected from the electrical supply before the unit is moved, cleaned or has water added or removed.
Earthing
This unit must be earthed. Provision for the safety earth is made through the electrical mains connection to which all parts of the unit requiring earthing are internally connected. An earthed electrical supply is required.
Earth Leakage Current
Due to RF filtering there is an earth leakage current, within the limits specified in EN 61010-1:2001. This may affect mains power circuits protected by Residual Current Device (RCD) or Ground Fault Detector (GFD) type circuit breakers (particularly if used in multiples or with other equipment with an earth leakage current on the same supply circuit).
Over Current Protection
To protect the internal circuitry against excess currents, the mains supply to the unit must be connected with the mains cord set provided with the unit and to an appropriate mains supply.
Voltage Rating
The unit is designed to work within the limits of a 110-230 VAC 50-60 Hz mains supply with voltage fluctuations up to ± 10% of the nominal voltage. The unit is rated impulse withstand (over voltage) category II of IEC 60364-4-443. Where occasional voltage transients over 2.5 kV are expected or measured, it may be necessary that the power installation to the unit includes a transient limiting device.
Mains Filtration
If there is risk of power spikes or breaks, it is recommended that an Uninterruptable Power Supply (UPS) is used to provide continued power and mains filtration. This should be rated according to the AwTherm power specifications and the time required to run/shutdown during power outage.
Electrical Specifications
• Input voltage is from 90VAC to 264VAC; Auto Ranging
• Input Frequency range from 47Hz to 63Hz
• Input current is 3.5A at 100VAC or 1.5A at 240VAC
• Power inlet IEC socket
Conductive Pollution
The unit is rated Pollution Degree 2 and must not be operated in environments where conductive pollutants (for example carbon) may enter the unit (this includes excessive moisture ingress).
AwTherm Assembly
Sample cup size
AwTherm is available in either PS14 (14mm depth) or PS40 (40mm depth) sample cup holder sizes. Alternative sample cup holders are available as accessories.
Note that sample equilibrium time is dependent on the sample space, and so the selection of sample cup size should be the smaller PS14 size where possible. For example powders and liquids would merit selecting the smaller PS14 size; samples that are impractical for this size, e.g. large seeds and pet foods, would merit the larger PS40 sample cup.