Aussie Conroller

[timmy775]

Been floating around the idea of getting a controller for a while now and have found some controllers in Australia from a place called RS components

They have two models which seem good to use but just wanted some more advice before i go and get one
One of the models is a phase angle controller which i know how they work but wasnt sure how important EMI was and if a filter need to be fitted or is you could get away without one
They are to controll a 3.6kw element by the way

Here is the phase angle controller
http://australia.rs-online.com/web/sear ... &R=0655644" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow
part number is (CSR2-15E)

There is also another controller on there called a burst-firing controller which is rated up to 16A and seems to be a fairly good price $90
Just wondered if anyone new how suitable these sought of controllers are, never heard of anyone talk about burst-firing controlling really just phase angle controlling
Heres the burst-firing one i was talking about
http://australia.rs-online.com/web/sear ... &R=2143979" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow
part number is (ZVS-16DV)

thanks for any help

[HookLine]

I think this one is best. The burst fire design pretty well eliminates any significant EMI. (They will make your fluorescent lights flicker a little bit.) Make sure it has a good heat sink.

http://australia.rs-online.com/web/sear ... R=21439799" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow
part number is (ZVS-16DV)

[timmy775]

thanks hook yer i thought that one might be the best but was unsure if it would cause any surging if the switching on/off was slow
Do you know how they work at all?
If i did decide to use this what would be the best way to measure how much power i was putting into the boiler?

[HookLine]

thanks hook yer i thought that one might be the best but was unsure if it would cause any surging if the switching on/off was slow

Shouldn't. As far as I know they work on a one second control cycle.

Do you know how they work at all?

By regulating the number of full cycles per second. They only switch on or off when the voltage crosses zero (which is why they are also called 'zero cross switching' controllers, and is why they have minimal EMI). So in a 50 Hz supply you can get as low as 2% steps in power changes (one full cycle = 2% change in power levels), which is plenty enough control for our purposes.

If i did decide to use this what would be the best way to measure how much power i was putting into the boiler?

I do not measure the power directly, just go by where the controller knob is. Pretty sure these controller types are basically linear, so setting the knob to halfway will give you half power. Close enough for our purposes.

If you really want to know you will have to measure the voltage/current combination during operation.

[SaltUbar]

hi
i am using a burst Fire controler i got from rs. works greet product code crydon mcbc2450af
regards