Brainchild C42 Temperature Controllers

Description

The C42 is a full-featured PID temperature controller designed for advanced industrial applications. With a large 96×96 mm panel, it offers high visibility, multi-color LCD status indicators, and dual digital displays for real-time monitoring. Featuring universal input support and 18-bit resolution, the C42 ensures fast, accurate response across various sensor types including thermocouples, RTDs, voltage, and current inputs.

It supports precise fuzzy + PID control with auto-tuning, enabling stable operation even under fluctuating process conditions. With RS-485 Modbus communication, analog retransmission, and optional profile control (multi-segment ramp/soak functionality), it meets the complex needs of OEMs, machine builders, and automation system integrators.

The C42 is also equipped with event inputs, alarm logic, CT input for heater break detection, and flexible output options—relay, SSR, or analog—making it an adaptable solution for a wide range of applications such as ovens, dryers, laboratory systems, and embedded control panels. Built for performance, designed for usability, the C42 brings reliable precision to modern industrial temperature control.

Brand

Brainchild

BrainChild Electronics Co., Ltd. was established in 1977. Presently we are the largest Temperature Controller maker in Taiwan, and the only maker of the paperless recorder in Taiwan.

The factory has a full automatic SMT production line. TÜV Rheinland certifies our ISO9001 once a year. In addition we have a well equipped and CSA certified laboratory to do CSA, UL and CE tests. A strong and experienced R&D team allows us to offer customers innovative and state-of-art industrial instruments for various FA solutions. We have won good reputation by supplying quality instruments with better features at competitive prices. It is our philosophy in pursuit of perfection through continuous improvement.

Specifications

Power
Power Supply	90 to 250 VAC, 47–63 Hz; 11 to 40 VDC / 20 to 28 VAC, 47– 63 Hz
Power Consumption	12VA, 6W maximum

Signal Input

Type

Thermocouple(J,K,T,E,B,R,S,N,L,U,P,C,D), RTD(PT100(DIN), PT100(JIS)), Current(mA),Voltage(Volts)

Resolution

18 Bits

Sampling Rate

5 Times / Second (200msec)

Maximum Rating

-2VDC minimum, 12VDC maximum

Input Characteristics

Type	Range	Accuracy @ 25°C	Input Impedance
J	-120°C to 1000°C( -184°F to 1,832°F)	±2°C	2.2 MΩ
K	-200°C to 1370°C (-328°F to 2498°F)	±2°C	2.2 MΩ
T	-250°C to 400°C ( -418°F to 752°F )	±2°C	2.2 MΩ
E	-100°C to 900°C( -148°F to 1652°F )	±2°C	2.2 MΩ
B	0°C to 1820°C( 32°F to 3308°F )	±2°C( 200°C to 1800°C )	2.2 MΩ
R	0°C to 1767.8°C( 32°F to 3214°F )	±2°C	2.2 MΩ
S	0°C to 1767.8°C( 32°F to 3214°F )	±2°C	2.2 MΩ
N	-250°C to 1300°C( -418°F to 2372°F)	±2°C	2.2 MΩ
L	-200°C to 900°C( -328°F to 1652°F )	±2°C	2.2 MΩ
U	-200°C to 600°C (-328°F to 1112°F)	±2°C	2.2 MΩ
P	0°C to 1395°C( 32°F to 2543°F )	±2°C	2.2 MΩ
C	0°C to 2300°C( 32°F to 4172°F )	±2°C	2.2 MΩ
D	0°C to 2300°C( 32°F to 4172°F )	±2°C	2.2 MΩ
PT100(DIN)	-200°C to 850°C( -328°F to 1562°F )	±0.4°C	1.3KΩ
PT100(JIS)	-200°C to 600°C( -328°F to 1112°F )	±0.4°C	1.3KΩ
mA	-3mA to 27mA	±0.05%	2.5Ω
V	-1.3V to 11.5V	±0.05%	1.5MΩ

Temperature Effect

1.5µV /°C for all inputs except mA input, 3.0µV /°C for mA

Sensor Lead Resistance Effect

Thermocouple: 0.2 µV /Ω; 3-wire RTD: 2.6°C /Ω of Difference of Resistance of two leads 2-wire RTD: 2.6°C /Ω of Sum of Resistance of two leads

Burn-out Current

200nA

Common Mode Rejection Ratio(CMRR)

120 dB

Normal Mode Rejection Ratio (NMRR)

55dB

Sensor Break Detection

Sensor open for Thermocouple and RTD inputs, sensor short for RTD input , below 1mA for 4-20mA input, below 0.25V for 1 – 5V input, not available for other inputs

Sensor Break Responding Time

Within 4 seconds for Thermocouple and RTD inputs, 0.1 second for 4-20mA and 1 – 5V inputs

Remote Set Point Input
Type	Linear Current,Linear Voltage
Range	-3mA to 27mA, -1.3V to 11.5V
Accuracy	±0.05 %
Remote Set Point Option	Available
Input Impedance	Current: 2.5Ω, Voltage:1.5MΩ
Resolution	18 Bits
Sampling Rate	1.66 Times/Second
Maximum Rating	280mA maximum for Current Input, 12VDC maximum for Voltage Input
Temperature Effect	±1.5µV/°C for Voltage Input , ±3.0µV/°C for Current Input
Sensor Break Detection	Below 1mA for 4-20mA input, below 0.25V for 1 – 5V input, not available for other inputs
Sensor Break Responding Time	0.1 Seconds

Event Input
No. of Event Inputs	6
Logic Low	-10V minimum, 0.8V maximum.
Logic High	2V minimum, 10V maximum
Functions	See availability table in user manual

CT Input
CT Type	CT98-1
Accuracy	±2%of Full Scale Reading, ± 1 digit maximum
Input Impedance	294Ω
Measurement Range	0 to 50A AC
Output of CT	0 to 5V DC
CT Mounting	Screw Mounting
Sampling Rate	1 Time/Second

Output 1 /Output 2
Type	Relay,Pulsed Voltage,Linear Voltage and Linear Current
Relay Rating	2A,240V AC,200000 Life Cycles for Resistive Load
Pulsed Voltage	Source Voltage 5V,Current Limiting Resistance 66Ω
Linear Output Resolution	15 Bits
Linear Output Regulation	0.02% for full load change
Linear Output Settling Time	0.1 Second ( Stable to 99.9%)
Isolation Breakdown Voltage	1000 V AC
Temperature Effect	±0.01% of Span/ °C
Load Capacity of Linear Output	Linear Current: 500Ω maximum, Linear Voltage: 10KΩ minimum

Alarm
Relay Type	Form A
Maximum Rating	2A,240V AC,200000 Life Cycles for Resistive Load
Alarm Functions	Dwell Timer, Deviation Low, Deviation High, Deviation Band Low, Deviation Band High, Process High, Process Low
Alarm Mode	Latching, Hold, Normal, Latching/Hold
Dwell Timer	0.1 to 4553.6 Minutes

Data Communication
Interface	RS-485
Protocol	Modbus RTU (Slave Mode)
Address	1 to 247
Baudrate	2.8KBPS to 115.2 KBPS
Parity Bit	None, Even or Odd
Stop Bit	1 or 2 Bits
Data Length	7 or 8 Bits
Communication Buffer	160 Bytes

Analog Retransmission
Output Signal	4-20 mA, 0-20 mA,0 – 10V
Resolution	15 Bits
Accuracy	±0.05% of Span ± 0.0025% / °C
Load Resistance	0 to 500Ω for Current Output , 10KΩ minimum for Voltage Output
Output Regulation	0.01% for full load change
Output Setting Time	0.1 Second (Stable to 99.9%)
Isolation Breakdown	1000VAC minimum
Integral Linearity Error	±0.005% of Span
Temperature Effect	±0.0025% of Span /°C
Saturation Low	0mA or 0V
Saturation High	22.2mA or 5.55V,11.1V min
Linear Output Ranges	0 – 22.2mA (0 – 20mA/4 – 20mA), 0 – 5.55V (0 – 5V, 1 – 5V),0 – 11.1V (0 – 10V)

User Interface
Keypad	4 Keys
Display Type	4 Digit LCD Display
No. of Display	3
Upper Display Size	0.98”(25mm)
Lower Display Size	0.55”(14mm)

Programming Port
Interface	Micro USB
PC Communication Function	Automatic Setup, Calibration and Firmware Upgrade

Control Mode
Output 1	Reverse (Heating) or Direct (Cooling) Action
Output 2	PID cooling control, Cooling P band 50~300% of PB, Dead band -36.0 ~ 36.0 % of PB
ON-OFF	0.1 – 90.0 (°F ) hysteresis control ( P band = 0)
P or PD	0 – 100.0 % offset adjustment
PID	Fuzzy logic modified Proportional band 0.1 ~ 900.0°F, Integral time 0 – 3600 Seconds,Derivative time 0 – 360.0 Seconds
Cycle Time	0.1 to 90.0 Seconds
Manual Control	Heat(MV1) and Cool(MV2)
Auto-tuning	Cold Start and Warm Start
Failure Mode	Auto transfer to manual mode while sensor break or A-D Converter damage
Ramping Control	0 to 900.0°F/Minute or 0 to 900.0°F/Hour Ramp Rate

Digital Filter
Function	First Order
Time Constant	0,0.2, 0.5, 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 30, 60 Seconds Programmable

Profiler
Availabiity	Option
No of Segments/Program	4 / 8 / 16

Environmental and Physical Specifications
Operating Temperature	-10°C to 50°C
Storage Temperature	-40°C to 60°C
Humidity	0 to 90 % RH (Non-Condensing)
Altitude	2000 Meters maximum
Pollution	Degree II
Insulation Resistance	20MΩ minimum(@500V DC)
Dielectric Strength	2000V AC,50/60 Hz for 1 Minute
Vibration Resistance	10 to 55 Hz , 10m/s2 for 2 Hours
Shock Resistance	200 m/s2(20g)
Moldings	Flame Retardant Polycarbonate
Mounting	Panel
Dimensions (WHD) (mm)	969659
Depth Behind Panel (mm)	50
Cut Out Dimensions (mm)	92*92
Weight (grams)	290

Approval Standards
Safety	UL61010-1, CSA 22.2 No.61010-1-12, EN61010-1 (IEC1010-1), RoHS, REACH
Protective Class	IP50 for Panel, IP20 for terminals and housing, all indoor use
EMC	EN61326