Overview
The Keithley 2510-AT is a 50 W bipolar thermoelectric cooler (TEC) controller that combines TEC drive and electrical measurement functions. It is designed for temperature control in continuous-wave laser-diode LIV (light-current-voltage) test systems and other tests of actively cooled optoelectronic devices. A compatible temperature sensor provides feedback to the digital proportional-integral-derivative (PID) control loop.
The 2510-AT adds automatic PID tuning to the base 2510 platform. Its autotuning function calculates the control-loop coefficients and offers minimum-overshoot and minimum-settling-time modes. It can regulate temperature, voltage, current, or thermistor resistance, with a temperature-setpoint range of −50 °C to +225 °C and TEC output of up to ±10 V DC and ±5 A DC.
Supported feedback devices include thermistors, RTDs, and compatible solid-state temperature sensors. Four-wire sensor-lead checking helps identify open or shorted connections. TEC current, voltage, power, and resistance measurements support evaluation of the thermal control system; the AC-resistance function uses pulsed current reversal and is available over the bus only. IEEE-488 and RS-232 interfaces support automated test integration.
Typical model applications include laser-diode modules, cooled photodetectors, thermal-optic switches, and temperature-controlled fixtures. Select the sensor, TEC load, cabling, and programmed limits for the intended device. The stability figures in the specifications below are manufacturer ratings under the stated sensor, ambient-temperature, and time-period conditions.
Specifications
TEC Output and Control
- TEC output power
- 50 W bipolar output
- TEC output range
- ±10 V DC at up to ±5 A DC
- Control method
- Digital PID control with independently programmable proportional, integral, and derivative gains
- PID tuning
- Automatic tuning; minimum-overshoot and minimum-settling-time modes
- Control setpoints
- Temperature, TEC voltage, TEC current, or thermistor resistance
- Temperature-setpoint range
- −50 °C to +225 °C
- Temperature-setpoint resolution
- 0.001 °C (listed as ±0.001 °C in the manufacturer data sheet; this is resolution, not temperature accuracy)
Feedback and Measurement
- RTD inputs
- 100 Ω and 1 kΩ
- Thermistor inputs
- 100 Ω, 1 kΩ, 10 kΩ, and 100 kΩ
- Solid-state sensor inputs
- Compatible current-output or voltage-output temperature sensors
- TEC measurement functions
- Current, voltage, power, and resistance
- AC-resistance function
- Dual-pulsed current-reversal measurement; available over the bus only
- Temperature-sensor lead detection
- Four-wire open/short lead detection
Interfaces and Qualified Stability
- Remote interfaces
- IEEE-488 (SCPI 1995.0) and RS-232
- Short-term setpoint stability
- ±0.005 °C rms over 24 hours, with a 10 kΩ thermistor. Manufacturer conditions: instrument and DUT in a regulated 25 °C ambient; Peltier and controller at 25 °C ±0.5 °C.
- Long-term setpoint stability
- ±0.01 °C over 30 days, with a 10 kΩ thermistor. Manufacturer conditions: instrument and DUT in a regulated 25 °C ambient; Peltier and controller at 25 °C ±0.5 °C.
- Mains input
- 90–260 V rms, 50–60 Hz; 75 W
- Warm-up to rated accuracy
- 1 hour
Sales and Service
- Warranty
- 6-Month Warranty
- Calibration Status
- Calibration certificate or test report available (as stated in your quotation)
- Manufacturer-Listed Standard Accessories
- Input/output connector; User's manual.
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