Stafford Instruments ST215C User manual
ST215C User Handbook Page 1
Temperature Programmer Handbook
Issue: 6.053
Date: 25 May 2021
© Copyright 2020 - 2021 Stafford Instruments Ltd.
www.staffordinstruments.co.uk
TAFFOR
S
D
ST215C
Page ST215C User Handbook
2
At a Glance
temperature icon
ramp rate icon
time icon
radio icon
mimic display
segment display
main display
start/stop key
running LED
up key
right key
down key
left key
event LED
event key
fuse
cable
on/off switch
USB ready LED
USB socket
Segment
ST215C User Handbook Page 3
Quick Start Guide
Switch on & wait for kiln temperature display
To run a firing program set up previously press
the ► key
To stop the firing at any time press the ► key
again
To review firing data press the ► key to enter
the programming mode
To change firing data press the ▲ & ▼ keys to
change the displayed value
Use the ► key again as necessary to step to
the next firing value or segment to be reviewed
or changed
To mark the end of a program set a ramp rate to
End with the ▼ key
To exit the programming mode either wait 20
seconds or press the ► key to start firing
If the keyboard is locked then press the ▲ & ▼
keys together & hold down for 5 seconds to un-
lock
Page ST215C User Handbook
4
Contents
At a Glance .................................................2
Quick Start Guide........................................3
Contents......................................................4
Features ......................................................5
Turning On ..................................................6
Programming...............................................7
Control Relay Option...................................9
Firing .........................................................12
Cooling ......................................................13
Operating Notes ........................................14
Adjusting While Firing ...............................15
Error Messages.........................................16
Sample Glass Programs ...........................18
Sample Ceramics Programs .....................19
Other Features ..........................................20
WiFi & USB Datalogging Option ...............21
Installation .................................................26
Characteristics ..........................................32
ST215C User Handbook Page 5
32 programs each with 32 segments
1 controlled heating / cooling ramp + soak per segment
Soak periods up to 99 hours 59 mins
Ramp rates from 1 to 999°/hour + FULL
Ideal for glass or ceramics use
Programs can be altered while firing
Program pause and advance facilities
Keyboard lockable
Delayed start facility - up to 99 hours 59 mins
Power failure recovery
Energy used display
Setpoint display
Alarm buzzer & alarm output
Event/damper/fan control relay option
WiFi + USB datalogger option
°C/°F operation
Features
Page ST215C User Handbook
6
Turning On
The version number of the software embedded with-
in the ST215C is now displayed. If you need tech-
nical support you might be asked for this code to-
gether with the serial number.
Next displayed is the thermocouple type
setting. This should match the type of ther-
mocouple fitted to the kiln and can be R, S, K
or N type (r,S,H,n).
The final display will show the kiln tempera-
ture. All other lamps should be off.
If pressing any key causes LOC to appear then
the keyboard has been locked. This is an anti-
tamper feature. Press the ▲ & ▼ keys together
& hold down for 5 seconds to unlock.
During firing the right-hand decimal point will
light to show when heating power is being
applied to the kiln.
This now shows that the keyboard is UN-
LOCKED. To re-lock the keyboard press the ▲
& ▼ keys together & hold down for 5 seconds.
If any mimic panel lamps are on then the ST215C is firing. To stop the firing press the
► key.
Note: During power up the SEGMENT display shows the
operating units (°C/°F) of the ST215C (Installer adjustable).
When turned on the ST215C performs a dis-
play test by lighting all of the display seg-
ments and illuminating all of the front panel
indicator lamps.
ST215C User Handbook Page 7
Programming
A firing segment
An ST215C firing segment comprises a ramp followed by a soak period. Two segments
can be used for simple firing (biscuit firing for example) or several segments can be used
per program for complex firing (crystal glazing or glass-making for example).
The ST215C ramps the kiln temperature at the required ramp rate until the kiln reaches
the soak / target temperature. It then soaks (dwells) at the soak temperature for the soak
period. It then runs the next segment until the end of the program is reached.
The ST215C is capable of both positive (heating) ramps and negative (cooling) ramps -
as used in glassmaking for annealing. The type of ramp is clearly shown on the mimic
display during firing.
The ramp rate is settable in the range 1°/hour to 999°/hour or FULL (full power) or End
(end of program).
The soak / target temperature is settable over the range 0 to 1400°C (2552°F).
The soak period is settable over the range 00.00 (no soak) to 99 hours 59 mins.
Note: during soaking the ST215C display alternates every 15 seconds between
kiln temperature and soak period remaining.
Cooling Ramp
Heating Ramp
Soak Period
Soak Temperature
(target temperature)
Page ST215C User Handbook
8
When not firing there are no indicators lit on
the mimic panel, the run indicator is off and
the display shows the current kiln
temperature.
Altering a program
The controller settings can be reviewed by pressing the ► key.
The first push of the ► key flashes the program
number display. The required firing program
can now be selected with the ▲ & ▼ keys.
Note: holding down the ▲ or ▼ keys causes rapid change of the displayed value.
The next push of the ► key displays the ramp
rate in the range End, 1-999°/HR or FULL.
This can be altered with the ▲ & ▼ keys. The
heating ramp or the cooling ramp indicator on
the mimic panel will flash. End marks the end
of the program. FULL heats or cools as fast
as possible.
The next push of the ► key displays the soak
temperature. This can be altered with the ▲
& ▼ keys. The soak temperature indicator
on the mimic panel will flash.
The next push of the ► key displays the soak
period in hours:minutes. This can be altered
in the range 00:00 to 99:59 with the ▲ & ▼
keys. The soak period indicator on the mimic
panel will flash.
The next push of the ► key increments the segment number digit and
firing data for the next segment can be entered.
Program data entry is terminated if End is
selected for a ramp rate with the ▼ key.
Program data entry is also automatically ter-
minated if the maximum number of segments
have been entered.
Note 2: to exit programming without cycling through all of the above steps wait 20 seconds without pressing any
keys - the ST215C will revert to the idle display. Alternatively press the ► key to exit programming and to begin
firing immediately.
Note 3: the ◄ key can be used to reverse through the programming steps to correct errors or to exit programming
mode.
Note 1: available ramp rate displays are: End, 1 … 999 & FULL. If End is shown but another segment is required
then push the ▲ key to obtain the required ramp rate (in the range 1°/hr to 999°/hr). If maximum heating/cooling is
required then push the ▲ key until FULL is displayed. To mark the end of the program push the▼ key until End is
displayed
ST215C User Handbook Page 9
Control Relay Configuration
While programming either a ramp rate or a soak time the
event output can be switched on or off by pressing the
event key. The event output will be ON when the event
lamp is on. The event output will be OFF when the event
lamp is off. The event lamp also shows the status of the
event output when the controller is running a program.
The ST215C has an optional control relay that can be configured (see installation
section) as: not used, an event output, a damper control output or a fan control output.
Control Relay Option
Event Output
The event output can be programmed to change state at the start of a ramp and also
at the start of a soak period. Thus both ramp and soak events are possible. The
event output is ON (relay contacts are closed) when the event lamp is lit. Prior to
running a program the event output is OFF (relay contact is open). The event output
status is stored within the firing program.
event on event off
Page ST215C User Handbook
10
To enter the damper temperature configuration menu press the key and the key
down together while the controller is not running a program (firing indicator not lit).
Note: in the sequence below if no key presses are detected within 30 seconds the
ST215C will exit the menu and damper temperature changes will not be saved.
The damper close temperature prompt is
shown. Release the & keys.
Press the key.
The damper close temperature is now shown.
Adjust with the & keys (hold down for
acceleration).
Press the key.
The damper open temperature prompt is now
shown.
Press the key.
The damper open temperature is now shown.
Adjust with the & keys (hold down for
acceleration)
Press the key.
The ST215C will now reset and the new damper control temperatures will be stored.
Note: in the sequence above it is important that the key is pressed a total of 4
times else changes will not be saved.
Damper Output
Damper Operation
Prior to firing the damper will be open. During firing, when the kiln reaches the damp-
er close temperature, the damper will close. The event indicator will be on.
At the end of the firing and when the kiln has cooled naturally to the damper open
temperature, the damper will open. The event indicator will be off.
Note: The event switch has no function for damper operation
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