Plug and Play Temperature Controller

1. Overview

What is ITC-308?

The ITC-308 is an easy-to-use, safe, and reliable dual relay output temperature controller. It can be used for over-temperature protection and as an automatic temperature control system for various electric appliances. Applications include home-brew equipment, aquariums, pet breeding, incubation, BBQ, seedling heat mats, oven temperature control, terrestrial heat control, constant temperature cycles for heating pumps, culture fermentation, accelerating germination, electric radiators, and electric ovens.

This product features a plug-n-play design with dual relays, allowing it to connect with refrigeration and heating equipment simultaneously for ideal temperature control. It is equipped with a dual LED display that offers options for displaying temperature in Centigrade or Fahrenheit, providing a more user-friendly experience. With a high output power of 1200W (110V) / 2200W (220V), it is suitable for most applications.

The ITC-308 is designed with compressor delay protection for refrigeration, high and low temperature alarms, and a sensor fault alarm, enhancing its safety and reliability. Functions like temperature calibration and separate differential settings for refrigeration and heating enable more accurate temperature control.

Main features

• Plug and play design, easy to use.
• Dual relay output, capable of connecting with refrigeration and heating equipment simultaneously.
• Supports reading temperature in Centigrade or Fahrenheit units.
• Maximum output load: 1200W (110V) / 2200W (220V).
• Dual display windows to show measured temperature and set temperature concurrently.
• Temperature calibration function.
• Compressor delay protection for refrigeration control.
• High and low temperature alarms are available.
• Over-temperature and sensor fault alarms.
• Heating/cooling differential function can be set separately for refrigeration and heating to protect the temperature controller from violent changes.

2. Specification

3. Keys Instruction

Image description: The ITC-308 controller features a digital display showing PV (Process Value) and SV (Setting Value), indicator lamps for Heating and Cooling, and several control buttons. It also includes sockets for connecting heating and cooling devices. Separate images show US, EU, and UK socket types.

PV: Process Value

Under running mode, displays the current temperature. Under setting mode, displays the menu code.

SV: Setting Value

Under running mode, displays the setting temperature. Under setting mode, displays the setting value.

Cooling indicator Lamp ?

When the light is on, refrigeration is active. When the light is flickering, the compressor is under delay protection.

Heating Indicator Lamp ?

When the light is on, heating is active.

SET key ⚙️

Press SET key for 3 seconds to enter the menu for function setting. During the setting process, press SET key for 3 seconds to quit and save setting changes.

DECRESE key ⬇️

Under running mode, press DECRESE key to inquire CD (Cooling Differential) value. Under setting mode, press DECRESE key to decrease the value.

INCREASE key ⬆️

Under running mode, press INCREASE key to inquire HD (Heating Differential) value. Under setting mode, press INCREASE key to increase the value.

Heating Device Socket ?

This socket is for heating output.

Cooling Device Socket ?

This socket is for refrigeration output.

4. Key Operation Instruction

4.1 Enquiry Set Point

When the controller is working normally, short press the ⬆️ key for one time, then the heating differential (HD) will be displayed. Short press the ⬇️ key for one time, then the cooling differential (CD) will be displayed. The screen will return to normal display mode after 2 seconds.

4.2 How to Set Parameters

When the controller is working normally, press the "SET" key for over 3 seconds to enter the parameters setup mode. The "SET" indicator lamp will turn on. The PV window displays the first menu code "TS", while the SV window displays the corresponding setting value. Press the "SET" key to go to the next menu and display its code. Press the ⬆️ key or ⬇️ key to set the current parameter value. After setting is done, press the "SET" key for 3 seconds at any time to save the parameter changes and return to normal temperature display mode. If there is no operation for 10 seconds during setting, the system will quit setting mode and return to normal temperature display mode without saving the parameters change.

5. Menu Instruction

4.3 Setup Flow Chart

The parameter setup process begins by pressing the "SET" key for over 3 seconds to enter setup mode. The system then allows sequential adjustment of the following parameters: TS (Temperature Set Value), HD (Heating Differential Value), CD (Cooling Differential Value), AH (Alarm High Limit), AL (Alarm Low Limit), PT (Compressor Delay), CA (Temperature Calibration), and CF (Temperature Unit). Each parameter is accessed by pressing "SET" to advance to the next menu code, and values are adjusted using the ⬆️ (Increase) and ⬇️ (Decrease) keys. Pressing "SET" for 3 seconds saves changes and exits setup mode, returning the device to normal operation.

5. Menu Instruction

When the temperature is displayed in Centigrade

When the temperature is displayed in Fahrenheit

5.1 Temperature Control Range Setting (TS, HD, CD)

When the controller is working normally, the LED displays the current measured temperature and automatically identifies and switches between refrigeration and heating working modes. When the measured temperature PV is greater than or equal to TS (temperature set value) + CD (cooling differential value), the system enters refrigeration status, and the cool indicator lamp turns on, initiating the refrigeration relay. If the cool indicator lamp is flickering, it signifies that the refrigeration equipment is under compressor delay protection. When the measured temperature PV is less than or equal to TS (temperature set value), the cool indicator lamp turns off, and the refrigeration relay stops working.

When the measured temperature PV is less than or equal to TS (temperature set value) - HD (heating differential value), the system enters heating status, and the heat indicator lamp turns on, initiating the heating relay. When the measured temperature PV is greater than or equal to TS (temperature setting), the heat indicator lamp turns off, and the heating relay stops working.

For example, if TS is set to 25°C, CD to 2°C, and HD to 3°C: when the measured temperature is higher than or equal to 27°C (TS+CD), the system enters refrigeration status. When the temperature declines to 25°C (TS), refrigeration stops. When the measured temperature is lower than or equal to 22°C (TS-HD), the system enters heating status. When the temperature rises to 25°C (TS), heating stops.

In cases where the time interval between two refrigeration cycles is less than PT (Compressor Delay), please refer to section 5.3.

5.2 Alarm High/Low Limit Setting (AH, AL)

When the measured temperature is higher than or equal to AH (Alarm High Limit), a high temperature alarm will be triggered. The buzzer will sound with a tone "bi-bi-Biii" until the temperature drops below AH or any key is pressed.

When the measured temperature is lower than or equal to AL (Alarm Low Limit), a low temperature alarm will be triggered. The buzzer will sound with a tone "bi-bi-Biii" until the temperature rises above AL or any key is pressed.

5.3 Compressor Delay (PT)

Under refrigeration mode, after power on, if the measured temperature is higher than the value of setting temperature (TS) plus cooling differential (CD), the equipment will not start refrigeration immediately but will wait for a delay time. If the time interval between two refrigeration operations is larger than the preset delay, the equipment will start refrigeration immediately. If the time interval is less than the preset delay, the equipment will not start refrigeration until the preset delay is satisfied. The delay time is calculated right after the moment refrigeration stops.

5.4 Temperature Calibration (CA)

When there is a deviation between the measured temperature and the actual temperature, use the temperature calibration function to align them. The corrected temperature is equal to the temperature before calibration plus the corrected value (the corrected value can be positive, zero, or negative).

5.5 Display in Fahrenheit or Centigrade unit (CF)

Users can select the display unit (Fahrenheit or Centigrade) according to their preference. The default setting is Centigrade. To display in Fahrenheit, set the CF value to 'F'. Attention: When the CF value is changed, all setting values will be recovered to factory settings.

6. Error Description

Sensor Fault Alarm

When the temperature sensor is in a short circuit or open loop, the controller will initiate a sensor fault mode and cancel all actions. The buzzer will alarm, and the LED will display "ER". The buzzer alarm can be dismissed by pressing any key. After the fault is resolved, the system will return to normal working mode.

Over-temperature Alarm

When the measured temperature exceeds the measuring range (less than -50°C / -58°F or higher than 99°C / 210°F), the controller will initiate an over-temperature alarm mode and cancel all actions. The buzzer will alarm, and the LED will display "HL". The buzzer alarm can be dismissed by pressing any key. When the temperature returns to the measuring range, the system will return to normal working status.

7. Technical Assistance and Warranty

7.1 Technical Assistance

If you encounter any problems installing or using this thermostat, please carefully and thoroughly review the instruction manual. For assistance, please write to cs@ink-bird.com. Emails will be replied to within 24 hours from Monday through Saturday. You can also visit the website www.ink-bird.com to find answers to common technical questions.

7.2 Warranty

INKBIRD TECH. C.L. warrants this thermostat for one year from the date of purchase, provided it is operated under normal conditions by the original purchaser (non-transferable). This warranty covers defects caused by INKBIRD's workmanship or materials. The warranty is limited to the repair or replacement, at INKBIRD's discretion, of all or part of the thermostat. The original receipt is required for warranty purposes.

INKBIRD is not responsible for injury, property damage, or other consequential damages or damages to third parties arising directly from the actual or alleged defects in the workmanship of the product. There are no representations, warranties, or conditions, express or implied, statutory or otherwise, other than those contained herein, related to the sale of goods act or any other statute.