TEMPERATURE CONTROLLER
N323R
OPERATING MANUAL V1.8x L
N323R Temperature Controller
The N323R is a Refrigeration controller designed to control the temperature of refrigeration cases and coldrooms, embedding several specialized functions for best system performance. The N323R can read two temperature probes (controller and defrost probes) and has three relay outputs for controlling the compressor, the defrost and the fan.
The controller can be ordered with optional features such as to comply with the application’s requirements. The label on the instrument housing shows the complete instrument configuration.
SPECIFICATIONS
PROBE INPUT: ………………….. 2 Thermistor NTC
…………………………………………………. Type 10 kΩ @ 25 °C
…………………………………………………. Range: -50 to 120 °C (-58 to 248°F)
………………………………………………… Accuracy: 0.6 °C (1.1 °F)
Note: The sensors come with the equipment. Its operating range is limited to -30 to +105 °C (–222 to +221 °F). It has cable of 3 m in length, 2 x 0.5 mm², and can be extended up to 200 meters. Maximum error in the interchangeability of original NTC sensors: 0.75 °C (33.35 °F). This error can be eliminated through the offset parameter of the equipment.
Measurement Resolution: ……………….. 0.1° from -19.9º to 199.9°
…………………………………………………………….. 1° elsewhere
Note: The equipment keeps its precision all over the range, despite the lack of display resolution in a part of the range does not allow its visualization.
OUTPUT1: ………………….. Relay SPDT; 1 HP 250 Vac / 1/3 HP 125 Vac (16 A Resistive)
……………………………………….. Optionally: Pulse, 5 Vdc, 25 mA max.
OUTPUT2: …….. Relay SPST-NA, 3 A / 250 Vac (General use); 5 A / 250 Vac (Resistive)
OUTPUT3: ………………. SPST-NA, 3 A / 250 Vac (General use); 5 A / 250 Vac (Resistive)
POWER SUPPLY:
Voltage: ………………………………… 100 to 240 Vca/dc ±10 %
Optionally:…………………………….. 24 V (12 to 30 Vdc)
Mains frequency: ………………….. 50~60 Hz
Power consumption: ……………..5 VA
DIMENSIONS:
Width x Height x Depth: ……… 75 x 33 x 75 mm
Panel cut-out: ……………………….. 70 x 29 mm
Weight: …………………………………. 100 g
ENVIRONMENT:
Operating temperature: ………… 0 to 40 ºC (32 to 104 ºF)
Storage temperature: …………….-20 to 60 ºC (-4 to 140 ºF)
Relative humidity: ………………… 20 to 85 %RH
Housing: Polycarbonate UL94 V-2;
Protection: Front panel: IP65, Box: IP42
Suitable wiring: Up to 4.0 mm²
RS-485 digital communication, RTU MODBUS protocol (optional)
Serial interface not isolated from input circuitry.
Serial interface isolated from input circuitry, except in 24 V powered model.
INSTALLATION
It is important to follow the recommendations below:
- Signal wires should be installed in grounded conduits and away from power or contactor wires.
- The instrument should have its own power supply wires that should not be shared with electrical motors, coils, contactors, etc.
- Installing RC filters (47 R and 100 nF, series combination) is strongly recommended at contactor coils or any other inductor.
- Use protection devices like circuit breakers and fuses.
ELECTRICAL WIRING
Fig. 1 below shows the controller connections to sensor, mains and outputs.
* The serial communication interface is optional.
OPERATION
The controller requires the internal parameters to be configured according to the intended use for the instrument. The parameters are organized in 4 groups or levels:
Level | Function |
0 | Temperature measurement |
1 | Setpoint Adjustment |
2 | Configuration |
3 | Calibration |
Upon power-up, the N323R display shows for 1 second its firmware version. This information is useful when consulting the factory.
Then, the temperature measured by the sensor is shown on the display. This is the parameter level 0 (temperature measurement level).
To access level 1, press for 1 second until the “
” message shows up. Pressing
again to go back to level 0.
To access level 2 of parameters, press for 2 seconds until the “
” message is shown. Release the
key to remain in this level. Each new pressing on the
key will advance to the next parameter in that level. At the end of the level, the controller returns to the first level (0). Use the
and
keys to alter a parameter value.
Notes:
- A parameter configuration is saved when the
key is pressed to advance to the next parameter in the cycle. The configuration is stored in a non-volatile memory, retaining its value when the controller is de- energized.
- If no keyboard activity is detected for over 20 seconds, the controller saves the current parameter value and returns to the measurement level.
- While in the temperature measurement level, a momentary pressing on the
key will show the Probe 2 temperature (evaporator temperature)
Level 1 – Setpoint Adjustment
In this level only the Setpoint () parameters are available, alternating the names with their respective values. Adjust the desired temperature for each setpoint clicking on the
and
keys.
![]() |
Case of coldroom temperate adjustment.![]() ![]() ![]() |
Level 2 – Configuration – Parameters configuration Level
Contains the configuration parameters to be defined by the user, according to the system’s requirements. Use and
keys to set the value. The display alternates the parameter name and respective value.
![]() |
Temperature Unit. Selects display indication for degrees Celsius or Fahrenheit![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
Probe 1 Offset – Offset value to be added to the sensor 1 measured temperature such as to perform fine adjustments to the value showed on the display (after sensor replacement, for instance, if required). Range: ± 0.1 to 10.0 degrees. |
![]() ![]() |
Probe 2 Offset – Offset value to be added to the sensor 2 measured temperature to perform fine adjustments to the value showed on the display (after sensor replacement, for instance, if required). Range: ± 0.1 to 10.0 degrees. |
![]() |
SP Low Limit – Lower range for![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
SP High Limit – Upper range for![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
OUTPUT 1 Hysteresis: defines the differential range between the temperature value at which the OUTPUT is turned on and the value at which it is turned off. In degrees. |
![]() |
Defines the output position for the refrigeration relay.![]() ![]() |
![]() |
Delay time to start control. Upon power-on, control OUTPUT 1 is kept off until the time programmed in![]() |
![]() |
On time – Defines the minimum on time for refrigeration output. Once turned on, OUTPUT 1 remains so for at least the time programmed in![]() |
![]() |
Off time – Defines the minimum off time for control OUTPUT 1. Once OUTPUT 1 is turned off, it remains so for at least the time programmed in![]() |
![]() |
Interval time between defrost cycles. Adjustable from 0 to 999 minutes. During this time, the defrost output remains off.![]() |
![]() |
Defrost duration. Interval time during which the defrost output remains on. Value in minutes, 1 to 999. |
![]() |
Compressor output behavior during the defrost cycle:![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
Temperature for finalizing the defrost cycle – evaporator temperature value as measured by sensor 2 which terminates the defrost cycle, regardless of the time configured in![]() Range:–50 to +120 degrees (-58 to 248°F). NOTE: the defrost cycle will not initiate if the evaporator temperature is the value defined in this parameter. |
![]() |
Drain down time – This parameter sets the time interval for keeping the outputs off to allow optimum drying of the evaporator. Value in minutes, 0 to 999. |
![]() |
Evaporator temperature for liberating the fan – after defrost and water draining, the refrigeration is turned on. To keep warm air from circulating in the system, demanding more energy to lower the temperature, the N323R can be configured to maintain the fan output off until the temperature cools below the value defined in![]() Range: : –50 to 120 °C (-58 to 248°F) |
![]() |
Fan maximum delay after draining – to assure product integrity, the fan output will be unconditionally turned on after the time programmed in![]() ![]() Value in minutes, 0 to 999. |
![]() |
Fan behavior during refrigeration.![]() ![]() |
![]() |
Fan behavior during defrost.![]() ![]() |
![]() |
Fan deactivation due to evaporator heating – evaporator temperature that turns the Fan off when the evaporator heats up (above temperature defined in![]() |
![]() |
Compressor function during a probe failure: This parameter fixes the compressor operating mode in the event of the main probe failure.![]() ![]() |
![]() |
Defrost hold time (temperature indication hold): This is the time interval following the end of the defrost cycle for the controller to display actual control temperature. During the defrost cycle and the time defined by![]() ![]() 1 to 250 : Time interval after the end of defrost for the display to show the actual control temperature. In minutes. |
![]() |
Address – Controllers with the optional RS485 Modbus RTU communication interface have the![]() level. Set a unique Modbus address for each equipment connected to the network. Address range is from 1 to 247. |
Level 3 – Calibration level
The controller is factory calibrated. The following parameters should be accessed only by experienced personnel. To enter this cycle, the key must be kept pressed for 4 seconds.
Don’t press the and
keys if you are not sure of the calibration procedures. Just press the
key a few times until the temperature measurement level is reached again.
![]() |
Password – Enter the correct password to unlock write operations for the parameters in the following levels. |
![]() |
Calibration low input 1 – Zero value of the input 1. It adjusts the lower measurement range of Probe 1. |
![]() |
Calibration High input 1 – Gain calibration. It adjusts the full scale measurement range of the Probe 1. |
![]() |
Calibration low input 2 – Zero value of the input 2. It adjusts the lower measurement range of the Probe 2. |
![]() |
Calibration High input 2 – Gain calibration. It adjusts the full scale measurement range of the Probe 2. |
![]() |
Factory Calibration – Restores factory calibration parameters. The value 1 restores the calibration parameters to the factory values. |
![]() |
Protection – Defines the levels of parameters that will be password protected. See “Configuration Protection Usage” for details. |
![]() |
Password Change – Allows changing the current password to a new one. Values from 1 to 999. |
![]() |
Serial number – First part of the instrument serial number. |
![]() |
Serial number – Second part of the instrument serial number. |
![]() |
Serial number – Third part of the instrument serial number. |
CONTROLLER OPERATION
The controller turns on and off the compressor output such as to maintain the temperature at the selected Setpoint. The front panel display shows the symbol whenever the compressor is active.
Defrost
Function to eliminate the ice accumulated on the evaporator, for improving system efficiency. The duration and interval of the defrost cycles are user configurable. However, it may be unconditionally terminated depending on the evaporator temperature as measured by Probe 2 (refer to the parameter)
The defrost can be achieved by: 1) compressor deactivation; 2) electrical heater or 3) heat pump inversion.
In the first case, the refrigeration is turned off and the defrost happens naturally. In the second case the defrost output drives an electrical resistance to generate heat and so melt the ice. In this mode, the compressor output is also deactivated. In the third case, heat pump inversion, the compressor is kept active and the defrost output commands the valve that inverts the heat cycle.
During defrost, the case of coldroom temperature may be forced to reflect the last temperature measured prior to entering the defrost cycle (refer to the parameter).
The and
parameters define, respectively, the time interval between defrosts and the duration of the defrost cycle. The controller display shows the symbol
to indicate that a defrost cycle is in progress.
Manual defrost: The key allows that a defrost cycle be initiated of terminated immediately. Pressing this key for 3 seconds will toggle the current defrost status.
Definition of the evaporator temperature that terminates the defrost. ( parameter)
- Wait for ice building on the evaporator;
- Start a defrost cycle manually;
- Visually monitor the evaporator until there is no more ice on it.
- Check the Probe 2 temperature (momentary press on the
key). This is the correct temperature setting for the
parameter.
CONFIGURATION PROTECTION
A protection system to avoid unwanted changes to the controller parameters is implemented. The level of protection can be selected from partial to full. The following parameters are part of the protection system:
![]() |
When this parameter is presented, the correct password must be entered to allow changes of parameters in the following levels. |
![]() |
Defines the level of parameters that will be password protected: 1 – Only calibration level is protected (factory configuration); 2 – Calibration and Configuration levels are protected; 3 – All levels are protected – calibration, Configuration and setpoints. |
![]() |
Parameter for definition of a new password. Since it is located in the calibration level, can only be changed by a user that knows the current password. Valid passwords are in the range 1 to 999. |
CONFIGURATION PROTECTION USAGE
The parameter is displayed before entering a protected level. If the correct password is entered, parameters in all following levels can be changed. If wrong or no password is entered, parameters in the following levels will be read only.
Important notes:
- After five consecutive attempts to enter a wrong password, new tentative will be blocked for the next 10 minutes. If the current valid password is unknown, the master password can be used only to define a new password for the controller.
- The password for a brand new device is 111.
MASTER PASSWORD
The master password allows user to define a new password for the controller, even if the current password is unknown. The master password is based in the serial number of the controller, and calculated as following:
[ 1 ] + [ higher digit of SN2 ] + [ higher digit of SN1 ] + [ higher digit of SN0 ]
for example the master password for the device with serial number 97123 465 is: 1 9 3 6 as follows: 1 += 97;
= 123;
= 465 = 1 9 3 6
How to use the master password:
- Enter the master password value at
prompt.
- Go to
parameter and enter the new password, which must not be zero (0).
- Now you can use this new password to access all controller parameters with modify rights.
ERROR MESSAGES
Probe measurement errors force the controller outputs to be turned off. The cause for these errors may have origin in a bad connection, sensor defect (cable or element) or system temperature outside the sensor working range. The display signs related to measurement errors are shown below
![]() |
Measured temperature exceeded maximum allowed range for the sensor. Broken Pt100 or T/C. Short circuited NTC sensor. |
![]() |
Measured temperature is below minimum measurement range of the sensor. Short circuited Pt100 or T/C. Broken NTC. |
WARRANTY
Warranty conditions are available on our website www.novusautomation.com/warranty.
Documents / Resources
![]() |
novus N323R Temperature Controller [pdf] Instruction Manual N323R Temperature Controller, N323R, N323R Controller, Temperature Controller, Controller |