Many applications requiring a fixed temperature set point rely on mechanical thermostats for thermal control. But, thermostats are inadequate for many applications because of the long-term reliability issues such as 100,000 cycle rating and poor temperature control.

The SERIES EHG® thermal solution includes a compact precision temperature control, thermocouple sensor and power switching device integrated into the flexible heater's power cord. The SERIES EHG reduces system costs and substantially extends the life over conventional thermostat solutions.

The evolution of miniature microprocessor technology and Watlow switching technology fostered the development of a small versatile precision temperature control and thermocouple sensor that can be integrated with Watlow silicone rubber heater products. This device senses the temperature via input from a thermocouple strategically placed on the heater mat. The microprocessor is programmed prior to shipment with the customer's application specific set point. This results in quick delivery of a custom, integrated system.

The small mass of the thermocouple provides superior response to changes in process temperature and allows for higher watt density silicone rubber heater designs. Depending on the specific application, Watlow's power switching design can extend life up to 40 times greater than thermostats. These features result in an integrated custom set point temperature control product with superior life span, faster heat-up rates and improved accuracy. The SERIES EHG system has been tested to over four million cycles at rated amperage.