The operating mode decides what guides the channel: the set temperature, a manually set output level, another channel – or nothing, because the channel has been shut down. It is selected per channel and applies until it is changed; it therefore also survives switching the device off.
| Operating mode | What guides the channel | Special functions |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | The set temperature. The controller determines the output level itself. This is the normal case. | all |
| Manual output | The manually set nominal output level. Useful if no temperature sensor or a faulty one is connected. | none |
| Follow | Another channel, with its state and output level – multiplied by an adjustable factor. | none |
| Monitor | Nothing – the channel outputs no power. It measures the temperature and compares it with the set temperature. | none |
| Deactivated | Nothing. The channel outputs no power and reports no errors. | none |
The special functions – softstart, boost, standby, synchronization – all act on the set temperature. That is why they exist only in the operating mode Temperature: where no set temperature guides the channel, there is nothing to raise or lower.
The channel is controlled to the set temperature. Besides regular control operation it can be in one of the states softstart, boost, standby or synchronization – all four are limited in time or by an event and end in control operation again. Which state currently applies, and for how long, is shown by the channel detail view.
The channel heats with a fixed on-time, see Section 6.1, “Control loop and output level”. The temperature continues to be measured, displayed and monitored against its limits – only the readjustment no longer takes place.
Manual output mode is the answer to an unusable sensor on a heater that has to keep running nevertheless. A workable starting value can be read off the neighbouring channel: if that one sits stably on temperature at the same heating power, its output level is a better estimate than any calculation.
NOTICE
In manual output mode no controller protects against overheating. The temperature limit does remain effective (see Section 6.6, “Temperature monitoring”), but it only takes effect once it is already too hot. Increase the output level cautiously.A channel adopts the state and output level of another. It is thus no longer controlled independently but forms a common heating zone with its follow channel. This is typical for several heaters in a thermally connected part of the tool, and as a substitute for a failed sensor – see Section 6.10, “Groups, substitution and failures”.
The follow factor scales the adopted output level. A heater with half the power at the same place therefore gets 0.50, not the same value as its model.
NOTICE
The channel also switches on and off automatically as soon as the channel to be followed is switched on or off.The channel measures and compares, nothing more: its output level is fixed at zero, no matter how far the measured temperature is below the set temperature. A set temperature is entered all the same – it is the reference for the temperature monitoring, that is for the limits and messages of Section 6.6, “Temperature monitoring”. The channel tile shows the short code “M” together with this set temperature.
Two peculiarities distinguish the operating mode “Monitor” from every other operating mode:
NOTE
A channel in the operating mode “Monitor” needs a temperature sensor and a channel licence like any other channel. Without a valid temperature there is nothing to compare, and the channel reports the sensor failure.For channels that are not used – an unassigned slot, a removed heater. The channel recedes visually in the overview, does not respond to the switch-on command, and its error messages are suppressed.
NOTE
A deactivated channel is reported as operational. This is intentional: an output “all channels operational” must not depend on somebody wiring up an unused slot.Related settings:REG-01, “Operating mode” · REG-05, “Apply output level” · INF-06, “Time in state” · TFL-07, “In case of errors…” · TFL-08, “Follow channel”