PTC1(/M)

Temperature-Controlled
Breadboard

User Guide
Temperature-Controlled Breadboard

Table of Contents
Chapter 1 Safety .............................................................................................................................. 1
Chapter 2 Overview ......................................................................................................................... 2
Chapter 3 Getting Started ............................................................................................................... 3
3.1. Shipping List.............................................................................................................. 3
3.2. Front & Back Panels ................................................................................................. 3
Chapter 4 Operation ........................................................................................................................ 4
4.1. Starting the Device .................................................................................................... 4
4.2. LED Indicator ............................................................................................................. 4
4.3. Panel Operation ......................................................................................................... 4
4.4. Software Operation ................................................................................................... 4
4.5. Connecting an External Sensor ............................................................................... 4
4.6. Command Line Operation ........................................................................................ 5
Chapter 5 Specifications ................................................................................................................ 6
Chapter 6 Mechanical Drawing ...................................................................................................... 7
Chapter 7 Regulatory ...................................................................................................................... 8
Chapter 8 Thorlabs Worldwide Contacts ................................................................................... 11
Temperature-Controlled Breadboard Chapter 1: Safety

Chapter 1 Safety
The device comes with a power adapter compatible with voltages from 100 to 240 VAC. There is no need to
change the fuse or switch the voltage setting.

SHOCK WARNING
High voltage inside. To avoid electrical shock, before powering unit, make sure that the
protective conductor of the 3-conductor power cord is correctly connected to the protective
earth contact of the socket outlet. Improper grounding can cause electric shock resulting in
severe injury or even death. Do not operate without cover installed.

WARNING
This unit must not be operated in explosive environments.

CAUTION: HOT SURFACE

The surface of the breadboard may reach 45 ˚C or higher during operation. Avoid extenstive skin
contact.

Rev B, February 11, 2020 Page 1

Temperature-Controlled Breadboard Chapter 2: Overview

Chapter 2 Overview
The PTC1(/M) is a temperature-controlled breadboard based on thermoelectric elements (TECs) and active-air
cooling. It allows for bi-polar operation of the TEC so it can be operated either as a coldplate or a hotplate. It
has a maximum heat pump capability of 18 W at a 25 °C ambient temperature. The temperature can be set
between 15 °C and 45 °C using the front panel controls, or between 5 °C and 45 °C using the software GUI
when the unit is connected to a PC via the included USB cable.

The PTC1(/M) is equipped with a Mini-Series breadboard that has a high-density array of 8-32 (M4) and
1/4"-20 (M6) tapped holes for both standard and Mini-Series components.

The PTC1(/M) is equipped with an internal thermistor sensor. It also has an external sensor port that is
compatible with Thorlabs' TSP-TH temperature probe (not included) to allow users to achieve more precise
temperature control.

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 Temperature-Controlled Breadboard Chapter 3: Getting Started

Chapter 3 Getting Started

3.1. Shipping List
The package contains the following items:

 1 Temperature-Controlled Breadboard
 1 Power Adapter
 1 USB Cable
 1 Power Cord
 1 Flash Drive Containing the Operation Software and Manual

3.2. Front & Back Panels

F1 F3 F5 B1

F2

F4 F6 B2

Figure 1 Front and Back Panels of PTC1 Temperature-Controlled Breadboard

 F1. Power Switch

 F2. 2.5 mm Stereo Earphone Jack for External Thermistor
 F3. Switch for Toggling between External/Internal Thermistor
 F4. Switch for Toggling between USB and Front Panel Operation
 F5. LED Status Indicator
 F6. Temperature Adjustment Knob
 B1. USB Mini-B Connector
 B2. 4-Pin Power Connector

Rev B, February 11, 2020 Page 3

Temperature-Controlled Breadboard Chapter 4: Operation

Chapter 4 Operation
4.1. Starting the Device
The front and back panels of the PTC1(/M) are shown in Figure 1. Make sure the device is connected to the
power supply which is connected to a socket outlet with proper grounding protection.

After the device is turned on, the LED on the front panel will show the state of the device.

4.2. LED Indicator

The LED indicator (F5 in Figure 1) has three possible colors indicating the current status of the device:

1. Green: the temperature has reached the target and stabilized. By default, the unit achieves this status
when the temperature reaches within ±0.1 °C of the target temperature. The value of this tolerance can
be set using the PTC1(/M) software, included with the device.

2. Yellow: indicates one of the following conditions:

a) The device is working properly but the temperature has not reached the target.
b) No sensor is detected; the device has been switched to external sensor mode and no sensor is
connected.

3. Red: there are errors in the device the operation has been stopped. When an error occurs, it may be
due to one of the following reasons:

a) The device is overheated.

b) Other defective electronics in the device.

4.3. Panel Operation

After switching on the device, set the “MODE” toggle switch to “KNOB” and the “SENSOR” toggle switch to
“INT”. Then use the knob to tune the target temperature of the breadboard.

After the unit reaches the target temperature and stabilizes, the LED indicator will turn green.

4.4. Software Operation

Set the “MODE” toggle switch to “USB” and connect the device to a computer with the included USB cable. The
device can be controlled by the PTC1 software, included with the device.

With the software, users can set the target temperature with higher resolution. The user can also see a precise
readout of the temperature detected by the internal or external sensor. The temperature stabilization window
and PID settings of the device can also be fine-tuned.

In this mode, the device will not respond to any adjustment on the knob.

4.5. Connecting an External Sensor

On the front panel of the PTC1(/M), there is a 2.5 mm Stereo Earphone Jack (F2 in Figure 1). It is designed to
accept a Thorlabs TSP-TH temperature probe as an external sensor.

Connect the TSP-TH and toggle the “SENSOR” swtich to “EXT”. Then the PTC1(/M) will use the external
thermistor as the temperature monitor for its TEC control feedback loop instead of the internal thermistor in the
breadboard.

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Temperature-Controlled Breadboard Chapter 4: Operation

Figure 2 TSP-TH Temperature Probe Connected to PTC1/M

4.6. Command Line Operation

PTC1(/M) uses the Thorlabs MTD1020T temperature controller. By connecting the USB to a PC, it is possible
to operate and configure the MTD1020T directly through the USB port. This enables operation through a
terminal interface; alternatively, users can write their own program to control the unit. Prior to running the
command line interface, the included drivers should be installed, the unit should be powered on, and a USB
cable should be connected between the device and the host PC.

The terminal emulator should be configured as follows:

 Baud Rate: 115.2 kbps
 Data Bits: 8
 Parity: None
 Stop Bits: 1
 Flow Control: None
For the detailed command line operation and configuration of MTD1020T, please refer to the data sheet for the
MTD1020T.

Rev B, February 11, 2020 Page 5

Temperature-Controlled Breadboard Chapter 5: Specifications

Chapter 5 Specifications

Item # PTC1 PTC1/M

Temperature Control Specifications
Maximum Cooling Powera 18 W
Temperature Setting Rangeb 15 to 45 ˚C (Panel)
5 to 45 ˚C (Software)
Temperature Readout Resolution ±0.001 ˚C (Software)
Temperature Stabilization Window 0.1 ˚C
Breadboard Specifications
Threading Imperial Metric
Material Aluminum (Al-6063-T5)
Finish Matte Black Anodized
Breadboard Thickness 8 mm
Flatness ±0.15 mm
8-32 Taps with 1/2" Spacing M4 Taps with 12.5 mm Spacing
Hole Size and Spacing
1/4"-20 Taps with 1" Spacing M6 Taps with 25 mm Spacing
Distance from Edge 13.5 mm from Front & Back
0.5" on All Sides
to First Hole 13.3 mm from Left & Right
General Specifications
Power Supply 100 - 240 VAC, 50 - 60 Hz
Power Consumption 28 W Max
Operating Temperature 0 to 45 ˚C
Storage Temperature -15 to 70 ˚C
Dimensions (L x W x H) 127.0 mm x 101.6 mm x 62.5 mmc
Weight 1.3 kg
a. When Breadboard is Kept at Same Temperature as Ambient
b. The actual achieveable temperature range is related to the thermal load and ambient temperature.
c. Not Including Controls

Figure 3 Given a stabilized temperature (i.e. temperature of the breadboard after it has been
achieved and stabilized by the TEC), this graph shows the maximum heat load that the unit can
dissipate. Alternatively, given a known heat load, this graph shows the minimum temperature that the
unit can achieve and stabilize at. This data was measured at a 25 °C ambient temperature.

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Temperature-Controlled Breadboard Chapter 6: Mechanical Drawing

Chapter 6 Mechanical Drawing

Figure 4 The mechanical drawing of the PTC1 is shown here. Dimensions and threading types on
the PTC1/M are given in parentheses.

Rev B, February 11, 2020 Page 7

Temperature-Controlled Breadboard Chapter 7: Regulatory

Chapter 7 Regulatory
As required by the WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive) of the European Community
and the corresponding national laws, Thorlabs offers all end users in the EC the possibility to return “end of life”
units without incurring disposal charges.

 This offer is valid for Thorlabs electrical and electronic equipment:

 Sold after August 13, 2005
 Marked correspondingly with the crossed out “wheelie bin” logo (see right)
 Sold to a company or institute within the EC
 Currently owned by a company or institute within the EC
 Still complete, not disassembled and not contaminated
Wheelie Bin Logo
As the WEEE directive applies to self-contained operational electrical and electronic products, this end of life
take back service does not refer to other Thorlabs products, such as:

 Pure OEM products, that means assemblies to be built into a unit by the user (e. g. OEM laser driver
cards)
 Components
 Mechanics and optics
 Left over parts of units disassembled by the user (PCB’s, housings etc.).

If you wish to return a Thorlabs unit for waste recovery, please contact Thorlabs or your nearest dealer for
further information.

Waste Treatment is Your Own Responsibility

If you do not return an “end of life” unit to Thorlabs, you must hand it to a company specialized in waste recovery.
Do not dispose of the unit in a litter bin or at a public waste disposal site.

Ecological Background

It is well known that WEEE pollutes the environment by releasing toxic products during decomposition. The aim
of the European RoHS directive is to reduce the content of toxic substances in electronic products in the future.

The intent of the WEEE directive is to enforce the recycling of WEEE. A controlled recycling of end of life
products will thereby avoid negative impacts on the environment.

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Temperature-Controlled Breadboard Chapter 7: Regulatory

Rev B, February 11, 2020 Page 9

Temperature-Controlled Breadboard Chapter 7: Regulatory

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Temperature-Controlled Breadboard Chapter 8: Thorlabs Worldwide Contacts

Chapter 8 Thorlabs Worldwide Contacts

For technical support or sales inquiries, please visit us at www.thorlabs.com/contact for our most up-to-date
contact information.

USA, Canada, and South America UK and Ireland

Thorlabs, Inc. Thorlabs Ltd.
[email protected] [email protected]
[email protected] [email protected]

Europe Scandinavia
Thorlabs GmbH Thorlabs Sweden AB
[email protected] [email protected]

France Brazil
Thorlabs SAS Thorlabs Vendas de Fotônicos Ltda.
[email protected] [email protected]

Japan China
Thorlabs Japan, Inc. Thorlabs China
[email protected] [email protected]

Rev B, February 11, 2020 Page 11

www.thorlabs.com