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Control water heater with temperature sensor

PID temperature controllerDigital controller... activated by temperature probe
Proportional Integral Derivative/ PID control
PID controller is activated by temperature-sensitive thermocouple or RTD.
Use the PID to control any other circuit.
Best to use PID to control a contactor or relay instead of directly connecting load to PID
Use contactor or relay as shown in illustrations below
''Output actuator has a resolution of about 3%''.
So if temp setting on PID is 140° then actual temperature is 140° ±3% or 4.2° margin of error.

Using a separate contactor or relay that is rated for elements and motors allows millions operations without risk of overload and burnout of PID terminals.
Buy:
PID temperature sensor
PID with relay output and thermocouple/ ITC-100HR/Temperature rang :-50~250ºC
PID with SSR solid state relay output ITC-100V
PID Temperature controllers
Inkbird PID
Digital temperature controller
30 amp contactors
Omron relay
Solid State Relay Board for Arduino

Resources:
Contactors
Select breaker and wire size
Inkbird .pdf
Inkbird spec sheet
PID wiring
PID wiring
Example PID thermostat wiring

To use thermocouple (millivoltage input caused by heating thermocouple probe), connect thermocouple to terminals 4-5.
Thermocouple is 2 different metals joined together that create small electric current when heated. PID interprets changing flow of electricity as change in temperature.
Thermocouple can take time to cool down after circuit turns off. Water likewise takes time to cool down.
Ordinary water heater thermostat is mechanical. Two different metals are joined. The metals expand at different rates and bend when heated, creating a switch that toggles one direction when heated, and bends back after cooling.

To use RTD (resistance caused by heating RTD sensor):
When connecting three line RTD sensor, #3 terminal is for red wire, #4 and #5 are for other two blue lines.
For some sensors, #4 and #5 terminals should be connected together.
RTD best for -100 to +500°F
RTD is a variable resistor that limits milliamp (current) flow through the RTD. PID interprets change in resistance as change in temperature.
RTDs are superior to thermocouples in that their readings are more accurate and more repeatable. Repeatable means that users reading the same temperatures produce the same results over multiple trials.

Check input and output voltage before buying PID

Max water heater temperature for residential heater 210° before TP releases water.
Maximum temperature setting for residential water heater thermostat 150°, ideal tank thermostat setting 120° for residential heater, typical bath shower 104°, danger from scald begins at 140°, temperature for killing bacteria 140°,

Thermocouples can be used to measure up to 2700 degrees Fahrenheit.
Check control and output voltage before buying PID
Buy:
PID with relay output and thermocouple/ ITC-100HR
PID wiringGeneral information on PID
Wiring on this page requires PID with relay output, and voltage rating 120-240 volt.
The relay output includes terminals 8-7-6, with terminal 7 the COM, and 6 and 8 the switching terminals NO and NC.... (normally open, normally closed)

Output relay max 3 amps ... sufficient to energize contactor. Add 3 amp line fuse to protect PID from 30 amps that ave available on the water heater circuit.
Thermocouple is accurate for water heater. For more precise control of temperature, an RTD can be used.
Buy:
PID with relay output and thermocouple/ ITC-100HR
Panel mount fuse holders at Amazon
ANL fuseholder
Fuse blocks at Amazon
Din rail fuseholder
10 x 38 mm fuse
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Fast acting ceramic fuses
Electrical terminals




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