User manual

Electronic superheat controller

Type EKC 312

The controller and valve can be used where

there are requirements to accurate control of
superheat in connection with refrigeration.
• Processing plant (water chillers)
• Cold store (air coolers)
• A/C plant

Features yy The evaporator is charged optimally – even yy The superheating is regulated to the lowest
when there are great variations of load and possible value.
suction pressure.

yy Energy savings – the adaptive regulation of

the refrigerant injection ensures optimum
utilisation of the evaporator and hence a high
suction pressure.

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Manual Electronic superheat controller, type EKC 312

Introduction
Application
The controller and valve can be used where there are
requirements to accurate control of superheat in connection with
refrigeration.
E.g.:
yy Processing plant (water chillers)
yy Cold store (air coolers)
yy A/C plant

Advantages
yy The evaporator is charged optimally – even when there are
great variations of load and suction pressure.
yy Energy savings – the adaptive regulation of the refrigerant
injection ensures optimum utilisation of the evaporator and
hence a high suction pressure.
yy The superheating is regulated to the lowest possible value.

Functions System
yy Regulation of superheat. The superheat in the evaporator is controlled by one pressure
transmitter P and one temperature sensor S2.
yy MOP function.
The expansion valve is with step motor of the type ETS.
yy ON/OFF input for start/stop of regulation.
yy PID regulation. For safety reasons the liquid flow to the evaporator must be cut
OFF if there is power failure for the controller. As the ETS valve is
provided with step motor, it will remain open in such a situation.

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Manual Electronic superheat controller, type EKC 312

Operation
Superheat function
yy Adaptive superheat

MOP
The MOP function limits the valve’s opening degree as long as the
evaporating pressure is higher than the set MOP value.

External start/stop of regulation

The controller can be started and stopped externally via a contact
function connected to input terminals 1 and 2. Regulation is
stopped when the connection is interrupted. The function must be
used when the compressor is stopped. The controller then closes
the solenoid valve so that the evaporator is not charged with
refrigerant.

Alarm relay
The relay for the alarm function works in such a way that the
contact is cut in in alarm situations and when the controller is
de-energised.

PC operation
The controller can be provided with data communication so that it
can be connected to other products in the range of ADAP-KOOL®
refrigeration controls. In this way operation, monitoring and data
collection can be performed from one PC – either on the spot or in
a service company.

© Danfoss A/S (DCS-IMCGPD/sw), 2015-03 DKRCC.PS.R1.A3.02 / 520H9752 3

Manual Electronic superheat controller, type EKC 312

Data
24 V AC +/-15% 50/60 Hz, 10 V A
Supply voltage (the supply voltage is galvanically sepa-
rated from the input and output signals)
Controller 5VA
Power consumption
ETS step motor 1,3 V A
Press. transmitter 4-20 mA from AKS 33
Input signal Digital input from external contact func-
tion
Sensor input 2 pcs. Pt1000 ohm
AC-1: 4 A (ohmic)
Alarm relay 1 pcs. SPST
AC-15: 3 A (inductive)
Step motor output Pulsating 100 mA
Data communication
Possible to connect a data Ordering
communication module
-10 – 55 °C, During operation Type Function Code No.
Ambient -40 – 70 °C, During transport EKC 312 Superheat controller 084B7250
temperature 20 – 80% Rh, not condensed EKA 173
Data communication module (accessories),
084B7092
(FTT 10 module)
No shock influence/vibrations
Data communication module (accessories),
Enclosure IP 20 EKA 175 084B8679
(RS 485 module)
Weight 300 g EKA 174
Data communication module (accessories),
084B7124
(RS 485 module) with galvanic separation
Mounting DIN rail
Temperature sensor Pt 1000 ohm / Pressure transmitter type AKS 33: Kindly refer to catalogue
Display LED, 3 digits RK0YG ETS valves: Kindly refer to data sheet RD1TA
EU Low Voltage Directive and EMC
demands re CE-marking complied with.
LVD-tested acc. to EN 60730-1
Approvals
and EN 60730-2-9
EMC-tested acc. to EN50081-1
and EN 50082-2

Data communication

Connections
Necessary connections
Terminals:
25-26 Supply voltage 24 V AC.
21-24 Supply to step motor
18-19 Pt1000 sensor at evaporator outlet (S2)
14-15 Pressure transmitter type AKS 33
1-2 Switch function for start/stop of regulation. If a switch is
not connected, terminals 1 and 2 must be shortcircuited.

Application dependent connections

Terminal:
18-20 Pt1000 sensor for measuring air temperature (S4)
12-13 Alarm relay
There is connection between 12 and 13 in alarm situa­tions
and when the controller is dead
3-4 Data communication
Mount only, if a data communication module has been
mounted.
It is important that the installation of the data communi-
cation cable be done correctly. Cf. separate literature No. <---------------- max. 5 m ---------------->
RC8AC...

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Manual Electronic superheat controller, type EKC 312

Survey of functions
Function Parameter Parameter by operation via data communication
Normal display
Normally the superheat is shown (but the valve’s opening degree or
SH / OD% / S4 temp
air temperature may also be selected. See o17.
Reference Thermostat control
Unit
Here you select whether the controller is to indicate the
temperature values in °C or in °F. Units (Menu=Misc.)
And pressure values in bar or psig. 0: °C + bar
If indication in °F is selected, other temperature settings will also r05 1: °F + psig
change over to Fahrenheit, either as absolute values or as delta (in AKM only °C + bar – is displayed – whatever the
values. setting)
The combination of temperature unit and pressure unit is depicted
to the right.
Start/stop of refrigeration
With this setting refrigeration can be started and stopped.
r12 Main Switch
Start/stop of refrigeration can also be accomplished with the
external switch function. See also appendix 1.
Alarm Alarm setting
The controller can give alarm in different situations. When there
is an alarm all the light-emitting diodes (LED) will flash on the
controller front panel, and the alarm relay will cut in.
Control parameters Injection control
P: Amplification factor Kp
n04 Kp factor
If the Kp value is reduced the regulation becomes slower.
I: Integration time Tn
n05 Tn sec.
If the Tn value is increased the regulation becomes slower.
Max. value for the superheat reference n09 Max SH
Min. value for the superheat reference
Warning! Due to the risk of liquid flow the setting should not be n10 Min SH
lower than approx. 2-4 K.
MOP MOP (bar)
n11
If no MOP function is required, select pos. Off. (A value of 20 corresponds to Off )
Amplification factor for the superheat
This setting determines the valve’s opening degree as a function of
the change in evaporating pressure. An increase of the evaporating
pressure will result in a reduced opening degree. When there is a
n20 Kp T0
drop-out on the low-pressure thermostat during start-up the value
must be raised a bit. If there is pendling during start-up the value
must be reduced a little.
The value should only be changed by specially trained staff.
Value of min. superheat reference for loads under 10%
n22 SH Close
(The value must be smaller than ”n10”).
The parameters ”n37” and ”n38” are settings for step motor ETS 100.
The settings must be changed when another valve is used.
Number of steps from 0% to 100% open n37 Max. steps (0 - 5000 step)
Spindle stroke speed (number of steps per second) n38 Steps / sec (10 - 300 step/sec)
Integration time for the inner loop gain
Used only when o56=2. n44 TnT0 sec
The value should only be changed by specially trained staff.

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Manual Electronic superheat controller, type EKC 312

Survey of functions
Function Parameter Parameter by operation via data communication
Miscellaneous Miscellaneous
Address
If the controller is built into a network with data communication,
it must have an address, and the master gateway of the data
Following installation of a data communication
communication must then know this address.
module, the controller can be operated on a par with
These settings can only be madewhen a data communication
the other controllers in ADAP-KOOL® refrigeration
modulehas been mounted in the controller and the installation of
controls
the data communication cable has been completed.
This installation is mentioned in a separate document “RC8AC”.
The address is set between 1 and 60 (119) o03 -
The address is sent to the gateway when the menu is set in pos. ON
(The setting will automatically change back to Off after a few o04 -
seconds).
Frequency 50/60 Hz
o12
Set the net frequency. (50=0, 60=1)
Select signal for showing display
Here you can select the signal to be shown in the normal display.
The signal is also transmitted to the analog output. See o09.
1: Superheat
2: Valve’s opening degree
o17 Display mode
3: Air temperature
(If you during operation give the lower button a brief push, you can
see the following: The S4 temperature, if 1 has been selected. The
superheat reference, if 2 has been selected. Temperature reference if
3 has been selected).
Manual control of outputs
For service purposes the individual relay outputs and the
ETS-output can be forced.
However only when regulation has been stopped.
OFF: No override.
3: Alarm relay is activated (connection established between o18 Manual ctrl
terminals 12 and 13).
After 600 seconds the manual control will be interrupted, and the
setting will return to ”0”.
In settings 3, ”o45” will become active and the ETS output can be set
manually.
Manual control of the ETS valve
When ”o18” is activated the valve’s opening degre can be o45 Manual ETS OD%
determined from this menu.
Working range for pressure transmitter
Depending on the application a pressure transmitter with a given
o20 MinTransPres.
working range is used. This working range (say, -1 – 12 bar) must be
set in the controller. The min. value is set.
The max. value is set o21 MaxTransPres.
Selection of control mode (loop Ctrl)
Depending on the application control can be carried out based on
different parameters.
The two possibilities are shown in appendix 4.
1=normal control
2=double loop
The initial or factory setting for Loop Ctrl (o56) is 1, and factory
o56 Loop ctrl
settings for Kp factor (n04) is 3.0 and KpTo (n20) is 0.4.
When Loop Ctrl. is set for 2, Kp factor and KpTo will be initially set
to 0.7 and 3.0 respectively. Changes can still be made to these
parameters when Loop Ctrl is changed.
When Loop Ctrl is set to 1, Kp factor and KpTo are set to factory
settings.
Note, Loop Ctrl. can only be changed when Main Switch (r12) is off.

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Manual Electronic superheat controller, type EKC 312

Survey of functions
Function Parameter Parameter by operation via data communication
Refrigerant setting
Before refrigeration can be started, the refrigerant must be defined.
You can select the following refrigerants:
1=R12. 2=R22. 3=R134a. 4=R502. 5=R717. 6=R13. 7=R13b1.
8=R23. 9=R500. 10=R503. 11=R114. 12=R142b. 13=User defined. o30 Refrigerant
14=R32. 15=R227. 16=R401A. 17=R507. 18=R402A. 19=R404A.
20=R407C. 21=R407A. 22=R407B. 23=R410A. 24=R170. 25=R290.
26=R600. 27=R600a. 28=R744. 29=R1270.
(Warning: Wrong selection of refrigerant may cause damage to the
compressor).
Service Service
A number of controller values can be printed for use in a service
situation.
Read status of input DI (start/stop input). u10 DI
Read the temperature at the S2 sensor. u20 S2 temp.
Read superheat. u21 SH
Read the control’s actual superheat reference. u22 SH ref.
Read the valve’s opening degree. u24 OD%
Read evaporating pressure. u25 Evap. pres. Pe
Read evaporating temperature. u26 Evap.Press.Te
Read the temperature at the S4 sensor. u27 S4 temp.
Read value of current signal from pressure transmitter (AIB). u29 AI B mA
-- DO1 Alarm
Read status of alarm relay
For Danfoss only
Start-up time for safety signal
If the controller does not obtain a reliable signal within this period
of time the con-troller will in other ways try to establish a stable n15 StartUp time
signal. (A too high value may result in a flooded eaporator).
The value should only be changed by specially trained staff.
Signal safety during start-up
The control function uses the value as start value for the valve’s
opening degree at each thermostat cutin. By adaptive control the n17 Start OD%
controller continuously calculates a new value.
The value should only be changed by specially trained staff.
Operating status
The controller’s operating status can be called forth by a brief (1s)
activation of the upper button. If a status code exists it will be
EKC State
shown. (Status codes have lower priority than alarm codes. This
(0 = regulation)
means that status codes cannot be seen if there is an active alarm
code. The status code have the following meaning:
S10: Refrigeration stopped by the internal or external start/ stop. 10
S26: No refrigerant selected. 26

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Manual Electronic superheat controller, type EKC 312

Operation Menu survey

Display SW =1.2x
The values will be shown with three digits, and with a setting you Function Param. Min. Max.
Fac.
can determine whether the temperature are to be shown in °C or setting
in °F. (Pressure in bar or psig.) Normal display
Shows the actual superheat/ valve's opening
- K
degree/ temperature. Define view in o17
If you wish to see the expansion valve’s actual
opening degree, give the lower button a brief - %
push (1s). Define view in o17
Reference
Light-emitting diodes (LED) on front panel Units (0=°C+bar / 1=°F+psig) r05 0 1 0
There are LED’s on the front panel which will light up when the Start/stop of refrigeration r12 OFF On 1
belonging relay is activated. Regulating parameters
The uppermost LED will indicate when the valve is moving P: Amplification factor Kp n04 0.5 20 3
towards a greater opening degree.
I: Integration time T n05 30 s 600 s 120
The next LED will indicate when the valve is moving towards a
Max. value of superheat reference n09 2K 30 K 10
smaller opening degree.
Min. value of superheat reference n10 1K 12 K 4
All light-emitting diodes will flash when there is an error in the
MOP n11 0.0 bar 20 bar 20
regulation.
Signal reliability during start-up. Safety time
In this situation you can upload the error code on the display and period. n15 0s 90 s 0
cancel the alarm by giving the uppermost button a brief push. Should only be changed by trained staff.
Signal reliability during start-up – Opening
The buttons degree’s start value. Should only be changed n17 0% 100% 0
by trained staff
When you want to change a setting, the two buttons will give
Amplification factor for superheat
you a higher or lower value depending on the button you are Changes should only be made by trained staff
n20 0.0 10.0 0,4
pushing. But before you change the value, you must have access Value of min. superheat reference for loads
to the menu. You obtain this by pushing the upper button for a n22 1K 15 K 2
under 10%
couple of seconds - you will then enter the column with parameter ”n37” and ”n38” are adapted to valve type ETS
codes. Find the parameter code you want to change and push 50 and should only be changed through the
the two buttons simultaneously. When you have changed the use of another valve
value, save the new value by once more pushing the two buttons Number of steps from 0-100% opening degree
(x10)
simultaneously. (ETS 50=263, ETS 100=353) 000 5000
n37 263
ETS 12.5, ETS 25, ETS 50=263 stp* stp *
ETS 100=353
Gives access to the menu (or cutout an alarm) ETS 250, ETS 400=381
Gives access to changes 10 300
Number of steps per second n38 250
stp/s stp/s
Saves a change Integration time for inner loop (TnT0) n44 10 s 120 s 30
Miscellaneous
Examples of operations Controller’s address o03 *) 1 60
Set one of the other menus ON/OFF switch (service-pin message) o04 *) - -
1. Push the upper button until a parameter is shown Set supply voltage frequency o12 50 Hz 60 Hz 50
Select display for ”normal picture”
2. Push one of the buttons and find the parameter you want to 1: Superheat
change o17 1 3 1
2: Valve’s opening degree
3: Air temperature
3. Push both buttons simultaneously until the parameter value is
Manual control of outputs:
shown OFF: no manual control
o18 off 3 0
4. Push one of the buttons and select the new value 3: Alarm relay activated (cut out)
At settings 3, ”o45” will be active
5. Push both buttons again to conclude the setting
Working range for pressure transmitter – min.
o20 -1 bar 60 bar -1.0
value
Working range for pressure transmitter – max.
o21 -1 bar 60 bar 12
value
Refrigerant setting
1=R12. 2=R22. 3=R134a. 4=R502. 5=R717.
6=R13. 7=R13b1. 8=R23. 9=R500. 10=R503.
11=R114. 12=R142b. 13=User defined.
o30 0 29 0
14=R32. 15=R227. 16=R401A. 17=R507.
18=R402A. 19=R404A. 20=R407C. 21=R407A.
22=R407B. 23=R410A. 24=R170. 25=R290.
26=R600. 27=R600a. 28=R744. 29=R1270.

*) The display on the controller can show 3 digits only, but the setting
value has 4 digits. Only the 3 most important will be shown.
It means f.ex. . 250 will give a setting of 2500.

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Manual Electronic superheat controller, type EKC 312

Menu survey
Function Param. Min. Max.
Fac. The controller can give the following messages
setting
E1 Fault in controller
Manual control of the valve’s opening degree.
E15 Cut-out S2 sensor
The function can only be operated if ”o18” has o45 0% 100 % 0
been set E16 Shortcircuited S2 sensor
Error message
Selection of loop ctrl: E17 Cut-out S4 sensor
1=Normal o56 1 2 1 E18 Shortcircuited S4 sensor
2=double loop
The input signal on terminals 14-15 is outside the range
Service E20
(P0 signal)
Read status of input DI u10 on/off A11 No refrigerant has been selected
Alarm message
Temperature at S2 sensor u20 °C A43 Check the supply voltage to the step motor
Superheat u21 K
Superheat reference u22 K
Read AKV valve’s opening degree u24 %
Read evaporating pressure u25 bar Operating status (Measurement)
Read evaporating temperature u26 °C The controller goes through some regulating
Temperature at S4 sensor u27 °C situations where it is just waiting for the next
point of the regulation. To make these "why
Read signal at pressure transmitter input u29 mA
is nothing happening" situations visible, you Ctrl. state:
*) This setting will only be possible if a data communication module has been can see an operating status on the display. (Shown in all menu
installed in the controller. Push briefly (1 s) the upper button. If there is displays)
a status code, it will be shown on the display.
The individual status codes have the following
meanings.
Normal regulation S0 0
Refrigeration stopped by main switch.
S10 10
Either with r12 or a DI-input
No refrigerant selected S26 26

Factory setting
If you need to return to the factory-set values, it can be done in this way:
- Cut out the supply voltage to the controller
- Keep both buttons depressed at the same time as you recon­nect the
supply voltage

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Manual Electronic superheat controller, type EKC 312

Installation considerations
Accidental damage, poor installation, or site conditions, can give Danfoss wil not be responsible for any goods, or plant
rise to malfunctions of the control system, and ultimately lead to a components, damaged as a result of the above defects. It is the
plant breakdown. installer's responsibility to check the installation thoroughly, and
Every possible safeguard is incorporated into our products to to fit the necessary safety devices.
prevent this. However, a wrong installation, for example, could still Particular attention is drawn to the need for a “force closing” signal
present problems. Electronic controls are no substitute for normal, to controllers in the event of compressor stoppage, and to the
good engineering practice. requirement for suction line accumulators.

Your local Danfoss agent will be pleased to assist with further

advice, etc.

Appendix 1 Appendix 2

Interaction between internal and external start/stop functions If there are two evaporators sharing the same suction line,
and active functions. the signal from the pressure transmitter can be used by two
Internal Start/stop Off Off On On controllers.
External Start/stop (DI) Off On Off On
Refrigeration (DO2) Off On
Sensor monitoring Yes Yes

Appendix 3

Adaptive superheat

Regulation is here based on the evaporator’s load by means of

MSS search (MSS = lowest permissible superheat).
(The superheat reference is lowered to the exact point where
instability sets in).
The superheat is limited by the settings for min.and max.
superheat.

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Manual Electronic superheat controller, type EKC 312

Appendix 4

Regulation algorithms for the superheat. (loop ctrl.).

There are two algorithms to choose between.

They are set in ”o56”.

Loop Ctrl.=1 Loop Ctrl. =2

This regulation algorithm is used for the classical method This setting is recommended if only one regulation of the
and is recommended for known applications – e.g. for earlier superheat is required.
installations with a Danfoss controller. For a start the values The regulation algorithm necessitates the mounting of a
for Kp, and Tn can be set to values corresponding to the earlier temperature sensor in the media.
ones.

The S4 and T0 temperatures also form part of an inner loop

regulation.

Start of controller
When the electric wires have been connected to the controller,
the following points have to be attended to before the regulation
starts:
1. Switch off the external ON/OFF switch that starts and stops the
regulation
2. Follow the menu survey on page 6, and set the various
para-meters to the required values
3. Switch on the external switch, and regulation will start
4. Follow the actual superheat on the display

If the superheating fluctuates

When the refrigerating system has been made to work steadily, If the time of oscillation is longer than the integration time:
the controller’s factory-set control parameters should in most (Tp > Tn , (Tn is, say, 240 seconds))
cases provide a stable and relatively fast regulating system. 1. Increase Tn to 1.2 times Tp
If the system however fluctuates this may be due to the fact that 2. Wait until the system is in balance again
too low superheat parameters have been selected: 3. If there is still oscillation, reduce Kp by, say, 20%
4. Wait until the system is in balance
Adjust: n09 and n10. 5. If it continues to oscillate, repeat 3 and 4

Alternatively it may be due to the fact that the set regulation If the time of oscillation is shorter than the integration time:
parameters are not optimal. (Tp < Tn , (Tn is, say, 240 seconds)).
1. Reduce Kp by, say, 20% of the scale reading.
2. Wait until the system is in balance.
3. If it continues to oscillate, repeat 1 and 2.

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Manual Electronic superheat controller, type EKC 312

ETS connection
If the distance between EKC 312 and the ETS valve exceeds 5 m a
filter must be mounted to obtain the correct valve function.
The filter must be placed close to EKC 312.

Connection

L<5m

5 m < L < 50 m

Dimensions Ordering
Type Description Code no.
AKA 211 Filter 4 × 10 mH 084B2238

DIN-rail mounting

List of literature
Instructions:
RI8JZ (extract from this manual).
Here you can see how controllers are mounted and programmed.

Installation guide for extended operation RC8AC

Here you can see how a data communication connection to ADAP-KOOL® Refrigeration control systems can be established.

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