Construction of an Automatic Temperature Controller for Monitoring Heating and Cooling Systems

Abstract

The Automatic Temperature Controller (ATC) is a locally designed microcontroller borne electronic circuit system capable of monitoring and controlling the temperature of a thermally isolated enclosure or chamber, provided the heating or cooling source is powered electrically. Monitoring and automation are achieved with the aid of Temperature sensor, Microcontroller IC, Analogue-to-Digital Converter (ADC), Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) unit, Switching circuit and other essential components. The Microcontroller has been programmed to monitor and control instantaneous temperature values received from a temperature sensor. The preset values determine whether a relay is energized or de-energized. The switching terminal of the relay has been connected in series to the live terminal of the mains that powers an electrical heating or cooling systems. The circuit can be employed in managing the temperature of drying compartments such as House warmer, heating furnace, incubators, and others. The temperature range of the system is between 4oC and 130oC with a resolution of 0.5oC