F4T Touch Screen Controller Compatibility


F4T Touch Screen Controller Modern touch screen interface and connectivity		Original F4 Controller Developed in 1998

F4 Compatibility Mode in the F4T Controller
The F4T has an F4 Compatibility mode that allows you to use software that was written for the original F4 Controller. Only a limited set of parameters are available in this compatibility mode, but it should be sufficient for most applications. Commands that are mapped from the Original F4 include Set Point, Process Variable, and Events when the F4T Modbus Data Map is set for “2”, or Data Map "3" for chambers with Part Temperature Control (Cascade Control). Not all F4 parameters are mapped over to the F4T so check this document under "F4 Compatibility Mode (Data Map 2)" before assuming the F4T will be compatible with your existing software.

GPIB Interface Options TE-0003 and TE-1052
These options convert the controller’s RS-232 interface to GPIB. The converter takes care of the Modbus RTU packet formatting so the command structure is simplified.

When the F4T Modbus Data Map is set for “1”, all the native F4T functions can be controlled with simple ASCII commands. The F4T has an F4 Compatibility mode that allows you to use software that was written for the original F4 Controller. Only a limited set of parameters are available in this compatibility mode, but it should be sufficient for most applications. Commands that are mapped from the Original F4 include Set Point, Process Variable, and Events when the F4T Modbus Data Map is set for “2”, or Data Map "3" for chambers with Part Temperature Control (Cascade Control). Not all F4 parameters are mapped over to the F4T so check this document before assuming the F4T will be compatible with your existing software.

Ethernet Interface Option TE-1055 and TE-1056
The native F4T Ethernet Interface uses the Modbus protocol. Composer software will only work with the native F4T Ethernet interface.

The Ethernet Interface Options 1055 (ICS 8099) and 1056 (ICS 9099) converts the controller’s RS-232 interface to Ethernet. The converter takes care of the Modbus RTU packet formatting so the command structure is simplified. An internal webserver provides a web page to read and control the chamber's set points and event outputs.

When the F4T Modbus Data Map is set for “1”, all the native F4T functions can be controlled with simple ASCII commands. The F4T has an F4 Compatibility mode that allows you to use software that was written for the original F4 Controller. Only a limited set of parameters are available in this compatibility mode, but it should be sufficient for most applications. Commands that are mapped from the Original F4 include Set Point, Process Variable, and Events when the F4T Modbus Data Map is set for “2”, or Data Map "3" for chambers with Part Temperature Control (Cascade Control). Not all F4 parameters are mapped over to the F4T so check this document before assuming the F4T will be compatible with your existing software.

F4 Event Option 0005
Not compatible with the F4T. Although Option 0005 has 7 event relays, many chambers utilize some of the event outputs for a variety of system functions. For example, a humidity chamber can use 3 of these outputs, leaving only 4 left for customer use. Option 0005 has a single common for all +V connections but some of the outputs in the F4T require separate +V connections.

Thus, we are discontinuing Option 0005 and replacing it with Option 0033. This new option consists of 4 AC Solid State Relays, each rated to switch 24 to 240 VAC, 5.0 Amps.

Customers who are retrofitting the F4T into older chambers that have Option 0005 must replace this with Option 0033.

F4 Cascade Control Option 0006 (Part Temperature Control)
The F4T offers a superior implementation of cascade control when compared to the original F4. Cascade control can be turned ON/OFF on the fly via a button on the F4T screen. Cascade Control for the F4T is ordered as part number F4T-T-CASCADE.

F4 Retransmit Outputs 0003 for Temperature Chambers
For Temperature-only chambers, the F4T has a slot where retransmit outputs can be added. The part number for the F4T retransmit option is F4T-RETRANSMIT.

F4 Retransmit Outputs 0003 for Temperature-Humidity Chambers
For Temperature-Humidity chambers, the F4T can only accommodate retransmit outputs if eliminates two of the available event outputs (event outputs 6 and 7) are removed. The part number for the F4T retransmit option is F4T-RETRANSMIT.

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