The case for the stand-alone controller
USA: Emerson has introduced the CC200 case controller, described as a stand-alone controller for virtually any type of refrigeration display case or walk-in box and all required loads.
Based on feedback from customers, the CC200 controller is said to be designed to handle the unique challenges of retail grocery refrigeration environments.
Emerson’s Cold Chain Connect app was designed to communicate with the controller and provide streamlined start-up and commissioning, advanced connectivity and troubleshooting for OEMs, end users and contractors.
The controller enables OEMs to manage all loads in a refrigerated case, including: lighting, fans, defrost heaters, liquid line solenoid valves, unipolar steppers, bipolar steppers, PWM expansion valves and EEPR valves.
The advanced algorithms in the CC200 controller are said to provide precise superheat and discharge air temperature control.
“We basically went back to a blank slate on all of our software,” said Chris Denney, a senior engineer at Emerson. “Some of what we developed for the CC200 controller was a ground-up rebuild for us. We totally rethought the way we were doing it and redesigned everything to optimise the software for the electronic valves that are used in the industry today.”
The CC200 controller’s hardware and software have been designed, engineered and tested for low-, medium- and dual-temperature applications. They enable the coordination of refrigeration case lineups with support for up to eight cases.
The main refrigeration controller includes an auto-tuning superheat control that reduces the time needed to pinpoint ideal settings, enabling faster commissioning.
The CC200 features a new algorithm for learning and automatically selecting the optimal superheat setpoint for each evaporator. This allows the controller to balance all air temperatures in a refrigeration circuit close to the target setpoint — even for multi-coil display case designs.
An intelligent demand defrost algorithm that only triggers a defrost cycle when required is also included.
Emerson says the new hardware design maintains compatibility with its sensors, enables quicker system upgrades and allowing OEMs to purchase and install fewer components in the control tray than ever before.
By adding plug-in expansion modules, the CC200 controller’s modular design can accommodate up to three evaporator coils per display case. The main controller, expansion modules and display operate on a single power source, simplifying wiring and reducing labor costs.
Expansion modules plug directly into the CC200 controller’s side expansion port connector, eliminating the need to run separate wiring for power and communication.
Colour-coded analog inputs and intuitively labelled output and valve connectors are said to allow fast and efficient installation and easier troubleshooting.
Emerson’s Cold Chain Connect app simplifies start-up and commissioning for OEMs, provides visibility across the entire system and enables control over multiple devices. End users can connect to the CC200 controller via the app to view refrigeration system data on a mobile device in real time. Graphing, component overrides, easy access to parameters and relevant refrigeration system data make service, diagnostics and maintenance easier than ever before.
