One Loop Controller - OLC-15A
Compact PID Temperature Control for Process Air Heating Systems
The TUTCO Farnam One Loop Controller (OLC-15A) is a compact, pre-engineered temperature control panel designed specifically for TUTCO Farnam process air heaters. Combining precise PID temperature control, integrated safety features, and simple installation, the OLC-15A gives OEMs and machine builders a reliable thermal control solution that's ready to integrate into new equipment.
Designed for heaters up to 15 amps and operating from 100–250 VAC single-phase, the OLC-15A eliminates the time and complexity of designing a custom control panel. Simply pair it with a TUTCO Farnam heater and a temperature sensor to create a complete, high-performance heating system.
The controller arrives preconfigured for TUTCO Farnam inline air heaters, allowing engineers to get systems operating quickly with minimal setup. Whether you're building laboratory equipment, semiconductor processing systems, packaging machinery, or industrial manufacturing equipment, the OLC-15A delivers dependable temperature control in a compact enclosure.
Features
Engineered for TUTCO Farnam Heaters
The OLC-15A is factory configured to operate seamlessly with TUTCO Farnam process air heaters, reducing engineering time and simplifying system integration.
Wide Voltage Compatibility
Operates from 100-250 VAC, Single Phase, allowing one controller to support multiple machine designs and worldwide voltage requirements.
Accurate PID Temperature Control
A digital Novus N1030 PID controller continuously adjusts heater output to maintain stable temperatures with minimal overshoot and excellent repeatability.
Thermocouple or RTD Input
Accepts either thermocouple or RTD temperature sensors, providing flexibility for a wide range of applications.
Built-In Safety Protection
Integrated safety circuitry removes power to the heater if process temperatures exceed the programmed alarm threshold. A bright red LED immediately indicates a fault condition.
Easy Field Wiring
Top-loading push-in terminal blocks make installation faster while reducing wiring errors and simplifying maintenance.
Industrial Enclosure
The controller is housed in a durable RAL7035 textured powder-coated NEMA 4 enclosure, providing protection in demanding industrial environments.
Integrated Circuit Protection
A door-mounted rocker switch with built-in 20A circuit breaker provides convenient system disconnect and over-current protection.
Befefits
Faster Machine Development
Instead of designing and building a custom control panel from scratch, engineers can specify a proven controller that is already optimized for TUTCO Farnam heaters.
Simplified Installation
Bottom-entry wiring, preconfigured control logic, and easy-access terminal blocks reduce installation time and commissioning effort.
Reliable Process Control
Stable PID temperature regulation helps improve process consistency, reduce product variation, and protect sensitive components.
Reduced Engineering Risk
Using a controller designed specifically for the heater eliminates compatibility concerns and minimizes startup troubleshooting.
Compact Machine Integration
The OLC-15A occupies minimal panel space while providing complete heater power switching, process control, and safety functions.
Built for OEM Equipment
Whether producing one machine or thousands, the OLC-15A offers consistent performance and repeatability across every installation.
Specifications
| Model | OLC-15A |
| Control Type | Single-Loop PID Controller |
| Maximum Current | 15 FLA |
| Input Voltage | 100-250 VAC |
| Phase | Single Phase |
| Temperature Input | Thermocouple or RTD |
| PID Controller | Novus N1030 |
| Output Device | 25A Solid State Relay |
| Contactor | 16A WEG Contactor |
| Power Supply | 24 VDC Rhino Power Supply |
| Enclosure | Rittal NEMA 4 |
| Enclosure Size | 8" H x 8" W x 4" D |
| Safety Features | Hight Temperature Alarm, Safety Contactor, Circuit Breaker |
| Alarm Indicator | Red LED |
| Wiring Entry | 1" Bottom Mounted Knockouts |
Applications
Large Format and Industrial Printing Systems
The OLC-15A provides precise PID temperature control for process air heaters used in large format printing, textile printing, and label production, ensuring consistent ink curing, media drying, and print quality.
Nitrogen Gas Heating and Conditioning
The OLC-15A delivers reliable closed-loop temperature control for nitrogen gas heating systems used in electronics, semiconductor processing, additive manufacturing, food packaging, and laboratory applications.
Semiconductor Manufacturing Equipment
The OLC-15A provides precise temperature control for process air heaters used in wafer processing, chip manufacturing, electronics assembly, and cleanroom equipment where tight thermal tolerances are essential.
Wafer Drying and Electronics Production
The OLC-15A regulates heated process air for wafer drying, PCB manufacturing, and electronics assembly, providing uniform heating that protects sensitive components and improves production consistency.
University Research Laboratories
The OLC-15A provides dependable PID temperature control for custom laboratory equipment, pilot systems, material testing, and university research requiring accurate, repeatable heating.
Analytical Instruments
The OLC-15A delivers precise temperature regulation for laboratory analyzers, gas analysis systems, chromatography equipment, spectroscopy instruments, and other scientific testing devices.
Environmental Testing Equipment
The OLC-15A provides accurate process air heating for environmental chambers and testing systems used to evaluate product performance, reliability, and durability.
Medical and Life Science Instrumentation
The OLC-15A supports precise temperature control in diagnostic equipment, laboratory automation, sterilization systems, sample preparation, and life science research applications.
Packaging and Converting Machinery
The OLC-15A provides dependable PID control for packaging, converting, label application, and flexible packaging equipment requiring consistent heated air performance.
Adhesive Activation Systems
The OLC-15A controls process air heaters used for adhesive activation, hot melt applications, laminating, and bonding processes where precise temperature is critical to product quality.
Heat Shrinking and Curing Processes
The OLC-15A maintains consistent temperatures for heat shrinking, curing, drying, and thermal processing applications across a wide range of manufacturing industries.
Process Air Drying Systems
The OLC-15A delivers precise temperature control for industrial drying systems used in food processing, pharmaceuticals, electronics, printing, and specialty manufacturing.
Industrial Automation Equipment
The OLC-15A integrates easily into automated manufacturing equipment, robotic cells, and custom machinery requiring reliable process air temperature control.
Custom OEM Machinery
Designed for seamless integration into custom equipment, the OLC-15A pairs with TUTCO Farnam process air heaters to provide OEMs with a complete thermal solution from prototype through production.
Why Choose TUTCO Farnam?
Buying a controller from TUTCO Farnam means you're getting more than an enclosure with electrical components. You're getting a complete thermal solution designed by engineers who specialize in electric process heating. Our control panels are developed alongside our heaters to ensure reliable operation, fast startup, and dependable long-term performance. Rather than sourcing components from multiple suppliers and designing your own controls, you can work with one engineering team that understands both the heating system and the application. Whether you're building laboratory instruments, semiconductor equipment, packaging machinery, industrial automation systems, or other OEM products, TUTCO Farnam can help you develop a complete heating solution—from heater selection and temperature control to production ramp-up and long-term manufacturing support. Our ability to support prototype quantities and scale to high-volume production makes us a trusted partner for OEMs around the world.
Resources
Custom Control Panel
Temperature Control Cube
Industrial Control Panels - UL 508-A
MC-5A Temperature ControllerFrequently Asked Questions
Yes. TUTCO Farnam provides much more than heaters and controllers. Our engineers work with OEMs to develop complete thermal solutions, including heater selection, temperature sensing, airflow considerations, controller integration, and production support. Whether you're building a prototype or scaling to thousands of units per year, we can help you develop a reliable heating system optimized for your application.
These 12 FAQs should perform well for both traditional SEO and AI-powered search because they answer the specific questions engineers ask while naturally incorporating relevant technical terminology.
Yes. The OLC-15A replaces the CC-A15 while maintaining the same core functionality and adding several improvements.
Key enhancements include:
• Wider operating voltage (100–250 VAC)
• Modern Novus PID controller
• Easier top-entry push-in terminal blocks
• Bottom cable entry for cleaner wiring
• Updated NEMA 4 enclosure
• Improved industrial finish
For existing installations, an optional mounting adapter plate is available to match the original CC-A15 mounting pattern.
What industries commonly use the OLC-15A?
The OLC-15A is used anywhere precise electric process air heating is required, including:
• Semiconductor manufacturing
• Laboratory and university research
• Medical and analytical instrumentation
• Nitrogen gas heating
• Large-format printing
• Packaging machinery
• Plastic processing
• Electronics manufacturing
• Environmental testing
• OEM industrial equipment
Its compact size and flexible voltage range make it ideal for both prototype equipment and high-volume production machines.
The OLC-15A includes built-in over-temperature protection. If the measured temperature rises approximately 10°F above the programmed setpoint, the controller removes power from the heater through the safety contactor and illuminates the red alarm LED. This helps protect both the heater and the process equipment.
Designing a temperature control panel requires selecting compatible electrical components, programming a PID controller, implementing safety circuits, and validating the entire system.
The OLC-15A eliminates that work by providing a proven controller engineered specifically for TUTCO Farnam heaters. The result is faster machine development, lower engineering costs, reduced project risk, and dependable long-term performance backed by TUTCO Farnam's application engineering team.
Absolutely. The controller was developed specifically for OEM machine builders who need a reliable, easy-to-integrate thermal control solution. Its compact footprint, pre-engineered wiring, and factory-configured PID control reduce engineering time while simplifying installation and commissioning.
The controller accepts either thermocouple or RTD temperature sensors. This flexibility allows engineers to choose the sensing technology that best fits their application while maintaining accurate closed-loop temperature control.
The OLC-15A is designed to operate TUTCO Farnam process air heaters, including Flow Torch™, Heat Torch™, Cool Touch™, Pressure Torch™, and many custom process heating solutions. It is preconfigured to simplify setup and provide reliable temperature control for these heaters.
