Description
Key Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Product Model | INR-244-97B-B-X5 |
| Manufacturer | SMC Corporation |
| Product Series | INR-244 Thermo-Con |
| Product Type | Peltier-Type Thermo-Con / Temperature Controller |
| Cooling Technology | Thermoelectric / Peltier device |
| Cooling Method | Air-cooled |
| Cooling Capacity | Approximately 220 W* |
| Temperature Stability | Approximately ±0.01 to ±0.03°C* |
| Temperature Control | Cooling / heating control |
| Circulating Fluid | Water-based coolant; exact permitted fluid depends on configuration |
| Communication | Variant-dependent; verify installed interface |
| Pump | Integrated circulation system |
| Application | Precision liquid temperature control |
| Condition | New Surplus or Fully Tested Refurbished |
*SMC’s official documentation for the closely related INR-244-831 air-cooled compact unit specifies 220 W cooling capacity and ±0.01 to ±0.03°C temperature stability. The exact INR-244-97B-B-X5 suffix is not exposed in SMC’s current public catalog, so those figures should be confirmed against the unit nameplate and original configuration documentation before being treated as contractual specifications.
The INR-244 family is clearly identified by SMC as Peltier-type temperature-control equipment, including air-cooled configurations.
Application Scenarios & Pain Points
Precision thermal equipment has an unpleasant failure mode: the process may continue running while temperature drift gradually changes the product or measurement result. In semiconductor and optical equipment, a few hundredths of a degree can matter more than the nominal cooling capacity.
- Semiconductor equipment: The INR-244 family is listed by SMC under temperature-adjustment equipment for semiconductor applications, where stable liquid temperature can be part of process control.
- Laser and optical equipment: Peltier-based liquid control is useful where thermal stability affects laser output, optical alignment, or component operating conditions.
- Analytical instrumentation: A circulating-temperature controller can maintain a repeatable thermal environment around sensitive measurement equipment.
- Legacy equipment maintenance: An exact INR-244 variant can be valuable when the host machine was engineered around a particular pump, electrical, communication, and fluid-loop configuration.
Field note: Check the coolant loop before blaming the controller. A partially blocked line, contaminated fluid, restricted airflow, or air trapped in the circulation circuit can produce a temperature-control alarm that looks like a failed Thermo-Con. Dust around the fan and heat exchanger deserves a physical inspection, too.
INR-244-97B-B-X5
Related Products
- INR-244-831 — Closely related compact, air-cooled Peltier Thermo-Con. SMC specifies 220 W cooling capacity and ±0.01 to ±0.03°C stability for this configuration. It was discontinued in December 2023.
- — Current low-temperature compact air-cooled configuration. It covers 4–60°C, with 150 W cooling capacity and ±0.01 to ±0.03°C stability. It is not automatically a drop-in replacement for the -97B-B-X5.
- — Air-cooled configuration with 220 W cooling capacity and approximately ±0.03°C stability. Its configuration differs from the subject part, so fluid circuit and electrical details must be compared.
- — Water-cooled Peltier Thermo-Con configuration offering up to 280 W cooling capacity and a broader temperature range down to −15°C. It is intended for a different cooling architecture.
- — Water-cooled configuration with 140 W cooling capacity and 0–60°C control range. Suitable for lower-capacity applications, but not a direct substitute without engineering review.
- — Another 0–60°C, water-cooled configuration rated at 140 W cooling capacity. Useful for cross-reference work when evaluating legacy temperature-control equipment.
- — Water-cooled version with approximately 320 W cooling capacity and ±0.03°C stability. Its thermal capacity is higher, but the cooling architecture is different.
- HEF Series — SMC identifies HEF as a replacement family for the discontinued -831 compact air-cooled Thermo-Con. A migration requires checking dimensions, fluid connections, electrical supply, communication, and control performance.
The Engineer’s Guide: Field Pitfalls to Avoid
WARNING 1 — Do not order by “” alone.
The family contains multiple thermal architectures: air-cooled and water-cooled versions, different cooling capacities, and different temperature ranges. SMC’s catalog shows substantial differences among the configurations.
How to avoid it: Match the complete INR-244-97B-B-X5 designation and verify the pump, fluid connections, power supply, communication interface, and cooling method.
WARNING 2 — Do not assume a newer -832 is a plug-in replacement.
SMC’s current -832 is a 4–60°C low-temperature configuration with 150 W cooling capacity. The older -831 architecture was rated at 220 W and has a different documented configuration.
How to avoid it: Treat replacement as a system-level compatibility check. Compare mechanical dimensions, piping, electrical connections, control interface, fluid requirements, and thermal load.
WARNING 3 — Peltier performance depends heavily on airflow and fluid condition.
A dirty air filter or restricted heat rejection path can reduce cooling performance even when the Peltier module itself is healthy. The same applies to a contaminated or poorly circulated liquid loop.
How to avoid it: Before condemning the controller, inspect the fan/filter, verify coolant level and flow, check for leaks or restrictions, and measure the actual inlet/outlet temperatures.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is SMC -97B-B-X5?
It is an SMC series Thermo-Con temperature-control unit associated with Peltier-based liquid temperature regulation. The family is designed for precision temperature adjustment using thermoelectric technology rather than conventional compressor refrigeration.
Is -97B-B-X5 a chiller?
Yes, functionally it is a compact thermoelectric circulating temperature-control/chiller unit. The important distinction is the cooling technology: the family uses a Peltier thermoelectric device, with SMC describing the technology as refrigerant-free.
What is the cooling capacity of -97B-B-X5?
Available records associate the -97B-B-X5 configuration with approximately 220 W cooling capacity. SMC’s official documentation for the closely related -831 specifies 220 W under defined test conditions.
Because the exact -97B-B-X5 suffix is not currently exposed in SMC’s public catalog, I would verify the rating from the original equipment documentation before using 220 W as a guaranteed specification.
What temperature stability can I expect?
The family includes configurations with approximately ±0.01 to ±0.03°C temperature stability. SMC specifies this range for its -831 and -832 compact Peltier configurations.
Actual stability depends on thermal load, ambient temperature, circulating flow, and operating conditions.
Can be replaINR-244-832?
Not automatically. -832 is a different configuration with a 4–60°C range and 150 W cooling capacity.
Before substitution, compare:
- Cooling capacity
- Temperature range
- Fluid connections
- Pump characteristics
- Power supply
- Communication interface
- Mechanical dimensions
- Control requirements
- Host-machine specifications
Is the series still available?
The situation depends on the exact configuration. SMC officially lists as discontinued in December 2023, with the HEF series identified as its replacement family.
The -832 remains represented in SMC’s current catalog.
For the specific , verify whether the available unit is new surplus, previously installed, or refurbished and request the exact nameplate information.
How shoulurbished be tested?
A meaningful test should include:
- Verify the complete model suffix.
- Inspect the electrical connectors.
- Inspect fan, filter, heat-rejection surfaces, and fluid fittings.
- Verify circulation flow.
- Check for coolant leakage.
- Test temperature control under a defined thermal load.
- Record temperature stability over an extended period.
- Verify alarms and protection functions.
- Check communication functionality if fitted.
- Record inlet/outlet temperature and operating current.
A unit that simply powers up is not adequately tested for a precision thermal-control application.
What should I provide when purchasing this SMC unit?
Specify:
Then provide a clear photograph of the nameplate, fluid ports, electrical connector area, and front panel. If the Thermo-Con is installed inside semiconductor or process equipment, the host-machine model is also valuable because the -X5 option may represent a configuration detail that cannot be inferred safely from the base family name alone.
