Mechanical Dial Thermostat 30-90°C: Simple & Reliable Temperature Control for Catering

Consistent Temperature Management for Hot Cupboards & Bain-Maries

Accurate and consistent temperature control is vital for food safety, quality, and operational efficiency in any commercial kitchen. For holding cooked food or warming ingredients, you need a dependable, user-friendly solution to regulate heat.

This Mechanical Dial Thermostat provides a straightforward yet highly effective way to manually manage temperatures across a common range of 30°C to 90°C. It's perfect for catering equipment such as hot cupboards, bain-maries, and immersion-type heating elements. With its generous 1.5-meter liquid-filled sensing capillary, this thermostat ensures responsive and precise temperature detection. Easy to install and highly reliable, it's an excellent choice for maintaining consistent heat in your daily operations.

Key Features & Benefits

• Optimal Temperature Control Range: Manually adjust temperatures from 30°C to 90°C, ideal for food holding, warming, and other low to mid-range catering applications.

• Responsive Liquid-Filled Sensing Bulb: Operates via a special liquid-filled sensing bulb connected to a 1500mm (1.5m) capillary, providing accurate and rapid temperature change detection.

• Robust Electrical Ratings: Capable of handling 250Vac and up to 16A, making it suitable for a broad range of standard catering and immersion heating elements.

• Versatile 3-Terminal Configuration: Features three faston tab terminals (Common, Normally Open, and Normally Closed), offering flexible wiring options for both heating and cooling circuits.

• Standard Shaft Length: A 28mm shaft length ensures compatibility with common control panels and mounting configurations.

• Simple Mechanical Dial Control: Provides a basic, intuitive method for operators to manually adjust and maintain desired temperatures.

• Durable Construction: Built to withstand the demands of busy commercial kitchen environments, ensuring longevity and consistent performance.

• Optional Accessories Available: Knobs and bezels are available as optional accessories, allowing for customisation and a professional finish (sold separately).

• Associated High Limit Thermostats: We can also supply compatible high limit thermostats as associated accessories, offering an essential additional layer of safety (sold separately).

How a Mechanical Dial Thermostat Works

A mechanical dial thermostat, also known as a capillary thermostat, operates on the principle of thermal expansion. A liquid-filled sensing bulb, connected to the main thermostat body via a thin capillary tube, is strategically placed in the area where temperature needs to be controlled (e.g., inside a hot cupboard or immersed in water). As the temperature of this area changes, the liquid inside the bulb expands or contracts. This change in volume creates pressure within the sealed capillary system, which is transmitted to an internal bellows or diaphragm within the thermostat's main body.

This mechanical movement then actuates a single pole electrical switch (16A, 250Vac). When the temperature reaches the pre-set point on the thermostat's dial, the switch either opens (breaking the circuit to a heating element) or closes (completing the circuit). This controls the flow of power, thereby regulating the temperature. The Common (C), Normally Open (N/O), and Normally Closed (N/C) terminals provide flexibility for wiring the thermostat to turn a device ON or OFF at a specific temperature depending on the application.

Technical Specifications

• Product Type: Single Pole Mechanical Dial Thermostat

• Temperature Control Range: 30°C to 90°C

• Capillary Length: 1500mm (1.5 meters)

• Sensing Method: Liquid-filled sensing bulb

• Electrical Rating: 250Vac, 16 Amps (A)

• Poles: Single Pole

• Terminals: Three Faston Tab Terminals (Common, Normally Open, Normally Closed)

• Shaft Length: 28mm

• Control Type: Manual Rotary Dial Adjustment (requires knob)

• Body Material: Phenolic, Ceramic

• Capillary Material: Stainless Steel

• Mounting:Panel Mount

• Certifications: CE, RoHS

Ideal Applications

This versatile thermostat is ideally suited for a wide range of commercial catering and industrial heating applications requiring reliable manual temperature control:

• Hot Food Holding Cabinets: Ensuring food stays at safe serving temperatures.

• Bain-Maries: Maintaining water bath temperatures for consistent food warming.

• Proofing Cabinets: Controlling precise temperatures for dough rising.

• Warming Drawers & Plates: Keeping prepared food warm before serving.

• Immersion Heaters: Basic temperature control for liquids in tanks and vats within this range.

• Commercial Dishwashers (Rinse Aid Tanks): Regulating solution temperatures.

Important Installation & Safety Notice

Installation and wiring of this thermostat must ONLY be performed by a qualified and licensed electrician or appliance technician in strict accordance with all local electrical codes, safety regulations, and the appliance manufacturer's instructions. Always ensure the main power supply to the circuit is disconnected and locked out before any work is carried out. Improper installation can lead to electrical shock, fire, equipment damage, or void its warranty. Ensure the sensing bulb and capillary are correctly positioned to accurately reflect the temperature being controlled.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: What is the purpose of the 1.5-meter capillary?

A1: The long capillary allows the sensing bulb to be placed precisely where the temperature needs to be measured (e.g., deep inside a hot cupboard or immersed in a liquid), while the main thermostat body and control shaft can be mounted conveniently on an external control panel.

Q2: Can this thermostat be used for both heating and cooling applications?

A2: Yes, with its three terminals (Common, Normally Open, Normally Closed), you can wire it to turn a device ON or OFF based on temperature changes. It's commonly used for heating, but the N/O and N/C contacts provide flexibility for various control scenarios.

Q3: Are the knob and bezel included with the thermostat?

A3: No, the knobs and bezels are optional accessories and are sold separately. This allows you to choose the style that best fits your equipment or simply replace the thermostat without needing a new knob if your existing one is still functional.

Q4: What is the benefit of a liquid-filled sensing bulb?

A4: Liquid-filled sensing bulbs offer excellent temperature responsiveness and accuracy over their operating range due to the consistent thermal expansion properties of the liquid, providing reliable temperature control.

Q5: Why might I need a separate "high limit thermostat"?

A5: A high limit thermostat is a safety device designed to trip and shut off a heating element if the temperature exceeds a dangerously high, pre-set limit. It acts as a secondary safety measure, preventing overheating in case the primary control thermostat fails. We can supply these as associated accessories for enhanced safety.

Ensure reliable and precise temperature control for your catering equipment. Add this Mechanical Dial Thermostat 30-90°C with 1.5m Capillary to your cart today!