IKA HB digital Heating Bath, 4 Litre, Water/Oil, 180 °C, 0020016334

Not every temperature control task in the laboratory requires compressor cooling. Where only a heating bath up to 180 degrees Celsius is needed, for example for extractions, solvent evaporation or viscosity measurements at elevated temperature, a plain heating bath is sufficient. The IKA HB digital provides 1400 watts of heating power, a capacity of up to 4 litres and a stainless steel vessel (material 1.4404) in contact with the product, which works with both water and silicone oil as the temperature control medium.

Heating power and control accuracy up to 180 degrees Celsius

The heating temperature range extends from room temperature to 180 degrees Celsius, set with a rotary knob with a setting accuracy of 1 Kelvin and read on an LCD display. With 3 litres of water at 90 degrees Celsius, the controller fluctuation is ±1 Kelvin and the absolute deviation from the mean value is ±2 Kelvin. With 3 litres of silicone oil (50 mPas) at 150 degrees Celsius, the controller fluctuation is ±2 Kelvin and the absolute deviation is ±4 Kelvin. This separate statement for water and oil shows that the control accuracy varies depending on the medium and the target temperature, an aspect that is relevant when choosing the temperature control medium for precision-critical applications.

Open bath without external circulation, but compact and robust

Unlike a circulating thermostat, the HB digital has no pump for the external connection of further devices. It is designed as an open bath for the direct heating of vessels in the bath itself. The inner diameter of the bath vessel is 225 millimetres with an inner height of 130 millimetres, and the minimum filling level is 60 millimetres. A fixed safety circuit at 190 degrees Celsius and an additionally adjustable safety circuit between 50 and 190 degrees Celsius protect against unintentional overheating, in line with the classification according to DIN 12876 Class II.

Heating bath, heating bath circulator or heating and cooling unit: choosing the right design

Anyone who needs only an open bath without an external connection is well served by the HB digital. If the same warm water bath is also to supply externally connected vessels or double-jacketed reactors, the IKA HBC 5 basic and the IKA HBC 10 control as heating bath circulators offer an integrated circulation pump for exactly this purpose. If active cooling is also required in addition to heating, for example for temperature cycles below room temperature, the IKA RC 2 lite as a pure recirculating chiller or the IKA HRC 2 lite as a combined heating and cooling unit is the more suitable choice.

Typical applications

As a compact heating bath with a stainless steel vessel and a temperature range up to 180 degrees Celsius, the HB digital is suitable for the following, among other uses:

• Heating and temperature control of samples in water or oil baths, for example during extractions or evaporation processes
• Viscosity measurements and other applications with temperature-dependent material properties at elevated temperature
• Heating reaction vessels or flasks that are suspended directly in the open bath

Installation, operation and ongoing use

It is operated via a rotary knob with LCD display, and a USB interface (Micro-USB) allows connection to a PC or software for logging temperature curves. The housing dimensions are 330 x 190 x 325 millimetres and the weight is 3.9 kilograms. The outer diameter of the bath vessel is 257 millimetres. The power consumption is 1450 watts in operation and only 3 watts in standby. The permissible ambient temperature range is 5 to 40 degrees Celsius at a maximum of 80 percent relative humidity, and the housing is protected to IP 21 according to DIN EN 60529.

Care of the stainless steel bath vessel

The vessel made of stainless steel 1.4404 that comes into contact with the product is corrosion-resistant to the usual temperature control media, water and silicone oil, and is easy to clean after cooling down. Before filling, it is advisable to note the minimum filling level of 60 millimetres, as with too low a level the safety circuit may trigger early or temperature stability may suffer. After prolonged operation with oil as the temperature control medium, the bath vessel should be cleaned thoroughly before changing the medium, to avoid carry-over between the media.

Why the choice of temperature control medium affects accuracy

When making the investment decision, it is worth considering the planned temperature control medium: for applications with water up to around 90 degrees Celsius, the absolute deviation of ±2 Kelvin is within a narrower range than with higher-viscosity oil baths at 150 degrees Celsius with ±4 Kelvin. Anyone who regularly works in the upper temperature range with oil and needs tighter control accuracy should check these values against the requirements of their own method before deciding on a standard heating bath. For most routine applications up to 180 degrees Celsius, however, the accuracy of the HB digital is sufficient, without the need for a more expensive equipment level with a circulation pump.

Technical details

Scope of delivery

• 1 x IKA HB digital Heating Bath (ident no. 0020016334)
• 1 x USB cable USB A to Micro-B, 2 m

Regulatory information

As an electrical appliance, the HB digital is subject to the German Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act (ElektroG) and is registered with Stiftung EAR under the WEEE registration number DE 66784213. At the end of its service life, the device must not be disposed of with household waste but must be taken to a separate collection for waste electrical equipment.

Frequently asked questions about the HB digital

Can the HB digital also supply external devices with warm water?
No, the HB digital has no circulation pump and is designed as an open bath for direct heating in the bath itself. The heating bath circulators of the HBC series are suitable for external connection.

Up to what temperature can the HB digital be operated?
The heating temperature range extends from room temperature to 180 degrees Celsius, safeguarded by a fixed safety circuit at 190 degrees Celsius.

Which media can be used in the bath?
According to the controller data, both water and silicone oil are intended as temperature control media, each with its own accuracy specifications for controller fluctuation and absolute deviation.

How large is the bath vessel?
The inner diameter is 225 millimetres with an inner height of 130 millimetres, the filling volume is a maximum of 4 litres and the minimum filling level is 60 millimetres.

What material is the bath vessel made of?
The material in contact with the product is stainless steel 1.4404.

Can the HB digital be connected to a PC?
Yes, via the Micro-USB interface provided, the device can be connected to a PC or logging software.

What distinguishes the HB digital from a circulating thermostat?
A circulating thermostat has an integrated pump for connecting external devices, whereas the HB digital is a plain, open heating bath without a pump function.

How long does heating up to the target temperature take?
The exact heating time depends on the filling quantity, the starting temperature and the selected medium. With 1400 watts of heating power and a maximum filling volume of 4 litres, the following applies: the larger the filling quantity and the higher the target temperature, the longer the heating time.

Individual requirements & procurement service

Our procurement service will support you with suitable accessories such as a protective cover or an intermediate shelf for smaller vessels. If you have questions about certificates and certifications for the HB digital, please also feel free to contact us.