WATLOW ANAFAZE CLS216 – 16‑Loop Temperature Controller for Multi‑Zone Industrial Heating

The WATLOW‑ANAFAZE‑CLS216 is designed for applications where you need tight, synchronized control across many heating zones. From my experience, the CLS216 fits especially well in plastics extrusion lines, sealing bars, multi‑zone ovens, hot runner systems, and other processes that typically run 8–16 zones and need reliable PID control without a full PAC/PLC buildout. One thing I appreciate is how it streamlines wiring to solid‑state relays (SSRs) and cuts panel space compared to stacking a dozen single‑loop controllers.

Company’s Order Placement Process and Guarantees

• Warranty: 365 days
• Delivery: 1 week for in‑stock items; no more than one month at the latest
• Payment: 50% advance payment; full payment prior to delivery
• Express options: FedEx, UPS, DHL

Key Features

• 16 independent control loops – Coordinate multi‑zone heating with consistent tuning across zones.
• Thermocouple and RTD input support – Typically supports J/K/T/E/N thermocouples and Pt100 RTDs, so you can reuse existing sensors.
• Direct SSR drive outputs – Low‑voltage DC SSR drive in many cases, which simplifies wiring to heater power stacks.
• PID with auto‑tune – Shortens commissioning time and helps stabilize overshoot in thermal systems.
• Alarms and events – High/low temp, sensor break, and loop fault handling to improve safety and uptime.
• Serial connectivity – RS‑232 (and, in many installations, RS‑485) for HMI/SCADA integration or data logging.
• Compact footprint – Frees up panel space compared to multiple 1/16 or 1/8 DIN controllers.
• Scalable architecture – CLS family approach makes it practical to standardize across machines.

Technical Specifications

Application Fields

• Plastics: hot runner manifolds, extruder barrel and die zones, thermoforming heaters.
• Packaging: seal bars, tunnels, shrink systems where uniform heat across lanes matters.
• Industrial ovens and furnaces: multi‑zone curing, drying, and heat‑treat profiles.
• Semiconductor and electronics: plate heaters, diffusion/anneal zones, environmental chambers.
• Food & beverage: multi‑zone baking, roasting, or tempering lines with distributed heating.
• Lab and pilot lines: compact multi‑zone temperature platforms with limited panel space.

Advantages & Value

• Lower cost per loop – Compared to buying and wiring many single‑loop controllers, the CLS216 typically reduces hardware and labor.
• Panel space savings – One centralized unit and an SSR bank usually take less space and are easier to service.
• Consistency across zones – Unified tuning and logic helps achieve more uniform product quality in many cases.
• Integration‑friendly – Straightforward serial link to HMIs/SCADA; simple mapping for trending and alarms.
• Lifecycle confidence – Watlow’s Anafaze lineage has a solid track record in 24/7 production environments.

Installation & Maintenance

From my experience, installations go smoothly when the basics are covered: clean power, proper sensor wiring, and good airflow. You might notice that the system settles faster if sensor grounds and SSR commons are laid out cleanly.

• Cabinet environment – Mount inside an enclosure meeting at least IP20 internally; allow ventilation so the ambient stays under 50 °C.
• Power & grounding – Use a stable 24 VDC supply with proper grounding. Separate high‑current heater wiring from low‑level sensor wiring.
• Sensor wiring – Keep thermocouple polarity correct; use appropriate extension wire; avoid routing near motor leads or VFD outputs.
• SSR drive wiring – Route DC drive leads cleanly to SSR banks; follow SSR input current requirements.
• Safety – Include over‑temperature limit devices and proper branch protection as required by standards and local code.
• Routine maintenance – Check terminal torque annually, clean dust, verify sensor integrity, and re‑tune loops if major process changes occur. Firmware updates can be applied when available.

Simulated customer feedback: “We replaced 12 stand‑alone controllers with one CLS216 and an SSR bank. Commissioning took a day less than planned, and the heat profile across our sealing lanes is flatter than before.”

Quality & Certifications

• CE compliant for industrial environments (typical for Watlow Anafaze controllers)
• UL/CSA recognition on applicable assemblies
• RoHS conformity on electronic assemblies, where applicable
• Manufacturer’s limited warranty; supported by a 365‑day warranty from our side

Common Supporting Components

• DIN‑rail solid‑state relays (heat‑sinked) matched to heater current
• Thermocouple or Pt100 RTD sensors with appropriate extension cables
• 24 VDC industrial power supply with surge suppression
• RS‑232/RS‑485 converter or gateway for SCADA/HMI integration (if needed)
• Panel hardware and terminal blocks for neat, serviceable wiring

Note: Specifications can vary by CLS216 revision and configuration (e.g., input type options and output mix). If you share your sensor types, heater loads, and the number of alarm outputs you need, we can confirm an exact configuration and deliver the right accessories in one shipment.