In this podcast with Control Conceptsโ North American Sales Manager Tony Busch, learn about ATOM. Find the transcript here.
ATOM is Control Concepts’ newest line of power controllers, offered from 16-80A in single or three phase. ATOM are ultra-compact SCR power controllers designed for precise power control on a budget.
Transcript Summary
Narrator:
Welcome to In The Loop, a New England Temperature Solutions podcast.
In todayโs episode, NETS President Dominick DeLuca sits down with Tony Busch, Sales Manager for Control Concepts, on location in Chanhassen, Minnesota, to introduce the new ATOM SCR Power Controller.
Without further ado, here are Dom and Tony, helping you get in the loop.
Introducing Tony Busch
Dominick DeLuca:
Hello, and welcome to In The Loop. Today, weโre in lovely Chanhassen, Minnesota, visiting Control Concepts. Iโm here with Tony Busch, their Sales Manager.
Tony, great to have you on. Want to introduce yourself?
Tony Busch:
Thanks for having me! Iโm Tony Busch with Control Concepts. Iโve been with the company for 15 yearsโstarted as a technician, moved into field service, and then into sales. The sales role was a great fit for me, especially with my background in bartendingโIโm used to talking with people and solving problems quickly!
I now serve as the North American Sales Manager and love helping customers tackle tough applications or just get answers fast. Itโs incredible to work in heat-treating and see how things are made firsthand.
I grew up hunting and fishingโspent a lot of time outdoors with my dad and uncles. I also love barbecuingโIโm no pro, but I can hold my own!
Iโve got a 6-year-old, an 8-year-old daughter, and a 19-year-old son – which explains my hair situation! We also have a dog named Nelly, a 65-pound fox red lab whoโs full of energy and great with the kids.
About ATOM
Dominick DeLuca:
Youโre the Sales Manager now, and around the time you stepped into that role, Control Concepts released the ATOM, right?
Tony Busch:
Thatโs right! The ATOM is a new SCR power controller that fits a niche in the marketโitโs compact, cost-effective, and still carries the high-quality support and fast lead times weโre known for.
Dominick DeLuca:
So what sets the ATOM apart?
Tony Busch:
Think of it as a smart alternative to solid state relays. Itโs still digital, has built-in communication capabilities, and can be configured in the field. It comes in analog, digital, or a hybrid of both.
Dominick DeLuca:
And itโs physically small. Is that a big benefit?
Tony Busch:
Absolutely. Panel space and cost are at a premium. Smaller size means reduced footprint, which is crucial for OEMs and space-constrained installations. You can stack these on a DIN rail, pack them tightly, and still get excellent performance.
Technical Capabilities
Dominick DeLuca:
What kind of data can you get back from the ATOM?
Tony Busch:
Youโll get RMS current, alarms like partial load failure, line power issues, and more. Itโs great for troubleshooting and removes the need for analog ammeters. Plus, itโs fully digitalโset it and forget it.
Dominick DeLuca:
And what about communication protocols?
Tony Busch:
The big three: EtherNet/IP, PROFINET, and Modbus TCP. We also have versions that support EtherCAT. Weโve even introduced daisy-chainable ports to cut down on cabling.
Dominick DeLuca:
So if someone accidentally orders the wrong communication type?
Tony Busch:
No problem, you can reconfigure the ATOM on the fly. No hardware change required. That flexibility is huge in the field.
Comparisons and Benefits
Dominick DeLuca:
Compared to your higher-end MicroFUSION?
Tony Busch:
MicroFUSION is for ultra-high performance with advanced sampling and precision. The ATOM is a simpler, leaner option, but still very capable.
Dominick DeLuca:
Firing outputs?
Tony Busch:
In single phase mode, it supports Phase Angle, Zero Cross, and halfway DC firing.
Dominick DeLuca:
Size range?
Tony Busch:
Single phase: 16โ65 amps.
Three phase: 16โ80 amps.
And even our 80-amp three phase unit is incredibly compact.
Unique Features
Dominick DeLuca:
Letโs talk about Sync Guard and Trans Guard.
Tony Busch:
Sync Guard helps stagger Zero Cross firing among multiple units to reduce peak current draw and avoid utility penalties. Trans Guard protects against transients. Both features add efficiency and safety.
Why Choose Control Concepts
Dominick DeLuca:
So why choose Control Concepts – and ATOM – instead of a generic SSR?
Tony Busch:
The ATOM is more than just a relay. Itโs a digital, calibrated, reliable controller with advanced diagnostics, built-in comms, and a space-saving design. It replaces the need for external firing cards and recalibration. Itโs locked in and ready to go for the long haul.
Dominick DeLuca:
And why Control Concepts?
Tony Busch:
We build quality products. They donโt arrive dead. They just work. We pick up the phone, support our customers, and solve problems fast. Our reps – especially in New England – add tons of value too. NETS has been fantastic.
Concluding Thoughts
Dominick DeLuca:
Tony, thank you for your time and for walking us through the ATOM. If you have any questions, reach out to Tony and the team at Control Concepts. Theyโre responsive, helpful, and ready to support you.
Thanks again for joining us on In The Loop. Take care!
