One good method that always worked well, was to attach a thermocouple to the
input of the PID loop.  Easiest access are to the ones that are connected to
eternal ports for real-time on-line profiling.  Insert the business end of
the thermo-couple into a glass of ice water - the reading should be (if the
controller is in calibration) 0 deg. C.  Now insert the TC into a beaker of
boiling water.  You should get a reading of 100 deg. C.  This is simple,
straightforward, accurate (as far as I know) and repeatable.  Using an
instrumented test board subjects the process to variables such as TC
attachment means, degradation of the board over time (as well as TC
interconnections), etc.
By the way, what method was previously used that you did not like?

Phil Zarrow
ITM, Inc.
Durham, NH

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