Starting from Monday afternoon, different characterization tests have been performed with the actuator of Point Absorbers in TCS room. 

To avoid false contacts in the functioning of the thermocouple, the cables have been insulated with heat shrink tubing (Fig. 1). We calibrated the dedicated DD channel (ENV_TCS_THC_PA2) in order to have temperature values with the use of a multimeter able to read the thermocouple temperature (Fig. 2). By varying the applied voltage to the heater, we checked both the temperature and DD voltage values and estimate the calibration curve (Fig. 3). The fit values have been reported in the configuration file of the channel. 

After the channel calibration, the heater characterization has been performed. By varying the applied voltage and waiting for the thermalization time ( around 25 mins), the heater temperatures have been registered. We supplied the heater with a maximum voltage of 8 V and the respective reached temperature is around 1000 °C.  The characterization results are summarized in Fig. 4. 

Finally, we checked the heating profile with a screen and the thermal camera (see Fig. 5). The shape of the radiation (not squared) is due to the fact that it is not possible to have the screen with the same AOI of the TM.