By intercepting on a selenium cell part of the light beam from the galvanometer in the bridge circuit of the resistance thermometer used to measure bath temperature, a signal is obtained which is used to trigger a photo‐relay via a secondary galvanometer. The photo‐relay controls the heating current in the thermostat. Design of the selenium cell mounting and accompanying circuits are described. The device holds a 50‐gal thermostat to 25° within a hunting amplitude of 0.002°C.