Actisense OPTO-4 User manual

Serial Opto Isolator
Quick Start Guide
OPTO-4
Issue 2.00
Active Research Ltd
21 Harwell Road
Poole
Dorset
UK, BH17 0GE
Tel: [phone]
Email:support@acti-
sense.com
Introduction & Features
The Actisense EMU-1 is a specialised analogue to NMEA 2000
Gateway which converts data from analogue engine gauges/
senders into NMEA 2000 data. Please refer to the FAQs for
gauge/sender compatibility details.
The EMU-1 can monitor vital engine parameters such as
temperature, pressure RPM and uid levels from up to two
engines.
The EMU-1 has a PC based conguration tool that allows
the settings inside the EMU-1 to be changed to best suit the
engine it is working with, making it a exible solution for many
engine makes and models. An Actisense PC to NMEA 2000
Gateway (NGT-1) is required to congure the EMU-1.
Technical Accuracy
To the best of our knowledge the information contained in
this document was correct at the time it was produced. Active
Research Ltd cannot accept liability for any inaccuracies or
omissions.
The products described in this manual and the specications
thereof may be changed without prior notice. Active Research
Ltd cannot accept any liability for differences between the
product and this document. To check for updated information
and specications please check actisense.com.
Active Research Ltd will not be liable for infringement of cop-
yright, industrial property rights, or other rights of a third party
caused by the use of information or drawings described in this
manual.
Product Guarantee
This product comes with a three year ‘return to base’ guaran-
tee. If you suspect that the unit is faulty please refer to the
Troubleshooting Section of the User Manual before contacting
support.
It is a requirement of the guarantee that all installations of
electronic equipment follow the NMEA 0400 specication.
Any connection to a battery or power supply must meet the
mandatory essential safety requirements that may be im-
posed by local regulatory agencies.
Important Notices
The device to which this manual relates complies with the
Electromagnetic Compatibility requirements according to
EN60945. The unit should always be used in conjunction with
appropriately approved, shielded cable and connectors as per
NMEA 0400 to ensure compliance. A declaration of conformity
is available for download at www.actisense.com.
If the device to which this manual relates is to be installed
within ve metres of a compass, please refer to the ‘Compass
Safe Distance’ section in the ‘Technical Specications’ table.
Trademarks and Registered Trademarks
Actisense® and the Actisense logo are registered
trademarks of Active Research Limited (Ltd). All other trade-
marks are the property of their respective owners.
The NMEA® name and NMEA logo are copyright held by the
NMEA. All uses in this manual are by permission and no claim
on the right to the NMEA name or logo are made in this manu-
al.
Fair Use Statement
The contents of this manual may not be transferred or copied
without the express written permission of Active Research Ltd.
Copyright © 2018 Active Research Ltd. All rights reserved.
Product Registration
Please register your product via the online form at:
http://www.actisense.com/product-registration/
Your product package includes a unit serial number. The serial
number is six digits long and can be found below the barcode
on the label. Your registration will assist Actisense Support to
link your product to your details, simplifying any future assis-
tance you may require.
Product Disposal
Please dispose of this product in accordance with the WEEE
Directive.
The product should be taken to a registered establishment for
the disposal of electronic equipment.

Issue 3.00
Overview
The NMEA 0183 specication from version 2.0 onwards
requires an RS422 style “differential” connection. The input of
a Listener should be electrically isolated to protect equipment
and wiring against the risk of ground loop damage which is
common in a marine environment. On a standard PC the RS232
input is not isolated and is not differential. The OPTO-4 allows a
differential NMEA 0183 device to correctly connect to a PC and
provide electrical isolation between them.
Powering the OPTO-4
The OPTO-4 takes power from the RS232 TX line and the
handshaking lines RTS and DTR. In most installations especially
when connecting to a PC, no external power supply is required.
In systems that cannot provide power on the handshaking lines,
a DC power supply can be used instead. In this instance use a
male 9-pin D-type connector to connect to the OPTO-4 pins.
For the majority of installations that require external power, only
positive power is needed.
- Connect positive power (9V to 15V) to pin 7
- Connect the power ground to pin 5
- Connect the power ground to pin 4
For some installations both positive and negative supplies may
be required.
- Connect positive power (9V to 15V) to pin 7
- Connect the power ground to pin 5
- Connect negative power (9V to 15V) to pin 4
Note that connecting an external power supply may create a
ground loop between the RS232 device and the power supply.
Ensure that the supply ground is at the same potential as the
RS232 device ground before connecting.
Connecting to a PC
The OPTO-4 has a female 9-pin D-type connector for connect-
ing to a standard RS232 PC serial port, by simply plugging the
OPTO-4 into the serial port of the PC.
Connecting a Talker to the PC
For NMEA 0183 version 2.0 or later:
- Connect the OPTO-4 Red wire to the NMEA 0183
Talker A/+.
- Connect the OPTO-4 Black wire to the NMEA 0183
Talker B/-.
For RS422 or RS485 type devices that are not
specically NMEA 0183, connect as above.
For RS232 devices, whether NMEA 0183 or not:
- Connect the OPTO-4 Red wire to the Talker RS232
Tx or +ve data.
- Connect the OPTO-4 Black wire to the Talker
ground.
Connecting a Listener to the PC
For NMEA 0183 version 2.0 or later (Listener must have an
isolated input):
- Connect the OPTO-4 White wire to the Listener
A/+.
- Connect the OPTO-4 Blue wire to the Listener B/-.
Listeners that use ground for the –ve data line, such as RS232
or older NMEA 0183 V1 devices, the OPTO-4 may not be suita-
ble. There is no isolation between the RS232 port and the Blue
wire.
Connecting the Blue wire to the ground of the Listener will be
connecting it to the ground of the PC. Connecting the OPTO-4
Blue and Black wires together will negate the OPTO-4 isolation.
Connecting to an RS232 Port (non PC)
The connections and power options are the same when con-
necting to a standard RS232, 9-pin D-type connector. Refer to
the sections regarding
connecting to a PC.
Connecting a Serial to USB Converter Cable
Connecting to a USB to Serial converter cable is the same as
connecting to a standard RS232 PC serial port. See section
‘Connectiong to a PC’ replacing all instances of PC with the
converter cable. Note that not all converter cables will provide
power on the handshaking lines, see ‘Powering the OPTO-4’.
Installation Guide
This guide provides the most important information for the
OPTO-4 and its installation.
Actisense recommends users visit the OPTO-4 product page,
www.actisense.com/OPTO-4 for the latest user manual, software
and resources.
Connection Diagram
RS232 PC Ground
RS232 PC Tx
Cable Shield
NMEA Listener A/+
NMEA Listener B/-
*White Wire
*Blue Wire
*Bare Wire
*Red Wire
*Black Wire
DB9 Pin Out Table
DB9 Pin Number Function
Pin 1 No Connection
Pin 2 PC Rx / OPTO-4 Tx
Pin 3 PC Tx / OPTO-4 Rx
Pin 4 PC DTR / OPTO-4 Power
Pin 5 GND
Pin 6 No Connection
Pin 7 PC RTS / OPTO-4 Power
Pin 8 No Connection
NMEA 0183 Wiring Diagram
OPTO-4 Wire Colour Function (connects to)
Red OPTO-4 Listener Rx A/+
(Talker Tx A/+ or Data)
Black OPTO-4 Listener Rx B/-
(Talker Tx B/- or Ground)
Bare Shield
White OPTO-4 Talker Tx A/+
(Listener Rx A/+ or Data)
Blue OPTO-4 Talker Tx B/-
(Listener Rx B/-)