Ahlborn Almemo 8990-8 User manual

Operating Instructions
Data Logger
ALMEMO®8990-8
V1.3
03.02.2004

Operating Instructions
Data Logger
ALMEMO®8990-8
For reference with the ALMEMO®Manual
Table of Contents
Page
1 Introduction 2
1.1 Function Range 2
1.2 Operating Controls 6
2 Initial Operation 8
3 Power Supply 9
3.1 Mains Supply 9
3.2 Operation with Rechargeable Battery 9
3.3 External Power Supply 9
3.4 Battery Buffer 9
3.5 Switch On/Off, Reinitialisation 10
4 Connection of the Transducers 10
4.1 Transducers 10
4.2 Measuring Inputs and Additional Channels 11
5. Data Acquisition 12
5.1 Manual Measuring Point Scan 12
5.2 Cyclic Measuring Point Scan 12
5.3 Data Memory 13
5.4 Sleep Mode 14
5.5 Device Address and Networking 14
6 Troubleshooting 15
7 Electromagnetic Compatibility 16
Appendix
Technical Data
Product Overview
2 ALMEMO®8990-8
Table of Contents

1. INTRODUCTION
The new data logger ALMEMO®8990-8 Version 5 is an instrument from the
unique product range of measuring devices that are all equipped with the
ALMEMO®connector system, which has been patented by Ahlborn GmbH. The
intelligent ALMEMO®connector provides important advantages with regard to
the connection of sensors and peripherals as all parameters are stored in an
EEPROM within the connector. As a result, the programming that usually has
to be performed for the connection is not required.
All sensors and output modules can be connected to all ALMEMO®measuring
devices in the same way. The operation and programming is identical with all
units. Therefore, all of the ALMEMO®measuring system items listed below are
described, in detail, in a separate ALMEMO®manual that is supplied with every
device:
Detailed description of the ALMEMO®system (manual section 1)
Overview of the device functions and measuring ranges (manual section 2)
All sensors with basic principles, operation, technical data (man. section 3)
The options for connecting existing sensors (manual section 4)
All analogue and digital output modules (manual section 5.1)
The interface module RS232, fiber optics, Centronics (manual section 5.2)
The entire ALMEMO®networking system (manual section 5.3)
All functions and their control via the interface (manual section 6)
A complete interface command list with all print outputs (manual section 7)
These operating instructions, therefore, only cover features and controls that
are specific for a certain device. As a result, the sections dealing with the
system control via keyboard will only often provide a note referring to a more
detailed description within the manual (manual section x.x.x).
1.1 Function Range
The ALMEMO®8990-8 data logger has nine electrically isolated measuring
inputs with up to 36 measuring channels, a real time clock and a 512kB
memory for approximately 100,000 measured values. Two output sockets
allow for connecting any ALMEMO®output modules, for example, the analogue
output, digital interface, trigger input or alarm contacts. Several devices can be
networked by a simple connection between the devices. Three keys and the
serial interface are used for operating the instrument.
SENSOR PROGRAMMING
The measuring channels are automatically programmed by the ALMEMO®
connectors of the sensors. However, the user can easily complete or modify
the programming via interface without affecting the measuring process.
Functions
ALMEMO®8990-8 3

Measuring Ranges
There are corresponding measuring ranges for sensors with a non-linear
characteristic such as 10 thermocouple types, Ntc and Pt100 sensors, infrared
sensors, and flow sensors (rotating vanes, thermoanemometers, pitot tubes).
Humidity sensors are available with function channels that also calculate
humidity data such as dew point, mixture ratio, vapour pressure and enthalpy.
Even complex chemical sensors can be used. The acquisition of measured
data from other sensors is easily possible by using voltage, current and
resistance ranges with individual scaling in the connector. Existing sensors can
be used without problems. Only the corresponding ALMEMO®connector has to
be connected using its terminals. Furthermore, there are adapter connectors
with an own microcontroller for digital signals and for measuring frequencies
and pulses. This way, nearly all sensors can be connected to any ALMEMO®
measuring instrument and are interchangeable without requiring any settings.
Function Channels
Maximum, minimum, average values and differences of certain measuring
junctions can be programmed as function channels and can be processed and
printed like normal measuring junctions. Furthermore, function channels for
special measuring tasks are provided to determine temperature coefficient
Q/∆t and wet bulb globe temperatures.
Dimension
The 2 digit dimension can be altered for each measuring channel so that the
display and the printout will always indicate the correct dimension, for example
when a transmitter is connected. The conversion from °C to °F is automatically
performed according to the dimension.
Name of Measured Values
Sensors can be identified by a 10 digit alphanumeric designation. It is entered
via the interface and appears on the printout or display if the evaluation is done
via PC.
Correction of Measured Values
For correcting measured values a zero point and slope (gain) correction can be
applied to the measured value of each measuring channel. This also allows for
sensors to be interchanged that usually, at first, require an adjustment
(expansion, force, pH).
Scaling
The base value and the factor allow for a further scaling of the corrected
measured value of each measuring channel for zero point and slope (gain).
The decimal point position can be set by the exponent.
4 ALMEMO®8990-8
Functions

Limit Values and Alarm
Two limit values (1 max and 1 min) can be set for each measuring channel. An
alarm value printout can be performed if a limit value is exceeded and, by
means of relay output modules, alarm contacts are provided that can be
individually allocated to limit values. As a standard, the hysteresis is set to 10
digits, however, it can also be adjusted. Furthermore, limit value exceeding can
also be used to start or stop a measurement.
Sensor Locking
All sensor data stored in the EEPROM of the connector can be protected
against undesired access by means of a graded locking function.
MEASUREMENT
A total of up to 36 measuring channels are available for 9 transducers, i.e. it is
also possible to evaluate double sensors, individually scaled sensors, or
sensors with function channels. The selected measuring point can be scanned
with a conversion rate of 2.5 or 10 measurements/second. The measured
value is calculated and provided on the analogue output, if it is available.
Measured Value
A continuous presentation of measuring data from the selected measuring
point is provided and also includes automatic zero point correction and optional
correction of the measured value or new scaling. Sensor breakage recognition,
exception: current measurements.
Analogue Output and Scaling
By means of analogue start and analogue end the indicated measured value
can be scaled so that the resulting measuring range covers the full analogue
output range (2V, 10V or 20mA).
Measuring Functions
Special measuring functions are required for some sensors in order to achieve
an optimal acquisition of measuring data. A cold junction compensation is
performed at thermocouples. A temperature compensation is performed at
dynamic pressure and pH and conductivity probes and an atmospheric air
pressure compensation is performed at humidity sensors and O2sensors. With
infrared sensors the parameters zero point and slope correction are used for
background temperature and emissivity factor.
Maximum and Minimum Value
Each measurement involves an acquisition and storing of the maximum and
minimum value. These values can be displayed, printed or cleared.
Functions
ALMEMO8990-8 5

PROCESS FLOW PROGRAMMING
A cyclic measuring point scan with a time-based process flow control is
required to register the measuring data of all connected sensors. For this
purpose, the real time clock, the print cycle and the measuring cycle are
available and, if fast processing is required, the conversion rate is available.
The measurement can be started and stopped by using the keyboard, the
interface, an external trigger signal, the real time clock or an exceeding of limit
values.
Time and Date
The real time clock with date function or the pure measuring time are used for
an accurate recording of any measurement. Start and end time/date can be
programmed in order to start or stop a measurement.
Print Cycle
The print cycle is programmable between 1s and 59h/59min/59s and provides
a cyclic output of measured values to the interfaces or memories and also
provides a cyclic averaging.
Print Cycle Factor
If necessary, the print cycle factor allows for limiting the data output of
particular channels so that an excessive data flow can be limited, especially
during data storage.
Measuring Cycle
The measuring cycle, also programmable between 1s and 59h/59min/59s, is
for a cyclic scanning with a display of all measured values, limit value
monitoring including alarm message and output of alarm values, averaging
and, if necessary, a storage of measured values.
Average Value
The measured values resulting from scanning the measuring junctions can be
averaged as desired either over the total measuring time or over the print cycle
time. Function channels are provided for a cyclic output of average values.
Conversion Rate
With ALMEMO®
V5 devices, all measuring points can be continuously
scanned with the conversion rate (2.5 or 10 meas./s). It is possible to store all
measured values in the memory and/or to perform an output via the interface.
Data Memory
The measured values of any measuring point scans or just the alarm values
can be stored in a buffered RAM. The memory capacity is, as standard, 500kB,
which allows up to 100,000 measured values. The memory organisation can
be configured as linear or ring memory. The output can be optionally
performed via interface or the analogue output, if available. With digital outputs
it is possible to select a certain time interval, number or alarm value.
6 ALMEMO®8990-8
Functions

Numbering of Measurements
Single scans or entire series of measurements can be identified and selectively
read out from the memory.
Control Outputs
The interface allows to individually trigger up to four output relays and one
analogue output.
Keyboard Lock
The keyboard operation can be locked with a password.
Output
All data logs, measured values and programmed parameters can be provided
as output to any peripheral equipment via interface. Interface cables for
RS232, RS422, RS485 or Centronics interfaces are available. The output of
measuring data can be selected in list format, columns or spreadsheet format.
Files in spreadsheet format can be processed by each spreadsheet software.
The print header can be programmed specifically to the company or
application.
Networking
All ALMEMO®devices can be addressed and can be easily networked by a
simple connection with network cables or network junctions for longer
distances.
Software
The AMR-Control software, which allows for the entire programming of the
sensors, the configuration of the measuring instrument and the read-out of the
data memory is supplied with each ALMEMO®manual. The integrated terminal
also allows for online measurements. The WINDOWS®software packages,
Win-Control and DATA-Control, are available for data acquisition of networked
devices, graphical presentation and complex data processing. The software
LogCel is provided for an online import of data into MS-Excel®.
OPTION Rechargeable Battery
The data logger becomes completely self-sufficient with the option
'rechargeable battery'. Due to the power saving sleep mode, the measuring
instrument can, independent from mains supply, record measuring data for
weeks. Afterwards the rechargeable battery can be fully recharged within 2
hours by means of a power supply.
ALMEMO8990-8 7
Functions

1.2 Operating Controls
(1) ON/OFF SWITCH Instr. Lamp
not pressed OFF off
pressed with pow. supp.: ON on
Rechargeable
battery optional: with pow. supp.: ON on (batt. is recharging)
ON flashing (batt. is recharged)
without pow. supp.: ON off (battery operation active)
(2) CONNECTOR SOCKET
U-DC mains adapter ZA 5090-NA2 12V, 800mA
connector cable ZB 5090-EK 7-13V DC
connector cable ZB 3090-UK 10-30V DC
electr. isolated including DC/DC converter
(3) MEASURING INPUTS
0 to 8 for all sensors with an ALMEMO®connector
10 to 18 (38) add. channels for double sensors, funct. chann.
8 ALMEMO®8990-8
Operating Controls

(4) OUTPUTS
A1 V24 interface cable (ZA 1909-DK),
V24 fiber optic cable (ZA 1909-DKL)
RS 422 network branch box (ZA 5099-NVB)
RS 485 network branch box (ZA 5085-NV)
Centronics interface cable (ZA 1936-DK)
A1 or A2 analogue output with cable (ZA 1601-RK)
A2 networking with network cable (ZA1999-NK)
trigger input with cable (ZA 1000-EK/ET),
2 relay outputs with cable (ZA 1000-EGK/EAK)
(5) CODING SWITCH setting of the device address
module number 0 to 9, external access
2nd coding switch for decades
internal on the board
(6) FUNCTION KEYS
START start automatic measuring point scan
STOP and START start automatic meas. point scan in sleep mode
STOP stop automatic measuring point scan
OUTPUT memory output to interface
STOP and OUTPUT clear memory
(7) CONTROL LAMPS
CYCLE start automatic measuring point scan
ALARM exceeding of limit value or sensor breakage
MEMORY measuring point scan with storing
memory output to interface
Operating Controls
ALMEMO8990-8 9

2. INITIAL OPERATION
1. Connect transducers to the sockets 0 to 8 (3), see 4.
2. For power supply connect the mains adapter to socket U-DC (2), see 3.
3. For switching on press the ON/OFF push button (1), see 3.5.
4. Output of measuring data to printer or computer
Connect peripheral device via interface cable to socket A1, see man. 5.2.
Set 9600 bd, 8 data bits, 1 stop bit, no parity at peripheral device.
Enter time and date, as required, see manual 6.2.8.
Start manual measuring point scan by using the key START, see 5.1.
Program print cycle, output chann. and output format,
see man. 6.2.2/6.5.2/6.5.5.
Start automatic measuring point scan with the key START and stop it with
the key STOP, see 5.2.
5. Storing of measured values
Clear memory by using the keys STOP and OUTPUT, see 5.3.
Activate storing in measuring cycle, see manual 6.5.3.
Manual storing without cycle by using the key START, see 5.1.
Enter measuring cycle for cyclic storing, see manual 6.5.3.
Enter time and date of start and end of measurement, if required,
see man. 6.6.2.
Start automatic storing with the key START, see 5.2.
For long-term recording (cycle > 1min.), start automatic storing in sleep
mode by using the keys STOP and START, see 5.4.
Stop sleep mode by switching the instrument off and on.
Stop the automatic storing by using the key STOP, see 5.2.
Output of memory data to printer or computer
Connect peripheral device via interface cable to socket A1, see manual 5.2.
Set 9600 bd, 8 data bits, 1 stop bit, no parity at peripheral device.
Set output format list, column or spreadsheet (table), see man. 6.5.5.
Perform read-out of memory by using the key OUTPUT, see 5.3.
6. Monitoring of limit values
Enter limit values, see manual 6.3.9.
Program measuring cycle, see manual 6.5.3.
Connect alarm device with alarm module to socket A2, see man. 5.1.2/5.1.3.
Start automatic measuring point scan by using the key START and stop it by
using the key STOP, see 5.2.
10 ALMEMO®8990-8
Initial Operation