APAR AR431 User manual

APAR
-
Sales Office
05-090 Raszyn, ul. Gałczyńskiego 6
Tel. (+48) -101- 7-31, -853-48-56, -853-49-30
fax (+48) -101- 7-33
Internet: www.apar.pl, email: [e-mail]
USER MANUAL
AR431 AR432
AR435 AR436
AR433 AR434
WIRELESS SENSORS
AR437
Version 1.2.4
2 18-12- 7

2
Thank you for choosing our product.
This manual will help you to operate the device correctly, safely and to use all its capabilities.
Please read and understand the manual of the sensor and AR40 /AR406 (AR40x) recorder
before installation and commissioning.
If you have any questions, please contact our technical adviser.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. INSTALLATION RECOMMENDATIONS ...................................................................................................... 3
2. GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF SENSORS ............................................................................................ 3
3. PACKAGE CONTENT .................................................................................................................................... 4
4. TECHNICAL DATA ........................................................................................................................................ 5
5. DESCRIPTION OF ELEMENTS. EXTERNAL MEASURING PROBES. ACCESSORIES. ............................. 6
5.1. FUNCTION OF ADD/REF/OFF (A/R) BUTTON. TESTING THE RANGE. ..........................................
6. DESCRIPTION OF THE MEASUREMENT CONNECTOR IN AR433/434 .................................................
. CONNECTING TO A COMPUTER AND INSTALLATION OF DRIVERS ....................................................
8. INSTALLATION OF SOFTWARE .................................................................................................................. 8
9. ADDING AND REMOVING MEASUREMENT SENSORS FROM AR40 /406 LIST ................................. 8
10. SETTING THE CONFIGURATION PARAMETERS .................................................................................... 8
10.1. PARAMETERS COMMON FOR ALL SENSORS ................................................................................. 9
10.2. SPECIFIC PARAMETERS FOR AR431/432/435/436/43 ............................................................... 9
10.3. SPECIFIC PARAMETERS FOR AR433/434 ...................................................................................... 10
10.4. ALARM CONFIGURATION (APPLIES TO AR432/434/436).......................................................... 11
11. MESSAGE AND ERROR SIGNALLING .................................................................................................... 11
12. IMPORTANT OPERATING NOTES. TROUBLESHOOTING .......................................................... 12
13. BATTERY CHANGE ................................................................................................................................... 13
14. USER'S NOTES .......................................................................................................................................... 14
Pay special attention to the texts marked with this sign
The manufacturer reserves the right to introduce changes to the design and the software (firmware) of the device
without any deterioration of technical parameters (some functions may not be available in older versions).
!

3
!
1. INSTALLATION RECOMMENDATIONS
The device has been designed to provide adequate levels of immunity to most of the disturbances that may occur in
working environments. In environments with an unknown level of interference, the following measures are
recommended to prevent possible interference of the device operation:
 use the shielding of sensor and signal wires, whereas grounding of the screening should be a single-point,
made as close as possible to the device,
 avoid arranging the measurement (signal) wires in the immediate vicinity and in parallel to the high voltage
cables and power supply cables
 it is advisable to twist signal cables in pairs
 use identical cables for resistance sensors in a 3-wire connection
 avoid proximity of remotely controlled devices, electromagnetic meters, high power loads, the loads with
phase or group power regulation, and other devices generating high impulse disturbances
 ground or neutralize metal rails used for mounting terminal devices
Before starting the work on the device, remove the protective film securing the LCD display window (if present).
AR431/432/433/434/435/436: the devices may be hung using the holes in the rear wall;
in case of wall mounting - to make the fixing holes, you may remove the rear wall of the housing (chapter 13)
and use it as a template.
AR437: the device may be screwed to the ground via 4 holes Φ4. mm, spaced at 70x50mm, available after
removing the front cover or it may be hung using the top holes at the rear of the housing. To obtain IP65, the
housing cover must be precisely tightened.
2.
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF SENSORS
 series of wireless sensors designed to work with AR407/AR406 (AR40x) recorder
 radio transmission in the ISM 868MHz band, open space range up to 00 m (or 400 m) - dependent on local
conditions of radio wave propagation: type and thickness of walls, ceilings, etc.
 option of increasing radio coverage to 4 m by enabling retransmission function of measurements from
other sensors (retransmission requires power supply via USB, the network may include up to 3 re-transmitters
located within the range of AR407/AR406)
 seven radio channels allowing the independent operation of seven neighbouring AR40x sets
(AR407/AR406) with sensors
 available models:
- AR431, AR432 :
- temperature measurement in the range of: -30÷80 °C or - 0÷70 °C, 1-channel sensor
- AR433, AR434 :
- universal thermometer and analogue input (Pt100, Ni100, J, K, S, B, R, T, E, N,
0÷ 0mA, 4÷ 0mA, 0÷10V, 0÷60mV, 0÷700Ω)
- built-in ambient temperature measurement (- 0÷70°C), -channel sensor
- line resistance compensation for resistive sensors and temperature of cold
thermocouple ends (automatic or fixed)
- AR435, AR436, AR437 :
- measurement of relative humidity and temperature (-30÷80°C or - 0÷70°C), -channel
 temperature and humidity sensors integrated in the housing or in the external probe
 AR432, AR434, AR436:
- LCD indicating measured values, messages and errors
- alarms: lower, upper, in the band and outside the band, LED indicators

4
!
 AR437 - protection rating IP65 provided by the housing and improving its reliability by high resistance to
water, dust and condensation inside the unit.
 possibility of presenting and recording data from up to 16 measurement channels in a single AR407/AR406
recorder (from any 1- or -channel sensors)
 portable housing adapted for wall mounting
 battery power supply, with the battery replaced by the user
 long operation with a new battery (approx. up to 4 years without using LCD display, at room temperature,
with measurement period > 30 min and undisturbed radio transmission)
 free software provided for configuration of device parameters and graphic or text presentation and printing of
recorded results (AR407 / AR406)
 programmable display resolution, calibration parameters, alarms, ID numbers of sensor and re-transmitter,
input type and measurement range for analogue signals (AR433/434) and other configuration parameter
 parameter configuration via USB serial interface
 option of manual updating the sensor's firmware
 high, long-term stability of measurement, accuracy and immunity to interferences
 compliance with RED directive ( 014/53/UE)
 protection against reverse battery insertion
 available accessories:
- SMA antenna cable, socket and plug, impedance 50 Ω, length m
- 3.6V lithium battery type AA (R6), 450mAh (e.g. SAFT LS14500)
- stabilized power supply adapter 5V/150mA
- IP50 filter with a metal mesh for protecting the humidity sensor against dust for AR437
and for external probes for AR431, AR43 , AR435, AR436, AR437
NOTE:
- before operating the device, please read this manual and manual for AR407/AR406 base recorder (AR40x).
Then, perform proper configurations of parameters, connection of the measurement signal (for AR433 / 434) and
add the sensor to the displayed measurement list of AR40x recorder.
- do not flood the measuring probe with water and avoid condensation in the unit
3. PACKAGE CONTENT
 sensor with antenna for 868MHz band and 3.6V lithium battery of AA type (e.g. SAFT LS14500)
 USB cable (A4-miniA4) for connecting with a computer, length m
 the content of CD with drivers and software (Windows XP/Vista/7/8/10)
 user manual
 guarantee card
NOTE:
Antenna or antenna cable should screwed manually without tools, to avoid damaging the socket.
!

5
4. TECHNICAL DATA
Measuring range of probes
(external and built-in)
temperature -30÷80°C (- 0÷70°C for internal probes with LCD)
humidity 0÷100 %RH, hysteresis ±1% RH, long-term stability
<0,5% RH/year, do not flood the measuring probe with water
Measurement accuracy of
probes
temperature ±0.5°C in the range of -10÷80°C and ±0.5÷1.5°C in the remaining range,
for AR435/436/437: ±0.5°C in the range of 0÷30°C and ±0.5÷1,8°C in
the remaining range
humidity ± 3% RH for 0 ÷ 80% RH and ± 3 ÷ 5% RH in the remaining range
Measurement input in AR433
and AR434
(1 universal, programmable via
USB interface)
thermo-resistive
(RTD) and resistive
Pt1 (measurement range - 00÷850°C), Ni1 (-50÷170°C), ÷7 Ω, 3-
or -wire connection, wire resistance Rw < 5 Ω (for each line), polarity
current ~480 μA (pulse)
thermocouple (TC) J (-40÷800°C), K (-40÷1 00°C), S (-40÷1600°C), B (300÷1800°C),
R (-40÷1600°C), T (- 5÷350°C), E (- 5÷680°C), N (-35÷1300°C)
current 0/4 ÷ 0 mA (Rin = 110 Ω)
Voltage 0 ÷ 10 V (Rin = 110 kΩ), 0 ÷ 60 mV (Rin> MΩ)
- processing errors
(AR433/434
at temperature of 5°C)
basic 0.1 % (0. % for TC) of the measurement range ±1 digit
additional for thermocouples: < °C (temperature of cold ends)
due to ambient temperature changes: < 0.005% of input range /°C
- range of indications (resolution of analogue inputs) -9999 ÷ 19999, programmable (for mA, V and Ω)
Measurement resolution temperature 0.1°C, humidity 0.1% RH, 16 bit analogue input
Measurement and update period programmable with AR40x recorder: 1 min ÷ 4 hr.
Radio track ISM band 868 MHz, FSK modulation, modulation bandwidth ± 45kHz
Number of channels 7 (programmable from range 868.0÷870.0 MHz)
frequency of channel
operation
channel 0 1 3 4 5 6
MHz 869.955 869.77 869.445 869.605 868.05 868.3 868.55
transmission path parameters 4.8 kbit/s, output power <5 dBm, receiver sensitivity -106 dBm
range(open space) < 00m (maximum 400m with retransmission function), in buildings it
depends on local conditions
antenna (SMA-JW connector, band 850
÷ 880 MHz)
height 97mm, vertical polarization, impedance 50 Ω, gain ,15 dBi,
VSWR ≤ 1.5
Interface for computer communication USB, drivers for Windows XP/Vista/7/8/10
Optical signalling (LEDs) "Status", "RX/TX", in addition to AR43 /434/436: 1 or alarms
LCD (AR43 , AR434, AR436) 7 segments, 4 digits, 10mm height
Power supply and working time on a new battery
(lithium)
3.6V type AA (R6), 450mAh (SAFT LS14500), up to 6 years (note 1)
Rated operating conditions - 0 ÷ 70 ° C, <100% RH (no condensation), do not flood with water
Operating environment air and neutral gases, no dust
Operating position (sensor or measurement probe) any chosen position or with cover downward when the probe has direct
contact with water
Housing AR431/43 /433/434/435/436
wall-mounted IP 0, ABS UL94-V0, white, 80x80x 5mm
AR437 industrial IP65, polycarbonate, 8 x80x55mm, IP40 or IP50 probe
Weight (with battery and antenna) ~90g (AR431/433/435), ~110g (AR43 /434/436), ~ 30g (AR437)
(1) the operating time depends on the measuring period, the presence of the LCD and ambient temperature. Exemplary, approximate operating times
at 0÷30°C, with undisturbed radio transmission and inactive retransmitter function (increasing the range):
Measurement period 1 min 5 min 10 min 0 min 40 min 60 min
working time with /
without LCD
7/5 months (also when no
communication with AR40x) 1 /8 months 0/11 months 3 /13 months 45/14 months 51/16 months
- using an accessory USB power adapter may extend the battery life of up to 8 years. The USB power adapter should be also used in retransmitter mode
(increasing the range), then the battery operates only as a standby power supply (sufficient for 1÷3 weeks of continuous operation)

6
5.
DESCRIPTION OF ELEMENTS. EXTERNAL MEASURING PROBES. ACCESSORIES.
a) front view of AR43 /436 and b) front view of AR434 and c) side view
AR431/435 (without LCD and LED-alarm) AR433 (without LCD and LED-alarm)
d) AR437/1
USB connector for communicating with the computer is inside the housing
e) external measuring probes
For the measuring element, shield made of ABS with
a slot width of 1mm and internal stainless steel with
the mesh of 0.15mm.

7
5.1. FUNCTION OF ADD/REF/OFF (A/R) BUTTON.
TESTING THE RANGE.
Function of ADD/REF/OFF button (A/R in AR437, add/refresh/disable) depends on the base recorder AR40x.
a) AR40x connected to power supply, the sensor has not yet been added to the measurement list: short pressing
of the button initiates the procedure of obtaining ID index for the sensor (chapter 9).
b) AR40x connected to power supply, the sensor is present on the measurement list: short pressing of the button
refreshes (updates) the measurement data from the sensor
c) AR40x not connected to power supply or outside the range: pressing button for about 10s turns off the sensor
(max. after approx. 35 seconds, unused sensors should be turned off to save the battery and eliminate their
impact on the operating system, chapters 9 and 11, sub-p. b).
This button may be used to test the radio range at the target location, but if the sensor is OFF, then it will always be
added to AR40x list as a new device, even if it was previously listed. Therefore, after completing the test, you should
rearrange this list or create a new one (using methods described in the operating manual of AR40x i.e. AR407/AR406).
To improve or extend the radio range - read the operating notes in chapter 1 .
6.
DESCRIPTION OF THE MEASUREMENT CONNECTOR IN AR433/434
a) numbering of the connector and the method of connecting sensors and measuring signals
b) connection of - and 3-wire transducers (Iout - current, Uout - output voltage)
. CONNECTING TO A COMPUTER AND INSTALLATION OF DRIVERS
After you connect the device for the first time, the Windows system (XP/Vista/7/8/10) detects the sensor as "APAR
USB DEVICE" and demands installation of drivers of the virtual COM serial port (MODBUS-RTU protocol, also used
by ARSOFT-CFG-WZ1 software). Use the device manager or the wizard to add new hardware - manually specify
the location that contains the drivers (CD-ROM, DRIVERS directory, or downloaded from www.apar.com). For
Windows 7/10 you can use automatic downloading of the driver software from the Windows Update website.
In Windows 7, you may enter the Device Manager and perform the installation in the following manner:
1. Right-click "APAR USB DEVICE" and select "Update driver software",
then "Browse my computer for driver software"
. Use button "Browse…" to indicate the location (DRIVERS folder) containing the drivers and click "Next"
3. Install the virtual COM port "CDC USB to UART", press "Close"
After the installation is complete, the sensor is shown in the system as a virtual port COMx (x-port number: 1. ...).
NOTE:
In AR437 the USB is available after removing the front cover.
Do not disconnect the sensor from the computer before completing the installation of the drivers.
Terminals
Description
-
3
-
4
Input Pt100, Ni100, resistive, (
-
and 3
-
wire)
-
3
thermocouple input TC (J, K,
S, B, R, T, E, N) and voltage input 0÷60mV
1
-
current input 0/4÷ 0 mA
1
-
3
voltage input 0÷10 V
!

8
!
8.
INSTALLATION OF SOFTWARE
The supplied CD-ROM contains "SOFTWARE" folder with a free software installation set for
the sensor operation, identical as for AR40x base recorder (AR407 / AR406).
The installation set includes the following applications:
- ARSOFT-CFG-WZ1 - displaying current measurement data and battery voltage
- configuration of parameters such as resolution, calibration of measurements,
ID numbers of sensor and retransmitter, input type and indication range for
analogue signals (AR433/434), options for alarms, display, access, etc. (chapter 10), the
software requires communication with the sensor via USB port
- ARSOFT-LOG-WZ3 - graphic or text presentation of results recorded by AR40x with print-out option, input data
are downloaded each time from the text file with "csv" extension, created in the internal
memory logger, USB or SD/MMC card
The latest versions of the aforementioned software are also available at the website (www.apar.pl in section
Download). The detailed descriptions of the aforementioned applications can be found in the installation folders.
9. ADDING AND REMOVING MEASUREMENT SENSORS FROM AR40 /406 LIST
By default, the sensor is supplied in "off" state (parameter ID=16, chapters 10 and 10.1). To display measurement
data in AR40x base recorder, add the sensor to the measurement list. In a properly configured system, each sensor
has its own unique identification number (ID parameter). Before starting the procedure of adding the sensors,
make sure that all devices in the configured system are running on the same radio channel number, which is
different than the number of neighbouring radio networks (by default the channel number is 6, the higher
numbers are preferred). The procedure of adding/removing sensors to/from the measurement list is
described in the manual for AR4 x recorder (for AR407 chapter 1 .5, for AR406 chapter 11)
NOTE:
- sensors must be indexed individually!
- each sensor operating in the system must have a different ID number (ID parameter)!
For optimum system operation and in case of communication problems (between sensors and AR40x base
station) please refer to the operating notes in chapter 12.
10. SETTING THE CONFIGURATION PARAMETERS
All sensor configuration parameters are contained in non-volatile (permanent) internal memory.
AR434 sensor may display a failure error signal on the display, due to a lack of sensor or attaching a sensor other
than the factory-programmed. In such a situation the proper sensor or analogue signal must be connected and
the configuration must be programmed.
Parameter configuration is done via USB port and ARSOFT
-
CFG
-
WZ1 computer software:
- connect the device to a computer port and start and ARSOFT-CFG-WZ1 application
- when the connection is made, the program window displays current measured values, voltage
of the battery and ID number of the sensor, RX/TX LED indicates the presence of the transmission
- setting and viewing parameters of the device is possible in the parameter configuration window
- new parameter values must be approved with the Submit changes button
- the current configuration may be saved to a file or set with values read from a file
- the sensor saves the configuration after disconnecting from the computer's USB (provided that
battery voltage is > 3.0V)

9
NOTE:
!
- before disconnecting the device from a computer, press the Disconnect device button
- in the event of no response:
- check the number of COM port in Program options
- make sure that the serial port drivers have been installed correctly (chapter 7)
- disconnect the sensor for a few seconds and then reconnect it to the USB port
- restart the computer
- remove the battery from the sensor for a few seconds (as described in chapter 13)
When indications differ from the actual value of the measured signal, it is possible to adjust the zero and
sensitivity to the sensor using the calibration parameters.
10.1.
PARAMETERS COMMON FOR ALL SENSORS
Table 10.1. Common configuration parameters for options of access, identification, and radio channel
Parameter Range of parameter variation and description
Factory
settings
1.
bloc
(1)
lock of
ADD/REF/OFF
button:
disabled
or
enabled
disabled
. RFChan 0 ÷ 6
radio channel
-
must be set separately on each device operating in the system
(sensors and AR407/AR406 recorder) 6
3.
ID
0
÷
16
D number (index),
16
= sensor off
16
4.
RetrID
(2)
0
÷
3
re-transmitter number (index),
0
= retransmission function disabled
0
Notes: (1) – this function prevents unintentional or unauthorized use of the button
(2) – this function allows you to extend the radio range (USB adapter required, chapter 1 )
10.2. SPECIFIC PARAMETERS FOR AR431/432/435/436/43
Table 10. .Calibration and alarm parameters
Parameter Range of parameter variation and description
Factory
settings
1.
dot
(1)
0
÷
1
resolution of indications :
0
=1°C and 1 %RH,
1
=0.1°C and 0.1 %RH
1
. coHum
-
5.0
÷
5.0
%RH
Zero offset (calibration) for humidity (applies only to AR435/436)
0.0 %RH
3.
coTem
-
2.0 ÷ 2.0
°C Zero offset (calibration) for temperature
0.0
°C
ALARM CONFIGURATION (
chapter 10.4
)
-
applies only to AR43 /436
4.
AHiHum
0÷100.0
%RH
Upper alarm for humidity
100.0
%RH
5.
ALoHum
0÷100.0
%RH
Lower alarm for humidity
0.0
%RH
6.
AHiTem
-
40.0÷100.0
°C
Upper alarm for temperature
100.0
°C
7.
ALoTem
-
40.0÷100.0
°C
Lower alarm for temperature
-
40.0
°C
Notes: (1) – applies to displaying data in AR40x, ARSOFT-CFG and on the sensor's LCD

10
10.3. SPECIFIC PARAMETERS FOR AR433/434
Table 10.3. Configuration parameters of the measurement input and other
Parameter Range of parameter variation and description
Factory
settings
1. inp
Measurement input type
Pt100
thermo
-
resistance sensor (RTD) Pt100 (
-
00 ÷ 850°C)
Pt100
Ni100
thermo
-
resistance sensor (RTD) Ni100 (
-
50 ÷ 170°C)
J (Fe-CuNi) thermoelectric sensor (
thermocouple
) type
J
(-40 ÷ 800°C)
K (NiCr-NiAl) thermoelectric sensor (
thermocouple
) type
K
(-40 ÷ 1 00°C)
S (PtRh 10-Pt) thermoelectric sensor (
thermocouple
) type
S
(-40 ÷ 1600°C)
B (PtRh30PtRh6) thermoelectric sensor (
thermocouple
) type
B
(300÷ 1800°C)
R (PtRh13-Pt) thermoelectric sensor (
thermocouple
) type
R
(-40 ÷ 1600°C)
T (Cu-CuNi) thermoelectric sensor (
thermocouple
) type
T
(- 5 ÷ 350°C)
E (NiCr-CuNi) thermoelectric sensor (
thermocouple
) type
E
(- 5 ÷ 850°C)
N (NiCrSi-NiSi) thermoelectric sensor (
thermocouple
) type
N
(-35÷ 1300°C)
4-20 mA
current signal 4... 0 mA
0-20 mA
current signal 0.. 0 mA
0-10 V
voltage signal 0...10 V
0-60 mV
voltage signal 0..60 mV
0- 00 ohm
resistance signal 0..700 Ω
.
rrtd
Line resistance (1)
0 ÷ 50.00 Ω
total resistance of leads for -wire RTD sensors and 700Ω 0.00 Ω
.
cjte
temp. of cold ends
of thermocouples
-20 ÷ 0.0°C
0 = automat.
automatic (0 °C ) or constant compensation of temperature
of the cold junction of thermocouples
0
°C
automat.
3. dot position of dot
/resolution (refers to
display in AR40x, ARSOFT-
CFG-WZ1 and on LCD)
0 no dot
(2)
or resolution 1°C for temperature
1
(0.0/0.1°C)
1
0.0
(2)
or resolution 0.1°C for temperature
2
0.00
(2)
3
0.000
(2)
4. rbot
bottom of display range
-
1999
÷
9999
units ( ) – indication for 0mA, 4mA, 0V, 0mV, 0Ω - start of the
input scale 0.0 °C
5.
rtop
top of the indication
range
-1999 ÷ 9999 units ( ) – indication for 0mA, 10V, 60mV, 700Ω - end of the
input scale 100.0 °C
6.
calO
zero calibration zero offset: -50.0÷50.0 °C or -500÷500 units ( ) 0.0 °C
7.
calG
slope calibration sensitivity (gain):
85.0 ÷ 115.0
%
100.0
%
DISPLAY AND ALARM CONFIGURATION (
chapter 10.4
)
-
applies only to AR434
8. LCDch values for
display
measurement and
internal temperature
measurement
and intern.
temp.
only measurement
9.
AHigh
upper alarm for
measured value -199.9 ÷ 1800 °C or -1999 ÷ 18000 units ( ) 1800.0°C
10.
Alow
lower alarm for
measured value -199.9 ÷ 1800 °C or -1999 ÷ 18000 units ( ) -199.9 °C
Notes: (1) – for 3-wire sensors, the line resistance and parameter are automatically compensated
.rrtd must be equal to 0.00 Ω
(2) – applies to analogue inputs ( mA, V, mV, Ω )