APAR AR236 User manual

USER MANUAL
R
APAR
02-699 Warsaw, ul. Klobucka 8 pav. 119, Poland
Tel. [phone]
Fax [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
Web site: www.apar.pl
TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY
RECORDER
AR236
TEMPERATURE RECORDER
AR232
Rev. 1.1.0
2010-02-16

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Thank you for choosing our product.
This user manual contains information about proper and safe operation of the recorder.
Read and understand this user manual before installation and operation of the recorder.
If you have any questions, consult a technician.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. OVERVIEW OF THE RECORDER............................................................................ 2
2. CONTENTS OF THE SET......................................................................................... 2
3. GENERAL SPECIFICATION..................................................................................... 3
4. CASING DIMENSIONS AND EXTERNAL PARTS IDENTIFICATION...................... 4
5. CONNECTING TO THE COMPUTER AND DRIVER INSTALLATION..................... 4
6. SOFTWARE INSTALLATION.................................................................................... 4
7. PARAMETERS ADJUSTMENT.................................................................................5
8. OPERATION AND FEATURES OF SD/MMC CARD................................................ 6
9. VIEWING RECORDED MEASUREMENTS AND EVENTS...................................... 7
10. ALERT CONFIGURATION...................................................................................... 7
11. LCD DISPLAY OPERATION MODES..................................................................... 8
12. MESSAGES AND ERRORS — LED INDICATORS................................................8
13. IMPORTANT OPERATIONAL NOTES....................................................................8
14. REPLACING THE BATTERY.................................................................................. 9
The producer reserves the right to make any changes in the construction and software of this product, which will not
deteriorate the quality of the product.
Pay particular attention to texts marked with this sign
!

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1 . OVERVIEW OF THE RECORDER
nAR236 - measure and record the humidity and temperature of air or other neutral gases
AR232 - measure and record the temperature of air or other neutral gases
nrecord data in a text file in internal memory of the recorder or on SD/MMC card in the FAT file system
with a possibility to read via USB
nhigh quality digital sensor of:
- relative humidity and temperature (AR236)
- temperature (AR232)
nmobile casing with an option to install on wall
nbattery-powered with the possibility to replace battery by the user
nLCD display for viewing output data or messages and errors
nlong operation time on a new battery (up to 5 years, depending on the measurement period, whether
SD/MMC card was used and operation mode of the LCD display)
npossibility to store archived data and configuration data on an SD/MMC card
nprotection against unauthorized copying and changing of data
nbattery-supported internal real time clock
nincluded software to adjust the device parameters and produce graphical or textual representation of
recorded data
ntemperature compensation of humidity measurement (AR236)
nhigh measurement stability over long periods of time
nways to adjust parameters:
- via USB interface and a computer program (Windows 2000/XP/Vista/7)
- using a configuration file stored on an SD/MMC card
nchecksum to detect unauthorized changes in the archive
nuniquely identifying multiple recorders of the same type by assigning unique identifier (ID) to each of
them
nlow and high value alerts, in-band and out-of-band alert, LED indicators
nprogrammable measurement period, start and end point of recording and other configuration parameters:
measured signal zero adjustment, “COPY” button lock, authorization request for SD/MMC card,
disable writing data to SD/MMC card, operation mode of LCD display, alerts, identification
number (ID)
noption to prevent unauthorized modification of recorder parameters from SD/MMC card and moving
archived data from internal storage to an SD/MMC card (card authorization or free access required)
nprotection against improper placement of batteries
nhigh accuracy level and resistance to interferences
npossibility to update recorder's firmware
navailable accessories:
- lithium battery 3.6V, type AA (R6), 2450mAh (SAFT LS14500)
- SD memory card (1GB)
- SD/MMC card reader
- USB cable (A4 – miniA4)
- stabilized AC adapter 5V/150mA
NOTE:
- read this user manual and follow the procedures described in sections 5, 6 and 7 before using this
recorder.
- data is recorded only within defined period of time (parameters Start and Stop, Table 1, section 7)
2. CONTENTS OF THE SET
After unpacking the recorder, verify that you have the following items:
- recorder with a lithium battery 3.6V, type AA
- 2-meter long USB cable (A4 – miniA4) to connect to a computer
- CD with drivers and software
- user manual
- warranty
!

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3. GENERAL SPECIFICATION
Sensor................................................................interior
Measurement range
- humidity ........................................................ 0 ÷ 100 %RH
- temperature................................................... -30 ÷ 80 °C
Measurement accuracy
- humidity (AR236)...........................................±3 %RH (20 ÷ 80 %RH)
±3 ÷ 5 %RH (in the remaining measurement range)
- temperature
- AR236...............................................±0,5°C (20 ÷ 30°C)
±0,5 ÷ 1,8°C (in the remaining measurement range)
- AR232...............................................±0,5°C (-10 ÷ 80°C),
±0,5 ÷ 1,7°C (in the remaining measurement range)
Measurement resolution.................................. 0,1 %RH i 0,1 °C
Hysteresis (AR236)........................................... ±1% RH
Long-lasting stability (AR236)......................... <0,5% RH/year
Response time (63%)....................................... 10s (@ air flow > 1m/s)
Measurement and writing period.................... programmable, 10s do 24h
Operating environment ................................... air and neutral gases
Communication interface................................ USB (to communicate with computer), drivers
compatible with Windows 2000/ XP/Vista/7 OS
Storage (non-volatile)
- interior ......................................................... 4MB FLASH memory, file system FAT12, record up to
75,000 measurements (up to 80,000 for AR232)
- exterior ....................................................... SD/MMC card, recommended capacity ? 1 GB and FAT16
max. capacity 2GB
- supported file systems.....................FAT12, FAT16, FAT32
- card connector.................................push-out type
Real-time clock (RTC)......................................quartz, date (yyyy:mm:dd), time (hh:mm:ss),
remembers about leap year
Optical indication.............................................LED diodes: "READ/WRITE", "STATUS", 1 or 2 alerts
LCD display (7 segments)................................ number of digits: 3, digits height 10 mm
Power................................................................ lithium battery 3.6 V type AA(R6), 2450 mAh, (SAFT LS14500)
Working time on new battery (1) .....................up to 5 years (in ambient temperature 20 ÷ 30 °C)
Nominal operation environment.....................-20 ÷ 70 °C, <100 %RH (without condensation)
Protection level................................................IP20
Casing...............................................................on-wall, material ABS UL94-V0, white
Casing dimensions..........................................80 x 80 x 25 mm
Working position..............................................any
Weight...............................................................~97g (with battery)
(1) - working time depends on measurement period, whether SD/MMC card is used, working mode of LCD
display and working temperature:
- 5 years (measurement period > 10 min., data recorded in internal storage, copying data only via
USB, LCD in economic mode, 20÷30 °C), 20 months with LCD display constantly enabled
- 7 months (measurement period 10 s, internal memory, copying data only via USB, 25 °C)
- 1.5 years (measurement period > 10 min., data recorded on SD/MMC card, LCD display in economic
mode, 20÷30 °C)
- 4 months (measurement period 10 s, data recorded on SD/MMC card, 20÷30 °C)
- unused card left in card slot also wears out the batteries
- moving the contents of full internal storage (4 MB) to an SD/MMC card takes about 2 min. and uses
about 1÷2 mAh of the battery power (tests run on SanDisk and Kingston cards)
- LCD display running in constant mode and with refresh rate of the measured quantity > 1 min. uses
about 80 mAh/month (3.3% of battery power per month)
- when optional adapter is used, new battery working time may be extended up to about 8 years (20÷30°C)

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4. CASING DIMENSIONS AND EXTERNAL PARTS IDENTIFICATION
80
80 25
Dimensions [mm]
1
LED diode - operating status (messages and errors)
USB connector to communicate with computer
and to connect the adapter
SD/MMC CARD READ
WRITE
COPY STATUS USB
SD/MMC card slot (push-out)
(max. 2 GB)
LED diode - read/write to internal storage or SD/MMC
button to copy configuration data and measurement results
and update the LCD display
5. CONNECTING TO THE COMPUTER AND DRIVER INSTALLATION
After connecting the recorder to the computer, operating system (Windows 2000/XP/Vista/7) will detect the
recorder as "APAR USB DEVICE" and will ask you to install the drivers. Using the wizard to add new
devices browse for the drivers on the CD shipped with the recorder (DRIVERS directory).
Installation procedure for Windows XP:
1. Select "No, not this time" and click "Next"
2. Choose "Install from a list or a specific location (Advanced)" and click "Next"
3. Select "Search for the best driver in these locations" radio button and "Include this location in the
search:" box. Click "Browse", find DRIVERS directory, click "Next" and in the "Hardware Installation"
warning dialog box click "Continue Anyway"
4. After the virtual COM port named "CDC USB to UART" has been installed, click "Finish"
5. Next the OS will detect and install "Mass storage device" -> "ATMEL MASS STORAGE USB Device"
-> "Disc drive”
After finishing the installation, the recorder is present in the system as a virtual COMx port (where x is the
number of the port) and two removable discs: internal 4 MB memory labeled AR236 (or AR232) and
SD/MMC storage (available after inserting a card into the "SD/MMC CARD" slot). In internal memory is
available a configuration text file AR236.cfg or AR232.cfg (section 7).
NOTE:
Do not disconnect the device from the computer while installing drivers or when detecting the discs after
connecting the recorder to the USB interface (READ/WRITE indicator illuminated).
6. SOFTWARE INSTALLATION
The CD shipped with recorder contains a setup package ("SOFTWARE" directory) of free software to
operate the recorder. The package consists of the following applications:
- ARSOFT-WZ1 - show the current temperature and humidity (AR236) readouts, battery voltage, date and
time, real-time clock (RTC) configuration, adjustment of other parameters, such as the
beginning and end of recording, period of measurement and writing etc. (see section 7).
The program requires communication with the recorder (on-line configuration)
- ARSOFT-WZ3 - graphical or textual representation of recorded data and an option to print it. Input is
taken all at once from a „csv” file created in internal memory of the recorder or on an
SD/MMC card
- ARSOFT-WZ4 - create on disk a configuration file with the extension „cfg” which may be used to
configure the recorder with an SD/MMC card and the "COPY" button. In this type of
configuration you cannot change RTC and ID parameters. The program does not
communicate with the recorder (off-line configuration)
Newest versions of these programs can be downloaded from our website at www.apar.pl. Refer to
documents in installation folders for details about these applications.
To install the recorder on a wall, you can remove the back cover (section 14) and use it to mark points in
which to make holes in the wall.
!
LCD display
LED - [%RH]alert
LED - alert [°C]

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7. PARAMETERS ADJUSTEMENT
Configuration activities may be performed in the following ways:
1. Using USB interface and computer program ARSOFT-WZ1 (on-line):
- connect the recorder to the USB port of computer and run the application
- after connection, the program shows current measurement data, battery voltage and internal time
and date of the recorder. "STATUS" LED indicator indicates that the transmission is running
- parameters that may be adjusted in the configuration window are presented in table 1
- every change must be confirmed by clicking "Accept"
- the program allows to synchronize date and time with the computer
- current configuration values may be stored in a file or restored from a file
- the recorder will update the configuration file (cfg) after disconnecting from computer USB (unless
battery voltage is < 2.7 V)
NOTE:
- before disconnecting the device from computer, click "Disconnect the device"
- when there is no response:
- make sure the drivers have been installed properly
- disconnect the recorder from the USB interface and reconnect it after a few seconds
- restart the computer
- remove for a few seconds battery from the recorder (section 14)
2. .Using configuration file created by ARSOFT-WZ4 (off-line):
- run the application and in the "Device" box enter the name of the device (AR232 or AR236)
- adjust parameters showed according to the table 1 (except for RTC and ID)
- current configuration may also be created via changing values from an existing file
- save the created configuration in a file (AR236.cfg or AR232.cfg) and store it on an SD/MMC card
(using the card reader)
- insert the card in the "SD/MMC CARD" slot and press "COPY"; while copying the "STATUS"
indicator will be illuminated
- when the "STATUS" LED turns off, remove the card from the slot
NOTE:
- for the off-line configuration to be successfully completed, parameters for data protection from
unauthorized copying and changing should be set as follows:
bloc=disabled, Prot=disabled or when Prot=enabled the Pass parameter value in the SD/MMC
card file should match the value of the Pass parameter in the recorder
- pressing "COPY" button and successful authorization of the card triggers also the action to move
archive „csv” files onto this card
!
!
0 RTC internal time 2008.06.01 ÷ 2099.12.31, hh:mm:ss 08.06.01
of the recorder (1)
1Start recording start point (2)2008.06.01 ÷ 2099.12.31, hh:mm:ss 08.06.01
2 Stop recording end point (2)2008.06.01 ÷ 2099.12.31, hh:mm:ss 08.06.01
3 MPer measure.and record.period (3)10s÷ 24h, interval 10s 10 min
4 SDest measurement output storage internal or auto (SD/MMC when present) auto
5 dot measurement resolution 0= 1°C and 1%RH, 1= 0,1°C and 0,1%RH 1=0,1
6 coHum zero offset -5.0÷ 5.0 %RH (AR236 only) 0 %RH
for humidity (5)
7 coTem zero offset -2.0÷ 2.0 °C 0 °C
for temperature (5)
8 bloc "COPY" button lock enabled or disabled disabled
9 Pass card authorization password 0÷ 9999 1111
10 Prot card authorization request (6)enabled or disabled disabled
11 ID identification number (7)0÷ 9999 0
Table 1. Configuration parameters
# Name Description Value and value range factory custom
Settings

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8. OPERATION AND FEATURES OF SD/MMC CARD
SD/MMC card to store data may be particularly useful for stationary (on-wall) installations of the recorder
and when the amount of measurement data to be stored exceeds the capacity of the internal storage.
Properly installed card in the "SD/MMC CARD" slot has the following features:
- store files with values written to the files during recording
- off-line parameter configuration (using a configuration file AR236.cfg or AR232.cfg with "COPY" button,
see section 7)
- move archive „csv” files from internal storage onto the card (the action may be performed by pressing
"COPY" button and authorizing or when authorization request is disabled; during the operation
"STATUS" indicator is illuminated; timing for 4 MB of data - up to 2 min.)
NOTE:
- the action of moving „csv” files from internal storage to SD/MMC card is performed CONCURRENTLY
with off-line configuration. Thus, to avoid undesired recorder reconfiguration, make sure that on the card
exists appropriate ".cfg" file (or the file does not exist if Prot=disabled)
- use only branded SD/MMC cards (e.g. SanDisk or Kingston) formatted using FAT 16 file system for
maximum battery durability
- cards with capacity over 2 GB may cause device suspension, which requires removing batteries
for a while
Notes: (1) - parameter available only in ARSOFT-WZ1
(2) -when connected to the USB interface of computer, the device does not record data in a file
(3) -the measurement and recording period start with disconnection from USB
(4) -see section 11 for details about operating modes of the display
(5) - parameters enabling offset for measurement (eg. in case discrepancies between real and
measured values are detected)
(6) - when Prot=enabled only SD/MMC cards containing a configuration file with password
(Pass) matching the password in recorder will be supported. This prevents unauthorized
removal of archive „csv” files stored in internal storage and changing configuration
parameters of the recorder. For Prot=disabled all SD/MMC cards are supported.
(7) - parameter available only in ARSOFT-WZ1 application. It is used to identify files with data
created by many different recorders of the same type
(8) -see section 10 for details about alert configuration
!
12 LCDmod display operating mode (4)economic or constant econ.
13 LCDupd display update time 10s÷ 24h, interval 10s 2min
in constant mode (4)
14 AHiHum high alert for humidity (8)0÷ 100.0 %RH (AR236 only) 100%RH
15 ALoHum low alert for humidity (8)0÷ 100.0 %RH (AR236 only) 0 %RH
16 AHiTem high alert for temperature (8)-40.0 ÷ 100.0 °C 100 °C
17 ALoTem low alert for temperature (8)-40.0 ÷ 100.0 °C -40 °C
# Name Description Value and value range factory custom
Settings

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9. VIEWING RECORDED MEASUREMENTS AND EVENTS
In order to perform data synchronization, recorder creates in internal storage or on an SD/MMC card a text
file with ".csv" extension. Writing to the file is performed only, when current time (RTC) is within the time
range defined by 1:Start and 2:Stop recording parameters (see section 7, table 1). The filename consists of
the device type (AR236 or AR232), 11:ID and date and time when the file was created, e.g.:
"AR236_1_2009-08-30_10-57-16.csv". Records are written in the following format: "ordinal number of the
event;date;time;event identification number;argument 1;argument 2,checksum". Example record for
humidity and temperature measurement performed by AR236:
“30;2009-01-09;16:34:58;5;49,5;26,2;8BE2,” where humidity=49,5 % RH, temperature=26,2 °C.
Types and identification numbers of recorded events:
- temperature and humidity measurement (event identification number: 5, %RH and °C for AR236 or °C
for AR232)
- connection using the USB interface (0, "USB;CONNECTED")
- disconnection from the USB interface (1, "USB;DISCONNEC")
- load new configuration parameters (3, "NEW;ON-LINE" or "NEW;OFF-LINE")
- create new „csv" file (4, “ID;xxxx”, where xxxx is the 11:ID parameter of the device)
- low battery voltage, below 3.15 V (6, "LVBAT;x.xx", where x.xx is battery voltage [V])
Use ARSOFT-WZ3 application to produce and print graphical or textual representation of the output.
Moreover, the application also enables detection of unauthorized changes of the archive. Alternatively the
„csv" files may be edited with spreadsheet software, such as Microsoft Excel or OpenOffice Calc, as well as
word processors (e.g. Windows WordPad or Notepad++).
NOTE:
- if while performing recording an SD/MMC card is installed or removed, new „csv" file is created with
numbering of events being continued from the previous file.
!
10. ALERT CONFIGURATION
While displaying measured values, the recorder allows also signal alert statuses indicated by short one-
second blinks of LED diodes. Properties and alert threshold values for humidity (AR236 only) or
temperature are defined by: low alert (15:ALoHum, 17:ALoTem parameters) and high alert (14:AHiHum,
16:AHiTem). See section 7, Table 1.
To acquire low alert, high alert or out-of-band alert, set low alert value that is lower than the value of high
alert - Fig. 1. Alert in a certain band enables when low alert value is higher than high alert's - Fig. 2.
time
measured value
humidity
or temperature
high alert
low alert
high alert
range
low alert
range
Fig. 1. High alert, low alert or out-of-band alert
time
alert status
on
off
time
measured value humidity
or temperature
low alert
high alert
alert
range
Fig. 2. Alert in band
time
alert status
on
off

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11. LCD DISPLAY OPERATION MODES
The display can be set within one of two operating modes: economic (12:LCDmod = economic) or constant
(LCDmod = constant). In economic mode the display turns on for a few seconds after performing every
measurement while recording or can be enabled manually by pressing the "COPY" button. This operating
mode ensures the lowest energy consumption, which allows longer recorder operation without battery
replacement.
In constant mode, the display is constantly on and updated in the following conditions:
- measurement and write operation occurred during recording (according to 3:MPer parameter,
see section 7, Table 1)
- measurement occurred according to the display update period (13:LCDupd)
- measurement triggered by pressing the „COPY" button
The display update period (13:LCDupd parameter) allows perform measurements also when recording is
turned off. Set this parameter value over 1 min. to minimize battery energy consumption.
12. MEASSAGES AND ERRORS — LED INDICATORS
Two LED indicators localized on one side of the recorder indicate the occurrence of the following events:
READ/WRITE : - read/write to internal storage or SD/MMC
STATUS: - transmission via virtual COM port (used by ARSOFT-WZ1 application, see section 7, pt 1)
- copy configuration file from SD/MMC to recorder and move files with recorded data to a
card by pressing the „COPY” button (see section 8)
- storage used to save recorded data in an archive file is full - short blink while trying to
save the data and the FWLLmessage on the display
- battery voltage too low (below 3.15 V) - short blink during measurement output recording
and the LbAtmessage on the display (additionally a record is created in the archive file,
section 9)
13. IMPORTANT OPERATIONAL NOTES
Read this user manual carefully to ensure easy usage of the product. For maximum durability of batteries
make sure that:
- measurement and recording period parameters are set to the highest possible value (above 10 min. is
recommended, parameter 3:MPer, Table 1)
- SD/MMC card is used only when necessary. Otherwise use internal memory
- the display is working in economic mode (parameter 12:LCDmod). If constant mode is required, update
period should be set to the highest possible value (above 1 min. recommended, parameter 13:LCDupd)
- alerts are turned off when not in use (high and low alerts should be set at bounds of the measurement
range, section 7, table 1, parameters 14:AHiHum,15:ALoHum, 16:AHiTem, 17:ALoTem)
- unnecessary files are removed from the internal memory and SD card before recording starts
In the following conditions:
- measurement and recording periods are much shorter than 10 min
- SD/MMC card is in use
- the display works in the constant mode (with measured results frequently updated)
consider using optional AC adapter, which may extend durability of batteries up to about 8 years.
Another important thing to note is that you must not disconnect the device from the computer while
communicating over USB interface - this is signaled by illumination of READ/WRITE and STATUS LED
indicators. USB communication can be defined as the act of working with mass memory device (internal
SD/MMC card) or running ARSOFT-WZ1 application.
When response from the recorder seems to be suspended remove battery for a while and check its voltage.
If that voltage is less then 3,3V then replace the battery for a new one of a proper type.

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14. BATTERY REPLACEMENT
To replace batteries, you will need two screwdrivers. Perform the following procedure:
- remove the back cover (Fig. 1)
- carefully remove the circuit board (Fig. 2)
- replace battery with a new one of correct type (section 3) - make sure the battery is placed correctly in
the slot
- put the circuit board back in place and close the back cover
NOTE:
During battery replacement the real-time clock (RTC) is cleared and needs to be reset with ARSOFT-WZ1
application. The other parameters remain unchanged.
Fig.2. Removing circuit board
!
catches
Fig.1. Removing back cover