Canary Systems MLMux4 User manual

MLMux4
User's Guide
Initial Release
February 2022

2 MLMux4 User's Guide
Canary Systems, Inc.
5 Gould Road
New London, NH 03257
USA
603-526-9800
www.canarysystems.com
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Disclaimer
The following document is provided to assist
users with the installation, operation and
training in the use of our products. This
document and our products are intended to be
used by technically qualified personnel.
Contained herein is information that is
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for any given application or use.
Warranty Policy
Canary Systems® warrants products
manufactured by Canary Systems, excepting
software products, to be free from defects in
materials and workmanship under normal use
and service for twelve (12) months from date
of shipment unless specified otherwise. This
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Systems products which have been subjected
to conditions beyond the definition of “normal
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Systems obligation here under, is in lieu of all
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including warranties of suitability and fitness
for a particular purpose.
Warranty Remedies
If the Canary Systems® Product fails during
the warranty period for reasons covered by
this Limited Warranty and you notify Canary
Systems of such failure during the warranty
period, Canary Systems at its option will repair
OR replace the nonconforming Product, OR
refund the purchase price paid by you for the
Product, upon your return of the Product to
Canary Systems in accordance with Canary
Systems’ standard return material
authorization procedures.

MLMux4 User's Guide 3
High-Risk Activities
Products of Canary Systems® are not fault-
tolerant and are not designed, manufactured
or intended for use as on-line control
equipment in hazardous environments
requiring fail-safe performance, such as in the
operation of nuclear facilities, aircraft
navigation or communication systems, air
traffic control, direct life support machines, or
weapons systems, in which the failure of the
products could lead directly to death, personal
injury, or severe physical or environmental
damage ("High Risk Activities"). Canary
Systems, Inc. and its suppliers specifically
disclaim any express or implied warranty of
fitness for High Risk Activities.
Documentation and
Release Notes
To obtain the most recent version of all Canary
Systems® technical documentation, visit the
User Guide section of our website at
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Additionally, Canary Systems provides
additional information beyond the scope of the
technical documentation in the form of
Application Notes, Training Videos and White
Papers. Visit the Support section of our
website at
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Application Notes, FAQ’s and videos, and the
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to view a collection of Papers.
Revision History
Date
Rev.
Comments
2/3/2022
A
Initial Release

4 MLMux4 User's Guide
How To Use This Guide
Notes and Hints appear in boxes like this. Notes contain information you need to know to ensure that you use certain
features correctly, minimizing any errors. Hints indicate tips on how to use certain features more effectively, such as any
shortcuts to certain functions.
When you see a keyboard key’s name in bold angle brackets (< >), this indicates a particular keystroke you must
make in order to perform certain functions.
When you see two bolded locations separated by a vertical bar character (Location 1 | Location 2), this indicates
that the second location can be accessed only after the first. For example, an Import option that is available in a File
drop-down menu in a toolbar would be denoted with File | Import.
References to other Canary Systemsuser guides, third-party documentation or other external sources will appear
bolder and italicized. For example: For more information, see the MultiLogger User's Guide.
Related Documentation
Visit the User's Guide page on the Canary System's website to view and download the most current versions of our
technical documentation and user's guides at (https://canarysystems.com/support/users-guides/).
The following documents contain information that may be useful throughout the course of this manual:
▪MLWebHardware User's Guide for additional information on data collection and import.
▪MultiLogger Installation Guide for information on installation of MLSuite.
▪MLRemote User’s Guide for information on connecting to an MLRemotecontroller.
▪MLWeb User's Guide for additional information on data visualization and presentation.
▪The Canary Systems End-Users License Agreement can be found on the Canary Systems website
under Software Downloads at (https://canarysystems.com/support/software-downloads/).
Technical Support
Canary Systems may be contacted directly via phone or email. Ongoing support via phone, email, and virtual
meeting platforms such as Microsoft Teamsand Zoom is available through the purchase of a support contract.
Please contact Canary Systemsdirectly for more information.
Canary Systems, Inc.
5 Gould Road
New London, NH 03257
Phone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
Our website also provides numerous Application Notes, the latest versions of our software components, and all the
latest User's Guides. Click the Support menu at www.canarysystems.com to access these resources.

Table of Contents
MLMux4 User's Guide 5
Table of Contents
Section 1 ‒ Introduction ................................................................................................................................................................6
1.1 Overview......................................................................................................................................................................................................6
1.2 Specifications...............................................................................................................................................................................................6
Section 2 ‒ Operation and Installation .........................................................................................................................................7
2.1 Operation Details.........................................................................................................................................................................................7
2.2 Enclosure Installation...................................................................................................................................................................................8
2.3 Input Protection............................................................................................................................................................................................9
2.4 Controller Connections...............................................................................................................................................................................10
2.5 Instrument Connection...............................................................................................................................................................................11
2.6 MLWebHardware Configuration.................................................................................................................................................................12
Section 3 ‒ Troubleshooting .......................................................................................................................................................13
3.1 Troubleshooting Flowchart.........................................................................................................................................................................13

Section 1 ‒ Introduction
6 MLMux4 User's Guide
Section 1 ‒ Introduction
1.1 Overview
The Canary Systems©MLMux4 expands the number of instruments that may be read by a compatible Automatic
Data Acquisition System (ADAS). It supports two switching modes, 4-channels by four wire, or 8-channels by two
wire. A switch on the face of the module configures the switching between 4/8 channel mode.
The MLMux4 utilizes advanced high-reliability components such as industrial grade screw clamp terminal blocks,
solid state relays and a flash microcontroller from Microchip Devices to help ensure years of reliable and trouble-free
operation in most environments (components are rated to standard long term temp range of at least -40°C to
+85°C). The use of low contact resistance relays means almost universal instrument support, a degree of lightning
protection on the control lines, and virtually infinite channel isolation.
A view of the MLMux4 is shown below.
Warranty for the MLMux4 is applicable for one year from the date of shipment. The warranty does not cover failure
by improper installation, misuse, or by nature including, but not limited to; flood, lightning, fire, or other catastrophe.
Should you encounter problems with your MLMux4, contact Canary Systems at the address listed in the front of this
manual.
1.2 Specifications
General
Power requirements: 4-20 VDC
Active Current with one Channel Active: 2mA @ 12VDC
Standby Current: 1.2mA @ 12VDC
Quiescent Current: 0.6 µA
Control Line Input Levels: 3.3 - 12V (16V Max)
Contact Resistance: 0.8 Ω
Maximum Switched Current: 2.5 A @60 VCD
Operating temperature: -40 to +85° C (-40 to +185° F)

Section 2 ‒ Operation and Installation
MLMux4 User's Guide 7
Section 2 ‒ Operation and Installation
2.1 Operation Details
The MLMux4 is controlled by an MLRemote Module or other Datalogger Controller. This is done using either a
single digital signal or two digital control signals. The operation of the MLMux4 is simple enough that virtually any
device capable of controlling one or two 5V digital TTL/CMOS type signals can be used to control the multiplexer.
Two Digital Control Signals
The timing diagram depicted below describes how the two digital signals are used to control the MLMux4.
Single Digital Control Signal
In the case of a single control line, only the Clock terminal is used. The Enable signal is not required, and the Enable
terminal must remain unconnected. The device control differs only in the increased channels turn-on time. The
timing diagram below depicts how a single digital control signal is used.
Note - Number of pulses depends on switch configuration.
In the case of the 4 or 8-channel modes, the maximum number of pulses to advance through all the channels is 4
and 8, respectively.
The channel switching mode is selected using the switch located on the front of the MLMux4 module.
The table shown below describes the 2 possible configurations:
Settings
Mode
Description
4-Channel
(Default)
Standard 4-channel mode for
switching:
4-wire instruments
8-Channel
Alternate 8-channel mode for
switching:
2-wire instruments

Section 2 ‒ Operation and Installation
8 MLMux4 User's Guide
2.2 Enclosure Installation
The MLMux4 can be mounted to any surface with (4) 6-32 mounting screws.
Hint - The MLMux4 comes pre-installed when ordered with the MLRemote.
The placement of the mounting holes is depicted in the illustration below.

Section 2 ‒ Operation and Installation
MLMux4 User's Guide 9
2.3 Input Protection
The MLMux4 is equipped with lightning protection components on the control signals. As a result, care must be
exercised in the installation to maximize their effectiveness. Specifically, an effective earth ground must be attached
to the MLMux4 shield (S) for proper protection. Most vibrating wire instruments also have lightning protection
components.
The Enable and Clock inputs can be connected to 12 volts directly without damaging the MLMux4. The connections
to the MLRemote module or datalogger should be disconnected and insulated from contacting other electrical
connections.
Hint - The MLRemote module comes in two different power options. One option is a 6V alkaline battery pack and the second
option is a 12V lithium battery pack.
The 12V tolerant inputs allow the MLMux4 to be field tested without the need for a datalogger connection. The
enable can be wired to the 12V input while the clock input can be carefully touched to 12V. This action will cause the
MLMux4 to step channels for each touch to 12 volts.

Section 2 ‒ Operation and Installation
10 MLMux4 User's Guide
2.4 Controller Connections
The MLMux4 is connected to the controller using the common terminals at the top of the device.
The table below lists typical connections:
MLMux4 4-
Channel
MLMux4 8-
Channel
Description
H1
H1
High side of CH1
L1
L1
Low side of CH1
H2
Not Used
High side of CH2
L2
Not Used
Low side of CH2
S
S
Cable Shield
PWR
PWR
12V Power
GND
GND
Ground
EN
EN
Enable
CLK
CLK
Clock
The figure below shows an MLMux4 wired to an MLRemote using the four-channel mode using an MLMux4
harness. The MLMux4 harness includes nine multi colored wires that are precut and zip tied to fit the MLRemote /
MLMux4 connection. By default, the MLMux4 ships in 4-channel mode.

Section 2 ‒ Operation and Installation
MLMux4 User's Guide 11
2.5 Instrument Connection
Instruments are connected to the MLMux4 using the connectors in Group 1, Group 2, Group 3, and Group 4 at the
bottom of the MLMux4. The wiring will vary depending on the Mode selection.
The following table illustrates typical connection techniques for each of the operating modes.
4 Channel (4-wire)
8 Channel (2-wire)
Connecting Vibrating Wire Instruments to the MLMux4
Each VW sensor typically has four wires and a shield. The wires are inserted into the terminal on the MLMux4.
Record the serial number of the sensor so that the gage factor is known for each channel. The gage factor is taken
from the calibration sheet for each sensor.
The typical colors are as follows:
Red ‒ H1 Coil +
Black ‒ L1 Coil -
White ‒ H2 Thermistor +
Green ‒ L2 Thermistor -
The shields should be twisted together and connected to the S terminal of the MLMux4.
Other Sensor Connections
For information on connecting other types of sensors, contact Canary Systems.

Section 2 ‒ Operation and Installation
12 MLMux4 User's Guide
2.6 MLWebHardware Configuration
To configure MLWebHardware to use the MLMux4 navigate to the Configure Multiplexer form of the device
containing the MLMux4 to be configured and Add a new Multiplexer.
See the MLWebHardware Users Guide for details on access MLWebHardware and configuring new device
programs.
1. Select CAN MLMux4 as the Mux Type on the Multiplexer form.
2. Select either 4 (4wires) or 8 (2 wires) from the Channels dropdown. This should match the switch settings of the
MLMux4.
3. Be sure to match the Enable and Clock settings of the form with the physical wiring.
4. Save the new Multiplexer.
Channels are then configured by pressing the Configure Channels button. See the MLWebHardware Users
Guide or the MLRemote Users guide for details on channel configuration.

Section 3 ‒ Troubleshooting
MLMux4 User's Guide 13
Section 3 ‒ Troubleshooting
3.1 Troubleshooting Flowchart
If you cannot obtain readings using the MLMux4 or the readings are unstable then see the troubleshooting flowchart
below for help in determining the nature of the problem.