CESVA VC431 User manual

User’s manual
VC431
Triaxial vibrometer
MANUAL DEL USUARIO
USER’S MANUAL
BENUTZERHANDBUCH
MANUEL D'INSTRUCTIONS
MANUALE D’USO
MANUAL DE L’USUARI
M_VC431_v0014_20150730_EN

VC431
Instruction manual
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ENGLISH
CONTENTS
1. GENERAL DESCRIPTION................................................................................................ 4
1.1 Operating modes and functions.................................................................................... 4
1.2 Main Characteristics of the VC431............................................................................... 7
1.3 Description of the VC431.............................................................................................. 8
1.4 Display and use of the keypad ....................................................................................11
2. OPERATING THE VC431................................................................................................15
2.1 First steps ...................................................................................................................15
2.1.1 Material and documentation..................................................................................15
2.1.2 Power supply to the VC431...................................................................................15
2.1.3 Powering the accelerometer on and off.................................................................16
2.2 Starting a measurement..............................................................................................17
2.2.1 Starting up the VC431...........................................................................................17
2.2.2 Main menu of the VC431: Selecting applications, options and settings.................18
2.3 Verification of the VC431.............................................................................................19
2.4 Under-range and Overload..........................................................................................22
2.5 Measuring with the Hand-Arm (H) application .............................................................22
2.5.1 Securing the accelerometer ..................................................................................23
2.5.2 Access to the Hand-Arm application......................................................................24
2.5.3 Preliminary settings: Projection time......................................................................24
2.5.4 Starting a measurement/recording........................................................................25
2.5.5 During measurement.............................................................................................25
2.5.6 Stopping or ending a measurement/recording.......................................................26
2.6 Measuring with the Whole Body (W) application..........................................................26
2.6.1 Securing the accelerometer ..................................................................................27
2.6.2 Access to the Whole Body application...................................................................28
2.6.3 Preliminary settings: Orientation of the accelerometer and projection Time...........29
2.6.4 Starting a measurement/recording........................................................................30
2.6.5 During measurement.............................................................................................30
2.6.6 Stopping or ending a measurement/recording.......................................................31
2.7 Measuring with the Buildings application (B) ...............................................................31
2.7.1 Securing the accelerometer ..................................................................................31
2.7.2 Access to the Buildings application.......................................................................32

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2.7.3 Starting a measurement/recording........................................................................32
2.7.4 During measurement.............................................................................................33
2.7.5 Stopping or ending a measurement/recording.......................................................33
2.8 Measuring with the Structure application (S) ...............................................................34
2.8.1 Securing the accelerometer ..................................................................................34
2.8.2 Access to the Structure application.......................................................................34
2.8.3 Starting a measurement/recording........................................................................35
2.8.4 Ending a measurement.........................................................................................36
2.9 Save final result option................................................................................................36
2.10 Measurement/recording option..................................................................................36
2.11 View/Delete register option........................................................................................36
2.11.1 Access to the view/delete register option ............................................................36
2.11.2 Viewing a register................................................................................................37
2.11.3 Deleting a register...............................................................................................38
2.12 Delete memory option ...............................................................................................38
2.12.1 Access to the delete memory option....................................................................38
2.13 Sensitivity adjustment................................................................................................39
2.14 Contrast setting.........................................................................................................40
2.15 Clock setting..............................................................................................................41
2.16 Test Option................................................................................................................41
2.17 Switching off the VC431............................................................................................42
2.18 Precautions and warnings.........................................................................................42
3. VIEWING DATA ON PC...................................................................................................43
3.1 Installation of the driver...............................................................................................43
3.2 Capture Studio Software.............................................................................................43
3.2.1 Capture vibrometer data in real time .....................................................................45
3.2.2 Downloading registers from the vibrometer...........................................................46
3.2.3 Deleting the vibrometer's memory.........................................................................46
4. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS......................................................................................47
4.1 Linear operating range................................................................................................47
4.2 Measurement range....................................................................................................48
4.3 Total noise inherent in the reference environmental conditions...................................51
4.4 Reference environmental conditions ...........................................................................52
4.5 Electrical tests.............................................................................................................52
4.6 Frequency weighting...................................................................................................52
4.7 Accelerometers...........................................................................................................57

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Instruction manual
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4.8 Effect of the accessories on the accelerometer...........................................................58
4.9 Display........................................................................................................................58
4.10 Integration time .........................................................................................................58
4.11 Preheating time.........................................................................................................59
4.12 Influence of temperature............................................................................................59
4.13 Influence of humidity .................................................................................................59
4.14 Electromagnetic compatibility....................................................................................59
4.15 Batteries and external powering................................................................................60
4.16 Dimensions and weight .............................................................................................60
4.17 Memory.....................................................................................................................61
4.18 Calibration.................................................................................................................61
4.19 Standards..................................................................................................................61
4.20 Notes.........................................................................................................................61
4.21 Accessories...............................................................................................................62
5. ANNEX A: Functions......................................................................................................63
5.1 Function summary chart..............................................................................................63
5.1.1 Hand-Arm (H) application functions.......................................................................63
5.1.2 Whole Body (W) application functions...................................................................63
5.1.3 Buildings (B) application functions.........................................................................64
5.1.4 Structure (S) application functions.........................................................................64
5.2 Definition of functions..................................................................................................65

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1. GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The VC431 is a high-performance triaxial vibrometer in accordance with the 8041:2005 and
ISO 8041:2005/Cor1:2007 standard.
The VC431 is the ideal instrument for the evaluation of human exposure to vibration
according to:
The Directive 2002/44/EC on risks derived from exposure of workers to vibrations:
oVibrations transmitted to the hand-arm system [ISO 5349-1 and ISO 5349-2]
oVibrations transmitted to the whole body [ISO 2631-1]
National laws and regulations on noise and vibrations:
oWhole body in buildings vibrations [ISO 2631-2]
The VC431 can also evaluate the effect of vibration on the structure of buildings and the
terrain:
The UNE 22-381-93 Standard Control of vibrations produced by blasting with explosives
and transmitted by the terrain.
1.1 Operating modes and functions
The VC431 has the following applications:
The HAND-ARM application is designed to measure vibration transmitted to the hand-arm
system according to the ISO 5349 Standard, as recommended by DIRECTIVE
2002/44/EC.
The evaluation of the level of exposure to the vibration transmitted to the hand-arm
system is based on the measurement of the daily vibration exposure value, normalised for
a reference period of 8 hours, A(8), of the total acceleration value, expressed as the
square root of the sum of the squares of the RMS values of acceleration with frequency
weighting, determined according to the orthogonal axes ahx, ahy y ahz, as defined in the
ISO 5349-1 Standard. To perform these measurements it is necessary to have the triaxial
accelerometer AC031. The VC431 measures the following functions
simultaneously:
The VC431 makes it possible to make measurements during a shorter time than the
exposure time and evaluate the projected daily exposure to vibration value A(8)pfor a
programmable projection time (forecast exposure time).
The WHOLE BODY application is designed to measure the vibrations transmitted to the
whole body according to the ISO 2632-1 Standard, as recommended by the DIRECTIVE
2002/44/EC.
ahx
RMS value of acceleration on the x axis with Whweighting
ahy
RMS value of acceleration on the y axis with Whweighting
ahz
RMS value of acceleration on the z axis with Whweighting
ahv
Total value of acceleration
A(8)
Daily exposure to vibration
A(8)p
Projected daily exposure to vibration

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The evaluation of the level of exposure to vibrations is based on measuring the daily
exposure to vibration value, normalised for a reference period of 8 hours, A(8) expressed
as the greater of the daily exposure to vibration values on the three axes. The daily
exposure to vibration value, normalised for a reference period of 8 hours, Ai(8), on each
axis is obtained from the RMS values of the acceleration with frequency weighting,
determined according to the three orthogonal axes (1,4adx, 1,4ady, akz), in accordance with
the ISO 2631-1 Standard.
The VC431 makes it possible to measure vibration in the place where the contact
between the human body and the source of vibration (feet, seat or backrest) takes place,
always observing the corresponding system of coordinates.
To perform these measurements it is necessary to have the triaxial accelerometer
AC033.
The VC431 measures the following functions simultaneously:
The VC431 makes it possible to make measurements during a time shorter than the
exposure time and evaluate the projected daily exposure to vibration value A(8)p, for a
programmable projection time (forecast exposure time), as the greater value of the
projected daily exposure to vibration values for each axis Ax(8)p, Ay(8)p, Az(8)p.
The WHOLE BODY IN BUILDINGS application is designed to measure the vibrations
transmitted to the whole body inside buildings (houses, residential, hospital, educational
or cultural) according to the ISO 2631-2 Standard.
The evaluation of the level of vibration transmitted to the whole body inside buildings is
based on measuring the MTVV parameter (Maximum Transient Vibration Value)
expressed as the greatest of the MTVV values on the three axes (MTVVx, MTVVy, MTVVz)
using the frequency weighting Wmas indicated by the ISO 2631-2 Standard. The total
combined RMS acceleration value is also measured, consisting of combining the RMS
values of weighted acceleration with the frequency weighting Wm on the three coordinate
axes (amx, amy and amz) as displayed below (kx=1, ky=1 and kz=1):
222 mxmxmxmv aaaa 
adx
RMS value of acceleration on the x axis with Wdweighting
ady
RMS value of acceleration on the y axis with Wdweighting
akz
RMS value of acceleration on the z axis with Wkweighting
Ax(8)
Daily exposure to vibration on the x axis
Ay(8)
Daily exposure to vibration on the y axis
Az(8)
Daily exposure to vibration on the z axis
A(8)
Daily exposure to vibration
Ax(8)p
Projected daily exposure to vibration on the x axis
Ay(8)p
Projected daily exposure to vibration on the y axis
Az(8)p
Projected daily exposure to vibration on the z axis
A(8)p
Projected daily exposure to vibration

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Moreover, it measures the MTVVVparameter, defined as the maximum MTVV value of the
combined total acceleration value.
To perform these measurements it is necessary to have the triaxial accelerometer
AC032.
The VC431 measures the following functions simultaneously:
* The maximum values will restart on making new measurements.
The STRUCTURE application is designed to evaluate the effect of vibrations on the structure
of buildings and terrain, both for short-lasting and stationary vibrations.
The evaluation consists of determining the peak value of the components of the vibration
speed vector and the frequencies at which they take place.
vpkx
Peak value of the speed vector on the x axis
vpky
Peak value of the speed vector on the y axis
vpkz
Peak value of the speed vector on the z axis
fx
Frequency at which the vpkx value takes place
fy
Frequency at which the vpky value takes place
fz
Frequency at which the vpkz value takes place
amx
RMS value of acceleration on the x axis with Wmweighting
amy
RMS value of acceleration on the y axis with Wmweighting
amz
RMS value of acceleration on the z axis with Wmweighting
amz
Total combined acceleration value (vector)
MTVVx
MTVV value of acceleration on the x axis with Wm weighting
MTVVy
MTVV value of acceleration on the y axis with Wm weighting
MTVVz
MTVV value of acceleration on the z axis with Wm weighting
MTVV
MTVV value of acceleration with Wm weighting
MTVVv
Maximum total combined MTVV acceleration value (vector) with Wm weighting

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1.2 Main Characteristics of the VC431
Following the philosophy that characterises our instruments, the VC431, is an easy to use
instrument, with a single range (no scale changes) and simultaneous measurement of all its
parameters.
The most important features of the VC431 are:
The VC431 has a structure of visual and user-friendly menus and options. It is not
necessary to configure languages, since it has easy to identify and recognise icons.
The 4 available applications can be accessed from the main menu: Measurement of hand-
arm (H) vibration, measurement of whole body (W) vibration, measurement of whole body
vibration in buildings (B) and measurement of structural (S) vibration.
The whole body (W) measurements can be made for the standing (vibration entering
through the feet), sitting (vibration entering through the feet, the seat or backrest) and
lying down (vibration entering through the back) positions.
Automatic configuration in adjustment of the axes (sitting or backrest) in whole body (W)
vibration measurements.
A specific triaxial accelerometer should be used for each application. The buildings (B)
and structure (S) applications share accelerometer. The VC431 has its own sensitivity
adjustments for each accelerometer with traceability of adjustment; this avoids having to
adjust sensitivity whenever a measurement is performed in a different application. The
equipment features a system to detect any change in sensitivity.
The VC431 can measure, simultaneously, in a single measurement range, all the
parameters necessary to evaluate exposure to vibrations in m/s2or dB (dB only available
for buildings), with the suitable weightings: Wd [x,y] and Wk [z] for the whole body
application, Wh [x,y,z] for hand-arm, Wm [x,y,z] for buildings and no weighting for
structure.
The memory of the VC431 makes it possible to save both final results and the evolution
over time of the parameters measured in hand-arm (H), whole body (W) and buildings (B)
applications, and can recalculate them later (if the CSE software is available) for any time
interval.
Moreover, it can perform measurements of a duration below the exposure time, since it
displays the projected parameters on display at the forecast exposure time
(programmable projection time [tp]).
The vibrometer includes the CESVA Capture Studio PC software. This application can
download the measurements performed with the instrument through the USB port and
analyse the results obtained quickly and simply. While it is connected to the USB port of a
PC, no batteries are needed since it is powered through the USB port of the PC.
Its large, high-resolution 3.2" graphic display shows the functions measured depending on
each application and lights up on pressing a button, allowing you to work in poorly-lit
settings.
The membrane keypad only has one button for switching the VC431 on/off, another one
for switching the display light off/on and a simple interface of 3 soft key buttons which
makes it simple and easy to use.
Its reduced weight, versatility and ruggedness make it the perfect hand-held instrument for
the evaluations of risks related to vibration. The VC431 is a personal instrument, the
worker can carry it around to evaluate their exposure to vibration.

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1.3 Description of the VC431
The figure below details the most important parts of the VC431:
1. Vibrometer BINDER 712 connector. Circular female BINDER 4-contact connector of
the VC431 vibrometer.
2. Display. Backlit LCD display.
3. Membrane keypad. Extraflat keypad.
4. Manufacturer's Information.
5. Name plate. This area indicates the vibrometer's mark, model, class and serial
number, as well as all the standards it complies with.
6. WEEE mark. Symbol that indicates the selective collection of electrical and electronic
devices.
7. EC mark. European conformity mark.
8. Tripod mount. Mount for tripod with standard thread ¼’’ W. (TR-40 and TR050).
9. Battery protection cover. Battery protection cover, only to be removed to change
batteries.
10. USB Connector. Mini-B USB type connector for digital communication. It complies
with USB rev. 2.0.
11. CN031 cable BINDER 712 connector. Circular male BINDER 4-contact connector of
the CN031 cable to be connected to the BINDER 712 female connector of the VC431
vibrometer.
12. Triaxial accelerometer AC031 (Hand-arm). Triaxial accelerometer for use with the
hand-arm (H) application. The length of the accelerometer cable is 2.90 metres.
13. AA131 adapter for the AC031 accelerometer. Tool adapter for the AC031
accelerometer.
14. AA031 adapter for the AC031 accelerometer. Handle adapter for the AC031
accelerometer.
15. CN032 cable BINDER 712 connector. Circular male BINDER 4-contact connector of
the CN032 cable to be connected to the BINDER 712 female connector of the VC431
vibrometer.
16. CN032 Cable. 2.90-metre connection cable of the BINDER connector of the AC032
triaxial accelerometer.
17. CN032 cable BINDER 768 connector. Circular female BINDER 4-contact connector
of the CN032 cable to be connected to the BINDER 768 male connector of the
AC032 accelerometer.
18. AC032 triaxial accelerometer. Triaxial accelerometer for use with the Building (B)
application.
19. AC033 triaxial accelerometer BINDER 712 connector. Circular male BINDER 4-
contact connector of the accelerometer triaxial AC033 to be connected to the
BINDER 712 female connector of the VC431 vibrometer.