Contrec 500 Series User manual

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500 DataMod Tool
User Guide
Publication No: 500-DM-UG v2.00 - 21 October 2018

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500 DataMod Tool - User Guide
© Contrec Limited 2018
The instructions given herein cover the general description, installation, operation and maintenance of the subject
equipment/software. Contrec Limited reserves the right, without prior notice, to make engineering refinements that
may not be reflected in this manual.
Should any questions arise which cannot be answered specifically by this manual, they should be directed to
Contrec Limited for further detailed information and technical assistance.
Contrec Limited will not accept any liability for either direct or consequential damages resulting from the use or
misapplication of the contents of this manual.
Part of the software embedded in this product is provided by proconX and contributors. Copyright (c) 2003-2010
proconX Pty Ltd. (email: [email protected]). All rights reserved.
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Contrec Limited
Riverside, Canal Road, Sowerby Bridge,
West Yorkshire HX6 2AY UNITED KINGDOM
Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone]
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.contrec.co.uk
Contrec Systems Pty Ltd
5 Norfolk Avenue Ringwood, Melbourne 3134 AUSTRALIA
Tel: [phone]
Email: [email protected]
Contrec - USA, LLC
916 Belcher Drive Pelham AL 35124 USA
Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone]
Email: [email protected]
Publication No: 500-DM-UG v2.00 - 21 October 2018

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1 Introduction
Welcome to 500-Series DataMod Tool . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
System Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
User Licence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Hardware Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
515 Instrument Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Computer Port Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
DataMod Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Starting DataMod . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Menu & Toolbar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
2 Operation
DataMod Overview - Quick Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
DataMod Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Modbus Connection Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Logging and Data Collection Types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Data Collection Options Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
DataMod - Establish Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Start Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Custom Text and Tags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Set Custom Text and Tags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Save Custom Text and Tags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Load Custom Text and Tags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Data Collection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Start Collecting Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Data Collection Finished . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
DataMod Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Generate Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Save Report as CSV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Custom Report Templates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Load a Custom Report Template . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Samples of Custom Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Contents

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Introduction
500-DM-UG v2.00 1
Chapter 1
Introduction
Welcome to 500-Series DataMod Tool
This User Guide relates to the use of the 500-Series DataMod Tool. The DataMod
program enables you to perform the following functions for a 500-Series based
instrument:1
•Collect live or logged data from 515-Series instruments
•Display collected process data
•Generate PDF reports (with option of auto-save and auto-print of PDF reports)
•Instant access to the last auto report
•Produce data in CSV format commonly used in 3rd party software
•Customisable reports (special custom templates also available)
•Modbus RTU communication via serial port or TCP/IP (IoT solutions)
•Monitor batch or load controllers to Auto Collect delivery data
•Confidence in data integrity
The tool is simple to use and data is easy to collect. The program allows multiple
custom set-ups to be saved for easy re-use, automatically starts with the previous
configuration and allows saved reports to be re-opened. All of this is achieved
without the configuring a single Modbus register!
System Requirements
The 500-Series DataMod Tool has the following system requirements:2
•Windows based Personal Computer
•256MB Memory (or higher), and 10MB available Hard Disk space
•Display Resolution 1024 x 768 minimum
•Serial Communications Port or TCP/IP connection (requires serial to TCP/IP
converter at 515 instrument side)
•Microsoft Windows 7 (or higher), normal DPI setting
•PDF Reader, such as Adobe Acrobat Reader V4.0 or higher (to view/print
generated reports)
•Internet access for periodic software verification
____________________
1. The DataMod tool is compatible with 515 instruments with software versions
starting from 2.9.080 (or 3.0.383 if Load application and auto-collecting is required).
2. It is not possible to have multiple DataMod applications open on the same
device.
500-DM-UG v2.00

Introduction
2 500-DM-UG v2.00
User Licence
The 500-Series DataMod Tool is able to be installed as a time limited fully
operational trial version.
An installation of the trial version of the DataMod software can be changed to a
fully licenced installation with the entry of an activation code.
A single licence allows the DataMod program to run on a single computer. Software
licence will be validated, periodically requiring internet access.
Installation
Use the following procedure to install the software onto a computer:
1. Select and Run the 500-DM-x.x.xxx.exe file from appropriate local drive or
internet link.
2. If necessary, provide authorisation to Run the InstallShield program.
3. The InstallShield Wizard will start with a typical welcome screen.
It is recommended to allow the default installation to take place (the default
location for installation is C:\Contrec\500-DataMod\).
4. Follow the remainder of the instructions of the InstallShield Wizard on the
screen to complete the installation.

Introduction
500-DM-UG v2.00 3
Hardware Connection
The 515 Series instruments use industry standard Modbus RTU protocol. The
DataMod program offers a selection of Modbus transmission modes that can be
used from a Windows based computer. Selections can be: RTU Serial (for direct
local connection), TCP/IP or RTU over TCP/IP (for Internet or Ethernet based
solution for remote access with a serial to TCP/IP converter at the 515 instrument
side). In any case, to use the DataMod program there must be a transparent and
robust serial communication connection between the instrument and the computer
running DataMod. Settings of a Modbus serial-to-TCP converter should match the
serial port settings of 515 instrument, and the selection of transmission mode of
TCP/IP or RTU over TCP/IP in the DataMod program.
515 Instrument Connection
The 515 instrument currently has RS232 and RS485 serial ports (with an Ethernet
port soon to be an available option). Either port can have the Modbus RTU protocol
assigned to it and both ports have the ability to set the baud rate, parity and stop bits
as required. The 515 instrument can also have the Modbus address set as required.
The default factory setting for a 515 instrument is for Modbus RTU protocol to be
assigned to the RS485 port, and the default settings are 19200 baud rate, even parity
and 1 stop bit.
The RS232 port can be used when there is only one 515 instrument to communicate
with over a short distance and there is no need to use the RS232 port for another
protocol or function, such as a local printer output.
The RS485 port is used when there are multiple instruments to communicate with
on the same network, or when there is a significant distance between the 515
instrument and the computer collecting the data.
Computer Port Connection
It is common nowadays for Microsoft Windows based computers not to have a
RS232 or RS485 serial port. Most computers have wireless, USB or Ethernet ports
and rely on serial communication converters to connect to external RS232 or RS485
devices.
Therearemanysuchserialcommunicationconvertersavailable,butthedeviceused
must be robust, have a reliable Windows driver and operate as a transparent serial
port.
TheDataModprogramallowstheusertoselect the appropriate serialportorTCP/IP
connection on the computer. For the serial port, it provides access to set all the
normal serial communication port settings, such as baud rate, parity and stop bits
(these must be set to match the 515 instrument settings). For TCP/IP connections, it
allows entry of the port and host name / IP address.

Introduction
4 500-DM-UG v2.00
DataMod Introduction
Starting DataMod
To start the DataMod software, double click on the
500-Series DataMod icon on the Windows desktop. The program starts with a
typical welcome screen as shown in Figure 1.
Figure 1 500-Series DataMod Welcome Screen
The main screen of the DataMod program is shown in Figure 2. The main Toolbar
is found on the right hand side, the Information and Progress bar is displayed along
the bottom and the two main viewing control tabs (Report Items and Report Data)
are located in the upper left.
Figure 2 500-Series DataMod Main Screen

Introduction
500-DM-UG v2.00 5
The Report Items and the Report Data screens will become populated after some
initial communication connection has been established and data has been collected
from a 500-Series instrument.
Report Items Screen
The Report Items tab displays a screen with the following key features:
•Default and Custom Tags - This section displays the list of the instrument
variables with their default tags (names) and provides the ability to enter Custom
Tags and to choose the variables to be included in the reports. Custom Tags and
variable selections can only be made after the initial communication connection
has been established and the instrument type and main menu list has been
identified.
•Data - This column shows the last set of data collected from the instrument.
•Custom Header Lines - This section allows the user to enter up to 5 lines of
custom header information that will be included in the reports.
•Instrument Info - This section is populated with information collected from the
instrument and DataMod entries including:
- Hardware model information
- Application pack and input usage
- Program Manager software version used to create application
- Custom version number
- Instrument name and serial number.
- Unit Tag
(The above is included in the reports and is used as part of the report file name.)
•Information and Progress Bar - This section provides feedback regarding the
current program status or the previous action carried out. The coloured flashing
‘lamp’ and messages provide clear and helpful information.
Report Data Screen
The Report Data tab displays a screen with the tabulated data collected from the
instrument. There are horizontal and vertical scroll bars to allow all fields of data to
be viewed.
Only the items selected in the variables list on the Report Items screen will be
shown in the table of data.
The default variable tags and units of measurement (as extracted from the
instrument) are listed along the top row of the table and repeated as fixed labels at
the bottom of the table to always remain visible. The Custom Tags (names) are
shown in the yellow shaded row at the top of the table.
The quotation symbol ( “) is used to indicate that no custom tag has been entered
for that variable.

Introduction
6 500-DM-UG v2.00
Menu & Toolbar
Menu Bar
The menus and sub items as listed in Table 1 are found in the menu bar along the
top of the screen. Some functions are also found in the side toolbar. Please refer to
the Toolbar functions below for full description.
Menu Sub Item Function
Report Load Template
Load Custom Text
Save Custom Text
Open Saved Report
Generate Report
Save CSV
Last Auto Report
Exit
Load a custom report template created and supplied by
Contrec (contact your distributor for details).
Open a previously saved DataMod custom text file.
Save DataMod custom text and item selection file.
Open a previously saved report in the Preview screen.
Generate and open report in a Preview window with the
ability to print, save or export as PDF.
Save collected data report to a CSV file.
Open the last automatically generated PDF report.
Exit the DataMod program.
Settings Modbus Open the Modbus Connection Settings dialog box.
Data Clear Data
Start Connection*
Start Collecting*
Stop Collecting
Clear any custom text and any data previously collected.
Open the dialog box to start instrument connection process.
Start the data collection process.
(* Start Collecting replaces the Start Connection menu item after
connection is established.)
Stop collecting data from the instrument.
Web Page If internet connection is available, the Contrec website is
opened using the computer’s default browser.
Help User Guide
About
Open the 500 DataMod Tool User Guide (this document) in
the computer’s default PDF reader.
Display the version details of the DataMod program.
Table 1 500 DataMod Menu