Contrec 500 Series User manual

i
500 DataMod Tool
User Guide
Publication No: 500-DM-UG v1.02 - 9 May 2017

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500 DataMod Tool - User Guide
© Contrec Limited 2017
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.
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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 v1.02 - 9 May 2017

iii
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 Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Logging Types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Setup to Collect Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Collecting Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Data Collection Finished . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Custom Text and Tags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Set Custom Text and Tags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Save Custom Text and Tags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Load Custom Text and Tags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
DataMod Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Generate Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Save Report as CSV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Load a Custom Report Template . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Samples of Custom Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Contents

iv

Introduction
500-DM-UG v1.02 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 logged data from 515-Series instruments via Modbus RTU
protocol
•Customise data tag names and report header
•Display collected data
•Generate PDF report from default and custom templates
•Export data in CSV format
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)
•10MB available Hard Disk space
•Display Resolution 800 x 600 minimum
•Serial communications port
•Microsoft Windows 7 (or higher), normal DPI setting
•Adobe Acrobat Reader V4.0 or higher (to view/print generated reports)
•Microsoft Internet Explorer V4.0 (or higher) or similar Web Browser to
view online help (recommended)
•Internet access for periodic software verification
____________________
1. The DataMod tool is compatible with 515 instruments with software versions
starting from 2.9.080. See your distributor for support.
2. It is not possible to have multiple 500 DataMod applications open on the same
device.
500-DM-UG v1.02

Introduction
2 500-DM-UG v1.02
User Licence
The 500 DataMod program is able to be installed as a time limited fully
operational trial version.
An installation of the trial version of the 500 DataMod can be changed to a
fully licenced installation with the entry of an activation code.
A single licence allows the 500 DataMod program to run on a single
computer.Softwarelicencewillbevalidated,periodicallyrequiringinternet
access.
Installation
Use the following procedure to install the software onto a computer:
1. SelectandRunthe500-DM-x.x.xxx.exefilefromappropriatelocaldrive
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 v1.02 3
Hardware Connection
The 500 DataMod Tool uses Modbus RTU protocol to collect logged data
from a 515 Series instrument. To use the DataMod program there must be a
transparent and robust serial communication connection between the
instrument and the computer running DataMod.
515 Instrument Connection
The 515 instrument has RS232 and RS485 serial ports. 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, where 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.
TheRS485portisused whenthereare multipleinstrumentsto 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.
There are many such serial communication converters available, but the
device used must be robust, have a reliable windows driver and operate as a
transparent serial port.
The 500 DataMod tool allows the user to select the appropriate serial port
on the computer. It also 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 settings used in the 515 instrument.

Introduction
4 500-DM-UG v1.02
DataMod Introduction
Starting DataMod
To start the 500 DataMod software, double click on the
500 DataMod icon on the Windows desktop. The program starts with a
typical welcome screen as shown in Figure 1.
Figure 1 500 DataMod Welcome Screen
The main screen of the 500 DataMod tool is shown in Figure 2. The main
Toolbar is found on the right hand side and the tabs (Report Items and
Report Data)switch between the two main viewing screens.
Figure 2 500 DataMod Main Screen

Introduction
500-DM-UG v1.02 5
The Report Items and the Report Data screens will become populated after
some initial 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 data has been collected.
•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 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.
•Information and Progress Bar - This section provides feedback
regarding the current program status or the previous action carried out.
Report Data Screen
TheReport Data tab displays ascreenwith the tabulated data collectedfrom
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 measure (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 v1.02
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
File Load Custom
Save Custom
Exit
Open a previously saved DataMod custom text file.
Save DataMod custom text and item selection file.
Exit program.
Data Clear Data
Collect Data
Stop Collecting
Clear any custom text and any data previously collected.
Open the dialog box to start the data collection process.
Stop the data collection process.
Report Open Report
Load Template
Save CSV
Generate Report
Open a previously saved report in the Preview screen.
Load a custom report template created and supplied by
Contrec (contact your distributor for details).
Save collected data report to a CSV file.
Generate and open report in a Preview window with the
ability to print, save or export as PDF.
Web Page If internet connection is available, the Contrec website is
opened using the computer default browser.
Help User Guide
About
Openthe500DataMod User Guide (this document) in Adobe
PDF Reader.
Display the version details of the 500 DataMod program.
Table 1 500 DataMod Menu

Introduction
500-DM-UG v1.02 7
DataMod Toolbar
The 500 DataMod toolbar buttons (found on the right hand side) provide the
functions as described in Table 2.
Option Toolbar Button Description
Clear Data Clear any previous data that has been collected. Also clears
any custom text and any custom variable selections.
Collect Data Open the Data Collection Options dialog box to start the
data collection process.
Stop
Collecting Allow the data collection process to be stopped. The data collected prior to stopping the process is retained.
Load Custom After data has been collected, a previously saved custom
configuration can be loaded to apply preferred variable
selections and custom text.
Save Custom Customsettings that havebeenapplied to collecteddatacan
be saved for convenient re-use in the future.
Generate
Report After data has been collected (and any relevant custom settings have been applied), a report can be generated from
the Report Data. The report will be opened in a Preview
window with the ability to print, save or export as PDF.
Save CSV After data has been collected (and any relevant custom
settings have been applied), the Report Data can be saved
in CSV format for future use with other applications.
Exit Exit the 500 DataMod program.
Table 2 500 DataMod Toolbar Buttons

Introduction
8 500-DM-UG v1.02

Operation
500-DM-UG v1.02 9
Chapter 2
Operation
DataMod Operation
This section of the 500 DataMod Tool User Guide describes how data can
be collected from a 515 instrument with compatible application software.1
The 500 DataMod software is used to collect data from an instrument and
allows custom tags, custom header text and the selected variables to be
displayed as a table of Report Data. The prepared data can then be used to
generate a structured report that can be saved, printed or exported in PDF or
CSV format.
Figure 3 below shows a typical Report Items screen after data has been
collected and some custom header, tags and selections have been made.
Figure 3 Example 500 DataMod Report Items screen
The instructions and information provided below will describe how the
functions and features of the 500 DataMod program are used to collect and
present important field data as required.
____________________
1. The DataMod tool is compatible with 515 instruments with software versions
starting from 2.9.080. See your distributor for support.
500-DM-UG v1.02

Operation
10 500-DM-UG v1.02
Logging Types
The 500 DataMod program uses industry standard Modbus RTU
communications protocol to access the logged data held in the instruments.
The 515 instrument can be a Flow type application (with time based
logging) or a Batch/Load type application (with delivery or transactions
based logging).
Whenviewingtheloggeddataonthe515instrument(orretrievingviaserial
communication), it is important to understand how the logs are numbered,
i.e. log indexing/numbering always starts from the most recent log and
continues towards the older logs in chronological order, so once the new
logging occurs it becomes available as the Log Number 1 and so on.1
Time based logging
When an instrument uses time based logging, a log is taken at the rollover
of the time base (i.e. on the hour for hourly logs, etc.).
The most recent log of any particular time base is numbered as Log 001 with
older logs having increasing numbers. For example, a log that was stored 5
time bases ago (if hourly logs, 5 hours ago) will be numbered as Log 005,
etc.
Delivery based logging
When an instrument uses delivery or transaction based logging, a log of the
relevant batch or load information is taken at the end of a delivery.
The most recent delivery log is numbered as Log 00001 with older logs
having increasing numbers. For example, a log that was stored 5 deliveries
ago will be numbered as Log 00005, etc.
Aunique delivery number isalsoassigned to eachbatchor load and isstored
as part of the logged data. The delivery number increments with each batch
or load made and it is only reset when the instrument logs are cleared.
Typically the logs are collected starting from the most recent one (Starting
Number set to 1), but users can change the logs retrieval Starting Number
and Number of Logs to suit their needs. For example, if the most recent
delivery number is 000124, but the desired delivery numbers to be collected
are from 000101 to 000120 (20 records), then the Starting Number can be
set to 5 and the Number of Logs to 20 (refer to Figure 4).
____________________
1. Logged data includes snapshot of application’s relevant main menu variables together
with the time/date stamp. In addition, logs of Batch/Load applications also include unique
(sequentially incremented) delivery number.

Operation
500-DM-UG v1.02 11
Setup to Collect Data
The 500 DataMod program uses industry standard Modbus RTU protocol to
access the logged data held in the instruments. The 515 instrument can be a
Flow type application (with time based logging) or a Batch/Load type
application (with delivery or transactions based logging). Both types of
instruments hold their log data as records indexed with Log Numbers
starting from the most recent log, i.e. log number 1 is the most recent log.
Click on the button to open the Data Collection Options
dialog box as shown in Figure 4.
Figure 4 Data Collection Options dialog box
A number of options and selections are available to allow the data of interest
to be collected from the instrument. The functions of these selections are
described below.
•TimeBased Logging - When collecting data from a 515 Flow Computer
or Controller with time based logs, the type of time base of interest
should be selected.1
•Logs to Retrieve - Enter the log Starting Number and Number of Logs
to be collected. See Logging Types on page 10 for full description and
examples.
•Instrument Address - Enter the Modbus RTU address of the instrument
(range 1-247).
____________________
1. Time based selection is not applicable to 515 Batch or Load applications.
Time based
logging selection
Starting Log
More Modbus
settings
Number of Logs
to be collected
Instrument Modbus
address
number

Operation
12 500-DM-UG v1.02
•UseInstrument’sPrintoutSettings-This option canbe selected so that
the instrument’s printout settings are used to determine the items to be
included in the ReportData. Alternatively, there is the ability to select or
deselect the variables to be included in the Report Data by using the
check boxes in the Custom Text and Tag section of the Report Items
screen.
•Modbus Settings > More... - This button is used to gain access to
additional Modbus and computer serial port settings as shown below.
Modbus and Communication Settings
The Modbus Connection Settings window is used to provide full control
over the serial communication port and Modbus transaction management
settings. However, it is important to note that the DataMod program default
settings should suit most 515 applications.
Note, as most current computers do not have direct RS232 or RS485 ports,
USB converters are often used. It must be known what COM port is used by
the driver for the USB converter.
The available Serial Communication settings are shown in Figure 5.
Figure 5 Modbus Connection Settings - Serial Communications

Operation
500-DM-UG v1.02 13
The DataMod program’s Modbus transaction management default settings
should suit most 515 instrument applications. However, the settings can be
changed if required.
The available Modbus Transaction Management settings are shown in
Figure 6.
Figure 6 Modbus Connection Settings - Transaction Management
To return to the Data Collection Options dialog box, click OK to apply the
settings on return, or click Cancel to return without applying any changes.
Automatic Saving of DataMod Settings
Any changes to Modbus settings or Serial Communication settings are
automatically saved to be re-used the next time the DataMod program is
started. The DataMod program upon restart will also automatically re-use
any Custom Text and Tags file and any Custom Report Template that was
previously in-use. These features greatly simplify the start-up process and
access to data in instruments of a fixed system.
Start Data Collection
Click OK on the Data Collections Option dialog box to start the data
collection once the hardware connection is in place with the appropriate
matching communications setting on the instrument and computer.

Operation
14 500-DM-UG v1.02
Collecting Data
In the first stage of collecting data from the 515 instrument, the 500
DataMod program collects the instrument tags that include the variable
names and the units of measure. An example of this initial stage is shown in
Figure 7.
Figure 7 500 DataMod - Collecting Instrument Tags
In the second stage, after displaying a list of instrument variables, the
DataMod program collects the instrument data and displays the progress as
shown in Figure 8 (note that the Stop Collecting button becomes available).
Figure 8 500 DataMod - Collecting Instrument Data

Operation
500-DM-UG v1.02 15
Data Collection Finished
Once the number of requested logs have been collected, the progress bar
will indicate that collection has finished, the variables will be selected by
default and the majority of the toolbar buttons will become available, as
shown in Figure 9 (the example data has been collected from a Load
application).
Figure 9 Report Item - Finished Data Collection (Raw Data)
The raw data can be viewed in the Report Data screen as shown in Figure
10.
Figure 10 Report Data - Finished Data Collection (Raw Data)

Operation
16 500-DM-UG v1.02
Custom Text and Tags
Set Custom Text and Tags
Custom text can be entered into the Custom Header Lines and the Custom
Tags as shown in Figure 9. Instrument items that are not required in the
report data can be deselected using the tick boxes in the ‘Use’ column.
Figure 11 Report Item - Set Custom Text and Tags
The collected data can be viewed in the Report Data screen with the custom
tags and selections applied as shown in Figure 12. The horizontal and
vertical scroll bars can be used to view all data.
Figure 12 Report Data - View Custom Data