Cybertronix Sentinel TS-EFI-10 User manual
Sentinel™ TS-EFI-10 User’s Manual
Version 3.0 Page 2 of 9
CONTENTS
1. OVERVIEW........................................................................................................................................3
1.1 INTRODUCTION..........................................................................................................................3
1.2 FEATURES ...................................................................................................................................4
2. OPERATION ......................................................................................................................................5
2.1 CHARGING..................................................................................................................................5
2.2 CURRENT INJECTION ..................................................................................................................5
2.3 EFI TEST FAILURE CONSIDERATIONS..........................................................................................6
3. MAINTENANCE.................................................................................................................................7
3.1 BATTERY .....................................................................................................................................7
3.2 INJECTION CABLE PLUG AND SOCKET........................................................................................7
4. SPECIFICATIONS ...............................................................................................................................8
5. SAFETY..............................................................................................................................................9
6. WARRANTY.......................................................................................................................................9
Sentinel™ TS-EFI-10 User’s Manual
Version 3.0 Page 3 of 9
1. OVERVIEW
1.1 INTRODUCTION
The Sentinel™ TS-EFI-10 is a battery powered primary injection test set used for testing the trip
function of earth fault indicators. It is extremely light-weight, self-contained and portable. The
device is contained within a robust black ABS enclosure and ships with test leads and an external
battery charger.
FIGURE 1: SENTINEL™ TS-EFI-10
CONTROL UNIT
INJECTION LEADS
BATTERY
CHARGER
Sentinel™ TS-EFI-10 User’s Manual
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1.2 FEATURES
•10A nominal injection current using single turn
•200ms injection timer
•Inherently overload proof
•Safe output voltage (<12V) under all conditions
•Battery powered using internal rechargeable SLA battery
•Battery reverse polarity protection
•Extremely lightweight (<1kg)
•Extremely compact (single handed operation)
•Current output indication via LED and audio buzzer
•Open-circuit and low battery alarm indication via LED and audio buzzer
•Wall charger included
•Convenient carry bag included
•Rugged and reliable solid state electronics
•ISO9001 based quality assurance
•Electromagnetic compatibility
Sentinel™ TS-EFI-10 User’s Manual
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2. OPERATION
2.1 CHARGING
Plug the external battery charger cable jack into the charging socket located on the side of the Test
Set. Allow up to several hours for the internal battery of the Tester to be charged. The charger will
usually have a red LED to indicate charging and a green LED to indicate when unit is fully charged. A
fully charged Tester will usually be able to test at least 100 EFI’s before requiring to be recharged.
2.2 CURRENT INJECTION
This Tester has been designed to test the basic trip functionality of EFI's. It has not been designed
to inject highly accurate current waveforms. The Tester current output consists of a square wave
with a nominal RMS current of 10A. The actual RMS current has been designed to be about 20%
higher to allow for EFI accuracy tolerances and injection cable contact resistance tolerances. The
output waveform is a square wave with a duration of 10 cycles (200ms at 50Hz).
The Tester output injection lead consists of a flexible cable. When testing an EFI, the cable is passed
around the core of the EFI current transformer several times and then plugged into the socket on
the Tester. The nominal injection current seen by the EFI is equal to the number of injection lead
turns around the current transformer multiplied by the nominal injection current. So for example,
an injection current of 50A can be generated by passing the injection lead 5 times around the EFI
current transformer (50A=5x10A).
Initiation of a test current is performed by depressing the “INJECT” pushbutton for at least half a
second. The output current injection is accompanied by illumination of the green LED labeled
“CURRENT OUTPUT””, as well as by a warble tone emitted from the audio buzzer. The red alarm LED
labeled “OPEN CIRCUIT” illuminates during the current injection if the output current lead is not
firmly fastened closed or if the contact resistance between the plug and socket is too high. The red
alarm LED labeled “LOW BATTERY” illuminates during the current injection if the internal SLA battery
needs to be recharged. Both alarms are also accompanied several warning beeps from the audio
buzzer. If the red alarm LED's do come on they will extinguish after a successful current injection or
after about 2s of inactivity.
The Tester output voltage is completely harmless being equal to or less than 12 volts under all
conditions. The Tester design inherently prevents any shock potential from developing across its
output under any electronic or mechanical failure mode. However the user should be aware that
during live conditions on site the equipment under test is connected to the electricity grid and has
the potential to have extremely hazardous and lethal high voltages. The user should take the
necessary safety precautions as discussed later in this document under the section titled “SAFETY”.
Sentinel™ TS-EFI-10 User’s Manual
Version 3.0 Page 6 of 9
2.3 EFI TEST FAILURE CONSIDERATIONS
There is obviously effort and cost involved in replacing a faulty EFI. So if an EFI is found to “fail”
under test, it is worth double checking the integrity of the test.
The first thing to do is to check whether the EFI can be tripped via its own test/reset facility (e.g.
pushbutton or magnetic reed switch). This will at least prove some of the EFI functionality and also
show if it has an adequate power supply (there may have been a mains power failure or the EFI may
have a flat battery.)
The next thing to do is to repeat the injection of test current ensuring that the test equipment is
generating adequate test current. During each test make sure that after depression of the “INJECT”
for at least half a second, the Tester control unit sounds a warble tone via the audio buzzer, showing
a flash of green light on the LED indicator labeled “OUTPUT CURRENT”, while both the “LOW
BATTERY” and “OPEN CIRCUIT” red LED indicators remain off.
If the EFI still appears not to trip, it is worth doing a few preliminary checks on the EFI installation.
Is the EFI current sensor connected to the control unit? It may not have been installed or
commissioned properly.
Finally before writing the EFI off, it is worth double checking the Tester on another EFI to prove the
integrity of the test equipment and to prove the integrity of the testing procedure.
Sentinel™ TS-EFI-10 User’s Manual
Version 3.0 Page 7 of 9
3. MAINTENANCE
3.1 BATTERY
The Tester is powered by a maintenance-free, rechargeable sealed lead-acid battery. At the end of
its lifetime the battery is easily replaced by opening the Tester cover and removing the battery lead
plug from the socket on the printed circuit board. A replacement battery of the exactly the same
dimensions and electrical specifications should be used (See section titled “SPECIFICATIONS”). The
battery has reached the end of its lifetime when it has to be recharged noticeable more often or is
failing altogether to inject sufficient test current.
3.2 INJECTION CABLE PLUG AND SOCKET
For the Tester to inject its rated current it is critical that the injection cable has a very low resistance.
This resistance is mainly determined by the contact resistance between the brass plug and socket.
This contact resistance is a function of the force between the plug and socket (the tightness) and
the resistance of the two surfaces. If the plug and socket connection begins to feel loose, the
tightness can be restored by using a screwdriver to gently prise open the fingers of the plug a
fraction. To maintain low resistance between the two surfaces, they should be kept clean. A very
light sanding with water paper can easily restore the surfaces if there has been any oxidizing or
blemishing. It is wise to protect the surfaces by keeping the plug and socket tightly closed when not
in use.
Sentinel™ TS-EFI-10 User’s Manual
Version 3.0 Page 8 of 9
4. SPECIFICATIONS
Output Current: 10A RMS nominal (typical safety factor of +20%)
Output Frequency: 50Hz ± 10%
Output Duration: 10 cycles (200ms at 50Hz) ± 10%
Output Voltage: <12V Peak
Waveform Type: Square wave
Alarms: Open-circuit and low battery via LED and audio buzzer
Maximum EFI CT core diameter: 100mm
Injection Lead: 5m
Inject Button: Press and hold for at least 0.5s to initiate test current
Battery: 12V, 0.8AH, rechargeable SLA, 97mm x 50mm x 24mm
Battery stock code: AS0.8-12-X-5556-TL
Recharge Interval: 100 tests (typical minimum)
Control Unit Dimensions: 130 × 70mm × 45mm
Mass: <1kg
Sentinel™ TS-EFI-10 User’s Manual
Version 3.0 Page 9 of 9
5. SAFETY
To avoid electric shock read the following carefully:
• Ensure that the TS-EFI-10 is only used by qualified personnel practicing applicable safety
precautions.
• Use caution during the installation and use of this product; high voltages and currents may be
present in the circuit.
• Wear protective clothing and gloves as required.
• Always inspect the tester for damage before using the product.
• Do not use the product if damaged.
6. WARRANTY
The Sentinel™ TS-EFI-10 electronic hardware and software is copyrighted by Cybertronix.
This product is warranted to be free from defects in material and workmanship for a period of
twelve months (12) from the date of shipment. Correction shall be in the form of repair or
replacement of the defective items or components, freight paid by the customer both ways. Such
correction shall constitute a fulfillment of all Cybertronix cc liabilities in respect to said items and
components. In no event shall Cybertronix be liable for consequential damage.
No other warranties:
To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, Cybertronix cc disclaims all other warranties,
either express or implied, including but not limited to implied warranties of merchantability and
fitness for a particular purpose, with respect to the Sentinel product and accompanying product
manual. Cybertronix cc makes no representation or warranty that the product is 'error free', or
meets any user's particular standards, requirements or needs.
Disclaimer:
To the maximum extent permitted by the applicable law, in no event shall Cybertronix cc be liable
to the user for any special, indirect, consequential or similar damages, including any lost profits or
lost data arising out of the use or inability to use the product or documentation or any other data
supplied therewith even if the seller or anyone else has been advised of the possibility of such
damages, or for any claim by any other party. In the event of the above limitation not applying to
the user, then in no case shall the Cybertronix cc liability exceed the original purchase price of the
product.
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