Geotech 19656 User manual

PVT READING KIT FOR PC Manual 2015-02-25
USERS MANUAL
PVT READING KIT FOR PC
with
GEOTECH PVTLog
for programming of and data collection from
GEOTECH PVT PIEZOMETERS
Ingenjörsfirman Geotech AB
Datavägen 53
SE-436 32 ASKIM (Göteborg)
Sweden
Ph: +46 - 31 28 99 20
Fax:[phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
www.geotech.eu
Published date: 2015-02-25

PVT READING KIT FOR PC Manual 2015-02-25
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PVT READING KIT FOR PC Manual 2015-02-25
Table of Contents
1 General Information 1
Foreword.................................................................................................................11.1 Safety......................................................................................................................11.2
2 Product Information 2
General Description ................................................................................................22.1 Interface ..................................................................................................................22.2 PVTLog read-out and programming software.........................................................22.3 Additional product information ................................................................................22.4 Intended use ...........................................................................................................22.5 System components overview................................................................................32.6
3 Read-out kit for PC 5
Installation...............................................................................................................53.1 Main page ...............................................................................................................53.2 Piezometer reading.................................................................................................53.3 File management ..................................................................................................103.4
4 Trouble Shooting and Support 12
Trouble Shooting...................................................................................................124.1
DOCUMENT HISTORY
Date Comment Sign
2014 Revised content, software version 2.11.
2015-02-25 Change of design and content. mcn

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General Information
1 General Information
Foreword1.1
This manual contains important information for the proper use of the PVT READING KIT FOR PC and the
PVTLog software for GEOTECH PVT piezometers. The content of this document reflects functionality as
implemented in software version 2.11. Please feel free to report bugs and suggest improvements (contact
information can be found in the end of the manual).
Read the manual carefully before you start operating the system. Also read the maintenance instructions
before performing any maintenance work. The warranty from Ingenjörsfirman Geotech AB is valid only if
the instructions in this manual are followed.
Always keep the manual by the equipment and replace it immediately if it should become wholly or par-
tially unusable. A new copy can always be ordered from Ingenjörsfirman Geotech AB.
Content1.1.1
The information in this publication is on the basis of information that was available at the time that the
publication was written.
The information can change at any time. Ingenjörsfirman Geotech AB reserves the right to change or
update the content of the manual without prior notice.
Safety1.2
The operator must be alert to potential hazards. The operator should also have the necessary training,
skills and tools to perform these functions properly.
The important safety messages in this manual are presented as follows:
Indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, will result in death or serious injury.
Indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in death or serious injury.
Indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in minor or moderate injury.
This warning identifies important messages in this manual, e.g. information on risk for costly
damage. Carefully read the message and inform your colleagues.

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2 Product Information
General Description2.1
The PVT READING KIT FOR PC is intended for use together with GEOTECH PVT piezometers and
transducers. It comprises interface and software for reading real time values from your standard Windows
laptop computer. When used together with piezometers equipped with logging memory, you can program
logging intervals and collect log files. Data is stored on a format facilitating further processing in MS Ex-
cel.
Fig. 1 – Install the PVTLog software on your own computer and connect it to the piezometer via
the USB/crocodile clip interface.
The delivery comprises software, interface and user manual. Standard Windows computer is to be
sourced locally by the customer.
Interface2.2
Connect the interface to a USB outlet of your computer and use the two crocodile clips for connection to
the piezometer.
PVTLog read-out and programming software2.3
The software is intended for reading real time values from your standard Windows laptop computer.
When used together with piezometers equipped with logging memory, you can program logging intervals
and collect log files. Data is stored on a format facilitating further processing in MS Excel.
Right to use on one computer, licensed by owner of all rights Ingenjörsfirman Geotech AB. Medium for
software delivery may change without notice.
Additional product information2.4
Please refer to separate document for description of additional equipment.
Intended use2.5
The system is designed for geotechnical and hydrological monitoring, and may only be used for this pur-
pose. All other use is prohibited.

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Product Information
System components overview2.6
Item No.
Item
Illustration
Description
Interface and software for
Laptop computer
19656 Reading kit El. Piezom. for
PC Reading and programming kit for standard windows
computer comprising:
PVTLog software and
USB/crocodile clamp inter-
face. Computer not includ-
ed.
Included
in 19656
above
PVTLog PVTLog read-out and pro-
gramming software. Right
to use on one computer,
licensed by owner of all
rights Ingenjörsfirman Ge-
otech AB.
Medium for software deliv-
ery may change without
notice.
Included
in 19656
above
PVT Interface USB USB/crocodile clip inter-
face.
Compatible equipment
10591 Piezometer with memory.
25 m wire. Logging direct push pie- zometer with memory.
Range 40 mH2O (approx.
400kPa).
10590 Piezometer without memory.
25 m wire. Direct push piezometer without memory. Range 40
mH2O (approx. 400kPa).
On
request Piezometers with special characteristics. Direct push piezometer with special characteristics
available on request. E.g.
different range, cable type
or cable length.
Please check compatibility
if in doubt.
10592 Logging air pressure meter Logging air pressure meter
for capture of barometric
reference file.

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Item No.
Item
Illustration
Description
20500 Electronic transducer Portable electronic pres-
sure transducer with needle
for filter tip 12912, 24560
and similar.
Can also be used without
the needle for water level
measurements in open
standpipe.
12912 Filter tip, Stainless steel. Filter tip – closed type with
membrane. Stainless steel.
24560 Filter tip, plastic Filter tip – closed type with
membrane. Plastic.
On re-
quest Geotech depth registration system Geotech depth registration system. Normally pre-
installed on Geotech’s site
investigation rigs. Different
versions exist – also for
installation on other rig
types.
The GEOTECH PVT product family is being continuously developed and improved. We therefore reserve
the right to changes of the information above.

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Read-out kit for PC
3 Read-out kit for PC
Installation3.1 Hardware installation3.1.1
Connect the interface to a USB outlet of your computer and use the two crocodile clips for connection to
the piezometer.
Installing PVTLog3.1.2
The computer will require a connection to the Internet during installation of the PVTLog software.
Copy the content of the software medium to the computer.
Connect the interface to a USB port on the PC.
Driver installation will start automatically. Wait until the message "New hardware is ready to use"
is showed in the computers lower right corner.
Run “PVTLogSetup.exe” and follow the prompts.
If Microsoft .NET Framework 4.0 or later is not installed on your computer, it will also be installed.
PVTLog is now ready for use.
Main page3.2
When PVTLog starts for the first time some basic settings are made, so therefore it will take a little longer
to start. If PVT interface is connected, the text "PVT INTERFACE CONNECTED" will be shown in the
lower left corner of the program window.
Fig. 2: PVTLog Main page. If you connect a piezometer, identity and current values will be shown.
Piezometer reading3.3 Read current pressure3.3.1
Connect the piezometer. Enter the current air pressure if you want the correct compensated pressure to
be shown. Note that the air pressure unit is in hPa and the piezometer read out pressure is in mH2O.
If the piezometer carries any setup information, it will automatically be loaded and displayed. Please ob-
serve that the installation information is only stored locally on your computer in the directory

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C:\PVTData\Headers\. Changes to the installation information are done by typing directly into the fields.
All changes to the fields are automatically saved.
Read Memory3.3.2
Fig. 3: Read Memory
The GEOTECH PVT PIEZOMETER is available with logging function. To read the logged values, select
"Read Memory". Note that a piezometer with logging memory must be connected in order to select the
"Read Memory" tab.
You may now choose to synchronize with an air pressure file:
If you have an air pressure file and want the software to compensate the log file with the air pres-
sure closest in time to each piezometer reading, answer “Yes” and select air pressure file.
If you do not have an air pressure file or do not want to synchronize right now, you just answer
“No”.
If you intend to read an air pressure file you answer “No”.
A file name is automatically generated on the format pvt_Serialnumber_Date_Time.pvx. Select “Browse"
to change filename or directory
Load the logged values by clicking "Get PVT Values”.
When the file is loaded, you open the created file in the “PVT Data” window by clicking “Show File”.

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Read-out kit for PC
PVT Data3.3.3
Fig. 4: View log file in the PVT Data window. Press “Open in Excel” to view compensated values in
Excel. This functionality requires “Microsoft Excel” to be installed on your computer.
Open the “PVT Data” window by selecting “Show File” under the “Read Memory” tab. The file displayed is
in "spreadsheet format" with formulas.
Press "“Open in Excel” to see the results of the calculations values in Excel. This functionality requires
“Microsoft Excel” to be installed on your computer.
PVT Settings3.3.4
Fig. 5: PVT Settings
Under the tab "PVT Settings" you can see and change the settings of a connected piezometer with
memory.
Select "Read Settings" to see the Piezometer’s current settings.
Press "Set PC time to PVT" to copy time from the computer’s clock to the Piezometer.

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Press "Set PC date to PVT" to copy date from the computer to the Piezometer.
To set the logging interval there are two boxes. In the box labeled "H", you set the logging interval in
hours and in the box marked "M", you set the logging interval in minutes. To set the logging interval to the
Piezometer you then press "Set Logging Interval".
Start and stop logging by select “Start Logging” or “Stop Logging”.
Select "Erase PVT Memory" to permanently delete all recorded values in the piezometer memory.
Record3.3.5
Fig. 6: Record
Under the tab "Record" you get the current compensated pore pressure presented as a graph against
time. Start recording by pressing "Start" and stop by pressing "Stop". When you press "Stop" you will be
asked if you want to save the graph. The graph is saved as an image in the directory "C:\PVTData\Grafs\"
if no changes are made.

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Read-out kit for PC
Pushing3.3.6
Fig. 7: Pushing
Under the tab "Pushing" you get the current compensated pore pressure presented as a graph against
depth. This function requires real time data from Geotech depth registration system.
Initiate a new recording by pressing the "New" button.
Start recording by pressing the "Start" button.
Press the "Pause" button if you want to pause.
To resume, press "Start" again.
Press "Done" to finish the recording,
Select “Yes” to save the graph. The graph is saved as an image in the "C:\PVTData\Grafs \" di-
rectory if no changes are made.
You will now be asked if you want to transfer information. If you answer “Yes”, installation depth and in-
stallation date are added to the installation information.

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File management3.4 File management – general3.4.1
File management in PVTLog is used for converting the different file formats that the Geotech readout
units use to a format compatible with Excel. It is also possible to merge a readout file and air pressure file.
Fig. 8: Open the file management window from the Main Window
Open the file management window by pressing the “File Management”-button in the main window.
Create file3.4.2
Press “Pick PVT/PVX-file” and choose file to convert.
If there is an air pressures file that you want to use for compensation, select “Pick Air pressure-file” and
choose file. Leave the box empty if you do not want to compensate for air pressure. Press “Clear” to clear
the field.
Pressing “File name” and chose name of the file to be created. If the box should turn red, this indicates
that the file name is already in use.
Chose “Comma” or “Dot” (point) as decimal separator.
Create the file by pressing “Create file”. If there is a header file for the piezometer in c:\PVTData\Headers\
this information will also be added to the file. The created file will be on the tab separated PVX format
(suffix “.pvx”).

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Read-out kit for PC
Excel3.4.3
For full functionality as described below you need to have Microsoft Excel 2010 or later installed on your
computer.
Press “Pick PVX File” to select file and press “Open in Excel” to open the file in Microsoft Excel.
Fig. 9: Open the file in Microsoft Excel.
In the Excel window that is opened you may press the “Draw Graph”-button to show the values graphical-
ly.
Fig. 10: Click “Draw Graph” to draw a diagram in Microsoft Excel.

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4 Trouble Shooting and Support
For support please contact:
Ingenjörsfirman Geotech AB
Datavägen 53
SE- 436 32 Askim
SWEDEN
[email protected]
[phone]
We welcome reports on bugs and suggestions for improvement. Please feel free to illustrate your issue
with a screen shot or similar.
Trouble Shooting4.1
The trouble shooting table below is not complete, nor subject to any quality assurance, and thus pub-
lished as indication only. Please feel free to revert with additional questions and suggestions.
Issue:
Finding p
ossible cause
s
:
Action
s
:

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Trouble Shooting and Support

PVT READING KIT FOR PC Manual 2015-02-25
2015 Ingenjörsfirman Geotech AB
Datavägen 53 • 436 32 Askim • SWEDEN
Phone [phone] • Fax [phone]
www.geotech.eu • [email protected]e