Hampshire Controls MPS User manual

MULTI-PROBE ALARM SYSTEM
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
HAMPSHIRE CONTROLS CORPORATION
PO Box 516, Dover NH 03821
Tel [phone]
Toll-free [phone]
Fax [phone]
www.hampshirecontrols.com

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Limited Warranty
Hampshire Controls Corporation warrants each manufactured item against defects in material
and workmanship, when used as recommended, for a period of one year from original purchase.
Products believed to have such defects must be returned to the factory by prepaid transportation.
Hampshire Controls’ obligation under this warranty is limited to the repair or replacement, at its
option, of those items which upon examination prove to be defective. Such repair or replacement
will be made without charge.
This warranty will be void if repairs or alterations are made or attempted without factory
authorization; or if the item has been subject to misuse, negligence or accident.
Hampshire Controls Corporation assumes no liability for consequential damages of any kind.
The purchaser, by acceptance of the product, assumes all liability of the consequence of its use or
misuse.
Hampshire Controls Corporation makes no other warranty, whether expressed or implied, in
connection with the sale or use of its products.

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Table of Contents
Limited Warranty............................................................................................................................ 1
Table of Contents............................................................................................................................ 2
Multi-Probe Alarm System Components........................................................................................ 3
Sensor Probe ................................................................................................................................... 5
Probe Installation......................................................................................................................... 5
Probe Location ............................................................................................................................ 6
Power .............................................................................................................................................. 6
Power-up ..................................................................................................................................... 6
Power-down ................................................................................................................................ 6
Sensor Readings Display ................................................................................................................ 7
Current Readings......................................................................................................................... 7
Alarm Limits and Min/Max Readings ........................................................................................ 8
System Configuration ..................................................................................................................... 8
Setting Alarm Limits................................................................................................................... 8
Setting Alarm Delays.................................................................................................................. 9
Door Switch Alarm (Optional).................................................................................................... 9
Configuration Parameter Descriptions...................................................................................... 10
Configuration Parameter Flowchart.......................................................................................... 13
Alarms........................................................................................................................................... 14
Power Loss................................................................................................................................ 14
Sensor Limits............................................................................................................................. 14
Door Switch Alarm ................................................................................................................... 14
Alarm Relay Testing ................................................................................................................. 15
MPS Email Notification Feature................................................................................................... 15
Email Server Requirements....................................................................................................... 15
Email Notification Configuration.............................................................................................. 16
Testing Email Transmission...................................................................................................... 18

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Multi-Probe Alarm System Components

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The Multi-Probe Alarm System consists of the following:
FRONT
1. Backlit 128x64 pixel graphic LCD
2. High-brightness alarm status LED
3. Three-color (green/amber/red) channel status LEDs
4. Audible alarm indicator, 3600Hz piezo beeper
5. TEST/RESET button
6. STEP button
7. Decrement button (and alarm limit display)
8. Increment button (and min/max display)
9. MUTE/MENU button
BACK
10. Four 3-pin pluggable terminal blocks (probe channels 1 to 4)
11. Four 3-pin pluggable terminal blocks
a. Probe channels 5 to 8 (MPS-8)
b. NO/NC (Form-C) relay connections (MPS-2/3/4 with more than one relay)
12. Four 3-pin pluggable terminal blocks (MPS-2/3/4 with voltage or current output)
13. One 2-pin pluggable terminal block
a. Switch input (MPS-2/3/4 with more than one relay)
b. Selectable NO or NC relay contact (MPS-2/3/4/8 with single relay)
NOTE: This is currently a factory selectable option! You must specify NO/NC
when ordering.
BOTTOM
14. Amber network activity LED (flashes when transmitting/receiving data)
15. Green network link LED (solid green when network connection is established)
16. Power cord entry (grommet)
17. RJ-45 10/100 base-T Ethernet connector

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Sensor Probe
The probes supplied with your system may vary depending on custom options. Commonly used
probes are:
Pt100 (100 ohm platinum) RTD
Type-T thermocouple
Type-K thermocouple
HX-71 relative humidity transmitter (voltage output)
Heated cryogenic Pt100 RTD (for LN2 level sensing)
Switch (mechanical or magnetic reed)
The most common probe option is the Pt100 RTD, a highly accurate resistive temperature
device. The sensor element is enclosed in a 4 inch long and 3/16 inch diameter stainless steel
sheath. The standard lead length is 10 feet of FEP jacketed 3-conductor wire. Custom lead
lengths may be specified when ordering. The probe sheath may be placed in water or other mild
aqueous solutions from -100°C to 100°C.
The probes will be pre-wired to terminal-block plugs which mate with the pluggable terminal-
block sockets on the back of the MPS. Each connection will be marked with identifying
information about the probe or relay connection and any other pertinent electrical information.
Please take care when making connections, as the terminal-block sockets are all physically
identical but may be VERY different electrically. For instance, with an MPS-2HT (humidity and
temperature) the MPS supplies 15VDC to the humidity transmitter. If you were to plug the
Pt100 RTD probe into the socket for the humidity transmitter you may permanently damage the
RTD element or the MPS electronics due to Electrical Over-Stress (EOS).
NOTE: Avoid submerging the probe in solvents or harsh chemicals. Use protective thermowells
when monitoring such materials.
NOTE: The warranty does NOT cover damage to probes or electronics that is caused by
exceeding temperature limitations, or damage to probes caused by using them in solvents or
other unsuitable environments.
NOTE: If the displayed temperature shows a consistent high (> 100°C) or low (< -100°C)
value, most likely, the probe has failed. The unit should be returned for probe replacement and
recalibration.
Probe Installation
The probe may be used in air, water, or simulated product (usu. glycol or glass beads).
If installing the sensor in a cabinet or enclosure (particularly freezers), make sure to use good
techniques to prevent room moisture from getting into the cabinet. Whenever possible, install the
probe through an existing access port provided by the cabinet manufacturer, then reseal the port.
Alternatively, the probe can be run under, over, or through the door-sealing gasket. Often a door
gasket will have a joint at one or more corners. Open that joint slightly by carefully making a slit
with a razor blade. Insert the probe wire and then reseal the joint with flexible silicone sealing
compound. Inside the cabinet, run the probe wire so that it will not become snagged during
loading, unloading or cleaning procedures.

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Probe Location
Install the sensor probe in a location where it will respond to the average temperature of the
space being monitored and not to local conditions caused by door openings, ventilation fans, etc.
The object of the probe location is to provide some safety for the area being monitored without
generating “false” or nuisance alarms. For example, locating the sensor probe on the bottom of a
chest freezer will result in the alarm being sounded later than if it was located near the top.
However, locating the sensor too close to the top of the chest freezer could result in the alarm
being sounded due to routine lid opening. Choose a probe location that offers the safety desired
for the enclosure contents.
Power
Power-up
During power-up, the MPS will show a
“splash” screen with the firmware revision.
If the splash screen flashes continuously, or the
display shows NO BATTERY the internal
lithium-polymer (LiPo) battery may be
disconnected or require replacement.
When a battery is properly installed, a status
icon will show in the bottom right corner of the
display (see Current Readings).
BATTERY ICON
STATUS
Up Arrow
Charging
Solid block
Fully charged
Flashing block or
block with blank lines
Battery problem
Power-down
The MPS contains a lithium polymer (LiPo) battery connected through an auto-latching
disconnect circuit. During shipping, this circuit prevents the battery from supplying power to the
MPS. When you plug in the MPS power supply for the first the time, the circuit will activate,
preventing the device from turning off when power is disconnected.
In order to completely power-down the MPS you must follow this procedure:
Press-and-hold the TEST/RESET button until the MPS is in the reset state (backlight and
all LEDs are off)
With the TEST/RESET button held, unplug the power supply
Continue to hold the TEST/RESET button for 5 seconds
Release the TEST/RESET button

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If the MPS turns back on (in a PowerFail state) you will need to repeat the procedure by
first plugging in the power supply. Then, be sure to HOLD DOWN the TEST/RESET button
during the entire procedure. You may also increase the time you keep the button held down
after unplugging the power supply. This allows any capacitors in the power supply to
completely drain their charge. If they are not fully drained there may be enough power
remaining to enable the battery latch circuit when you release the TEST/RESET button.
Sensor Readings Display
Current Readings
During normal operation the display will shows the current sensor readings of 2, 3 or 4 probes.
On an MPS with 5 or more probes, the display will automatically alternate between displaying
probes 1-4 and 5-8 (force the display to change by tapping the STEP button).
Example sensor reading displays are shown below.

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Alarm Limits and Min/Max Readings
To view the low and high alarm limits tap the DOWN ARROW. To view the minimum and
maximum readings (since last power-up or reset) tap the UP ARROW.
To manually reset the Min/Max readings, while the Min/Max readings are shown on the display,
tap the TEST/RESET button. You will be asked to repeat TEST/RESET to confirm.
System Configuration
Setting Alarm Limits
To configure the system’s alarm parameters
press the MUTE/MENU button while the
display is showing the probe readings. The
display will show the first parameter 1 Low.
Use the STEP button to go to the next
parameter, or the TEST/RESET button to go to
the previous parameter.
To change the currently displayed parameter,
use the UP and DOWN arrow buttons. The value is given in the units configured for the probe
being edited (i.e. °F, °C, %RH).
While in the Edit Limits menu, the STEP button will advance through Low and High
limits for each probe.
Continue to the Edit Times menu by pressing the MUTE/MENU button once, or return to
the sensor readings by pressing the MUTE/MENU button twice.

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Setting Alarm Delays
To configure alarm delays and other system
timings, press the MUTE/MENU button twice
while the system is showing the probe readings,
or once if you are already in the Edit
Limits menu.
Use the STEP button to go to the next
parameter, or the TEST/RESET button to go to
the previous parameter.
To change the currently displayed parameter, use the UP and DOWN arrow buttons. All delays
are given in minutes.
While in the Edit Times menu, the STEP button will advance through an AlarmDelay
for each enabled probe, then a RelayDelay and finally a Mute time.
Return to the probe readings by pressing the MUTE/MENU button once.
Door Switch Alarm (Optional)
A single dry-contact switch input is available as an option on certain Multi-Probe Alarm
Systems. Additionally, some units have the capability to have their probe inputs configured as
switch inputs. Either of these options must be specified during ordering, it is not available on all
units, and is not user configurable.
Typically the door switch input is used in conjunction with a magnetic reed switch mounted to a
refrigerator or freezer door. If the door is left open for longer than the Edit Times
parameter DoorAlrmDly, an alarm condition is generated. The switch input can be used
with either normally open (NO) or normally closed (NC) contacts.
The user should set the Setup parameter DoorAlarm to activate this feature. To view the
current status of the Door Input, tap the STEP button.
For units that have multiple probe inputs configured as dry-contact switch inputs, the normal
probe configuration parameters are used to configure the alarms and delays.

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Configuration Parameter Descriptions
Edit Limits Menu
1 Low, 2 Low, …, 8 Low
Low alarm limit for probes 1 to 8. The maximum number shown will depend on the
system configuration and the value defined by the # Channels parameter. The low
limit parameter is defined in the same units as shown in the sensor readings for each
probe.
1 High, 2 High, …, 8 High
High alarm limit for probes 1 to 8. The maximum number shown will depend on the
system configuration and the value defined by the # Channels parameter. The high
limit parameter is defined in the same units as shown in the sensor readings for each
probe.
Edit Times Menu
1AlarmDelay, 2AlarmDelay, …, 8AlarmDelay
Alarm delay (in minutes) for probes 1 to 8. The maximum number shown will depend on
the system configuration and the value defined by the # Channels parameter. This
value defines the delay between the time the probe reading exceeds the alarm limits and
the time the alarm is activated. The range is 0to 30, with a default of 0.
DoorAlmDelay
For units equipped with a single dry-contact input, this parameter specifies the alarm
delay (in minutes) for that function. The range is 0to 30, with a default of 10.This
parameter will not show up unless the DoorAlarm parameter is enabled.
RelayDelay or 1RelayDelay, 2RelayDelay, …, 4RelayDelay
Relay delay (in minutes) for a single relay or relays 1 to 4. The maximum number shown
will depend on the system configuration and the values defined by the # Channels
and Relay Def parameters. This value defines the delay between the time the alarm
is activated and the time the relay changes state. Therefore, the time from the probe
reading exceeding the limits to the time the relay changes state is equal to the sum of the
AlarmDelay and the RelayDelay for each probe. The range is 0to 120, with
a default of 0.
Mute
This parameter configures the alarm mute time (in minutes). When the MUTE/MENU
button is pressed during an alarm condition, the beeper will be silenced (periodic chirp
only) until either the alarm condition goes away, or the mute time elapses. The range is
0to 120, with a default of 15.

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Edit*SETUP* Menu
1 Offset, 2 Offset, …, 8 Offset
Offset calibration value for probes 1 to 8. The maximum number shown will depend on
the system configuration and the value defined by the # Channels parameter. This
value defines an offset that is added to the sensor reading prior to display of the reading.
# Channels [FACTORY CONFIGURED]
This parameter configures the number of probes actually present on the device. Probes
must be populated in order, starting from channel 1. If a probe is missing from an active
channel, that channel will be in a persistent alarm state. The range is 1to 4(or 1to 8),
with a default defined by the model ordered (MPS-2, MPS-3, MPS-4, or MPS-8).
1 Define, 2 Define, …, 8 Define [FACTORY CONFIGURED]
Channel definition for probes 1 to 8. The maximum number shown will depend on the
system configuration and the value defined by the # Channels parameter. This
value defines the units and/or type of probe that is present on the specified channel.
0= Tenth degree Celsius ( 0.0ßC )
1= Whole degree Celsius ( 0ßC )
2= Tenth degree Fahrenheit ( 0.0ßF )
3= Whole degree Fahrenheit ( 0ßF )
4= Percent relative humidity ( %RH )
Relay Def
This parameter configures the relay operation.
0= Single relay (default)
1= One relay per channel (up to 4)
DoorAlarm
This parameter configures the optional dry-contact input (aka. door switch input).
-1 = Normally open (NO) contacts, or “alarm on closed circuit”
0= Disabled (default)
1= Normally closed (NC) contacts, or “alarm on open circuit”
Unit ID
NOTE: This parameter is for the future use described below, but is not currently implemented.
This is a numeric value that can be used as a unique identifier if you have more than one
MPS on site. The range is 1to 999, with a default of 1.
IP1, IP2, IP3, and IP4
The IP parameters define the four octets of the static IP address for the MPS. The default
values are 192, 168, 0, and 141 respectively.

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NetworkCode
This numeric value is used as the password for the “setupadmin” account, when logging
into the configuration web page (http://192.168.0.141/setup.html).
The range is -30000 to 30000, with a default of -22718 (please note the minus
sign).
Netmask1, Netmask2, Netmask3, and Netmask4
These parameters define the four octets of the subnet mask for the MPS. The default
values are 255, 255, 255, and 0respectively. They are only available as parameters
on MPS units configured to work with our ALERT Monitoring System. For other units,
this value is specified in the configured web page (http://192.168.0.141/setup.html).
Gateway1, Gateway2, Gateway3, and Gateway4
These parameters define the four octets of the network gateway. The default values are
192, 168, 0, and 1respectively. They are only available as parameters on MPS units
configured to work with our ALERT Monitoring System. For other units, this value is
specified in the configured web page (http://192.168.0.141/setup.html).

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Configuration Parameter Flowchart

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Alarms
Power Loss
When the MPS loses line-power it will continue to operate on the internal LiPo battery.
However, the following changes in operation will occur:
Display and backlight will turn off to save power (press any button to enable)
Display will show PowerFail down the right edge (when display is enabled)
Status LEDs will turn off (press any button to enable)
Alarm LED will flash until power is restored
Alarm beeper will sound (press any button to mute)
Relay will change to alarm state
oIf equipped with multiple relays, this will be the channel 1 relay
No action is required when power is restored; the MPS will resume normal function.
Sensor Limits
If the probe readings are within the alarm limits (less than the high limit and greater than the low
limit), the STATUS LED will blink green.
When the temperature reading meets or exceed the temperature limits the STATUS LED will
blink red.
After the probe’s alarm delay time is exceeded the unit will blink the ALARM LED and beep the
buzzer.
The user can MUTE the buzzer by tapping the MUTE/MENU button. The unit will reduce the
audible signal from a loud beep, to a quieter and less frequent chirp. It will remain muted until
the Mute time expires or a different probe goes into alarm.
Once the Alarm state has been signaled the unit will wait the RelayDelay time before
tripping the appropriate relay. Units with individual channel relays, have individual
RelayDelay times. Units with a single relay have one RelayDelay time that applies to
any alarm condition.
Door Switch Alarm
For units equipped with the optional door switch input, the door alarm condition will preempt the
normal sensor reading display with the door switch input status display (Door Input). This
display will show the door status (Open or Closed) and the alarm state (OK, Delay, or
Alarm).

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Alarm Relay Testing
An alarm condition can be simulated by tapping the
TEST/RESET button. When the button is pressed,
either the 1st channel relay (multi-relay units) or the
only relay (single relay units) will change to the
alarm state and a 15 second countdown will show on
the display. When the counter expires, the relay will
toggle back to the non-alarm state, and the next relay
will toggle into the alarm state (multi-relay units) or
the display will return to the sensor readings (single relay units). While any of the relays are in
the alarm-test state, you may tap STEP to cycle to the next relay, or HOLD the STEP button to
keep the relay in the alarm state for longer than 15 seconds.
MPS Email Notification Feature
A standard feature of the MPS is the ability to send temperature alarm notifications and daily
temperature reports via email.
The MPS sends email on:
Power-up (or after a reset)
Alarm
Continued alarm
Recovery from alarm
Should an email failure-to-send occur, the MPS will attempt to send again after 5 minutes and
repeat every 10 minutes after that.
Once daily, it sends a report to the first email address in the contact list. This report contains the
last 24 hours of hourly temperatures for each channel and any alarms that may have occurred
during that time.
When an alarm condition occurs, the system will send an alert email. The subject line of the
message will report the current temperature. The body of the message contains a listing of the
last 10 minutes of data.
All mail settings are configured using web pages accessed by the IP assigned to the unit.
Email Server Requirements
When configuring the email alerts you will need to supply access to an email server with the
following capabilities:
Must support SMTP
Must allow unencrypted connections
May require authentication

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Email Notification Configuration
To configure the Email feature you must
access the configuration web pages on the
MPS. To do this, you will first need to
connect a computer with a 10/100/1000
base-T network adapter to the MPS using a
standard Ethernet patch cable.
Configure the computer’s Ethernet adapter
with a static IP of 192.168.0.140 and subnet
mask of 255.255.255.0.
To display the main informational web page,
open a web browser and type
http://192.168.0.141 into the address bar.
You will be presented with a web page much
like the example shown on the right.
Before clicking any of the links on the main
page, you should first access the setup page.
Type http://192.168.0.141/setup.html into
the address bar of your web browser. An
example of the setup page is shown on the
following page.
You will be prompted for a username and
password. The username is “setupadmin”
and the password is configured by the
NetworkCode parameter (the default is
-22718).

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The setup page is a simple HTML form where you can
define the network parameters (other than the IP
address), the SMTP server information, the email
contact list username and password, the time zone,
Daylight Saving Time information, and the hour to
send the daily report.
If you change the network parameters to comply with
your on-site network, you will then need to configure
the appropriate IP address in the Edit*SETUP*
menu, and reset the MPS (press-and-hold the
TEST/RESET button until the backlight and LEDs
turn off), prior to attempting to connect to the web
pages again using the newly assigned IP address from
computers on your local network.
The Daylight Saving Time start and end dates will
need to be updated on an annual basis after DST ends
in November and before it starts again in March.
Sun. Mar. 14, 2021 –Sun. Nov. 7, 2021
Sun. Mar. 13, 2022 –Sun. Nov. 6, 2022
Sun. Mar. 12, 2023 –Sun. Nov. 5, 2023
Sun. Mar. 10, 2024 –Sun. Nov. 3, 2024
Sun. Mar. 9, 2025 –Sun. Nov. 2, 2025
The final configuration step is to add
email addresses to the contact list.
To access the email list configuration
page, click the “Edit Contact List”
hyperlink on the main web page.
You will be prompted for a username
and password. Both of these values
are defined in the setup.html page.
The default username is “listadmin”
with the password “idoemaillist”.
The email contact list page is a
simple HTML form with locations
for up to 8 email addresses, as shown
to the left.
The 1st entry will get both daily reports and any alert notifications and should be a “true” email
address that goes to an email account. Should you also want to receive alerts as text messages
(SMS), you may configure any of the other entries with your 10-digit mobile phone number and
your providers’ email-to-SMS gateway (e.g. [e-mail]). Contact your service
provider for the gateway name.

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Testing Email Transmission
On the main MPS web page (http://[IP address of MPS]) click the “Send test email (to all)”
hyperlink and wait (up to 2 minutes, depending if the SMTP connection is successful or times
out).
Now click the "View Test/Email/Time Log" hyperlink. At the end of the log you should see the
result of the test.
Failing log entry:
02/11/2021 09:44 User Email Test 1fail
Passing log entry:
02/11/2021 09:50 User Email Test 1sent
If the result is 1sent, you may check your email for the received message.