Ideal Vacuum XactGauge XGC-320 User manual

V100 (2019-11) Doc. Ref. XGC-320-100119
1
XactGauge
TM
Convection-Enhanced
Pirani Gauge Controller
XGC-320
Operating Manual
Incl. EU Declaration of Conformity

2 Doc. Ref. XGC-320-100119 V100 (2019-11)
Product Identification
In all communications with Ideal Vacuum Products, please spe-
cify the information given on the product nameplate. For con-
venient reference copy that information into the space provided
below.
Validity
This document applies to products with part number
P1010254
The part number (PN) can be taken from the product nameplate.
If your unit does not work as described in this document, please
check that it is equipped with the above firmware version
(  30).
We reserve the right to make technical changes without prior
notice.
Important User Information
There are operational characteristic differences between solid
state equipment and electromechanical equipment. Because of
these differences, and because there are a variety of uses for
solid state equipment, all persons that apply this equipment must
take every precaution and satisfy themselves that the intended
application of this equipment is safe and used in an acceptable
manner.

V100 (2019-11) Doc. Ref. XGC-320-100119
3
In no event will Ideal Vacuum Products be responsible or liable
for indirect or consequential damages that result from the use or
application of this equipment.
Any examples or diagrams included in this manual are provided
solely for illustrative purposes. Because of the many variables
and requirements imposed on any particular installation, Ideal
Vacuum Products cannot assume responsibility or liability for
any actual use based on the examples and diagrams.
No patent liability is assumed by Ideal Vacuum Products with
respect to use of information circuits, equipment, or software
described in this manual.
Throughout this manual we use notes, notices and apply inter-
nationally recognized symbols and safety messages to make
you aware of safety considerations.
Identifies information about practices or circumstances that can
cause electrical or physical hazards which, if precautions are not
taken, could result in death or serious injury, property damage,
or economic loss.
Identifies information about practices or circumstances that can
cause electrical or physical hazards which, if precautions are not
taken, could result in minor or moderate injury, property damage,
or economic loss.
CAUTION

4 Doc. Ref. XGC-320-100119 V100 (2019-11)
Identifies information that is critical for successful application and
understanding of the product.
Labels may be located on or inside the device to alert people
that dangerous voltages may be present.
NOTICE
SHOCK HAZARD

V100 (2019-11) Doc. Ref. XGC-320-100119 5
General Safety Instructions
 Adhere to the applicable regulations and take the necessary
precautions for the process media used.
Consider possible reactions with the product materials.
Consider possible reactions (e.g. explosion) of the process
media due to the heat generated by the product.
 Adhere to the applicable regulations and take the necessary
precautions for all work you are going to do and consider the
safety instructions in this document.
 Before beginning to work, find out whether any vacuum com-
ponents are contaminated. Adhere to the relevant regulations
and take the necessary precautions when handling contamin-
ated parts.
Communicate the safety instructions to all other users.
Liability and Warranty
Ideal Vacuum Products assumes no liability and the warranty
becomes null and void if the end-user or third parties
 disregard the information in this document
 use the product in a non-conforming manner
 make any kind of interventions (modifications, alterations etc.)
on the product
 use the product with accessories not listed in the product
documentation.

6 Doc. Ref. XGC-320-100119 V100 (2019-11)
Contents
Product Identification 2
Validity 2
Important User Information 2
General Safety Instructions 5
Liability and Warranty 5
1 Introduction / General Information 8
1.1 Description 8
1.2 Specifications 9
1.3 Dimensions 11
1.4 Options & Accessories 12
2 Important Safety Information 13
2.1 Safety Precautions - General 13
2.2 Safety Precautions - Service and Operation 14
2.3 Electrical Conditions 15
2.3.1 Proper Equipment Grounding 16
2.3.2 Electrical Interface and Control 16
2.4 Overpressure and use with hazardous gases 17
2.5 Gases other than Nitrogen / air 18
3 Installation 19
3.1 Mechanical Installation - Controller 19
3.2 Electrical Installation 20
3.2.1 Grounding 20
3.2.2 Electrical Connections 20
4 Setup and Operation 24
4.1 Initial Setup 24
4.2 User Interface Basics 25
4.3 Programming 26
4.4 Return to Factory Default Settings 31
5 Using the Gauge with Different Gases 32
6 Display 35
6.1 Display - Torr / mTorr 35
6.2 Display - mbar 39

V100 (2019-11) Doc. Ref. XGC-320-100119 7
7 Analog Output 44
7.1 Log 1-8; Log-Linear Analog Output Equation &
Table - Torr 48
7.2 Log 1-8; Log-Linear Analog Output Equation &
Table - mbar 52
7.3 Log 0-7; Log-Linear Analog Output Equation &
Table - Torr 57
7.4 Log 0-7; Log-Linear Analog Output Equation &
Table - mbar 61
7.5 NONLIN 6V; Non-Linear Analog Output Equations 66
7.6 NONLIN 6V; Non-Linear Analog Output Table - Torr 68
7.7 NONLIN 6V; Non-Linear Analog Output Table - mbar 72
7.8 NONLIN 9V; Non-Linear Analog Output Equations &
Table 76
7.9 LINEAR ANALOG OUTPUT 79
8 RS485 / RS232 serial communications 81
8.1 Device Specific Serial Communication Info 81
8.2 RS485 / RS232 Command Protocol Summary 82
9 Service 85
9.1 Calibration 85
9.1 Maintenance 85
9.3 Troubleshooting 86
10 Factory Service and Support 88
11 Storage 88
13 Disposal 89
EU Declaration of Conformity 90
For cross-references within this document, the symbol (  XY)
is used.

8 Doc. Ref. XGC-320-100119 V100 (2019-11)
1 Introduction / General Information
1.1 Description
The XGC-320 vacuum gauge controller is a convenient and inex-
pensive power supply and readout instrument for the Ideal
Vacuum Products XactGaugeTM XGS-321 Convection-Enhanced
Pirani Sensor Gauge or a Granville-Phillips® 275 Convectron®.
The 1/8-DIN housing can be used as a bench top, or mounted in
a cutout in an instrument panel. The XGC-320 is powered by
user supplied 12 to 28 V (dc), 2 W, or by the Ideal Vacuum
Products power supply.
Thermal conductivity gauges measure pressure indirectly by
sensing the loss of heat from a sensor to the surrounding gases.
The higher the pressure of the surrounding gas, the more heat is
conducted away from the sensor. Pirani thermal conductivity
gauges maintain a sensor (usually a wire) at some constant tem-
perature, and measure the current or power required to maintain
that temperature. A standard Pirani gauge has a useful measur-
ing range of about 10-4 Torr to 10 Torr. By taking advantage of
convection currents that are generated above 1 Torr, convection-
enhanced Pirani gauges increase the measuring range to just
above atmosphere.
The XGC-320 signals and relay functions are the same as found
on similar convection gauge controllers from other manufactur-
ers. The XGC-320 Controller, XGS-321 vacuum gauge tube and
gauge cable can be directly interchanged with MKS Instruments
/ Granville-Phillips® (GP) 375 or 475 controller, 275 Convec-
tron® gauge and gauge cable (Remote interface, relay and pow-
er connectors are different). Various analog output scaling pro-
vide signal compatibility with GP controller series 375, 475, the
original GP 1/4 DIN 275 Analog Convectron Gauge Controller as
well as the Mini-Convectron® module.

V100 (2019-11) Doc. Ref. XGC-320-100119 9
1.2 Specifications
Supply voltage 12 … 28 V (dc), 2 W protected
against power reversal and tran-
sient over
-
voltages
Connection 2-pin pluggable terminal block
(mating connector included)
Permissible temperature
O
perating
0
…
+40
°
C
S
torage
–
40
…
+70
°
C
R
elative humidity
0 to 95%, non
-
condensing
Use
Operating altitude up to 2500 m (8200 ft.)
Storage
altitude up to
12500
m
(
41000
ft.
)
Housing 1/8-DIN panel-mount enclosure
(aluminum extrusion)
Connections
Gauge 9-pin D-sub female (mating
connector provided as part of the
gauge cable)
Analog output and serial
communications
interface
9
-
pin D
-
sub male
Relay outputs 6-pin pluggable terminal block
(mating connector included)
Measurement range 1.3×10-4 … 1333 mbar
1×10-4 … 1000 Torr
1
.3
×
10
-2
Pa
…
133
kPa
Display rate
0.5
s
Units
m
bar
,
Torr or Pa
D
isplay
bright OLED, 4 digits
1
100
Torr
…
1
000
Torr
4
digit
s
999
Torr
…
1
0
.0
m
Torr
3
digit
s
9
.
9
mTorr
…
1
.0
m
Torr
2
digit
s
0.9
mTorr
…
0
.
1
m
Torr
1
digit

10 Doc. Ref. XGC-320-100119 V100 (2019-11)
Interface (digital)
RS232 and 2 wire/4 wire RS485
P
rotocol
ASCII
Analog output
Log-linear 0 to 7 V (dc) or
1 to 8 V (dc),
1
V/decade
Linear
0 to 10
V
(dc)
N
on
-
linear S
-
curve
0.375 to 5.659
V
(dc)
N
on
-
linear S
-
curve
0 to 9
V
(dc)
Switching function relays two single-pole double-throw
relays (SPDT), 1 A at 30 V (dc)
resistive, or ac non
-
inductive

V100 (2019-11) Doc. Ref. XGC-320-100119 11
1.3 Dimensions
mm (inch)
W
eight
≈
250
g
(
9
oz.
)

12
Doc. Ref. XGC-320-100119 V100 (2019-11)
1.4 Options & Accessories
Ordering No.
Power supply for XGC-320 P1010265
Input
100
…
240
V
(ac)
, 50
…
60
Hz
Output
24
V
(dc)
Cable length
2
m
(
6
ft
)
The conventional IEC60320 AC power entry receptacle allows
use with any user supplied AC mains power cord set available
worldwide.

V100 (2019-11) Doc. Ref. XGC-320-100119
13
2 Important Safety Information
Ideal Vacuum Products has designed and tested this product to
provide safe and reliable service, provided it is installed and
operated within the strict safety guidelines provided in this man-
ual. Please read and follow all warnings and instructions.
To avoid serious injury or death, follow the safety informa-
tion in this document. Failure to comply with these safety
procedures could result in serious bodily harm, including
death, and or property damage.
Failure to comply with these warnings violates the safety stand-
ards of installation and intended use of this instrument. Ideal
Vacuum Products disclaims all liability for the customer’s failure
to comply with these instructions.
Although every attempt has been made to consider most possi-
ble installations, Ideal Vacuum Products cannot anticipate every
contingency that arises from various installations, operation, or
maintenance of the module. If you have any questions about the
safe installation and use of this product, please contact Ideal
Vacuum Products This device meets FCC part 15 requirements
for an unintentional radiator, class A.
2.1 Safety Precautions - General
Hazardous voltages are present with this product during normal
operation. The product should never be operated with the covers
removed unless equivalent protection of the operator from acci-
dental contact with hazardous internal voltages is provided.
WARNING

14
Doc. Ref. XGC-320-100119 V100 (2019-11)
WARNING! There are no operator serviceable parts or
adjustments inside the product enclosure. Refer servicing to
service trained personnel.
Do not modify this product or substitute any parts without au-
thorization of qualified Ideal Vacuum Products service trained
personnel. Return the product to an Ideal Vacuum Products
qualified service and repair center to ensure that all safety
features are maintained. Do not use this product if unauthorized
modifications have been made.
WARNING! Source power must be removed from the
product prior to performing any servicing.
After servicing this product, ensure that all safety checks are
made by a qualified service person. When replacement parts are
required, ensure that the parts are specified by Ideal Vacuum
Products Substitutions of non-qualified parts may result in fire,
electric shock or other hazards. Use of unauthorized parts or
modifications made to this product will void the warranty.
To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not expose this
product to rain or moisture. These products are not waterproof
and careful attention must be paid to not spill any type of liquid
onto these products. Do not use these products if they have
been damaged. Immediately contact Ideal Vacuum Products to
arrange return of the product if it is damaged.
Due to the possibility of corrosion when used in certain environ-
mental conditions, it is possible that the product’s safety could be
compromised over time. It is important that the product be peri-
odically inspected for sound electrical connections and equip-
ment grounding. Do not use if the equipment grounding or elec-
trical insulation has been compromised.
2.2 Safety Precautions - Service and Operation
Ensure the enclosure of the XGC-320 is connected directly to a
good quality earth ground.
Ensure that the vacuum port on which the XGS-321 vacuum
gauge tube is mounted is electrically grounded.

V100 (2019-11) Doc. Ref. XGC-320-100119
15
Use an appropriate power source of 12 to 28 V (dc), 2 W or use
Ideal Vacuum Products series optional power supplies.
Turn off power to the unit before attempting to service the con-
troller.
Turn off power to the unit if a cable or plug is damaged or the
product is not operating normally according to this instruction
manual. Contact qualified Ideal Vacuum Products service per-
sonnel for any service or troubleshooting condition that may not
be covered by this instruction manual.
It is important that the product be periodically inspected for
sound electrical connections and equipment grounding. Do not
use if the equipment grounding or electrical insulation has been
compromised.
Do not use if the unit has been dropped or the enclosure has
been damaged. Contact Ideal Vacuum Products for return
authorization and instructions for returning the product to Ideal
Vacuum Products for evaluation.
2.3 Electrical Conditions
WARNING! When high voltage is present in any vacuum
system, a life threatening electrical shock hazard may exist un-
less all exposed electrical conductors are maintained at earth
ground potential. This applies to all products that come in con-
tact with the gas contained in vacuum chambers. An electrical
discharge within a gaseous environment may couple dangerous
high voltage directly to any ungrounded conductor of electricity.
A person could be seriously injured or killed by coming in contact
with an exposed, ungrounded electrical conductor at high volt-
age potential. This condition applies to all products that may
come in contact with the gas inside the vacuum chamber
(vacuum / pressure containment vessel).

16
Doc. Ref. XGC-320-100119 V100 (2019-11)
2.3.1 Proper Equipment Grounding
WARNING! Hazardous voltages that could seriously in-
jure or cause death are present in many vacuum processes. Ver-
ify that the vacuum port on which the XGS-321 vacuum gauge
tube is mounted is electrically grounded. Consult a qualified
Electrician if you are in doubt about your equipment grounding.
Proper grounding of your equipment is essential for safety as
well as intended operation of the equipment. The XGS-321
vacuum gauge tube and enclosure of the XGC-320 controller
must be connected directly to a good quality earth ground. Use a
ground lug on the XGS-321 gauge vacuum connection / flange if
necessary.
WARNING! In order to protect personnel from electric
shock and bodily harm, shield all conductors which are sub-
ject to potential high voltage electrical discharges in or
around the vacuum system.
2.3.2 Electrical Interface and Control
It is the user’s responsibility to ensure that the electrical signals
from this product and any connections made to external devices,
for example, relays and solenoids, are used in a safe manner.
Always double check the system set-up before using any signals
to automate your process. Perform a hazardous operation analy-
sis of your system design and ensure safeguards and personnel
safety measures are taken to prevent injury and property dam-
age.

V100 (2019-11) Doc. Ref. XGC-320-100119
17
2.4 Overpressure and use with hazardous gases
WARNING! Install suitable protective devices that will
limit the level of pressure inside your vacuum chamber to less
than what the vacuum chamber system components are capable
of withstanding. Ideal Vacuum Products gauges should not be
used at pressures exceeding 1000 Torr absolute pressure.
In cases where an equipment failure could cause a hazardous
condition, always implement fail-safe system operation. For ex-
ample, use a pressure relief device in an automatic backfill op-
eration where a malfunction could result in high internal pres-
sures if the pressure relief device was not installed on the
chamber.
The XGS-321 vacuum gauge tube connected to the XGC-320
controller is not intended for use at pressures above 20 psia
(1000 Torr); DO NOT exceed 35 psig (<2½ bars) pressure inside
the sensor. If your chamber goes to higher pressures, you
should install an isolation valve or pressure relief device to pro-
tect the gauge tube from overpressure conditions. With some fit-
tings, actual safe overpressure conditions may be lower; for ex-
ample, a quick-connect, O-ring compression fitting may forcibly
release the gauge tube from the vacuum chamber fitting with
only a few psi over local uncorrected barometric (atmospheric)
pressure.
CAUTION! If the internal pressure of a vacuum gauge
device is allowed to increase above local uncorrected baro-
metric pressure (atmospheric pressure side), vacuum fit-
tings may release and possible overpressure conditions
may cause leaks that would allow the gas inside the gauge
tube to release into the atmosphere of the surrounding en-
vironment. Toxic, pyrophoric and flammable gases are ex-
amples of hazardous gases that if allowed to leak out of the
vacuum/pressure containment vessel into the atmospheric
environment, could cause bodily injury and possible dam-
age to equipment. Never expose the gauge tube internal
volume to pressure above local atmospheric pressure when
using hazardous gases.

18
Doc. Ref. XGC-320-100119 V100 (2019-11)
2.5 Gases other than Nitrogen / air
WARNING! Do not attempt to use with gases other than
nitrogen (N
2
) or air without referring to correction factor data ta-
bles.
Ideal Vacuum Products gauges and modules are calibrated for
direct readout of nitrogen or air. Do not attempt to use with other
gases such as argon (Ar) or carbon dioxide (CO
2
) unless accu-
rate conversion data for N
2
to other gas is properly used. Refer
to sections titled "Using the gauge with different gases",
"Display" and "Analog Output" for a more complete discussion.
WARNING! Do not use the convection gauge connected
to this device in an explosive atmosphere or in the presence of
flammable gases, vapors or fumes. Do not use this device to
measure the pressure of explosive or combustible gases or gas
mixtures. The sensor wire in the gauge normally operates at
125 °C, but if malfunction should occur, the wire temperature
could exceed the ignition temperature of certain combustible
gases and gas mixture. This could cause an explosion which
could result in serious injury or death.

V100 (2019-11) Doc. Ref. XGC-320-100119 19
3 Installation
3.1 Mechanical Installation - Controller
The XGC-320 is designed for use on a bench top, or it may be
mounted in an instrument control panel.
To mount the XGC-320 in a panel:
1. Make a cutout in your instrument control panel as shown in
the drawing above. Be sure to allow clearance behind the
panel for the instrument as well as connectors and cables at
the rear of the instrument
2. Gently pry the front panel bezel loose and remove.
Bezel
Screw mounting
brackets on either
side

20
Doc. Ref. XGC-320-100119 V100 (2019-11)
3. Slide the XGC-320 into the panel hole cutout.
4. On either side of the XGC-320 are two screw-mounting brack-
ets. When the screws in the front of the instrument are turned
counterclockwise, the hold-down brackets recess out of the
way into the XGC-320 housing. When these screws are
turned clockwise, the brackets rotate out 90° behind the
panel. Tighten these screws until the brackets hold the XGC-
320 in place against the panel.
5. Press the front panel bezel back in place.
3.2 Electrical Installation
3.2.1 Grounding
Be sure the vacuum gauge and your vacuum system are
properly grounded to protect personnel from shock and injury.
Be aware that some vacuum fittings, especially those with O-
rings, may not produce a good electrical connection between the
gauge and the chamber it is connected to.
3.2.2 Electrical Connections
A good recommended practice is to remove power from any
cable prior to connecting or disconnecting it.
The Ideal Vacuum Products XGC-320 may replace similar con-
trollers from other manufacturers, such as the Granville-Phillips
®
375 controller. Many of these other controllers employ the same
9-pin and 15-pin D connectors, but they do not all use the same
signal / pinout configurations. If you wish to use your existing
cables, be sure to check compatibility with the tables on the next
page. Rewire your cables as necessary.