L3 Communications Narda 8950/10 Quick start guide

2010
Narda 8950/10
Stray Voltage Detection System – Operation
and Installation Guide
Rev. 1
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Chapter 1 – Introduction……………………………………………………… 3
Welcome…………………………………………………………………... 3
System Description…………………………………………………….3
Unpacking the System……………………………………………….4
Assembling the System………………………………………………4
Chapter 2 – System Operation……………………………………………….6
Software Controls and Their Functions………………….…10
Logged Data……………………………………………………………..13
Troubleshooting……………………………………………………….14
Replacement Parts List………………………………………………14
Narda Warranty……………………………………………………………………..15
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Unpacking and Installation
Welcome
Thank you for choosing the Narda Model 8950/10 Stray Voltage Detection System.
This section is designed to help familiarize you with the contents of the system,
assembling the system on a vehicle and performing basic verification testing to insure
the system is operating correctly.
System Description
The Narda Model 8950 is a complete system comprising of a vehicle mount, sensor
and computer running unique software, designed to detect elevated AC voltages that
may be present on conductive objects. The Model 8950/10 was designed and tested
mounted on a common pickup truck and tested at speeds up to 20 mph and proven to
be effective at detecting AC voltages as low as 2 VAC on objects that were 30 feet
away. Narda supplies a laptop computer that gives a user a visual and audible
indication that a set threshold has been exceeded.
NOTE: THIS DEVICE IS INTENDED ONLY FOR USE BY A PASSENGER IN A MOVING VEHICLE.IT
IS NOT RECOMMENDED TO BE USED IN MOVING VEHICLES WITH LESS THAN 2PERSONS.
The supplied software presents data on an easy-to-read graph that simply presents
voltage over time. The user can easily set the detected voltage alarm to a level that
alerts him or her to serious voltage levels. By following the instructions in this manual
the user will be able to complete the important task of “Stray Voltage Detection”.
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Ch ha ap pt te er r 1 1: :
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In nt tr ro od du uc ct ti io on n
Unpacking the system
Assembling system
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Unpacking the system
The 8950/10 system is sent in 3 different containers. Container 1 includes
the main mount and sensor enclosure. Container 2 includes the Panasonic
Toughbook computer and the third container includes the sensor,
charger, adapter and cables.
It is recommended that you first install the vehicle mount assembly. Tools
required are a 3/4” and 9/16” socket and large Phillips screwdriver.
Assembling the system
Step 1
Installation of Hitch Support assembly. Place
entire vehicle mount assembly behind the
vehicle, on the ground. Remove hardware
from the side of the hitch support assembly
and slide the assembly in to the two inch
receptacle. Install the hardware only finger
tight at this time. The hitch support can be
mounted in either an up or down
configuration, but in most mid and full sized trucks it can be used
facing upwards.
Step 2
Installation of upper bed mounts.
Carefully swing arms out and around the
end of the truck and position these
above the truck’s tie down socket. The
upper bed mounts are supplied with a
spring loaded toggle bolt that is
designed to hold itself to the truck that
has had its plastic rail covers removed (if required) to access the tie down
sockets. Note that the upper bed mounts present a side that is sloped towards
the middle of the vehicle. Initial adjustment should be snug but still allow the
upper bed mounts to move while the horizontal arms are attached to them.
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Step 3
Adjust horizontal arms to position sensor
platform to near level. Exact position is not
critical. Tighten horizontal arms and hitch
support screws to stabilize entire structure.
Connect fiber optic cables through one of
the upper bed mounts noting color coding
for polarity. Supplied fiber optic cable needs
to be connected to the laptop inside of the
vehicle. It is recommended that the cables
be inserted through a customer drilled hole
and used with a grommet to not damage
the cable, but you can temporarily insert
through windows or door frame, insuring
that cable is not crimped.
Step 4
Inserting Sensor. After charging sensor, insert the sensor into the
weatherproof enclosure. Fiber optic connection is to be orientated towards the
front of the vehicle. Sensor is placed between foam on the top, bottom and
sides of enclosure. Note polarity of cable connection to sensor. Depress
ON/OFF button and verify that light shows green LED. This means sensor is
ready for measurements.
Step 5
Connecting computer. The fiber optic cable that was connected on one end to
the upper bed mount needs to be connected to the laptop computer in the
cab of the vehicle. Although you can route the cable through a window or
door jamb for a short period of time it is highly recommended that a
permanent hole be drilled into the cab (with grommet) of the vehicle so that
the fiber optic cable is not damaged. The cable is marked with a white dot for
what should be on top when the
connection is made to the RS-232 adapter.
The cable is connected to the F.O. to RS-
232 adapter (supplied) and then to the
computers’ COM1 port. With the computer
charged or powered by an inverter in the
vehicle, and with the sensor fully charged –
you are now ready to energize the system
and verify performance.
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Operation and Validation
Software Start-up
Software is started on the laptop computer by double-clicking
the L3 Icon on the desktop.
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Ch ha ap pt te er r 2 2: : S Sy ys st te em m
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O
p
pe er ra at ti io on n
 Initialize and understand software
 Logged Data format
 Verify system operation
 Troubleshooting
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The system software presents a visual and audio alarm, if
desired, for any level above 1.0 V/m. Below is the initial
software display.
The left screen displays the controls for your system and the right side displays
the graphical results. The left screen default view is always in a “basic” display.
Move your mouse cursor up to the second menu item Settings and select
“Advanced” from the menu. Now your computer should be displaying the
following:
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Begin displaying field levels by pressing the Bandpass button. Your screen
should now look like this –
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Active readings should be taking place and updating the plot on the right side. If not
re-check the polarity of the cables insuring they are tight and connected correctly.
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Software Controls and Their Functions
Let’s take a closer look at each control, and its function on the Stray Voltage
Sensor Software.
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Control Function
The Mode controls set the system for Bandpass
(Normal) or Harmonics measurement modes.
Bandpass (60 Hz +/- 3 Hz) is the preferred setting
for mobile testing. Harmonics (optional) analysis
is slower and would normally be used when the
vehicle is stationary to determine if the field is
from a primary (low harmonics) or neutral (high
harmonics) side fault.
Clears plot on screen, does not clear data from
log file.
Amount of charge left in probe. Full blue bars
means system is fully charged and will operate for
up to 10 hours.
Numerical display of detected field levels.
Display scale on plot. Unit can be set to auto
range or to fixed scales such as 1, 2 or 5 Volts full
scale. Default setting is auto range, recommended
setting for fixed range is normally 5 volts full
scale.
Marker allows the input of a text line in the log
file to act as a marker. Files are logged with date
and time (standard) but markers can be added
such as address of suspected fault.
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To set system in data logging mode. Data will be
logged 4 times per second with data and time
stamps added. Before any scan takes place this
control should be checked to insure logging is
ON.
Axis Select is for setting either one or all
(isotropic) measurement axis. Default is Isotropic
to sense fields emitted from any and all directions.
Users may find it useful to select an axis after the
vehicle is stopped in order to better understand
the direction (left/right, front/back or top/bottom)
of the field.
Latches alarm indication once the set threshold
has been exceeded.
Sets alarm threshold. Users may choose from
preset (2.0 and 4.0 V/m) levels or set any level
between 1.0 and 10 V/m.
Sets audible alarm volume and starting pitch. As
levels increase, pitch also increases to provide
audible indication of detected levels.
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Plot averaging allows random road noise or
background levels to be averaged for a smoother
plot on display. This does not affect logged data.
Most users may find an averaging factor of 4 to
be optimal for most roads.
Users can set the name of the log file, such as
adding a date or location for easy recall of the
computer. If a new name is not assigned each day,
for instance, the standard file is appended with
corresponding date, time and levels.
Logged Data
When data is logged, it is logged as a Comma Separated Value (.csv) and can
be displayed in Microsoft Excel as the following picture.
The first column denotes that time and date, and also the markers (if added),
Column B gives the axis (X, Y, Z or I for Isotropic), Column C indicates BP for
Bandpass or HH for Harmonic mode, Column D indicates highest signal
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strength of the fundamental or two highest harmonics and Column E shows
the raw data collected at a rate of 4 times per second. If the unit is supplied
with the Harmonic option, Column E would also include the strength of the
fields at 180 and 300 Hz, respectively.
Troubleshooting
Symptom Most likely Cause Remediation
Cannot initiate readings
after starting software
and pressing Bandpass
button.
1. Sensor not turned
on
2. Cables not
connected properly
3. Sensor battery is
depleted
1. Open sensor housing and
depress button for one
second.
2. Verify cables and RS-232
adapter are connected
correctly.
3. Charge Sensor
Readings are displayed
numerically but are not
being plotted on screen
Range is set too low Set to auto range or to a higher
range.
Readings are unusually
noisy
Sensor is loose or
improperly positioned
Plot averaging is not
enabled
Open sensor housing and inspect
foam for correct fit around sensor
Initiate Plot Averaging or Increase
Damping Factor
Replacement Parts
Description Part Number
E-field Sensor 43066800
Computer 16000-00500
F.O to RS-232 converter 2260/90.02
Fiber Optic cable 70857001
Vehicle Mount Assembly 70844000
Sensor Enclosure TBD
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Narda Warranty
Narda Safety Test Solutions (Narda STS) warrants each product to be free from
any defect in material and workmanship for a period of two years after delivery
to, and return by the original purchaser. All warranty returns, however, must
first be authorized by a factory office representative.
The limit of liability under this warranty shall be to repair or replace any
product, or part thereof, which proves to be defective after inspection by
Narda STS. This warranty shall not apply to any Narda STS product that has
been disassembled, modified, physically or electrically damaged or any
product that has been subjected to conditions exceeding the applicable
specifications or ratings.
Narda STS shall not be liable for any direct or consequential injury, loss or
damage incurred through the use, or the inability to use, any Narda STS
product.
Narda STS reserves the right to make design changes to any Narda STS
product without incurring any obligation to make the same changes to
previously purchased units.
This warranty is the full extent of obligation and liability assumed by Narda
STS with respect to any and all Narda STS products. Narda STS neither makes,
nor authorizes any person to make, and other guarantee or warranty
concerning Narda STS products.
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