Licht MFC-400/I-VAC User manual

Voltage Indicator/Transducer
models MFC-400/I-VAC and I-VDC
Technical Manual
Licht

Rev. A0 (20–05–09) MFC-400/I-VAC and I-VDC Technical Manual 1
Contents
1 Introduction 2
2 Front panel indication 3
3 Configuration 4
3.1 Parameter reset 4
4 Programmable parameters 5
4.1 General parameters 5
4.2 Current outputs (option) 5
4.3 MODBUS protocol 5
4.4 DNP3 protocol (option) 6
4.5 Language 7
A Specifications 8
B Connection diagrams 9
C MODBUS registers 13

Licht http://www.licht-labs.com
[email protected]
Rev. A0 (20–05–09) MFC-400/I-VAC and I-VDC Technical Manual 2
1 Introduction
The MFC-400/I-VAC and MFC-400/I-VDC are precise, highly reliable and versatile mi-
crocontrolled devices designed to read, display and retransmit AC or DC voltage values.
Each MFC-400/I-VAC or I-VDC features one isolated RS-485 port, which can be used
for communication using the MODBUS or DNP3 protocols.
All signals that enter and exit the indicator are galvanically isolated, preventing po-
tentially damaging noise and transients from being transferred between subcircuits or
retransmitted to other devices.
Figure 1.1 MFC-400/I-VDC Indicator

Licht http://www.licht-labs.com
[email protected]
Rev. A0 (20–05–09) MFC-400/I-VAC and I-VDC Technical Manual 3
2 Front panel indication
During operation, the MFC-400/I-VAC or I-VDC displays its voltage measurement. The
presented value is equal to the measured voltage multiplied by the Sampling Factor para-
meter.
C
P
R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8 R9 R10 R11
MFC-400/I-VDC
MULTI FUNCTION CONTROLLER
Licht
www.licht-labs.com
R12 R13
Input 1
231.0 V
Figure 2.1 Front Panel

Licht http://www.licht-labs.com
[email protected]
Rev. A0 (20–05–09) MFC-400/I-VAC and I-VDC Technical Manual 4
3 Configuration
Parameterization
The MFC-400/I-VAC and MFC-400/I-VDC feature 4 keys to access their functions. The
procedure to configure any parameter is as follows:
1. Press the Pkey to enter the parameters menu.
2. Enter the currently configured 4 letter password one letter at a time, using the ↑
and ↓keys to select each letter and Pto advance between letters. The default
password is AAAA.
3. Using the ↑and ↓keys, choose the desired parameter.
4. Press Pto confirm the parameter’s selection.
5. Choose the desired value with the ↑and ↓keys.
6. Confirm pressing P.
By holding down the ↑or ↓keys it is possible to advance through the options faster.
The configuration sequence can be cancelled at any time by pressing C.
3.1 Parameter reset
This device can be reset to factory settings. This procedure also resets its password to
AAAA. To do so, power up the device while pressing C.

Licht http://www.licht-labs.com
[email protected]
Rev. A0 (20–05–09) MFC-400/I-VAC and I-VDC Technical Manual 5
4 Programmable parameters
The MFC-400/I-VAC and MFC-400/I-VDC were developed to provide the user with the
greatest possible flexiblity, such that all supervision and configuration can be executed
on-site or remotely through the existing communication channels.
We define all user-configurable parameters below.
4.1 General parameters
Parameter:Sampling Factor
Options: 1 to 1000.
Description: ratio between the voltage displayed by the MFC-400 and the sampled
voltage.
Parameter:AC frequency
Options: 60 Hz, 50 Hz.
Description: input voltage frequency (only applicable to the MFC-400/I-VAC).
4.2 Current outputs (option)
Parameter:Output Scale
Options: 0-1, 0-5, 0-10, 0-20, 4-20 mA
Description: refers to the various configurable current loop scales.
Parameter:Full Scale
Options: 1 to 1000 V, in increments of 1 V.
Description: input voltage corresponding to the current loop’s full scale output. For
example, if Full Scale = 100 V and Output Scale = 4-20 mA, the current loop output will
be 4 mA for a 0 V input and 20 mA for a 100 V input.
4.3 MODBUS protocol
Parameter:Baud Rate
Options: 9600, 19200, 38400, 57600, 115200 bps.
Description: baud rate for the RS-485 link.

Licht http://www.licht-labs.com
[email protected]
Rev. A0 (20–05–09) MFC-400/I-VAC and I-VDC Technical Manual 6
Parameter:Format
Options: 8N1, 8E1, 8O1, 8N2.
Description: symbol transmission format, where:
◦8N1: 8 data bits, no parity, 1 stop bit.
◦8E1: 8 data bits, even parity, 1 stop bit.
◦8O1: 8 data bits, odd parity, 1 stop bit.
◦8N2: 8 data bits, no parity, 2 stop bits.
Parameter:Address
Options: 1 to 247.
Description: MODBUS address for the MFC-400.
4.4 DNP3 protocol (option)
Parameter:Baud Rate
Options: 9600, 19200, 38400, 57600, 115200 bps.
Description: baud rate for the RS-485 link.
Parameter:Format
Options: 8N1, 8E1, 8O1, 8N2.
Description: symbol transmission format, where:
◦8N1: 8 data bits, no parity, 1 stop bit.
◦8E1: 8 data bits, even parity, 1 stop bit.
◦8O1: 8 data bits, odd parity, 1 stop bit.
◦8N2: 8 data bits, no parity, 2 stop bits.
Parameter:Address
Options: 0x0000 to 0xFFEF.
Description: DNP3 outstation address in hexadecimal notation.
Parameter:Application Layer Confirmation
Options: Only when transmitting events or multi-fragment responses, Always.
Description: Selects when the MFC-400 outstation should request application layer
confirmations.
Parameter:Maximum Inter-Octet Gap
Options: 2 to 100 ms.

Licht http://www.licht-labs.com
[email protected]
Rev. A0 (20–05–09) MFC-400/I-VAC and I-VDC Technical Manual 7
Description: The DNP3 specification states that frames should not have inter-octet
gaps. In accordance, the MFC-400 never inserts inter-octet gaps when transmitting data.
However, we allow the option to tolerate gaps in incoming transmissions. Frames featuring
inter-octet gaps larger than the Maximum Inter-Octet Gap will be quietly dropped.
Parameter:Backoff Delay (Fixed)
Options: 1 to 100 ms.
Description: See description for Backoff Delay (Random).
Parameter:Backoff Delay (Random)
Options: 1 to 100 ms.
Description: The MFC-400 is designed for multi-drop scenarios where more than one
outstation may transmit over the same line. To handle collision avoidance, a backoff
scheme is implemented. Before transmitting, the MFC-400 always waits for the line to
become idle. Once that happens, it waits for Tdelay =Tf ixed +Trandom ms, where Tf ixed
is the fixed backoff delay and Trandom is a random value, uniformly distributed between 0
and the random backoff delay parameter. If after Tdelay ms the line is still idle, then the
MFC-400 begins transmission.
Parameter:Insert Inter-frame Gap
Options: Never, Always.
Description: The DNP3 specification states that no inter-frame gaps are required. How-
ever, some masters have been observed to drop frames when no inter-frame gaps are pro-
vided. This option allows communicating with such non-compliant devices. We discourage
its use, given that the forced inter-frame gap implies a forced backoff-delay.
4.5 Language
Parameter:Language
Options: Portuguese (PT_BR), English (EN_US).
Description: Language of the messages and menus displayed on the MFC-400’s front
panel.

Licht http://www.licht-labs.com
[email protected]
Rev. A0 (20–05–09) MFC-400/I-VAC and I-VDC Technical Manual 8
A Specifications
Power Supply Isolated, 80-260 Vac/Vdc.
Power Consumption < 8 W
Operating Temperature -20 to 70 ◦C(LCD display)
-40 to 85 ◦C(VFD display)
Enclosure Rating IP20
Mounting Options 35 mm DIN rail
Dimensions 70 x 75 x 100 mm
Weight 500 g
DC Input Scale: specifiable
Error/Non-linearity: 0.2% + 0.1% /10 ◦C
AC Input Scale: specifiable
Error/Non-linearity: 0.5% + 0.1% /10 ◦C
Current Outputs Scales: 0-1, 0-5, 0-10, 0-20, 4-20 mA
Error/Non-linearity: 0.2% + 0.1% /10 ◦C
Galvanic Isolation
(60 Hz, 1 min.)
DC Input 1.5 kV
AC Input 1.5 kV
Outputs 1.5 kV
Communication 1.5 kV
Communication RS-485 - MODBUS RTU or DNP3
9600, 19200, 38400, 57600, 115200 bps
8N1, 8E1, 8O1, 8N2
Displays 2 lines with 16 characters each (5 mm).
LCD with backlight or VFD.

Licht http://www.licht-labs.com
[email protected]
Rev. A0 (20–05–09) MFC-400/I-VAC and I-VDC Technical Manual 9
B Connection diagrams

Licht http://www.licht-labs.com
[email protected]
Rev. A0 (20–05–09) MFC-400/I-VAC and I-VDC Technical Manual 10

Licht http://www.licht-labs.com
[email protected]
Rev. A0 (20–05–09) MFC-400/I-VAC and I-VDC Technical Manual 11
Important considerations
The installation of electronic devices in substations should conform with the recommen-
dations given by recent international standards. The most recent and detailed guide for
installations is IEC 61000-5-2:1997, which was based on decades of laboratory and field
research. We summarize below some of the guidelines contained in IEC 61000-5-2:1997.
For further reading, we recommend the articles and application notes available on our
web site.
a. Shielded cables must be used for connecting potentiometric sensors, current loop
outputs, RS-485 links and the auxiliary supply.
b. Cables must be segregated in trays, ducts or conduits according to their functions.
In particular, power cables must never be routed in the proximity of signal cables,
even if these are shielded. The minimum distances which must be observed are
described in IEC 61000-5-2:1997 and in articles available on-line at this product’s
web page.
c. The electrical continuity of cables, ducts, trays and conduits must be preserved up
to frequencies in the order of MHz, over all their extension, including curves and
junctions. In order to guarantee this continuity, joints and bonds should present
electrical contact along each cable, duct or tray’s transversal section. In particular,
trays should be bonded with seam-welded joints (best), U-brackets with multiple
fixings (ok) and never with wires.
d. Shielded cables should present no gaps in their screens along their lengths. 360◦bond-
ing should be performed instead.
e. Should there be unshielded sections (for example, near terminal block connections),
these should be short as possible.
f. Trays, ducts and conduits must be electrically continuous, and must be grounded
at both ends. In this configuration, trays, ducts and conduits provide shielding
and also perform as parallel earth conductors.
g. Shielded cables should also have their screens bonded at both ends. It is extremely
important that the tray, duct or conduit which contains each cable is also grounded
at both ends, allowing it to perform as a parallel earth conductor. In the absence
of a parallel earth condutor, the cable screens will be exposed to extremely high
currents which will severely compromise their operation.
h. RS-485 pairs must be terminated at both ends by 120 Ωresistors.

Licht http://www.licht-labs.com
[email protected]
Rev. A0 (20–05–09) MFC-400/I-VAC and I-VDC Technical Manual 12
i. RS-485 devices must be connected in a bus topology. No other network topology
(tree, star, ring, etc.) is acceptable.
j. Dry contact inputs (if applicable) must free of potentials.

Licht http://www.licht-labs.com
[email protected]
Rev. A0 (20–05–09) MFC-400/I-VAC and I-VDC Technical Manual 13
C MODBUS registers
The MFC-400 implements the Read Holding Register (0x03), Write Single Register (0x06)
and Write Multiple Register (0x10) MODBUS RTU functions. A frame referring to any
other function will be answered with an "unsupported function code" exception.
We present below a table of remotely accessible registers, considering a device with 6
input channels. Not all registers may be accessible in some devices, given that not all
channels or relays may be installed. For example, a device with 4 channels will return an
"illegal data address" exception whenever registers corresponding to channels 5 or 6 are
accessed.
Holding
Register Description Values Multiplier
201 Sampling Factor 1 to 1000 1
202 AC frequency 0: 60 Hz
1: 50 Hz 1
301 Current Loop - Output Scale
0: 0-1 mA
1: 0-5 mA
2: 0-10 mA
3: 0-20 mA
4: 4-20 mA
1
302 Current Loop - Full Scale 1 to 1000 V 1
501 Measured Voltage 0.0 to 1000.0 V 10

Licht http://www.licht-labs.com
[email protected]
Rev. A0 (20–05–09) MFC-400/I-VAC and I-VDC Technical Manual 14