London Electronics EasyReader ER4C User manual

Document Ref: manuals\english\EasyReader\EasyReader_4C.p65 Dated: 30 June 2009
Rev. 5
Large display pulse input counter & frequency meter
EasyReader Model ER4C
Connection details, scaling and general information
Rear case screws - please note
The rear panel is held in place with finger-screws, which
only need to be gently tightened.
Do not use tools to tighten or loosen the screws, as
this could cause damage to the internal threads.
London Electronics Limited
Thorncote Road, Near Sandy, Bedfordshire SG19 1PU
Tel [phone] Fax [phone]
www.london-electronics.com [email protected]

Alphabetic Index
Warnings - Read First ! 2
Connections 5
Wiring and jumper record sheet 17
Declaration of Conformity 21
Front Panel controls 11
General Description 3
Getting Started 4
Input stage circuit 14
Introduction 1
Input connection examples 5
Lockout connection 5,7, 8
MIN/MAX button 10, 11,
Mounting methods 13, 14
Peak reading memory 10, 11
RESET button 10, 11
Revision record 16
Specifications 11
Suspension mounting 15
TARE control 10, 11
Valley reading memory 10, 11
Wall Mounting 14
Warnings 2
index

1
Introduction
Please contact us if you need help, if you have a complaint, or if you have suggestions to help us
improve our products or services for you.
If you contact us about a product you already have, please tell us the full model number and serial
number, so that we can give you accurate and fast help.
This product has a 2 year warranty. We will put right or replace any meter which is faulty because
of bad workmanship or materials. This warranty does not cover damage caused by misuse or
accident.
IMPORTANT
If this equipment is important to your process, you may want to buy a spare to cover possible
failure or accidental damage in the future.
This is because at some times, for example during our factory shutdown periods, you may have to
to wait several weeks for an equivalent replacement. Or, we may have no stock at the time you
urgently need it.
You may also need to pay extra carriage charges if you want a fast, guaranteed courier service.
Warranty repairs or replacements are normally returned with a standard courier service.
We do not offer any compensation for losses caused by failure of this instrument.
If you do not agree with these conditions, please return this item now, in unused, clean condition, in
its original packaging and we will refund the purchase price, excluding any carriage paid.
We thought you’d prefer to know about possible delays and extra charges now, rather than during
a panic.
We always try to improve our products and services, so these may change over time. You should
keep this manual safely, because future manuals, for new designs, may not describe this product
accurately.
We believe these instructions are accurate, and that we have competently designed and
manufactured the product, but please let us know if you find any errors.

Safety First ..............Don't assume anything............. Always double check.
If in doubt, ask someone who is QUALIFIED to assist you in the subject.
Warnings
Please carefully read all warnings and ONLYinstall the meter
when you are sure that you’ve covered all aspects.
!
2
*Connect the meter according to current IEE regulations and separate all
wiring according to IEC1010.
*Power supplies to this equipment must have anti-surge (T) fuses at 125mA for 230V
supply, 250mA for 110V supply or 1A for DC supplies in the range 11-30VDC.
*Check that the model number and supply voltage suit your application before
you install the meter.
*Don’t touch any circuitry after you have connected the meter, because there may be lethal
voltages on the circuit board.
*We designed this meter for Pollution-Degree 2 environments only. This means you must
install it in a clean, dry environment.
*Only adjust on-board switches or connections with the power turned off.
*Make sure all screw terminals are tight before you switch the meter on.
*Only clean the meter with a soft damp cloth. Only lightly dampen with water. Do not use any
other solvents.

General Description
The EasyReader C displays are large versions of the popular “Intuitive” counter and ratemeter
family.
They accept pulse inputs from digital sensors such as NPN, PNP or contact closure proximity
detectors.
Their main function is to monitor production lines, counting items and monitoring rate of
production, but they can also be used for accurate measurement of frequency and speed.
They also accept quadrature input signals, so are ideal for bidirectional position monitoring too.
Their unique INTUITIVE programming system gives the simplest possible setup procedure.
You can scale the counter and ratemeter so that a given number of pulses gives a certain
display value. The scaling is digital and highly stable, thanks to a trimmed quartz-crystal timing
oscillator. Scale factors from 0.001 to 9999 give wide calibration possibilities.
An excitation supply gives you 24V DC at up to 100mA, useful if you want to power an optical
sensor, proximity switch etc.
3

Getting Started
First, check that the display will suit your application and the available power source (either 95-265
VAC or 11-30 VDC).
If you asked us to configure the display for you, please check that the scaling and settings agree
with your requirements.
We fully tested and calibrated your display for you, but a pre-installation test may be useful to check
that everything works as needed.
Remove the screws which hold the rear panel in place.
Feed the signal and power cables through the cable glands.
Connect the signal and power cables to the appropriate screw terminal connectors. See our
connection drawing to check that you are using the correct terminals.
Check, before switching on, that the power is suitable for the unit.
Switch on, and the display should show ‘Ec.X.X’ for a second or two. (where Ec.X.X is the software
version). Units with custom software will have a different prompt.
4

Connections
We supply detachable screw terminal connectors to make installation as easy as possible for you.
You should use multistrand insulated wire with ferrules to DIN46228/1. You can use stripped wire
with cross sectional area from 0.5 to 2.5mm
2
. Strip back insulation 7mm.
3 cable glands accept the 3 groups of cables up to 6mm diameter.
Use screened cable for the input signal and connect the screen to power earth at the meter end of
the cable only. For best performance, keep the signal cable well away from the power cables,
which could carry electrical noise likely to interfere with your measurement.
Some Input Connection and jumper positioning examples:
5
Common
not used
not used
Peak/Valley
Reset
Screen
termination
point
Excitation + Input 2 Input 1 Common Lockout
Excitation + Input 2 Input 1 Common Lockout
Earth
Neutral
Line
Power
Logic I/Ps
Signal I/P
Locked
Unlocked
Locked
Unlocked
Locked
Unlocked
Excitation + Input 2 Input 1 Common Lockout
Excitation + Input 2 Input 1 Common Lockout
You can operate the Tare,
Peak/Valley and Reset functions
remotely with contact closures,
or with the front panel buttons.
To activate the front panel
buttons, you must make
permanent connections
between the desired function
connector and Common
Off
On (for contact closure inputs)
Pullup/down
Debounce I/P2 Debounce I/P1
Sensitivity
Pull-Up
Pull-Down
NPN Sensor PNP Sensor Contact Closure (Default)
2.5V & 3.5V thresholds
0 and 1V thresholds
0 and 20mV thresholds
You may want to see the input
stage circuit diagram. It is on
page 12.
You can also fill in a wiring
record sheet on page 16 for
future reference

Modes
The EasyReader-C has 7 display modes to suit various counting and rate measurement functions.
Here is how to select one of these modes:-
1. Connect the Lockout terminal to the Common terminal, then apply power to the display
2. Press the Mode button for 3 seconds, then release.
3. Use the UP arrow or Down arrow button to select from this list :
1. Basic Totaliser 1 pulse input
Can be scaled with positive (count up) or negative (count
down) scale factor.
2. Gated totaliser 1 pulse input and 1 gate input.
Can be scaled with positive (count up) or negative (count down) scale
factor. The gate is on INPUT2. Gate open = HI Gate closed = LOW
3. Totaliser 1 pulse input and 1 direction input
If you use a positive scale factor, the counter will increase for pulses
on INPUT1 if INPUT2 is high, decrease if INPUT2 is LOW.
4. Totaliser 1 input UP count, 1 input DOWN count.
Pulses on INPUT1 count down
Pulses on INPUT 2 count up
5. Totaliser with 2 pulse inputs for UP counting
Pulses on both INPUT1 and INPUT2 count up.
6. Quadrature counter with 2 phased inputs
Phased pulses on INPUT1 and INPUT2 count up or down
depending on phase.
7. Rate meter - Single input
Displays the frequency or scaled rate of pulses on INPUT1
8. Period meter - Single input (Bake timer)
Displays the period of pulses on INPUT1 P.in = milliseconds
9. Run timer - Dual input
Runs while Input1 is held low . P.in = 1/100 ths of seconds
10. Chronometer - Dual input
Starts timer when Input2 goes low, stops timing when Input1 goes low.
P.in = 1/100 ths of seconds
4. Press OK when you have made your choice. Now you need to scale your display ...
6

Typical examples:
On a production line you get 1 pulse for
every item. You want to count number of
items.
P.in = 1
dISP = 1
P.Set = 0
In a paper mill, you want to measure
length. You have a wheel sensor which
gives 433 pulses per metre of material.
You want to count metres to 1 decimal
place (tenths of a metre)
P.in = 433
dISP = 1.0
P.Set = 0.0
7
Scaling for the Counter modes 1 to 6
On the previous page, you saw how to select from one of 7 different modes. The first 6 modes are
all counter functions, which all have the same method of scaling.
To select a mode, you pressed OK. If you selected one of the first 6 counter modes, your display
should now show:-
You’ll see one digit brighter than
the others - this means you can
change its value with the UP or
DOWN button.
Use DIGIT button to select other
digits.
Select decimal-point with the
DIGIT button if you want to change
the decimal-point position. Move
the decimal-point with UP/DOWN
buttons.
Press OK when you have set the
whole number, to move on to the
next variable
Pulses In
Display
Preset (pre-load)
The value you can set for
each of these 3 variables
You have a rotary encoder which gives
5000 pulses per rotation (360 degrees).
You want to display degrees rotation
P.in = 5000
dISP = 360
P.Set = 0
A flow sensor gives 2345 pulses per litre
You want to count milli-litres (cc). You
want the display to start from 450 ml
P.in = 2345
disp = 1000
P.Set = 450
P.Set lets you start the counter from
some value other than 0.
For example if you wanted to fit a new
counter into a system which has
already passed 1367 litres, you
would set P.Set to 1367 and the
counter would start counting from
this value.
IMPORTANT To protect your settings, disconnect the
LOCKOUT link on the input connector.

8
Scaling for the Ratemeter Mode 7
The Ratemeter mode is ideal if you want to measure Frequency, Speed, Rate of production etc.
You’ll see one digit brighter than
the others - this means you can
change its value with the UP or
DOWN button.
Use DIGIT button to select other
digits.
Select decimal-point with the
DIGIT button if you want to change
the decimal-point position. Move
the decimal-point with UP/DOWN
buttons.
Press OK when you have set the
whole number, to move on to the
next variable
The value you can set for
each of these 3 variables
Frequency In (Hz.)
Display
Averaging
Time-Out (seconds)
○○○○○○○○○○○
○○○○○○○○○○○
The scaling method is simple.
Specify a Frequency in Hz and a
reading the display should show for
that Frequency.
For example, if you have a sensor
which gives 200Hz at 5 litres per
minute and you want to measure
flowrate in litres/minute...
F.in = 200
disp = 5 or 5.0 or 5.00 depending
on the resolution you want.
Possible values = 0,2,4,8,16,32 and 64
Averaging is useful if the input frequency is not stable. The bigger the averaging number, the
more stable will be the display. Big averaging numbers also make the display respond less
quickly to sudden changes in input frequency. The largest averaging number is 64, which means
that 64 readings will be averaged.
Possible values = 3,10,30 and 60
The time-out function is normally set to 3 seconds. This means that if the input pulses stop for
any reason, the display will hold the last reading for 3 seconds, after which it will go to 0. You can
increase this delay up to 60 seconds.
IMPORTANT To protect your settings, disconnect the
LOCKOUT link on the input connector.

Typical examples:
Period Measurement
You want to display bake time. You are sensing
pulses from a gear wheel. At 100Hz (10mS)
the transit time in the oven is 43 minutes.
Set P.in = 10
Set dISP = 43
RunTime or Chronometer
1. You want to count in seconds
Set P.In = 100, Set dISP=1 (or 1.0 or 1.00)
2. You want to count in minutes
Set P.In = 6000, Set dISP=1 (or 1.0 or 1.00)
9
Scaling for the timer modes 8 to 10
On the previous pages, you saw how to select from one of 6 different counter modes and a ratemeter
mode. Modes 8 to 10 are timer modes.
You’ll see one digit brighter than
the others - this means you can
change its value with the UP or
DOWN button.
Use DIGIT button to select other
digits.
Select decimal-point with the
DIGIT button if you want to change
the decimal-point position. Move
the decimal-point with UP/DOWN
buttons.
Press OK when you have set the
whole number, to move on to the
next variable
Pulse period In
Display
Preset (pre-load)
The value you can set for
each of these 3 variables
P.Set lets you start the counter from
some value other than 0.
IMPORTANT To protect your settings, disconnect the
LOCKOUT link on the input connector.

The contact closure inputs allow you to operate the Max/Min and reset functions remotely, but
only when the meter is ‘locked’.
The switched signal is 5V DC at a current of 1.5mA
Min/Max In Rate mode only, Contact closure sequentially displays the
Maximum and Minimum scaled Rate or Frequency values, since
the display was last reset.
The display will time out and return to showing the actual
input after 3 seconds.
** If you make a permanent connection between Common and
Min/Max, you can access this function with the button labelled
Max/Min on the display’s front panel
RESET In any one of the 6 Totalsing modes, contact closure will reset the
accumulated total. In Rate mode, Contact closure will reset the
stored Max and Min and averaging history values.
** If you make a permanent connection between Common and
Reset, you can access this function with the button labelled
Reset on the display’s front panel
10
Contact closure inputs
Common
not used
not used
Peak/Valley
Reset
Remote contact-closure inputs
Min/Max
Reset

Front panel controls
Control Type 4 pushbutton switches located behind a flexible overlay.
Function Depends on whether locked or in setup mode.
Also depends on remote input contact status - see below..
Normal running mode (Locked)
MAX / MIN Selects max/min/current rate or frequency readings (When in Rate mode), in
turn if the remote MIN/MAX terminal is connected to Common.
RESET Press to reset any, max., min. and filter history if the remote
Reset terminal is connected to Common.
Setting mode (unlocked)
Mode Press for more than 3 seconds. Lets you adjust the functional mode of the display
if the display is unlocked.
DIGIT Chooses a digit to be changed on the display, while adjusting a variable when the
display is unlocked
UP arrow Each press increases a chosen digit value, while adjusting a variable when the
display is unlocked
DOWN arrow Each press decreases a chosen digit value, while adjusting a variable when the
display is unlocked
OK Confirms any changes made or skips to next step.
Digit
Mode
Max/Min Reset
OK
Common
not used
not used
Max/Min
Reset
Contact-closure inputs are used to activate front-panel buttons
Link to activate Max/Min button
Link to activate Reset button
11

Specifications
12
Bezel size 415mm wide x 195mm high
Case Depth 75mm
Weight 900 grammes
Case Material Black uPVC with Acrylic lens
Connectors Internal Detachable Screw Terminal connectors
Operating Temp. 0 to 50 degrees C, non condensing humidity
Storage Temp. -20 to 70 degrees C
Power supply 95-265 VAC or 11-30 VDC optional
Power consumption 8 watts maximum
Input Signals 3 Jumper selectable thresholds with hysteresis:-
1. 2.5 to 3.5V (default) for signals 0-5V to 0-30V
2. 1V AC or more
3. 0-20mV RMS or more
Accepts any of these sensor types:-
NPN proximity or opto
PNP proximity or opto
Contact closure
CMOS 5V to 18V
PLC 5V, 12V 24V or 48V Logic
Passive inductance pickup, signal more than 40mV p-p
Pull up/down resistor 22 Kilohms to Excitation + or 0V respectively
Input Frequencies With debounce jumpers 0 to 30 Hz. scalable
Without debounce jumpers 0 to 50 KHz. scalable
Operating Overload Can accept up to 60V without damage
Display type High efficiency LED, red or green
Digit height 102mm (A 57mm high model is also available)
Viewing distance 50 metres (25 metres with 57mm digit model)
Accuracy +/-0.05% of range +/-2 counts in Frequency mode
Scaling tempco 20ppm/Degree Celsius max. for Rate/Frequency
Excitation voltage 24VDC +/- 20% rated at 100mA. Noise 200mV max
(50Hz-100KHz)
Filtering Selectable time constants up to 5 secs in 0.5sec
increments
Display update rate In any of the counting and timing modes:
The display will update with each incoming pulse up to 10
updates per second for frequencies above 10 Hz.
In rate mode:
For frequencies above 3Hz., display will update 3 times per
second.
For frequencies below 3 Hz. the display will update on each
input pulse, provided the interval between pulses is less than
the chosen timeout period of 3, 10, 30 or 60 seconds.
Memory Programme settings and accumulated total have 10 year data
retention in solid-state memory which does not need batteries to
operate.

Notes
Pull Up
Pull Down
Debounce
3V
1V
20mV
Threshold
+
-
Input comparator
47K
18K
0.1uF
Excitation +
Input +
Common
Circuit diagram showing one of the two input stages.
This shows the pullup, debounce and sensitivity setting methods.
13

How to Mount your display
Wall mount your EasyReader display in a clean, dry environment.
Drill 4 holes in your wall, spaced as you see in this diagram...
The mounting screws you use should have a diameter between 3.4 and 4.6 mm and should
be suitable for the material of the wall. You may need to use wall plugs or other screw
accessories, if the wall material is not suitable to take screws directly.
Route cables neatly away from the display. If the cables may become damaged in the
environment, protect them with suitable conduit or trunking.
407 mm
Place the brackets as shown, so that the display covers
the 4 mounting screws
365 mm
The 4 bracket holes are all 5mm diameter
Fit the brackets to the wall.
Then, fit the display between the brackets.
1. Wall Mounting
14
M8 Spring Washer
M8 Plain Washer
25mm rubber washer
M8 Pan Screw
Wall bracket
25.0 mm
47.5 mm
2.5mm
Side View
Wall

15
How to Mount your display ... continued
1. Suspension Mounting
Suspension mount your EasyReader display in a clean, dry environment.
The mounting screws you use should have a diameter between 3.2 and 3.8 mm and should
be suitable for the supporting material. You may need to use screw plugs or other screw
accessories, if the material is not suitable to take screws directly.
Mount the brackets first, then fit the display to the brackets.
Route cables neatly away from the display. If the cables may become damaged in the
environment, protect them with suitable conduit or trunking.
85.0 mm 85.0 mm
View down onto top of bracket
3 holes 4.5mm diameter
M8 Spring Washer
M8 Plain Washer
25mm rubber washer
M8 Pan Screw
25.0 mm

Record of Revisions
30 January 2004 Product released
16 February 2004 Added input stage diagram to page 12
25 March 2004 Added wiring and jumper record sheet on page 16
4 January 2008 Added timing modes
16

Wiring and jumper record
17
For future reference, record all the jumper positions and wiring colours you used in your installation.