NexSens TS210 User manual

1
Title Page

i
About NexSens
NexSens is a US-based company specializing in the design and manufacture
of real-time environmental measurement systems. Recent data logger,
sensor and web developments simplify collecting and sharing project data.
Environmental measurement systems are constructed with standard
components. Data is transmitted by WiFi, cellular, satellite or radio and
shared on a real-time datacenter.
Planning
Component and system drawings are available online
Integration
Systems are pre-constructed, tested and documented prior to shipment
Field Services
Installation support and setup ensure successful deployments
Training
Factory or onsite training ensure successful startup and operation
Repair
Technicians inspect and recondition equipment for reliable performance
Support
Online knowledge base, phone and email support are readily available

ii
Table of Contents
Overview ......................................................................1
What’s Included ............................................................2
Common Accessories .................................................................................... 2
Specifications................................................................3
General.......................................................................................................... 3
Temperature ................................................................................................. 3
Getting Started .............................................................4
Multi-Point Temperature String Assembly ................................................... 4
Connecting to an SDL500 Data Logger.......................................................... 6
Connecting to an iSIC Data Logger................................................................ 7
Connecting to an RS485 Modbus RTU Device .............................................. 8
UW-R FL Cable Connections...................................................................... 8
Sensor Information ................................................................................... 9
Register Information ................................................................................. 9
Universal Address ................................................................................... 10
Pre-Deployment Check ............................................................................... 11
Connector Signals........................................................13
Maintenance...............................................................14
Cleaning....................................................................................................... 14
Storage ........................................................................................................ 14
Calibration ..................................................................14
Troubleshooting..........................................................15
Warranty and Service..................................................16

Overview
1
Overview
The NexSens TS210 Thermistor String provides high precision
temperature measurements for profiling in lakes, streams, and
coastal waters. It features an integral titanium thermistor secured
and epoxied in a protective housing for underwater deployments. A
marine-grade cable with braided Kevlar core help ensure reliability
in extreme environments.
Each sensor is accurate to +/-0.075 C for high-precision
measurements. The exposed titanium thermistor makes direct
contact with water, allowing readings to stabilize within 60 seconds.
Temperature data is transmitted on a RS-485 Modbus RTU string
bus for integration with data loggers and SCADA systems. The
string is powered by 4-28 VDC for operation on a 12 or 24 VDC
power supply.
TS210 strings are available standard with 1m spacing or at custom
intervals to meet project requirements. Cable lengths are available
up to 1,219 meters (4,000 feet) with a maximum 250 nodes.
Strings terminate in a NexSens UW plug and receptacle connector,
allowing additional sections or sensors to be added as required.
Optional accessories include a bottom pressure sensor, cable
clamps, stainless steel mooring line, and communication adapters.
Figure 1:
Typical TS210
Temperature
String

What’s Included
2
What’s Included
Each TS210 Water Temperature Sensor includes the UW
underwater plugs required for temperature string terminations and
O-rings for preventing leakage at these connections.
Common Accessories
Table 1: Accessories commonly used with TS210 temperature sensors
Part Number
Description
Details
UW-FLxR
Underwater to
flying lead cable
adapter
Used to connect
TS210 temperature
sensor string to a
NexSens iSIC data
logger
TS-Clamp
TS210 mooring
clamp
Used to secure
TTS210 strings along
a mooring line
SS187-x
Stainless steel
mooring line
Used for buoy and
sensor mooring
systems
RS485-RS232
Signal adapter
RS-485 to RS-232
signal adapter
NOTE
TS210 sensors use
unique NexSens UW
Underwater Connectors
for interfacing with
accessories.

Specifications
3
Specifications
General
Table 2: NexSens TS210 temperature sensor general specifications
Length
3.0 in (76.2 mm)
Diameter (OD)
1.4 in (35.6 mm)
Weight
0.3 lbs
Housing
Acetal Copolymer
Polyvinylchloride (PVC)
Operating Temp Range
0 to 45ºC
Operating Depth Range
4000 ft
Sensor Capacity
250 nodes
Output
RS-485 Modbus RTU
sensorBUS Signals
SDI-12, RS-232
Power Requirements
Voltage: 5 to 16 VDC
Power Consumption
1.3mA active; 0.35mA sleep;
0.05mA deep sleep (per node)
Temperature
Table 3: NexSens TS210 temperature sensor temperature specifications
Range
0 to 45ºC
Accuracy
±0.075ºC
Resolution
0.01ºC
Unit of Measure
Celsius

Getting Started
4
Getting Started
Multi-Point Temperature String Assembly
Multi-point strings are used to determine temperature at various
locations. Typically of interest are temperature distributions
vertically in a water column or horizontally along a stream or
riverbed.
To add the sensors in the Sensor Properties of the iChart Setup
Device Wizard, highlight the appropriate sensor in the Available
Parameters list. TS210 strings typically begin with Temp00 as the
first node. Click Add to add the number of TS210 devices that are
included in the string. Enter the correct Modbus address of the first
node under Modbus Settings (Default is 1). The software
automatically assigns the addresses of the remaining sensors.
If the sensors are to be connected to Port P1, P2 or T (See
Connecting to an SDL Data Logger below) click Show Detail.
Under Switch Power, select SW.A (12V,200mA). Enter 10 in the
Duration (sec) box.
Click OK to finish.
Figure 2: TS210 sensors must be added individually
WARNING
All o-rings must be
clean and dry before
being used to secure
watertight connections.
NOTE
Always check each
mating connector for an
o-ring before securing
any UW underwater
connection.

Getting Started
5
Figure 3: Typical temperature data display in iChart

Getting Started
6
Connecting to an SDL500 Data Logger
UW underwater connectors provide a plug-and-play interface for
connection to NexSens SDL500 Submersible Data Loggers.
The SDL500 sensor bulkhead includes sensor connection ports
identified as T, P1, P0, A and D.
Figure 4: SDL500 sensor bulkhead
TS210 sensors and strings can be connected to Ports P0, P1, T, or
D. It is recommended to connect to port P1 or T to allow for power
to be removed from the TS210 sensors between readings. If this is
done, ensure Switch Power is setup correctly in iChart (See Multi-
Point Temperature String Assembly above).

Getting Started
7
Connecting to an iSIC Data Logger
TS210 sensors can be connected to any iSIC data logger using a
UW receptacle to flying lead cable assembly.
Figure 5: UW Receptacle to Flying Lead Cable
First, plug the temperature string into the adapter’s UW connector.
Run the cable through a gland fitting on the bottom of the iSIC
enclosure. Then, wire flying lead end of the cable into the iSIC
digital terminal strip per the wiring diagram shown in Table 4.
Table 4: iSIC Digital Terminal Strip Wiring Table
Wire
Signal
Pin
Brown
SDI-12
1. SDI
Red
5-16V+
2. SW.A
Black
Ground
4. GND
Yellow
Rx
5. P1.Rx
Orange
Tx
6. P1.Tx
Green
485-A
11. P3.Rx
Blue
485-B
12. P3.Tx

Getting Started
8
Connecting to an RS485 Modbus RTU Device
TS210 devices can also be connected to any device capable of
reading RS485 Modbus RTU by utilizing a UW-R FL Cable.
UW-R FL Cable Connections
The following shows the necessary connections for the TS210 using
a UW-R FL cable. The Pass-through signals do not need to be
connected if they will not be utilized.
Table 5: UW-R FL Cable
Receptacle
Pin
Wire
Color
TS210
1
Green
RS485A
2
Blue
RS485B
3
Brown
SDI-12 Pass-through
4
Red
12VDC
5
White
5VDC Pass-through
6
Yellow
RS232 RX Pass-through
7
Black
GND
8
Orange
RS232 TX Pass-through
Figure 6: T-node UW-receptacle end

Getting Started
9
Sensor Information
The below information outlines the TS210 sensor’s requirements.
Protocol: Modbus-RTU
Baud Rate: 19200
Parity: N81
Default Address: 1 to n
Format: Big Endian
Timeout: 500ms
Register Information
Once connected the following registers can be used to collect data
and change the sensor’s Modbus address.
Table 6: Read Input Registers
Function 0x04 (Read input registers)
Registers
Data
Type
Data
Size
Purpose
0x0006,
0x0007
Float
2
registers
Requests the
temperature recorded
by the TS210 in
Celsius
Ex. FB, 04, 00, 06, 00, 02, 85, 90
Requests the Celsius temperature reading of a TS210 from
the universal Modbus address of 251.
Table 7: Write Multiple Registers
Function 0x10 (Write multiple registers)
Register
Data
Type
Data
Size
Purpose
0x1000
Integer
1
register
Changes the Modbus
Address of the TS210
to the send data
Ex. FB, 10, 10, 00, 00, 01, 02, 00, 05, 0D, 36
Changes a TS210 at the universal Modbus address of 251 to
a new address of 5.

Getting Started
10
Universal Address
The TS210 is programmed such that any sensor will respond to
Modbus address 251. This is implemented for the event that the
sensor’s current address is unknown. This address should only be
queried with one sensor connected to the data line. If more than
one sensor is connected, both will respond and a bad message is
likely.
Universal Address should not be used with TS210 sensors
that have more than one node. Only use address 251 if there
is a single sensor connected.

Getting Started
11
Pre-Deployment Check
It is recommended that field deployments be carefully planned, and
it is best to completely configure the system on a lab bench and
test it for a period of time prior to taking it to the field. This will
ensure a successful deployment and quality data collection.
Additionally, it is much easier to troubleshoot problems in the lab
than in the field.
For SDL500 Submersible Data Logger applications, connect the
data logger to a PC via the SDL500’s supplied USB interface cable.
For iSIC Data Logger applications, first ensure that power is
supplied to the device. Then connect to the PC via the direct
connect serial cable.
With iChart software running, select File | New Project. Name the
project and follow the step-by-step procedure in the Setup Device
Wizard. Refer to the iChart manual for additional information.
Figure 7: iChart software setup device wizard

Getting Started
12
Setting Up a Sensor Mooring Line
Temperature strings are frequently attached to a mooring line to
keep them fixed in place vertically within a water column. This
technique helps to ensure that temperature data is consistently
being monitored at the desired depths.
With the temperature string laid out on a flat surface, secure each
TS210 to the sensor mooring line using TS-Clamp sensor mooring
clamps.
Figure 9: Stainless steel mooring line
Figure 10: TS-clamp mooring clamp
Figure 8: T-
Node string on
sensor mooring
line

Connector Signals
13
Connector Signals
TS210 sensors require four signals for operation: +5-16 VDC,
Ground, RS485A and RS485B. The sensorBUS protocol used by
TS210 strings can also carry 5VDC, SDI-12 and RS-232 signals,
which are available for connecting other sensors along a sensor
string.
Table 8: UW-plug end signal pinout
Pin
Signal
1
RS485A
2
RS485B
3
SDI-12 Pass-through
4
5-16V+
5
5V Pass-through
6
RS232 RX Pass-through
7
GND
8
RS232 TX Pass-through
Figure 11: T-node UW-receptacle end
WARNING
Never allow moisture to
enter any of the UW
connectors during
cleaning.

Maintenance
14
Maintenance
There is very little maintenance required for TS210 temperature
strings because they are designed for long-term deployments in
submersible applications.
Cleaning
Any bio-fouling that accumulates on T-Node temperature strings
during deployments should be cleaned using a soft cloth or soft-
bristled brush along with soap and water.
Storage
T-Nodes should be stored in a cool, dry place.
Calibration
Although T-Nodes are capable of holding the initial factory
calibration indefinitely, NexSens recommends that temperature
strings be sent in for a factory recalibration every two years to
ensure maximum sensor performance.

Troubleshooting
15
Troubleshooting
Follow the procedure below to isolate and resolve sensor interface
problems.
Table 9: TS210 temperature sensor troubleshooting guide
Symptom
Possible Cause
Corrective Action
Temperature data is
displayed as a value
between -99999 and
-100001
Leakage into a
connector
Check each
underwater
connection for
flooding
String disconnected
(or severed cable)
Check the physical
setup and condition
of the temp string
No Power
If connected to port
P1 or T ensure
switch power is
setup in iChart.
If the issue persists, visit www.NexSens.com/Knowledgebase to
search the Knowledge Base for Articles, FAQs and troubleshooting
guides; otherwise please contact NexSens technical support.

Warranty and Service
16
Warranty and Service
NexSens Technology, Inc. warrants products against defects in
materials or workmanship for a period of 12 months from the date
of delivery to the original customer. This warranty is limited to the
replacement or repair of such defects, without charge, when the
product is returned to NexSens Technology, Inc. Damage due to
accidents, misuse, tampering, lack of reasonable care, loss of parts,
failure to perform prescribed maintenance, or accidents of nature
are not covered. This warranty excludes all other warranties,
express or implied, and is limited to a value not exceeding the
purchase price of the instrument.
Limitation of Warranty
This warranty is not applicable to any NexSens Technology, Inc.
product damage or failure caused by (i) failure to install, operate or
use the product in accordance with NexSens Technology, Inc.
written instructions, (ii) abuse or misuse of the product, (iii) failure
to maintain the product in accordance with NexSens Technology,
Inc. written instructions, (iv) any improper repairs to the product,
(v) use by you of defective or improper components or parts in
servicing or repairing the product, or (vi) modification of the
product in any way not expressly authorized by NexSens
Technology, Inc.
Corporate Headquarters and Authorized Service Center
NexSens Technology, Inc.
2091 Exchange Court
Fairborn, Ohio 45324
Phone [phone] ● Fax [phone]
E-Mail [e-mail]
Revision: 01 Revision Code: 15J02
WARNING
NexSens Technology,
Inc. products are not
authorized for use as
critical components in
any life support system
where failure of the
product may affect its
safety or effectiveness.