NorthStar NP2 User manual

Detection Products for the Traffic & Parking Industries
NP2Installationand
OperationManual

D E T E C T I O N P R O D U C T S F O R T H E T R A F F I C & P A R K I N G I N D U S T R I E S
Installation and Operation Manual
Northstar Controls L.L.C.
6147 Clark Center Avenue Sarasota, Florida 34238
Phone [phone] • Fax [phone]

Table of Contents
Features 1
Specifications 2
Size
Weight
Relay Output Rating
Power Supply
Temperature Range
Inductance Range
Lead-In-Length
Loop Frequency
Rear Panel DIP Switch Settings 3
Relay 1
Delay
Extend
Presence Time
Relay 2
Pulse Length
Operating Mode
Front Panel Selections 3
Sensitivity
Frequency
Reset
Indicators
Factory Settings 3
Sensitivity Boost
Loop Installation Guide 4-5
Helpful Hints 5

1
Features
10 selectable Sensitivities
4 selectable Frequencies
Wrong voltage protection
Output Timing –Extend &
Delay
Selectable Presence times
Selectable Pulse lengths
Separate Power, Detect and
Fault Indicators
Automatic Sensitivity Boost
Available in: 240VAC, 120VAC,
24VAC, 24VDC or 12VDC
Specifications.
Size: 1 3/8” wide x 3 3/32” high x 3 1/2” long.
Weight: Eight (8) ounces, approximate.
Relay Output Rating: 7A, 277VAC/30VDC.
Power Supply: 240VAC, 120VAC, 24VAC, (24VDC, 12VDC)
Consumption –70mA DC or 1 Watt AC.
Temperature Range: -30 to +180 Fahrenheit.
Inductance Range: 20 to 1500 microhenries, automatically tuned.
Lead-In Length: Up to 2500 feet with proper loop and lead-in.
Loop Frequency: Four selectable frequencies, typically in the range of 40 to 150 KHz.

2
Rear Panel DIP Switch Selections
Relay 1
Extend –switch 1 is for extending the detector output after the vehicle has left the loop. Switch 1 in
the OFF position provides no extension. Switch 1 in the ON position provides a 5 second extension
once the vehicle leaves the loop. Relay 1 ‘Detect’ LED will flash 4 times per second when extend
feature is activated. This extension applies to relay 1 only.
Extend times included: 0 seconds, 2 seconds, 5 seconds, 10 seconds. Standard configuration is: 0
seconds and 5 seconds.
Delay –switch 2 is for providing a 2 second delay, detector will ignore the vehicle until the vehicle
has been present over the loop for 2 seconds. Switch 2 in the OFF position provides no delay. Switch
2 in the ON position provides for the 2-second delay. Relay 1 ‘Detect’ LED will flash 2 times per
second when delay feature is activated. This delay applies to relay 1 only.
Delay times include: 0 seconds, 2 seconds, 4 seconds. Standard configuration is: 0 seconds and 2
seconds.
Presence Time –switch 3 provides for either a 1hour presence or permanent presence. Switch 3 in
the OFF position provides for 1 hour of presence. Switch 3 in the ON position provides for
permanent presence. The above presence settings apply to relay 1 only.
Presence times include: 15 minutes, 30 minutes, 60 minutes, permanent. Standard configuration is:
60 minutes and permanent.
Relay 2
Pulse Length –switch 4 provides for either a 250mS pulse length or a 500mS pulse length. Switch 4
in the OFF position provides a 250mS (standard) pulse length. Switch 4 in the ON position provides a
500mS pulse length. The above settings apply to relay 2 only.
Pulse lengths include: 250mS, 500mS, 1 second, 2 second.
Operating Mode –switch 5 and switch 6 determine the operating mode for Relay 2. The four modes
are as follows:
Switch 5 and switch 6 OFF provides relay 2 pulse-on-entry.
Switch 5 ON and switch 6 OFF provides relay 2 pulse-on-leaving.
Switch 5 OFF and switch 6 ON provides for relay 2 presence.
Switch 5 and switch 6 ON provides a relay 2 fault output.

3
Front Panel Selections
Sensitivity –controlled by front panel rotary switch.
Setting Level dL/L
01.28%
10.64%
20.32%
30.16%
40.08%
50.06%
60.04%
70.02%
80.01%
Set to position 5 initially and adjust to obtain detection of desired vehicles.
Frequency –four separate settings controlled by front panel DIP switches.
2+1 = High
2+0 = Medium High
1+0 = Medium Low
0+0 = Low
Frequency changes by a minimum of 7% between settings.
Reset –front panel reset performs a hard reset of the detector.
Indicators -
Power –Green, solid with correct power supplied.
Relay 1 –Red, solid during detect. (Flashes for delay or extend).
Relay 2 –Red, solid during detect.
Fault –Yellow, solid during current fault, flashing for historical fault.
Factory Settings
Set to HI frequency Set to Medium sensitivity (5)
Extend/Delay in the OFF position Presence time set to 1 hour
Pulse length set to 250msec Relay 2 = fail-secure (for power only)
Relay 1 = fail-safe
Sensitivity Boost –automatic during detect except in the highest sensitivity setting (9).

4
Loop Installation
An inductive loop consists of a single length of wire, usually 12 to 18 gauge, wound in a square or
rectangle shape often sawcut into the pavement. Both ends of this wire are brought back to the
detector and connected to the ‘loop’ positions as designated on the unit. With the loop properly
connected to the detector and the detector unit powered up, a field will be generated around the loop.
The detector unit will look for a change in frequency and inductance signaling the presence of a
vehicle (metal mass) in the loop field.
The area where vehicles are to be detected determines the size of the loop. Loops can be made in
many sizes and shapes depending on detection needs. Typically a square or rectangle loop is used
providing maximum coverage and field height. Depending on the perimeter of the loop, a chart has
been provided with recommendations on how many turns of wire will be needed.
Lead-in
Twist wires 5 to 7
twists per foot
Back to detector
Loop wire –4 turns
NUMBER OF TURNS
4 or 5
2 or 3
2
10 to 20 feet
X
30 to 40 feet
X
50 to 100 feet
X
P
E
R
I
M
E
T
E
R
R

Detection height is a major factor in reliably detecting vehicles of interest. A good rule of thumb is that the
small side of the loop will determine field height and provide 1/2 to 2/3rds that distance in detection height.
Ex: 6’x4’ loop (4 foot side determines height) will have a field height of 24” to 32”.
Ex: 10’x6’ loop (6 foot side determines height) will have a field height of 36” to 48”.
For truck detection never use less than a 6’ small side loop.
Ex: 6’x6’, 6’x8’, 6’x10’ etc.
When using a loop around a gate, remember to keep the loop at least 4’ away from the gate. Detection occurs
when metal is present in the field generated around the loop i.e.; vehicle chassis, metal gate, metal door.
The depth of the loop is between 1 and 2 inches. Depths over 2 inches just place the loop farther from the
vehicle to be detected. The top wire should be down far enough to provide protection (1 inch) from wear and
tear on the road surface. Avoid rebar if at all possible, try to stay at least 2 inches above any rebar or wire mesh.
Loop wire insulation is critical to reliable operation. Crosslinked polyethylene is strongly recommended (XLPE
or XHHW). Loop wire insulation must be able to withstand abrasion from pavement shifting, moisture and oils.
Stranded wire is preferred over solid core because it is less likely to become damaged due to stretching and
bending.
A megometer is used to test the loop for leakage to ground due to breaks in insulation. When ‘megging’ a loop
and lead-in the insulation resistance to earth should be greater than 10MO, measured at 500 volts. With a
standard Ohm meter look for a series resistance of less than 10O. If no meters are available and a loop is
questionable, try swapping the detector with a known working detector and note if the problem follows the loop
or the detector.
Helpful Tips:
Do not use sharp objects such as a screwdriver to push loop wires into the sawcut.
Small gauge wires (16, 18) are easier to work with –but avoid very long lead-ins with smaller gauges.
Clean sawcut before placing loop wires in.
Avoid splices if possible, use one length of wire from the detector out to and around the loop then back to the
detector.
Seat loop wires in sealant before filling the sawcut; encapsulate the loop wires in sealant.
Twist only the lead-in, do not twist wires around the loop