Novus LogBox-DA User manual

NOVUS AUTOMATION 1/7
LogBox
-DA
ELECTRONIC DATA LOGGER
−MANUAL V1.1x J
PRESENTATION
LogBox-DA is an electronic data logger with two input channels: one
analog and one digital. The values measured by these channels
(data) are stored in the logger electronic memory and later sent to a
computer in table or graphical form. It is possible to export them for
use in programs such as spreadsheets.
To configure the logger and view or download data, you must use the
NXperience software. When you configure it, you can set the start
and end mode of the recordings, the parameters of each input,
among other functions.
LogBox-DA provides an auxiliary electronic switch, which can be
used in series with the power supply of external instruments,
connected to the logger. With this feature, you can configure the
logger to close the switch and power these instruments only at the
instant of acquisition, extending the battery life of the external
instrument.
MEMORY CAPACITY
•64 k Model: It allows up to 64,000 logs,
The memory capacity is divided between the enabled channels.
When there are two enabled channels, each has half of the available
memory. When a single channel is enabled, it has all the memory at
its disposal.
The available memory capacity is indicated on the identification label,
attached to the housing of the logger:
Figure 1 –Identification label
INPUT SIGNALS
Channel 1 (IN 1) counts digital electrical pulses, which can be of the
following types: Voltage Pulse, Dry Contact (switch) or Open
Collector, according to the configuration made.
Channel 2 (IN 2), in turn, measures analog electrical signals, which
can be of the following types: 0-20 mA, 4-20 mA, 0-50 mV, or 0-5 V,
according to the configuration made.
Note: For the channel 2, in addition to performing the configuration
via software, you must properly position the internal jumper.
DATA ACQUISITION (LOGGING)
Data can be acquired by means of two different modes.
For channel 1, which counts electrical pulses, the recorder counts the
number of pulses received in a programmed period. At the end of
each period, the measured count value is stored in the memory of
the logger, creating a log. The maximum number of logs that can be
stored depends on the memory capacity.
For channel 2, the logger can: 1) Perform a single measurement
within a defined period and log the value read or 2) perform ten
measurements in this period and log in memory the average of the
values read or log the minimum value or maximum value measured.
OPERATION
In the NXperience software, which must be previously installed on
the computer to be used, you can configure logger operation mode
(see LOGGER CONFIGURATION item). To read or change this
configuration, you must use the IR-LINK3 Communication Interface
(see IR-LINK3 OPTICAL INTERFACE item).
Once the device has been configured and the electrical input
connections have been made, it is ready to measure and log the
signals applied to the input channels. Status indicators display the
current condition of the logger.
STATUS INDICATORS (LEDS)
The Status Indicators (see Figure 2), located on the front of the
logger, serve to indicate the current operating condition of the device:
LOG Indicator (Logging): If it is waiting to begin acquisitions
(stand-by) or after a series of acquisitions has been completed, the
LED blinks once every four seconds. If it is performing acquisitions,
it blinks twice every four seconds.
AL Indicator (Alarm): This indicator informs about alarm
situations. Whenever an alarm situation occurs, it blinks once
every four seconds. It remains in this condition until a new setting
is applied to the logger.
Figure 2 –LEDs and IR communication

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CHANNEL 1 MULTIPLICATION FACTOR
Channel 1 was designed to count electric pulses from liquid flow
meters (litters per pulse, for example). You can set the amount of
liquid that corresponds to each received pulse. You can also easily
change the adopted flow rate unit.
Although adapted for flow rate, it is possible to monitor other
quantities. In this case, you must disregard the expression l/pulse
(liters per pulse) in the Sensor Factor field.
SOFTWARE NXPERIENCE
You must use NXperience software to configure and download data
from LogBox-DA. To install the software, simply run the file
NXperience_Setup.exe, available on our website.
RUNNING NXPERIENCE
When you start NXperience, the home screen will appear:
Figure 3 –NXperience home screen
Next, at the bottom of the screen, you must click on the button to
indicate the serial port to be used by the IR-LINK3 Optical Interface,
which must be connected to the computer USB:
Figure 4 –Select a device
In the example above you should select the option "USB Serial Port
(COM3)" and click Ok. After that, simply click on the Configure
button and then on Read Device to perform the connection process.
Note: This manual provides basic information on how to configure
the device. For more specific information about other features,
please refer to the NXperience manual, available on our website.
IR-LINK3 OPTICAL INTERFACE
To configure, monitor, or download data from the logger through the
NXperience software, you must use an IR-LINK3 Communication
Interface (purchased separately).
IR-LINK3 acts as an intermediary between the device and the
computer being used and allows you to transmit and receive data
from the logger via infrared signals.
The driver will be installed during the NXperience installation
process. Once this is done, IR-LINK3 will be recognized whenever it
is connected to the computer.
LOGGER CONFIGURATION
To configure the logger, IR-LINK3 Communication Interface must
be connected to the computer being used.
IR-LINK3 must be directed constantly towards the logger
communication window (see Figure 5) and kept at approximately 15
cm:
Figure 5 –Interface directed to the logger
According to the instructions defined in the NXPERIENCE
SOFTWARE item, you must click the Read Device button to start the
communication between the recorder and the software. Then, the
general settings screen will be presented:
Figure 6 –General settings
This screen displays general information about the device, such as
serial number, firmware version, and model. In the Device Tag
parameter, you can set a specific name for LogBox-DA.
If the communication between the logger and the computer is
established, the date and time displayed on the screen will be
constantly updated.
Afterwards, if you need to return to this screen, just click on the
button.
CHANNELS
By clicking the button, you can access the configuration fields of
the logger analog channels.
DIGITAL CHANNEL – DIGITAL PULSES
Figure 7 –Digital channel
The configuration fields for the Digital Channel are the following:

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Tag: Set of up to 8 characters that allows you to identify the variable.
Input Type:Allows you to define how the pulses applied to input 1
will be measured. The list presents the following options: NPN, PNP
and Dry Contact.
Sensor Factor: Allows you to set the quantity per pulse received. It
is optimized for measuring liquid flow (liters per pulse). It can assume
any value between 0.000001 and 16383.
Decimal Digits: Allows you to set the number of decimal places of
the sensor factor.
Unity: Allows you to define the unit to be used for the measured
variable. The options are optimized for measuring flow rate. Still, you
can define other units.
Scale Factor: Field to measure flow rate. Allows you to define the
connections between the different flow measurement units. It can
assume any value between 0.000001 and 65535. For variables other
than flow rate, you should configure it with a value of 1.
Decimal Digits: Allows you to set the number of decimal places for
alarm values.
Alarm: Allows you to define limit values for the measured variable.
Once they are exceeded, the alarm will be triggered. In this case,
even if the alarm condition no longer occurs, the alarm indicator will
remain blinking.
The "Lower Alarm" parameter allows you to define the value
below which the alarm will be triggered.
The "Upper Alarm" parameter allows you to define the value
above which the alarm will be triggered.
ANALOG CHANNEL – ANALOG SIGNAL
Figure 8 –Analog channel
The configuration fields for the Analog Channel are the following:
Tag:Set of up to 8 characters that allows you to identify the variable.
Input Mode:Allows you to define the signal applied to the analog
input: 4-20 mA, 0-20 mA, 0-50 mV, 0-10 V. The option used must be
according to the jumper configuration (see INPUT CONNECTIONS −
ANALOG CHANNEL item).
Unit: Allows you to define the unit to be used for the measured
variable.
Mode: Allows you to define the recording mode of the acquired data:
Instant:The device performs a measurement. The value is
recorded at each acquisition "Interval".
Medium:The device periodically takes ten measurements over
each acquisition "Interval". The recorded value is the average of
these measurements.
Minimum:The device periodically takes ten measurements over
each acquisition "Interval". The recorded value corresponds to the
smallest measurement.
Maximum:The device periodically takes ten measurements over
each acquisition "Interval". The recorded value corresponds to the
largest measure.
Decimal Digits: Allows you to define how many decimal places after
the comma will be displayed in the Lower and Upper Limits, Upper
and Lower Alarms and Offset parameters.
Lower Limit and Upper Limit:Allows you to define upper and lower
limit values for the inputs.
Alarm: Allows you to define limit values for the measured variable.
Once they are exceeded, the alarm will be triggered. In this case,
even if the alarm condition no longer occurs, the alarm indicator will
remain blinking.
The "Lower Alarm" parameter allows you to define the value
below which the alarm will be triggered.
The "Upper Alarm" parameter allows you to define the value
above which the alarm will be triggered.
Offset: Allows you to correct small errors presented by the input
signal. Errors that occur, for example, when changing a sensor or
replacing a transmitter.
LOG REGISTER
By clicking the button, you can access the configuration fields of
the logger data:
Figure 9 –Log register
LOG
Log Interval: Allows you to determine the time interval (hh:mm:ss)
between acquisitions. At the end of this period, the data will be saved
in the memory of the logger.
Estimated Time: Based on the "Interval" of the acquisitions and the
number of programmed acquisitions, it informs you how long it
should take the logger to perform all the programmed acquisitions.
Available if the Memory Mode is set to "Full Memory" mode.
External Battery Switch: Allows you to set the time interval that the
logger takes to turn on the electronic switch before each
measurement. This time cannot exceed half the time between
measurements (limited to 10 seconds).
MEMORY MODE
Circular Memory: The logger performs acquisitions continuously.
Once the logger reaches maximum memory capacity, the oldest data
will be overwritten.
Full Memory: The logger performs acquisitions until the available
memory capacity of the logger is reached.
START MODE
Immediate Start: Allows to start the acquisition process right after
sending the configuration to the logger.
Date/Time: Allows to start the acquisitions at a defined date and
time.
Digital Input: Allows to perform acquisitions while the digital input is
triggered (closed) and to stop acquisitions when the digital input is
disabled (open).
Start Button:Allows to start the acquisitions using the Start button.
Daily:Allows to start the acquisitions daily and at a previously
defined time.

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STOP MODE
Memory Mode Only: Allows to link the stop mode to the memory
mode of the logger. That is, the acquisitions will be interrupted if the
memory limit is reached (if Full Memory mode is set) or will never be
interrupted (if Circular Memory mode is set).
Date/Time: Allows to stop the acquisitions at a defined date and
time.
After a specific number of logs: Allows to set a number of
acquisitions that, when reached, will stop the acquisition process.
Daily:Allows to stop the acquisitions daily and at a previously
defined time.
FINALIZATION
Once the settings have been made, you must click the button
to open the finalization screen:
Figure 10 –Finalization
From this screen you can send and start logs, save the configuration
to file, download data from memory, and start, pause, or stop the
logging control.
ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION
Only the input channel connections and the internal electronic switch
(when used) are required. The electrical power supply is provided
exclusively by the internal battery.
For the IP65 model, input and external trigger terminals are available
internally. To make the connections, you will need to open the
housing.
For the IP67 model, the terminals are outside the housing, at the
connectors shown in Figure 11.
IP65 MODEL
In the IP65 model, the connections are made internally. To access
the terminals and the configuration jumper, it is necessary to remove
the cover from the logger.
The connection wires enter the logger through the cable gland
located on the bottom of the housing. Figure 11shows the polarity of
these connections:
Figure 11 –IP65 Version (Connections internal view)
Note: Be sure that the cable gland holds the wires, ensuring the
protection level of this model: IP65 − Fully protected against the entry
of dust and against water jets, according to NBR-6146 standard.
IP67 MODEL
In the IP67 version, a M8 connector is provided for signal input.
When required, a second M8 connector can be installed to output the
signal for commanding the external power supply. The cables are
supplied with the logger.
Note: You should remove the logger cover only when it is necessary
to change the battery. On this occasion, the cover must be put back
properly, ensuring the protection degree of this model: IP67 −Fully
protected against the entry of dust and against immersion in water,
according to NBR-6146 standard.
Figure 12 –IP67 Version (External connectors)
The wires have the following connections:
CHANNELS CABLE
(RIGHT) CONNECTION
Blue
Channel 1 – (3 IN1) – positive (+)
Black Channel 1 – (4 GND) – negative (-)
White
Channel 2 – (1 IN2) – positive (+)
Brown Channel 2 – (2 GND) – negative (-)
Table 1 –Channels cable
SWITCH CABLE (LEFT) CONNECTION
Blue Transducer (7 +VTRANS)
Black
External Battery (5 -BAT)
White External Battery (6 +BAT)
Brown
Not connected
Table 2 –Switch cable
INPUT CONNECTIONS – DIGITAL CHANNEL
The following figures show the connections for the possible input
types:
Figure 13 –Voltage Pulse and Dry Contact

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Figure 14 –NPN and PNP open collector input
INPUT CONNECTIONS – ANALOG CHANNEL
To use channel 2 properly, the internal jumpers J1 and J2 must be
positioned according to the chosen input type, as shown in Table 3.
The setting of these jumpers is for measuring 4-20 mA or 0-20 mA
signals.
The following figures show the connections for the possible input
types:
Figure 15 –Current and voltage inputs
INPUT SIGNAL J1 POSITION J2 POSITION
4-20 mA / 0-20 mA AA
0-10V B B
0-50 mV C C
Table 3 –J1 and J2 positioning
EXTERNAL BATTERY SWITCH
The figure below shows an example of using the internal electronic
switch during the actuation of external devices.
In this example, channel 2 is configured for the 4-20 mA signal. The
transmitter that generates this signal is powered by an external
battery. This power supply is commanded by the logger via the
Electronic Switch that "switches on" the power supply seconds before
the logger measures channel 2.
This measure allows the external battery to power the logger for a
much longer time.
Figure 16 –Example of the battery switch powering a transmitter
INSTALLATION RECOMMENDATIONS
Small electrical signal conductors should run through the plant
separately from drive conductors or conductors with high current or
voltage values. If possible, in grounded conduits.
The instrumentation supply must come from a proper instrumentation
network.
DOWNLOADING AND VISUALIZING DATA
Through NXperience, you can view the data acquired by the logger.
To do this, you click on the Download button on the software home
screen, and then on Download Logs:
Figure 17 –Download logs
You can also click on the Open File button to view files of previously
downloaded logs.
Once NXperience has downloaded the logs, it will display a graph of
these values:
Figure 18 –Graph
The graph allows you to see the acquisitions made by the logger in
the form of a 'values x time' graph. Scrolling with the mouse pointer
over the graph area will display the information at the bottom of the
window.
Using the zoom commands on the toolbar, you can select a region of
the graph to view in detail. You can also use the left mouse button to
select an area of the graph to view in detail or drag the curves
vertically with the right mouse button.

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On the right side of the graph there are two tabs: Data View and
General Information.
Through the toolbar at the bottom of the download screen,
NXperience allows you to save, save to file, merge graphs, filter, and
even export this information to several types of reports:
Figure 19 –Toolbar
Specific information about each of these features can be found in the
NXperience manual, available on our website.
DATA VIEW
Figure 20 –Data View
This table provides in engineering units the values acquired by one
or both input channels (depending on the configuration made). Each
occurrence of this table consists of the log number, the time, the
date, and the log values.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Figure 21 –General Information
Displays information about the logger and its settings.
MONITORING LOGS
By clicking the button located at the bottom of the NXperience
home screen, you can monitor the real-time operation of the logger:
Figure 22 –Monitoring logs
This screen presents information about the configured channels, the
values currently logged, the occurrence of alarms, among other data,
and allows you to pause and print the displayed graph.
Specific information about each of these features can be found in the
NXperience manual, available on our website.
SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS
Because it is an electronic device, the logger requires some basic
precautions:
•When opening the unit to change the battery or attach sensors,
you should avoid contact with the circuitry due to the risk of
damage from static electricity.
•When the device is opened, avoid liquid and/or dust contact.
•You should pay attention to the battery polarity. The battery
should be placed with the positive terminal toward the center
of the device.
•Used batteries must not be recharged, disassembled, or
incinerated. After use, they must be collected according to local
legislation or sent back to the supplier.
•When closing the housing, the cover must be put back on
properly, ensuring the degree of protection of this model.
TROUBLESHOOTING
The indicator does not blink:
The indicator blinks intentionally dimply and can be difficult to see it
in high-light locations. Therefore, you need to make sure that it is not
actually blinking.
Check that the battery is correctly installed.
Make sure that the battery is not discharged.
It is not possible to communicate with the logger:
Make sure that there are no obstacles blocking the infrared signal.
Make sure that the cable is properly connected to the computer port.
Make sure that the selected port is working properly.

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SPECIFICATIONS
Inputs:
Channel 1: NPN, PNP, Pulse or Dry Contact
Level 0: 0.0 up to 1.0 Volts
Level 1: 2.0 up to 24.0 Volts
Max. frequency: 4000 Hz for NPN, PNP and Pulse
20 Hz for Dry Contact (internal Debounce)
Input Impedance:
NPN, PNP and Pulse: 105 kΩ
Dry contact: Capacitance of 100 nF
Maximum counting: 65535 per period.
Channel 2: 0-20 mA, 4-20 mA, 0-50 mV and 0-10 Vdc,
internally selectable.
Input 2 resolution: 14 bits or 16.384 levels.
Input 2 accuracy: 0.2% of range input signal.
Input Impedance:
0-20 mA and 4-20 mA: 120 Ω
0-50 mV: >>10 MΩ
0-10 Vdc: >120 kΩ
Memory capacity: 64000 (64k)
Interval between readings: Minimum: 1 second, maximum: 18 hours
External battery switch time: 0 to 10 s
Power: 3.6 V lithium battery (1/2 AA)
Estimated autonomy: 200 days with one weekly download and 5
minutes measuring interval. Battery life
depends heavily on data retrieval
frequency.
Operation temperature: From –40°C to 70°C.
Protection Degree: IP65 and IP67 models (see lateral label on
product)
Housing Material: ABC + PC, Polycarbonate film.
Dimensions: 60 x 70 x 35 mm
Figure 23 –Dimensions
PACKAGE CONTENTS
When unpacking the logger, in addition to the manual, you should
find:
•One LogBox-DA data logger.
•Two external connection cables (IP67 model only).
WARRANTY
Warranty conditions are available on our website
www.novusautomation.com/warranty.