Permalert PAL-AT Series User manual

Notice
The information contained in this manual, including but not limited to any product specifications, is subject to
change without notice.
PERMALERT ESP, INC. (PERMALERT) PROVIDES NO WARRANTY WITH REGARD TO THIS MANUAL OR
ANY OTHER INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN AND HEREBY EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY IMPLIED
WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE WITH REGARD TO
ANY OF THE FOREGOING. PERMALERT ASSUMES NO LIABILITY FOR ANY DAMAGES INCURRED
DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY FROM ANY TECHNICAL OR TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS OR OMISSIONS
CONTAINED HEREIN OR FOR DISCREPANCIES BETWEEN THE PRODUCT AND THE MANUAL. IN NO
EVENT SHALL PERMALERT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, SPECIAL, OR
EXEMPLARY DAMAGES, WHETHER BASED ON TORT, CONTACT OR OTHERWISE, ARISING OUT OF OR
IN CONNECTION WITH THIS MANUAL OR ANY OTHER INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN OR THE USE
THEREOF.
Caution --This manual may not be up-to-date.
Please check the PermAlert website, www.permalert.com, for the latest revision of this manual.
The manual is typically revised at least once a year. The revision date is on the back cover.

PAL-AT Operating Manual
1
Table of Contents
1Introduction............................................................................................... 5
1.1 Theory of Operation..........................................................................................................5
1.2 Power Up..........................................................................................................................5
1.2.1 Initial Display........................................................................................................5
1.2.2 Contrast Adjustment.............................................................................................6
1.2.3 Installation Instructions.........................................................................................6
1.2.4 Manual Updates...................................................................................................6
2Operating PAL-AT ..................................................................................... 7
2.1 Setup ................................................................................................................................7
2.1.1 Multiple Cable System .........................................................................................7
2.1.2 Exit Setup.............................................................................................................7
2.1.3 Baseline Check....................................................................................................8
2.1.4 Hydrocarbon Liquids..........................................................................................10
2.1.5 Sensor String Sections.......................................................................................10
2.1.6 Create Setup Table............................................................................................10
2.1.6.1 Select Cable Type.............................................................................10
2.1.6.2 Enter Cable Distance........................................................................11
2.1.6.3 No End Found...................................................................................11
2.1.6.4 End of Sensor String.........................................................................12
2.1.7 Probes................................................................................................................12
2.2 Reference.......................................................................................................................12
2.2.1 Multiple Cable System .......................................................................................13
2.2.2 Reference Process.............................................................................................13
2.3 Verify...............................................................................................................................14
2.3.1 Multiple Cable System .......................................................................................14
2.3.2 Select the Master Map.......................................................................................14
2.3.3 Verify Process....................................................................................................15
2.3.4 Select to Monitor................................................................................................15

PAL-AT Operating Manual
2
2.4 Monitor........................................................................................................................... 16
2.4.1 Normal Messages Displayed............................................................................. 16
2.4.2 Fault Messages Displayed................................................................................ 16
2.4.3 Alarm Silence Feature....................................................................................... 17
2.4.4 Failure to Enter Monitor Mode........................................................................... 17
2.5 Display Setup................................................................................................................. 18
2.5.1 Multiple Cable System....................................................................................... 18
2.5.2 Display Setup Data............................................................................................ 19
2.5.3 Last Section ...................................................................................................... 19
2.5.4 Add Sections..................................................................................................... 20
2.5.5 Record the Setup Table .................................................................................... 20
2.6 History............................................................................................................................ 20
2.6.1 History Messages –The First Line.................................................................... 20
2.6.2 History Messages –The Second Line............................................................... 23
2.7 Set Clock........................................................................................................................ 23
2.7.1 Set the Time and Date ...................................................................................... 23
2.8 Passwords ..................................................................................................................... 24
2.8.1 Establish New Passwords................................................................................. 24
2.8.2 Delete Password............................................................................................... 25
2.8.3 Enter Password................................................................................................. 25
2.9 Special Functions........................................................................................................... 26
2.9.1 Set Relay Normal States................................................................................... 26
2.9.2 Display Special Archives................................................................................... 27
2.9.3 Set Special Options........................................................................................... 27
2.9.3.1 Set Alarm Silence Time.................................................................... 27
2.9.3.2 Select Automapping......................................................................... 27
2.9.3.3 Set Averaging Rate.......................................................................... 28
2.9.3.4 Set Noise Factor .............................................................................. 28
2.9.3.5 Power Save Delay............................................................................ 28
2.9.4 Communications Options.................................................................................. 29
2.9.4.1 Set Baud Rate.................................................................................. 29
2.9.4.2 Set System Identification.................................................................. 30
2.9.4.3 Enter Phone Number ....................................................................... 30
2.9.5 Display Cable Data............................................................................................ 30
2.9.5.1 Multiple Cable System ..................................................................... 31
2.9.5.2 Select Function ................................................................................ 31
2.9.5.3 Low / High Locations........................................................................ 31
2.9.5.4 Data Points ...................................................................................... 32

PAL-AT Operating Manual
3
3Response to Alarms................................................................................ 33
3.1 Decisions........................................................................................................................33
3.1.1 Locations............................................................................................................33
3.2 Alarm Conditions.............................................................................................................33
3.2.1 Fault...................................................................................................................33
3.2.2 Break Alarm.......................................................................................................33
3.2.3 Leak Alarm.........................................................................................................33
3.3 Leak Analysis..................................................................................................................33
3.3.1 First Leak...........................................................................................................34
3.3.2 Repeated Leaks.................................................................................................34
4Recommended Inspection...................................................................... 35
4.1 Alarm Test ......................................................................................................................35
4.2 Cable Test ......................................................................................................................35
4.3 Processor Card and Battery Test....................................................................................35
4.3.1 Optional Internal Modem....................................................................................36
5Installation & Troubleshooting............................................................... 37
5.1 Initial Power-Up Checks..................................................................................................37
5.2 Cable Connector Tests...................................................................................................37
5.3 Cable Card Sensitivity Adjustment..................................................................................38
5.4 Cable Card Connector Tests ..........................................................................................39
5.5 Cable Expansion Module................................................................................................39
5.6 FCC ................................................................................................................................39
5.7 U.L., C-U.L. & FMRC......................................................................................................40
5.8 Troubleshooting Guide....................................................................................................40
5.9 Restrictions & Limitations................................................................................................41
5.9.1 Alarm Panels......................................................................................................41
5.9.2 Sensor Cables ...................................................................................................42
5.9.3 Probes................................................................................................................42
6Output Relay System .............................................................................. 43
6.1 Installation of Output Relay System................................................................................43
6.2 Relay Module Configuration............................................................................................45
6.3 Internal Diagnostic Indicators..........................................................................................46
6.4 Control Relays ................................................................................................................46
6.5 RS-232 Port Interface Cable Installation.........................................................................47
6.6 PAL-AT Control of Output Relay System........................................................................47

PAL-AT Operating Manual
4
6.6.1 Sensing Cable and Probe Requirements.......................................................... 47
6.6.2 Assign Output Relays........................................................................................ 47
6.6.3 Display Output Relay Assignments................................................................... 47
6.6.4 Change Output Relay Assignments .................................................................. 48
7PAL-AT Setup Record..............................................................................49
8Warranty Registration..............................................................................51

PAL-AT Operating Manual
5
PAL-AT LEAK DETECTION SYSTEM, VX.XX
PERMALERT ESP INC. “TIME” “DATE”
1 Introduction
1.1 Theory of Operation
PAL-AT uses a pulsed cable-radar technology to detect leaks. PAL-AT sends low voltage pulses on a
cable and monitors reflections received at the panel. PAL-AT electronically divides the cable into short
increments and measures the reflections from each. It stores the measured values in memory during the
reference procedure in a permanent record called the “master” map. When in monitor mode, PAL-AT
compares the current condition with the master map. Significant changes from the master, for instance
when the cable gets wet, cause PAL-AT to enter the alarm mode.
This method of comparing the current condition with a baseline map allows PAL-AT to monitor a system
with minor installation inconsistencies and small amounts of wet cable. This capability enables PAL-AT
to accept initial field conditions that would force other systems to reduce their sensitivity or be
inoperative. It also allows the system to locate additional leaks that occur past acknowledged leaks.
PAL-AT detects and locates six types of changes:
1. Leak
2. Cable Drying
3. Cable Short
4. Cable Break
5. Probe Activated
6. Probe Reset
Normally, PAL-AT is set to activate alarms for leaks, shorts, breaks, and probes activated but not for a
drying cable or probe reset (see Section 2.9.3.2). The system first checks for a break or short. If none is
found, the cable is checked for the remaining four conditions.
As explained above, PAL-AT will accept and monitor a system that initially has a small amount of wet
cable. This normally occurs only in secondary containment applications. To maintain the long-term
integrity of the containment and insure the proper operation of PAL-AT, you must dry the containment
either before or immediately after the system is on-line.
1.2 Power Up
PAL-AT has a power switch inside the cabinet on the power supply cover. Power should be fed directly
from a dedicated circuit breaker to PAL-AT. If the green power light on PAL-AT is not lit, check the
circuit breaker and the power switch to be sure PAL-AT is getting power. Make sure all cards are
installed properly before you turn on PAL-AT. DO NOT INSTALL OR REMOVE CARDS WHEN THE
POWER IS ON (see Section 5.1).
1.2.1 Initial Display
PAL-AT uses a twelve (12)-digit keypad for menu selection and data entry. A two-line liquid-crystal
display (LCD) shows information about the operation of the system. PAL-AT displays the following
message when it is turned on:
LCD01:
"VX.XX" is the firmware version PAL-AT is using. The "DATE" is displayed with 4 digits for the year in
this initial display. The message is displayed during a 5 minute warm-up period and then PAL-AT
attempts to enter monitor mode. The warm-up delay can be bypassed by pressing the * or # key.

1 Introduction
6
1# TO SETUP CABLE, 2# TO TAKE REFERENCE
* TO EXIT, # FOR NEXT MENU
If the * key is pressed, PAL-AT goes immediately to the Main Menu and displays the message:
LCD02:
If the # key is pressed, PAL-AT goes directly to Monitor mode if any cables are setup for monitoring.
1.2.2 Contrast Adjustment
The contrast of the LCD can be adjusted by turning the adjustment screw on the processor card (see
Figures 2.1.3A, 2.1.3B or 2.1.3C). This may be necessary to get the best viewing angle, depending on
the mounting height of the PAL-AT panel.
1.2.3 Installation Instructions
Detailed Installation Instructions are provided in the PAL-AT Installation Manual (PA 1000).
1.2.4 Manual Updates
Refer to the PermAlert (Perma-Pipe) web site, www.permalert.com, for the latest version of this manual.
The leak detection information can be found by selecting: Product Catalog---Industry Applications---Leak
Detection.
** ALL APPLICABLE MANUALS MUST BE REVIEWED AND UNDERSTOOD PRIOR TO
INSTALLATION **

PAL-AT Operating Manual
7
ENTER CABLE NUMBER [1-?], THEN #:
FOR SETUP * TO EXIT
ALL CALIBRATION AND MAPS WILL BE LOST
* TO ABORT, # TO CONFIRM SETUP DESIRED
2 Operating PAL-AT
PAL-AT lists the primary functions in the Main Menu. The LCD displays two menu functions at a time.
Read the display carefully. PAL-AT prompts for the information it needs. Press the # key to step
through the Main Menu and display the next two menu functions.
PAL-AT has a password system to prevent unauthorized access. Password access time is very short,
ranging from 2 minutes to 60 minutes for selected functions. PAL-AT requests a password if: (1) the
current password is not authorized to enter the selected function or (2) the allowable time for the
selected function expires without any keypad input.
This manual uses examples of display messages. In the examples, question marks (?) represent
numbers on the LCD. “TIME” and “DATE” represent a display of a specific time or date.
The Main Menu Functions available in PAL-AT are:
1. Setup 6. History
2. Reference 7. Set Clock
3. Verify 8. Password Entry
4. Monitor 9. Special Functions
5. Display Setup
The normal procedure for setting up a new system is to proceed through functions 1 and 2. Select a
menu function and then answer the questions displayed on the LCD.
2.1 Setup
PAL-AT uses this function to enter sensor cable data into the PAL-AT memory. A level 200 password is
required (see Section 2.8). If an AT-ORC Output Relay Controller panel is installed, refer to Section 6 of
this manual for additional information for setup. To select this function from the Main Menu, press 1 and
#.
2.1.1 Multiple Cable System
If the system is a model AT20K, AT40K or AT80K monitoring more than one cable, the first message is:
LCD03:
Models with a single cable skip this message. When PAL-AT is in the setup function, it is not
monitoring any cables that were previously setup.
2.1.2 Exit Setup
The next message is:
LCD04:
This is a warning that you going to enter new setup data. If you entered the setup function accidentally,
you can exit this function by pressing the “*” key. Warning: Do not press # except to setup a new
system which will erase all previous setup data and reference maps for the selected cable.

2 Operating PAL-AT
8
STANDARD RESOLUTION, BASELINE = ??
ENTER * FOR MENU, # TO CONTINUE
2.1.3 Baseline Check
The next message is:
LCD05:
The baseline is a number between 25 and 35. If the unit displays a value outside this range it shows a
hardware failure. A value of zero may mean the cable card or pulse card is not properly installed. If so,
turn off the power and carefully seat the cards firmly in their slots (see Section 5.1). Press # to move to
the next item or press * to cancel setup and return to the Main Menu.
Figure 2.1.3A: AT40K and AT80K Component Layout