Phase Trigger Event 5.6 User manual

Operating instructions
Phase Trigger
Event 5.6
V.02.01 / 2020-01
www.phasetrigger.com

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Table of contents
1. General description
2. General information
2.1 Installation
2.2 Power supply
2.3 Handling and transportation
2.4Maintenance
3. Description of the operating elements
3.1 Device ON / OFF (1)
3.2 Dial (2)
3.2.1 Setup the time-delay or the shooting length
3.2.2 Mode selection
3.2.3 Battery status display
3.3 Display (3)
3.4 Connection to the camera or to the flash unit (4)
3.5 Direct shooting (5)
3.6 Choose the sensors' logic (6)
3.7 Sound ON / OFF (7)
3.8 Sensor activates LED / Colour RED (8)
3.9 Time-delay LED / Colour BLUE (9)
3.10 Shooting LED / Colour GREEN (10)
3.11 Connecting sensor (A)
3.12 Connecting the camera or the flash unit (B and C)
3.13 Power supply (D)
4. Using the Phase Trigger
4.1 Sensors
4.2 Configure the system
5. Frequently asked questions –FAQ
6. Technical data

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NO/NC
Timer
Direct
Trigger
Tone
Sensor
Delay
Cam / Flash
in
Setting
event 5.6
out Power
Power
Camera Processor Unit
Act.

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1 –Device ON / OFF
2 –Dial
3 –Display
4 –Connection to the camera
5 –Direct triggering
6 –Choose the sensors' logic
7 –Sound ON / OFF
8 –Sensor activated LED / Colour RED
9 –Time-delay LED / Colour BLUE
10 –Shooting LED / Colour GREEN
A –Connecting sensor
B –Connecting the camera or the flash
unit
C –Connecting the camera or the flash
unit
D –USB power supply
1
2
3
7
4
5
6
10
9
8
A
B
C
D

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1. General description
Phase Trigger is a camera control device that enables an accurate shooting in various situations. It
can be used as an auxiliary device in cases where a picture taking is to take place at a certain point
in time that was difficult to define previously. Phase Trigger is able to trigger different types of camera
in various situations.
2. General information
2.1 Installation
In order to avoid deformation, discolouration or serious damage, do not expose the device to the
following factors:
- high temperatures (such as in the proximity of a heating source or in a vehicle during the day)
- direct, strong sunlight
- low temperatures (under -15°C)
- excessive moisture or rainfall
- above-average exposure to dust
- strong vibrations.
Some sensors work with LASER light. Please note that LASER light can damage the
eye if you look directly at the beam of light!
Please note that only sensors included in the delivery or which were ordered subsequently are to be
connected to the Phase Trigger, whereas other untested types can lead to malfunctions, or they can
even damage the device!
Please be sure to observe the correct polarity of each individual battery, when inserting or replacing
the batteries. The wrong polarity can lead to the destruction of the electronics! For more information,
please read Chapter 2.2.2.
Please note that the device is not protected against splash water! It is therefore necessary to ensure
that, if operated in open air, the device will not be damaged by rainfall or snow.
Please note that any water condensation forming at the interior of the device could also lead to
temporary malfunctioning, or even damage the device permanently. In order to avoid this, when you
move the device from a significantly lower temperature to a warmer environment, keep the device
packed for a longer time, and allow it, this way, to reach the room temperature before putting it into
operation. Please take into consideration that in the event of a thunderstorm, close lightning strikes
could destroy the sensitive electronics. It is thus advisable not to operate or leave the sensor or the
Phase Trigger positioned outdoors during thunderstorms.

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2.2 Power supply
Phase Trigger should be operated by USB power adaptor or by Power Bank. For this, use a cord
with an adequate Mini-USB connector. Please make sure thatthe adaptor or Power Bank to be used
is designed as for the USB-Standard 5 Volt and minimum 1000 mA. Other adaptors could cause
damages to the Phase Trigger.
The device has a function that protects the battery cells against destruction due to low battery
voltage. If the cells' voltage reaches the lower limit of approx. 4.2 V, the device shuts off the battery
cells. At a value of approx. 4.4 V, the message „LOW BATTERY“ appears, which indicates that the
batteries must be replaced.
You can have the power voltage displayed at any time by pressing the dial (2) for 2 seconds long.
However, during this time the Phase Trigger will not receive signals, nor will it perform its trigger
function.
The user is legally obliged (battery regulation) to return used batteries and
rechargeable batteries. Disposing used batteries in the household waste is
prohibited! Batteries/ rechargeable batteries containing hazardous substances are
marked with the crossed-out wheeled bin. The symbol indicates that the product is
forbidden to be disposed via the domestic refuse. The chemical symbols for the
respective hazardous substances are:
Cd = Cadmium, Hg = Mercury, Pb = Lead.
You can return used batteries/ rechargeable batteries free of charge to any collecting point of your
local authority, our stores or where batteries/ rechargeable batteries are sold.
Consequently you comply with your legal obligations and contribute to environmental protection!

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2.3 Handling and transportation
Phase Trigger should always be carried and stored in the delivered case. Never exercise excessive
violence on the controller, on the control keys and on other parts of the device. Handle the switch
and the connections with caution. Always pull the cable holding the plug and never pull holding the
cable directly. Drops or strong blows can damage the Phase Trigger. Please handle the device with
the appropriate caution!
2.4Maintenance
The device is maintenance-free but should be cleaned occasionally.When cleaning, the device must
be removed from any power source.Only use dry and soft cloth to clear the housing of the charger.
Do not use abrasive or solvents!

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3. Operation
3.1 Device ON / OFF (1)
It enables the user to switch the Phase Trigger on and off. The lower position of the button stands
for turned on, whereas the upper position indicates that the device is turned off.
Please switch the device off every time when not in operation. This way you will be able to avoid an
unnecessary battery drain.
3.2 Dial (2)
It enables the access to the value of the intervals and mode, as well as the display of the battery
status.
3.2.1 Setup the time-delay or the shooting time
Phase Trigger is able to effect a time-delay between the sensors' signal and the triggering of the
camera or of the flash unit. Similarly, it can also operate a long shooting for pictures series.
The resolution of value is 0.2 milliseconds, whereas the maximum time is 9.9999 seconds, which
means practically 10 seconds. In this regard, it should be noted that, notwithstanding setting a zero
value „00000“, Phase Trigger induces a time-delay of approximately 0.06 milliseconds.
A shooting without any time delay can be attained in the direct mode (see Chapter 3.5).
By pressing and rotating the dial simultaneously, the position of the cursor can be shifted, and thus
you can select the desired position of the value.
The value can be entered each time by rotating the dial. When the position has reached the figure
9, it increases the value of the nearby higher position by one. If the value is to be decreased, it counts
down to 0, and only when it reaches 0 does it change the value of the neighbouring, lower position
to 9. This way, the user can decide if he wants to make use of this position change.
3.2.2 Mode selection
Phase Trigger can be operated in the following mode:
Triggering of image-series (XT)
In this mode, Phase Trigger executes a long shooting, so that the camera will produce series
of pictures. In order to achieve this, the camera's shutter button must be pressed manually.
The lengths of the shooting can be defined using the time value. This value depends on the
speed with which the connected camera shoots image series, and on the desired number of
pictures.
Most of the single-lens reflex cameras can produce approx. 20 pictures in a sequence, with
a speed of 4 to 8 pictures/sec. It makes, therefore sense, to set up values in this mode from
1 to 5 seconds.
Typical time values from 0.3 s to 6 s.

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Chain-Triggering (XX)
In this mode, Phase Trigger will shoot continuously for as long as the sensor is active. The
set time is the time interval between each individual shot. The first shot will be taken without
any time-delay.
Typical time values from 0.3 s to 10 s.
Single Triggering (01)
This mode executes a single shot.The shooting takes place after the activation of the sensor,
with time-delay.
Typical time values range from 0.0 s to 0.5 s.
Multiple Triggering (02 to 99)
produces the corresponding number of shootings. The set time is the time interval between
each single shooting. The first shooting follows the activation of the sensor, without any time-
delay.
Typical time values from 0.2 s to 10.0 s.
The duration of the time-delay or the length of the shooting corresponds to the set current time value,
that appears on the display. Please take into account that it is not advisable here to set a shorter
time than the response time of the camera. For instance, if the camera needs 0.3 seconds to detect
two distinct shootings, then the delay value set in the Phase Trigger should be higher, in order to
allow it to execute the shortest interval between the shootings.
3.2.3 Battery status display
By pressing the dial for 2 seconds, the operating voltage will be displayed. The display registers only
the voltage interval from 4.2 Volt to 5 Volt, which is relevant for the battery mode.

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3.3 Display (3)
The double-spaced display consists of 3 areas. On the right side there is the figure of the current
time-value and the number of shootings, between two black beams. On the lower row there is a
cursor which shows „|“ for stand-by and switches on to „^“ during active input mode.
Left on the display there are the previous two time values, on the upper row the value of the last
shooting, which is different from the current value. On the lower row is displayed the second last
value. These should help the user to determine de facto the required time values, using empirical
values.
The backlight of the display is switched on just during settings. If there are no setting operation the
display will be switched off after around 10 minutes to save battery. But this is not a standby modus,
Phase Trigger is still working continuously without any restrictions. The display will start again when
you turn the dial (2).
3.4 Connection to the camera or to the flash unit (4)
The user has the possibility to decide if Phase Trigger should trigger the camera or the flash unit by
making use of the switch (4). For instance, when the system is being installed and customised,
shootings are mostly unwelcome. The switch (4) interrupts the connection to the connected devices.
3.5 Direct shooting (5)
The switch makes possible a direct connection between the sensor and the camera or flash unit (5).
Using this direct setting, the time-delays as well as all the other functions will be bypassed. The
signal of the sensor is being transferred directly to the camera, or to the flash unit.
3.6 Selection of sensors' logic (6)
Most of the sensors have two switching outputs which operate with opposite logic: NC –normally
closed and NO - normally open. Depending on thechange of state to which the triggering must react,
the suitable switching output will be chosen.

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3.7 Sound ON / OFF (7)
In order to simplify the positioning of the sensors, Phase Trigger was equipped with a control tone.
This is activated simultaneously with the sensor-activation LED (8), and notifies the user with regard
to the switching status of the sensor. When an audio signal is heard, a change of sensors' state
occurred, that makes a shooting possible.
The control tone can be turned on or off using the switch (7). In order not to disrupt the monitoring,
the control tone should remain switched off during the standard operation of the Phase Trigger.
3.8 Sensor activates LED / Colour RED (8)
In order to enable a better control of the switching status of the sensor to the device, Phase Trigger
was equipped with a control light, This is activated simultaneously with the control tone (7), and
signals the user the switching status of the sensor. When the LED (RED) lights up, it means a change
of status of the sensors occurred, which makes possible a shooting.
3.9 Time-delay LED / Colour BLUE (9)
For a better visualisation of the time-delay that was set for the shooting, Phase Trigger has a control
light, which signals the duration of the delay.
3.10 Triggering LED / Colour GREEN (10)
For a better monitoring of the shooting, Phase Trigger was equipped with a control light, which lights
up shortly when Phase Trigger executes a shooting. This also occurs when the connection between
the switching output of the Phase Trigger and the switch (4) is interrupted.
3.11 Connecting sensor (A)
There are various sensors which can be connected here. Please, only use the delivered cord and
sensor. Otherwise the device can be damaged.
3.12 Connecting the camera or the flash unit (B and C)
Phase Trigger has two connection jacks and overall 4 channels to which cameras or flash units can
be connected. These switching outputs are electrically disconnected from the control electronics of
the Phase Trigger. This way, a potential destruction of the connected devices becomes impossible.
Older flash units could, nevertheless, damage the Phase Trigger if they have a primitive shooting
system, that is to say, when they have at the pins a voltage higher than 60 V. In order to avoid this,
please refrain from connecting the Phase Trigger to a no-name flash unit that was produced before
the 1990. You will recognise them by the fact that they only have one monopolar flash socket pin.
More recent brands, on the other hand, can be operated without any hesitation.
3.13 External power supply (D)
Phase Trigger should be operated by USB power adaptor or by Power Bank. For this, use a cord
with an adequate Mini-USB connector. Please make sure thatthe adaptor or Power Bank to be used
is designed as for the USB-Standard 5 Volt and minimum 1000 mA. A Bower Bank can perform,
according to its capacity, a continuous operation for several days.

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4. Using the Phase Trigger
In order to use Phase Trigger efficiently, you should work out a concept that allows you to best
achieve your ideas related to the picture taking. In this regard, you should devise a kind of screen-
play according to which you should set up the scene and decide the positioning of the sensors.
You should determine accurately:
-how likely, or how frequently the object will appear there
-how the object behaves in the camera's visual field
-which distances you should have between sensors, Phase Trigger and the camera
-which type of sensors are best suited for the location of the object
-how unobtrusive the installation needs to be, in order to take the picture undisturbed
-which perspective should be used (wide-angle to telephoto)
-the duration of the operation considering the power supply
The characteristics of the object play a very important role:
-Speed
-Colour, transparency and properties of the surface
-Size
Moreover, you need to consider:
-the lighting conditions
-temperatures
-wind
-moisture/rainfall
-speeds
When drafting the concept, good knowledge in the field of photography would be very helpful.
Furthermore, the user should be informed with regard to the durations and the speed at which the
processes related to the contemplated event occur. Likewise, the user should be familiar with the
technical data and the functions of the camera or of the flash unit used. For this, read each manual
carefully. In most of the cases, setting the camera on automatic modes will not lead to satisfactory
results.

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4.1 Sensors
The selection of the correct sensor-type depends, respectively on the best way in which the event
can be automatically recorded and on the best way in which the object can be localised.
Photoelectronic sensors can operate as light barrier or as sensors. As long as light barriers are being
activated by the object interrupting the ray of light, the sensors notice the proximity of the object.
Both types of sensors can monitor distances of just a few millimetres up to several metres. Light
barriers which work with reflected light need a reflector.
The light to be used can be:
-red light
-infrared light
-LASER - light beam
Retro-Reflex Sensors
Retro-Reflex Sensors work with red light orlaser light. Thetransmitter andthe receiver are integrated
into a single housing and a reflector is required. If the light beam between the sensor and thereflector
is interrupted by an object, the output is switched. Glossy objects such as mirrors, chrome plated or
other reflective surfaces can be reliably recognized thanks to the integrated polarization filter.
How Retro-Reflex Sensors work
SENSOR OBJECT REFLECTOR

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Reflex Sensors
These sensors have the transmitter and receiver integrated into a single housing. The light beam
emanating from the transmitter is reflected by the surface of the object to be recognized. A part of
this light is detected by the receiver and it is transformed into a signal for switching by an evaluation
unit integrated in the sensor.
How Reflex Sensors work
Fork Sensors
With Fork Sensors the transmitter and the receiver are integrated into a single housing as a light
barrier. If the light beam between the transmitter and the receiver is interrupted, the output is
switched. Thanks to the use of visible laser light, the sensor is very easy to align to the object. The
use of a fine light beam ensures a small diameter spot over the entire width of the fork. This allows
for the recognition of extremely small parts.
How Fork Sensors work
SENSOR OBJECT
SENSOR
OBJECT
SENSOR

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Most of the photoelectronic sensors possess a control element to set the switching distance.
With fast events, one should particularly consider the reaction speed of the sensors' models in order
to ensure that the object will be recorded reliably. For the characteristics and performance of the
sensors, please refer to the data sheet of each sensor-type.
Please note that LASER-light beam can damage the eye if you look directly into the ray of light!
Please remember that only delivered or subsequently ordered sensors should be connected to the
Phase Trigger, whereas other, untested types can lead to malfunctions or even damage the device!
The item number of the sensors are structured as follows.
Scanning methode –
Distance in [cm]
Light
RL = Reflex / Sensors
RR = Retro-Reflex / Barrier
with reflector
FO = Fork sensors
0020 = 20cm
0050 = 50cm
0100 = 1m
0600 = 6m
1200 = 12m
R= Red light
I= Infrared light
L= LASER
Example:
RR-0600-R = Reflex barrier (incl. reflector) with red light for 6m working distance
RL-0050-I = Reflex sensor with infrared light for 50cm working distance
The sensors and the reflectors were equipped with a mounting bracket with a ¼-inch thread hole
that allows their attachment to a commercially available tripod.

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4.2 Configuring the system
The standard structure of the trigger system consists of:
-Sensor with mounting bracket
-Sensor cord
-Phase Trigger control device
-Camera shutter-release cord
-Camera of Flash
-Power supply
The standard structure of the trigger system
In order to create the concept for the photo shooting, you should consider carefully the equipment.
If necessary, use tripods, flash units, extension cables, mains adaptors or power batteries. When
assembling the equipment, it is advisable to set up the equipment first at home, in order to avoid
situations when components are possibly not compatible to one another, or they work deficiently.
Particularly the cable lengths should be determined carefully. Once on site, it is generally too late to
correct the error. In this regard, it is very important to choose and test the correct sensor type.
USB / 5 Volt
Camera 1. Camera 2.
Sensor
Trigger Line 2.
Trigger Line 1.
Supply
Sensor

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5. Frequently asked questions - FAQ
Can I trigger any camera with Phase Trigger?
No, especially because most of the compact cameras do not have a shutter-release port.
However, the most common single-lens reflex cameras have an adequate port and can be
triggered using a cord. You can find the list of the cameras on www.phasetrigger.com
Could Phase Trigger, as the case may be, inflict any damages to my camera?
No, the connection and control of the camera is electrically disconnected from the electronics
of Phase Trigger, whereas the control signal is conveyed exclusively through an optical path.
Can I simultaneously trigger a camera and a flash unit using Phase Trigger?
Yes, this is technically possible, however a simultaneous triggering of the camera and the
flash unit is not advisable. The flash unit is normally triggered by the camera, so it can be
synchronised correctly. For this reason, the flash should be, as is usually the case, attached
to the camera. The two switching outputs of the Phase Trigger enable a simultaneous
triggering of two cameras. This makes it possible, for instance, to shoot the same event from
two different angles or perspectives. Nevertheless, there are exposure techniques in which
the camera is set on BULB in the darkness, and the flash is being triggered separately. For
such cases, however, Phase Trigger is able to trigger up to four flash units simultaneously,
in order to increase the luminosity, for instance, or so that it can expose the scene from
various distances, colours etc.
Do I need well-founded photography knowledge to be able to operate Phase Trigger?
No, everything you need to know can be found in this instructions manual. Thanks to the
digital photographic technology, the pictures are no longer limited by the length of the film
and therefore the ideal settings can easily be tested and readjusted.

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6. Technical data
Data
Value
Description
BxLxH
[mm]
90x120x30
Weight
[g]
150
External
power supply
[V]
[mA]
5
min. 1000
Filtered direct voltage (USB-Standard)
Min. time
[ms]
0.1
Minimum adjustable time
Max. time
[s]
9.9999
Maximum adjustable time
These operating instructions are published by Phase Trigger.
All rights including translation reserved. Reproduction by any method, e.g. photocopy, microfilming,
or the capture in electronic data processing systems require the prior written approval by the editor.
Reprinting, also in part, is prohibited.
The operating instructions reflect the current technical specifications at time of print. We reserve the
right to change the technical or physical specifications.