PowerTek MC642 User manual

MC642 Programmable Resistance Decade
Operation manual

Content
1 FIGURES
...................................................................................................................................................................................5
TABLES...................................................................................................................................................................6
1. BASIC INFORMATION....................................................................................................................................7
2. PREPARATION FOR USE................................................................................................................................7
2.1. INSPECTING PACKAGE CONTENTS, SELECTING THE INSTALLATION LOCATION..............................................................7
2.2. POWER ON...................................................................................................................................................7
2.3. WARM-UP TIME.................................................................................................................................................8
2.4. SAFETY PRECAUTIONS.........................................................................................................................................8
3. DESCRIPTION...................................................................................................................................................9
3.1. FRONT PANEL....................................................................................................................................................9
3.2. REAR PANEL....................................................................................................................................................11
4. OPERATION.....................................................................................................................................................12
4.1. CONNECTION AND DISCONNECTION OF OUTPUT TERMINALS......................................................................................12
4.2. WIRES CONNECTION..........................................................................................................................................12
4.3. SETTING THE FUNCTION.....................................................................................................................................12
4.4. SETTING THE VALUE OF OUTPUT SIGNAL...............................................................................................................19
4.5. PARAMETER SETTINGS (SETTINGS MENU)..............................................................................................................20
4.6. PRESET MENU..................................................................................................................................................20
4.7. MAIN MENU....................................................................................................................................................21
4.8. CALIBRATION MODE..........................................................................................................................................23
5. PERFORMANCE VERIFICATION TEST....................................................................................................26
6. REMOTE CONTROL......................................................................................................................................27
6.1. RS232 INTERFACE..........................................................................................................................................27
6.2. GPIB INTERFACE (OPTION)...............................................................................................................................28
6.3. LAN INTERFACE (OPTION)................................................................................................................................29
6.4. USB INTERFACE (OPTION)................................................................................................................................30
6.5. COMMAND SYNTAX...........................................................................................................................................31
6.6. SCPI COMMAND TREE....................................................................................................................................32
6.7. STANDARD STATUS DATA STRUCTURES................................................................................................................34
6.8. SCPI STANDARD COMMANDS...........................................................................................................................36
6.9. SCPI COMMANDS...........................................................................................................................................40
6.10. SCPI ERROR CODES......................................................................................................................................65
6.11. COMPATIBLE COMMANDS.................................................................................................................................66
6.12. DEMO PROGRAM............................................................................................................................................68
7. MAINTENANCE..............................................................................................................................................69
7.1. FUSE REPLACING..............................................................................................................................................69
7.2. EXTERNAL SURFACE CLEANING...........................................................................................................................69
8. MODULE 19” (VERSION MC642-VXX1X).................................................................................................69
9. TECHNICAL DATA.......................................................................................................................................70
10. ORDERING INFORMATION – OPTIONS...............................................................................................73

1 Figures
FIGURE 1 STARTING SCREEN.........................................................................................................................8
FIGURE 2 FRONT PANEL...................................................................................................................................9
FIGURE 3 DISPLAY.............................................................................................................................................9
FIGURE 4 REAR PANEL...................................................................................................................................11
FIGURE 5 RESISTANCE SCREEN..................................................................................................................12
FIGURE 6 PLATINUM SCREEN......................................................................................................................13
FIGURE 7 NICKEL SCREEN............................................................................................................................13
FIGURE 8 USER FUNCTION SCREEN..........................................................................................................14
FIGURE 9 USER FUNCTION LIST..................................................................................................................14
FIGURE 10 NEW USER FUNCTION................................................................................................................15
FIGURE 11 USER FUNCTION POINT EDITING...........................................................................................15
FIGURE 12 USER FUNCTION EDIT................................................................................................................16
FIGURE 13 TIMING SCREEN..........................................................................................................................16
FIGURE 14 TIME SEQUENCE LIST................................................................................................................17
FIGURE 15 NEW SEQUENCE...........................................................................................................................17
FIGURE 16 TIMING SEQUENCE POINT EDITING.....................................................................................18
FIGURE 17 TIMING SEQUENCE EDIT..........................................................................................................18
FIGURE 18 NUMERIC VALUE ENTRY..........................................................................................................19
FIGURE 19 SETTINGS MENU.........................................................................................................................20
FIGURE 20 PRESET MENU..............................................................................................................................20
FIGURE 21 MAIN MENU..................................................................................................................................21
FIGURE 22 PASSWORD ENTRY.....................................................................................................................23
FIGURE 23 CALIBRATION POINT SCREEN................................................................................................25
FIGURE 24 RS232 9 PIN D-SUB MALE CONNECTOR .............................................................................27
FIGURE 25 IEEE488 CONNECTOR.................................................................................................................28
FIGURE 26 LAN CONNECTION 1...................................................................................................................29
FIGURE 27 LAN CONNECTION 2...................................................................................................................29
FIGURE 28 USB CONNECTOR.........................................................................................................................30

FIGURE 29 STATUS REGISTER OVERVIEW...............................................................................................34
FIGURE 30 MODULE 19" RACK, FRONT PANEL.......................................................................................69
Tables
TABLE 1 MC642 CALIBRATION POINTS......................................................................................................24
TABLE 2 VERIFICATION - ALLOWED DEVIATIONS................................................................................26
TABLE 3 RS232 CABLE CONNECTION.........................................................................................................28
TABLE 4 OUTPUT COMMAND STRUCTURE.............................................................................................43
TABLE 5 KEYBOARD CODES......................................................................................................................62
TABLE 6 SCPI ERROR CODES....................................................................................................................65
TABLE 7 MC642 RESISTANCE ACCURACY.................................................................................................71
TABLE 8 MC642 PT SIMULATION ACCURACY..........................................................................................71
TABLE 9 MC642 NI SIMULATION ACCURACY...........................................................................................71
TABLE 10 MC642 FREQUENCY RESPONSE.................................................................................................71

1. Basic information
Programmable resistance decade MC642 is suitable for automated simulation of different resistance
sensors (temperature, pressure, position, force …). Internal design eliminates “zero resistance effect” which
is typical for most resistance decades.
Resistance value is created via appropriate combination of physical resistors. Decade is equipped with
built-in function of direct simulation of most frequent temperature Pt and Ni sensors. Low thermal voltage
relays and stable resistors are used as main parts of the decade. Actual set values are displayed high
resolution TFT display. MC642 is sophisticated instrument with its own re-calibration procedure. The
procedure enables to correct any deviation in resistance without any mechanical adjustment.
Instrument is especially suitable for automatic testing procedures. RS232 line (optionally IEEE488,
USB and Ethernet bus) is used for connecting decade to the computer.
2. Preparation for use
2.1. Inspecting package contents, selecting the installation location
Basic package includes the following items:
!Resistance decade MC642
!RS232 cable
!CD with demo program
!User’s manual
!Test report
The instrument must be powered by 230/115 V – 50/60 Hz mains. Before powering on the
instruments, place it on a level surface. If the instrument was stored out of range of reference temperatures,
let it stabilize for one hour.
2.2. Power on
!Before connecting the instrument to the mains, check the position of the mains voltage selector located
at the rear panel.
!Plug one end of the power cord into the connector located at the rear panel and connect the other end of
the power cord into a wall outlet.
!Switch on the mains switch located at the rear panel. Display is lit.
7Operation manual

Figure 1 Starting Screen
!The instrument performs internal hardware checks for app. 5 seconds.
!After the tests conclude, the instrument is set to “Startup” preset. This preset is
adjustable however, the instrument will always start with OPEN terminals.
2.3. Warm-up time
The instrument works after it is switched on and the initial checks complete. Specified parameters are
only guaranteed after the instrument warms up for 10 minutes.
2.4. Safety precautions
The instrument has been designed according to EN 61010-1:2011. Safety is ensured by the design and
by the use of specific component types.
The manufacturer is not liable for the damage caused by modification of the construction or
replacement of parts with non-original ones.
Safety symbols used on the equipment
Warning, reference to the documentation
8Operation manual

3. Description
3.1. Front panel
Figure 2 Front panel
On the front panel there are located all main control keys, display and output terminals.
1 Output terminals
Four wire output terminals. Measuring (evaluation) circuit can be connected by 2, 3 or 4 wires. Both sides
(red and grey) are floating up to 500Vpk against the case (PE).
2 Ground terminal
Central ground terminal (protective earth) connected to the metal case of the instrument. It is recommended
to connect it to the “grey” output terminals if connected meter is not grounded.
3 Display
Figure 3 Display
9Operation manual
A
B1
C1
B1C2
B1
C3
D1
B1
D2
D3
B1
D4
B1
B2
B1
B1
B1
B3
B1
1 3 4 5 6 8
72

The display is divided into four sections:
A. Information line
!Selected function (RESISTANCE, PLATINUM, …)
!Time
B. Main area
This section displays the set-up values of generated signals and the data related to the decade box status.
The section includes the following types of data:
1. Auxiliary parameters
This section displays auxiliary parameters of actually selected function:
!Temperature standard (PT385, PT3916, …)
!Switching mode (FAST, VIA OPEN, …)
!R0 resistance
2. Main value
There is displayed main value of selected function with the unit. There is displayed also actual
position of cursor ▼▲ if the parameter is in edit mode. Position of cursor can be changed using
keys ◄, ►and parameter can be changed using keys ▲,▼.
3. Output state
There is displayed resistance value connected to the output terminals.
C. Specification
This section displays specification and limits relating to the main value:
1. Specification
This section displays specification of the main value.
2. Maximum voltage
This section displays maximum allowed voltage for the main value.
3. Maximum current
This section displays maximum allowed current for the main value.
D. Soft key labels
The functions of these keys change during operation (depends on selected function and actual display
mode).
4 Soft keys
There are four keys next to the display with variable function. The functions of these keys change during
operation (depends on selected function and actual display mode). These four soft keys appear in main
function window:
Function – Function selection. See chapter 4.3
Settings – Function-specific parameter settings. See chapter 4.5
Preset – One click setup of all function parameters. See chapter 4.6
Menu – General settings and parameters of all functions. See chapter 4.7
10 Operation manual