Powtier Controls TBC User manual

Tipping Bucket Controller
(TBC)
Instruction Manual
Copyright (C) 2005 Powtier Controls Limited
This document contains proprietary information which is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. This document or parts thereof may not
be reproduced in any form without written permission of the publishers.
The information in this document is subject to change without notice and should not be construed as a commitment by Powtier Controls
Limited. Powtier Controls Limited shall not be liable for errors contained herein or for incidental or consequential damages in connection
with the furnishing, performance or use of this material.

Powtier Controls Limited Tipping Bucket Controller
Instruction Manual
Table of Contents
Introduction.................................................................................................................................3
Block diagram.............................................................................................................................3
Description..................................................................................................................................4
Power supply...............................................................................................................................4
External input..............................................................................................................................4
Control output.............................................................................................................................4
User interface..............................................................................................................................4
Installation...................................................................................................................................5
Connection diagram....................................................................................................................5
Internal layout diagram (user interface)......................................................................................6
Internal layout diagram (input/output)........................................................................................7
Dimensional drawing..................................................................................................................8
Mode of operation.......................................................................................................................9
Technical specification.............................................................................................................10
Ordering information................................................................................................................11
Supplier information.................................................................................................................11
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Powtier Controls Limited Tipping Bucket Controller
Instruction Manual
Introduction
This instruction manual describes a dedicated timer controller used to control the tipping of a
water bucket.
The timer control output is a relay output.
An external input in the form of volt-free contact is used to switch the timer On or Off.
All user adjustments are by means of front panel push buttons with indication of setting and
timing by 7-segment LED display.
Block diagram
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Powtier Controls Limited Tipping Bucket Controller
Instruction Manual
Description
The operator panel consists of two Printed Circuit Boards (PCB) which house the power
supply, microcontroller, 7-segment Light Emitting Diode (LED) display for timer indication,
status indicating LED, control and setting push buttons, and output circuitry.
The PCB is mounted inside a plastic enclosure. Both the display and the push buttons are
protected by the transparent cover.
All the connections to the controller are via plug-in screw terminals.
Power supply
The control panel requires 110 or 240Vac 5VA max. 50/60Hz supply. Please specify the
supply voltage when order.
External input
A volt-free contact is used to switch the timer On and Off. When the contact is open, the timer
is Off. When the contact is closed, the timer is On. The timer always starts with the output
On.
Control output
Relay output is used for the control output. The rating is 12Vdc 150mA max.
User interface
The user interface comprises of 3 digits 7-segment green LED display, 1 status indicating
LED and 3 push buttons.
The 7-segment display is used to indicate the ON time setting and the OFF time setting when
the timer is Off. The display indicates the counting down of On period and Off period when
the timer is On,
One red LED is used to show the output status of the controller.
One push button is used to scroll the parameter display. The two adjustment push buttons
"UP" and "DOWN" enable the time settings to be incremented and decremented.
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Powtier Controls Limited Tipping Bucket Controller
Instruction Manual
Installation
The TBC can be wall mounted using the mounting kit provided. Please see dimensional
drawing for fixing holes arrangement.
All the electrical connections are via plug-in screw terminals. There are 3 sets of connections:
The external input (volt-free contact) is connected to a 2 way connector OVR+ and OVR- on
the PCB. The external input is not polarity sensitive.
The controller output is connected to a 2 way connector COM and N/C of the OUTPUT 2 on
the PCB. COM is the 0V output and N/C is the 12Vdc output.
The mains supply is connected to a 2 way connector L and N of the mains input on the PCB.
Connection diagram
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Powtier Controls Limited Tipping Bucket Controller
Instruction Manual
Internal layout diagram (user interface)
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Powtier Controls Limited Tipping Bucket Controller
Instruction Manual
Internal layout diagram (input/output)
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Powtier Controls Limited Tipping Bucket Controller
Instruction Manual
Dimensional drawing
75.0 60.0
141.0115.0
112.8
101.0
166.1
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Powtier Controls Limited Tipping Bucket Controller
Instruction Manual
Mode of operation
All the parameters in the TBC can be accessed by pressing the scroll button. All the
parameters can be set within their limits using the UP and DOWN button.
The following are the list of parameters:
Symbol Desctiption Low Limit High Limit Default Unit
t tipping On time 3 30 5 second
P tipping Off period 3 12 5 minute
When the timer is On, the display will show the On period being count down when the output
is On; and the display will show the Off period being count down when the output is Off.
The TBC is designed such that when the external volt-free contact input is closed, the timer
output will be switched On for the duration according to the On setting. The output is
switched Off for a period according to the Off setting. The cycle will repeat until the external
volt-free contact is open.
The cycle always starts with the On period.
Whenever the external input is open, the timer output will be switched Off.
The timer control range is between 3 to 30 seconds in steps of 1 second for the ON period,
and 3 to 12 minutes in steps of 1 minute for the OFF period.
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Powtier Controls Limited Tipping Bucket Controller
Instruction Manual
Technical specification
Timer Control ON: 3 to 30 seconds in steps of 1 second
OFF: 2 to 12 minutes in steps of 1 minute
Control Output Relay 12Vdc 150mA max.
Volt-free contact input Open contact to switch Off timer
Close contact to switch On timer
Display Three 7-segment LED green for temperature, ON timer and OFF
timer
Push buttons 3 positive feedback tactile push buttons
Connection Plug-in screw terminals
2 for supply
2 for control output
2 for external input
Supply 110/230 Vrms +/-15% 50/60Hz 5VA max.
(specified voltage when order)
Dimensions 166mm(L) x 115mm(W) x 60mm(H) max.
Mounting positions Fixing centres 115mm x 101mm;
and 141mm x 75mm; mounting kit provided.
Weight 500g max.
Temperature 0 to 50 ºC operating; -20 to 65 ºC storage
Warranty 12 months return to base
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