Pulsar blackbox 130 User manual

BlackBox 130
Instruction Manual

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PULSAR MEASUREMENT
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BACKBOX 130 (SEVENTH EDITION REV 1)
March 2021
Part Number M-130-0-007-1P
COPYRIGHT
© Pulsar Measurement, 2003 - 21. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be
reproduced, transmitted, transcribed, stored in a retrieval system, or translated into any
language in any form without the written permission of Pulsar Process Measurement Limited.
WARRANTY AND LIABILITY
Pulsar Process Measurement Limited guarantee for a period of 2 years from the date of delivery
that it will either exchange or repair any part of this product returned to Pulsar Process
Measurement Limited if it is found to be defective in material or workmanship, subject to the
defect not being due to unfair wear and tear, misuse, modification or alteration, accident,
misapplication, or negligence.
DISCLAIMER
Pulsar Measurement neither gives nor implies any process guarantee for this product and shall
have no liability in respect of any loss, injury or damage whatsoever arising out of the
application or use of any product or circuit described herein.
Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy of this documentation, but Pulsar Measurement
cannot be held liable for any errors.
Pulsar Measurement operates a policy of constant development and improvement and reserves
the right to amend technical details, as necessary.
The BlackBox shown on the cover of this manual is used for illustrative purposes only and may
not be representative of the actual BlackBox supplied.
CONTACT
For technical support, please contact:
Europe: [e-mail]
Outside Europe: [e-mail]
If you have any comments or suggestions about this product, please contact:
Europe: [e-mail]
Outside Europe: [e-mail]
Pulsar Measurement website: www.pulsarmeasurement.com
United States
11451 Belcher Road South
Largo,
FL 33773
888-473-9546
Canada
16456 Sixsmith Drive
Long Sault, Ont.
K0C 1P0
855-300-9151
United Kingdom
Cardinal Building, Enigma
Commercial Centre
Sandy’s Road, Malvern
WR14 1JJ
00 44 (0)1684 891371

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CONTENTS
Chapter 1: Start Here… ...........................................................................................................7
About this Manual ...............................................................................................................7
About the BlackBox .............................................................................................................8
Functional Description .......................................................................................................9
Product Specification....................................................................................................... 10
EU Declaration of Conformity ...................................................................................... 12
Chapter 2 Installation........................................................................................................... 13
Unpacking............................................................................................................................13
Power Supply Requirements......................................................................................... 13
Location ................................................................................................................................13
Dimensions ..........................................................................................................................14
Terminal Connection Detail .......................................................................................... 16
Terminal Connection Detail .......................................................................................... 17
ATEX ....................................................................................................................................... 17
FM ........................................................................................................................................... 18
Voltage Selector and Fuse Location .......................................................................... 19
Preparation for Operation ............................................................................................. 20
Maintenance ....................................................................................................................... 20
Chapter 3 How To Use Your BlackBox...........................................................................21
On board integral Keypad .............................................................................................21
PC Handheld Programmer ............................................................................................ 21
Handheld Communicator (Optional).........................................................................22
Operating the Controls...................................................................................................23
Hot Keys................................................................................................................................24
Menu Keys ........................................................................................................................... 25
Numeric Keys......................................................................................................................25
Run Mode.............................................................................................................................26
LED’s....................................................................................................................................... 26
Program Mode................................................................................................................... 26
How to Access Program Mode.................................................................................... 27

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Directly Editing Parameters...........................................................................................28
Test Mode ............................................................................................................................ 29
Using the RS232 Serial Interface................................................................................. 30
Parameter Defaults........................................................................................................... 31
Chapter 4 Programming Guide........................................................................................ 32
Chapter 5 Parameter Guide ...............................................................................................38
Menu System Diagrams ................................................................................................. 38
Application Menu.............................................................................................................. 39
Relays Menu........................................................................................................................40
Data Logs Menu ................................................................................................................ 41
Volume Menu .....................................................................................................................42
Display Menu...................................................................................................................... 43
mA Output Menu.............................................................................................................. 43
Stability Menu .................................................................................................................... 44
Echo Processing Menu....................................................................................................45
System Menu ...................................................................................................................... 46
Test Menu ............................................................................................................................ 47
Application Parameters................................................................................................... 48
Operation ............................................................................................................................. 48
Dimensions ..........................................................................................................................49
Remote Alarm.....................................................................................................................51
SMS Time..............................................................................................................................52
Relay Parameters............................................................................................................... 54
Alarms.................................................................................................................................... 55
Control................................................................................................................................... 58
Common Parameters.......................................................................................................60
Data Logs ............................................................................................................................. 60
Volume ..................................................................................................................................61
Breakpoints.......................................................................................................................... 67

BLACKBOX 130 INSTRUCTION MANUAL
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Tables..................................................................................................................................... 68
Display Parameters........................................................................................................... 69
Options.................................................................................................................................. 69
Failsafe................................................................................................................................... 70
mA Output Parameters................................................................................................... 71
Range.....................................................................................................................................71
Operation ............................................................................................................................. 71
Setpoint................................................................................................................................. 72
Limits......................................................................................................................................72
Trim.........................................................................................................................................73
Failsafe................................................................................................................................... 73
Compensation Parameters............................................................................................ 74
Stability Parameters .........................................................................................................75
Filters......................................................................................................................................75
Echo Processing Parameters.........................................................................................76
System Parameters ........................................................................................................... 77
Passcode............................................................................................................................... 77
System Information.......................................................................................................... 77
Date & Time ........................................................................................................................78
Daylight Saving Time....................................................................................................... 78
Test Parameters ................................................................................................................. 82
Simulation ............................................................................................................................ 82
Hardware .............................................................................................................................. 83
Chapter 5 Troubleshooting................................................................................................85
Chapter 6 Disposal ................................................................................................................86

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CHAPTER 1: START HERE…
Congratulations on your purchase of a Pulsar BlackBox 130 Level System.
This quality system has been developed over many years and represents the
latest in high technology ultrasonic level measurement and control.
It has been designed to give you years of trouble-free performance, and a
few minutes spent reading this operating manual will ensure that your
installation is as simple as possible
About this Manual
It is important that this manual is referred to for correct installation and
operation. There are various parts of the manual that offer additional help
or information as shown.
Tips
TIP: Look for this icon throughout your Pulsar Measurement manual
to find helpful information and answers to frequently asked
questions.
Additional Information
Additional Information
At various parts of the manual, you will find sections
like this that explain specific things in more detail.

BLACKBOX 130 INSTRUCTION MANUAL
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About the BlackBox
The Pulsar BlackBox is a non-contact Level Control System. It has been
designed to provide a new concept in low-cost maintenance-free fit and
forget level measurement without any compromise on performance.
The BlackBox is ideally suited to applications where level monitoring,
reporting, control, or logging is required, with or without the need for a local
display. The BlackBox level system is available in a variety of different
versions offering a wide choice of output options.
The BlackBox is very easy to use and may be calibrated quickly and simply
via a laptop, using the software supplied with the unit, or alternatively by
using the optional handheld calibrator, which connects to the unit via the
RS232 interface, and provides an on-board LCD display. Certain models are
also available with an optional LCD display and integral keypad fitted.
All models of the BlackBox can be used with any of the extensive range of
Pulsar transducers for distances up to 40m (131ft).
The BlackBox is designed to provide you with highly reliable measurement in
a robust and functional package that is easy to use and low in cost.

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Functional Description
The BlackBox ultrasonic Level System sends a transmit pulse to the
transducer, which emits an ultrasonic pulse perpendicular to the transducer
face, and the returned echo is sent back to the BlackBox. The time taken to
receive the echo is measured and the distance from the transducer face to
the surface being monitored is calculated.
The BlackBox utilises the unique DATEM software (Digital Adaptive Tracking
of Echo Movement). This is a unique digital mapping technique developed
especially for Pulsar’s range of ultrasonic level and control systems. It gives
the system edge when identifying the “true target level” in the face of
competing echoes from pipes, pumps or other obstructions.
The BlackBox can measure from 0.125m (0.41 feet) to 40m (131 feet) from
the transducer to the surface being monitored, dependent on the
application and transducer used.
The BlackBox can measure level, space or distance and provide a
representative output. When fitted with the optional display and keyboard
it can also measure and provide an output representative of volume. There
are two user definable relays, with individual setpoints, which can be
programmed to activate alarms or control functions, a mA output that can
be used for remote indication purposes and a RS232 port, so that the
BlackBox can be programmed or monitored remotely by a PC or other
equipment.
The BlackBox can be programmed either by PC, via the RS 232 Serial
Interface, using the supplied software (standard) or by handheld calibrator
(optional) which is connected to the BlackBox via the RS 232 interface.
Those units fitted with the optional on-board display can be programmed
via the integral keyboard.
All the parameters are stored in non-volatile memory, so are retained in the
event of power interruption.

BLACKBOX 130 INSTRUCTION MANUAL
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Product Specification
PHYSICAL
Outside dimensions
143 x 150 x 63.5 mm (5.63 x 5.91 x 2.5”)
Weight
Nominal 0.65 kg (1.4 lbs)
Enclosure material/description
ABS base with Polycarbonate lid, flammability rating
UL94HB
Cable entry detail
Underside fitted with 3 x M20, nylon cable glands
suitable for 6 –12mm cable
Transducer cable extensions
2 –core screened. (2 conductor 20AWG screened)
Nominal separation
1000 m (3,280 ft.). 500m (1,640 ft.) for dBR16 & dBR8,
for greater distances consult Pulsar
ENVIRONMENTAL
IP Rating (Wall)
IP66
Max. & min. temperature
(electronics)
-20 ºC to +50 ºC (-4ºF to 120ºF)
Flammable atmosphere
approval
Safe area: compatible with approved dB transducers (see
transducer spec' sheet)
CE Approval
See EU Declaration of Conformity
PERFORMANCE
Accuracy
0.25% of the measured range or 6 mm (0.24”)
(whichever is greater)
Resolution
0.1% of the measured range or 2 mm (0.08”) (whichever
is greater). ±2mm for dBR16 & dBR8
Max. range
Dependant on transducer (maximum 40m (131ft) dB40)
Min. range
Dependent upon transducer (minimum 0.077m (0.252 ft)
dBR16 & dBR8)
Rate response
Fully adjustable
OUTPUTS
Analogue output
Isolated active output (passive output optional) of 4-20
mA or 0-20 mA into 1K(user programmable and
adjustable) 0.1% resolution
Display
2 x 12 alpha numeric
Serial Port
RS232 for programming and data extraction
Volt free contacts, number,
and rating
5 form "C" (SPDT) rated at 5A at 115V/240V AC
ECHO PROCESSING
Description
DATEM (Digital Adaptive Tracking of Echo Movement)