Reftek REF TEK Colt User manual

This is the product user guide for the 117400-60 and 117400-120 Colt compact broadband
seismometer.
Reftek Systems Inc.
75 MacDonald Avenue, Unit 1
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
Canada
Support: 1-902-444-0539
Email: suppo[email protected]
www.reftek.com
REF TEK Colt™ Broadband
Seismometer User Guide
117400-XX-UG
Rev D
10/27/2021

Rev D REF TEK Colt™ Broadband Seismometer User Guide 10/27/2021
117400-XX-UG
Reftek Systems Inc. i
Revision History
Rev
Date
Reason for Change
Pages
D
2021-10-27
Update calibration signal info
B
2018-12-06
Fix typos
26, 31
A
2018-11-30
Initial release
All
0.1
2018-10-26
Engineering Review
All
Copyright© 2021 Reftek Systems Inc.
All rights reserved. No part of this manual may be reproduced, copied or transmitted in any form
outside the approved recipient’s organization without written permission from Reftek Systems Inc.
Printed in CANADA

Rev D REF TEK Colt™ Broadband Seismometer User Guide 10/27/2021
117400-XX-UG
Reftek Systems Inc. ii
Notation Conventions
The following notation conventions are used throughout REF TEK documentation:
Notation
Description
ASCII
Indicates the entry conforms to the American Standard Code for Information Interchange definition of
character (text) information.
Binary
Indicates the entry is a raw, numeric value.
Hex
Indicates hexadecimal notation. This is used with both ASCII characters (0 –9, A –F) and numeric values.
BCD
Indicates the entry is a numeric value where each four bits represents a decimal digit.
FPn
Indicates the entry is the ASCII representation of a floating-point number with n places following the
decimal point.
<n>
Indicates a single 8-bit byte. When the contents are numeric, it indicates a hexadecimal numeric value;
i.e. <84> represents hexadecimal 84 (132 decimal). When the contents are capital letters, it represents a
named ASCII control character; i.e. <SP> represents a space character, <CR> represents a carriage
return character and <LF> represents a line feed character.
MSB
Most Significant Byte of a multi-byte value.
MSbit
Most Significant Bit of a binary number.
LSB
Least Significant Byte of a multi-byte value.
LSbit
Least Significant Bit (bit 0) of a binary number.
YYYY
Year as a 4-digit number
DDD
Day of year
HH
Hour of day in 24-hour format
MM
Minutes of hour
SS
Seconds of minute
TTT
Thousandths of a second (milliseconds)
IIII
Unit ID number
n, ns
nano, nanosecond; 10-9 = 0.000000001
u, us
micro, microsecond; 10-6 = 0.000001
m, ms
milli, millisecond; 10-3 = 0.001
K, KHz
kilo, kilohertz; 103= 1,000
M, MHz
mega, megahertz; 106= 1,000,000
G, GHz
giga, gigahertz; 109= 1,000,000,000
Kb, KB
kilobit, kilobyte; 210 = 1,024
Mb, MB
megabit, megabyte; 220 = 1,048,576
Gb, GB
gigabit, gigabyte; 230 = 1,073,741,824
WARNING
This alert warns of a potential hazard which, if not avoided, could result in
severe injury or even death.
CAUTION
This alert warns of a potential hazard or unsafe practice that could result in
minor injury or property damage or irretrievable data loss.
NOTE: This is a note.

Rev D REF TEK Colt™ Broadband Seismometer User Guide 10/27/2021
117400-XX-UG
Reftek Systems Inc. iii
https://reftek.com/technical-
support.
[e-mail]
https://manuals.reftek.com

Rev D REF TEK Colt™ Broadband Seismometer User Guide 10/27/2021
117400-XX-UG
Reftek Systems Inc. iv
Table of Contents
1 General Description........................................................................................................6
1.1 Overview of the REF TEK Colt broadband seismometer..............................................................6
1.2 Sensor Operation ............................................................................................................................6
1.2.1 Sensor Topology....................................................................................................................7
1.3 Specifications ..................................................................................................................................8
1.4 Installation, Leveling and Orientation ..........................................................................................8
1.4.1 Leveling and Orientation Controls.......................................................................................9
2 REF TEK Colt Pre-Installation ......................................................................................10
2.1 REF TEK Colt Box Contents ..........................................................................................................10
2.2 Checklist for working environment.............................................................................................10
2.3 Site Preparation ............................................................................................................................10
2.4 Unpack the REF TEK Colt ..............................................................................................................11
3 Installation.....................................................................................................................13
3.1 Installation of the Colt..................................................................................................................13
3.2 Powering up the REF TEK Colt .....................................................................................................14
4 Checking Mass Position Voltage using a handheld device......................................16
4.1 Use the Control menu to check the REF TEK Colt ......................................................................16
4.2 Aux Channels.................................................................................................................................16
4.2.1 Check the Mass Position Voltages .....................................................................................16
4.2.2 User Initiated Centering Operation ...................................................................................17
4.2.3 Use the Monitor function ...................................................................................................17
5 Checking Mass Position Voltage with RTCC..............................................................18
5.1 RTCC Status/Control Screen ........................................................................................................18
5.1.1 To update the DAS status on the current screen..............................................................18
5.1.2 Auxiliary Channels...............................................................................................................19
5.2 RT_Display Example......................................................................................................................20
6 Connector Pinout..........................................................................................................21
7 General Description1....................................................................................................23
7.1 UVW/XYZ Output Mode...............................................................................................................23
7.2 Mass Position Centering...............................................................................................................23
8 Calibration.....................................................................................................................24
8.1 Example: Sine Wave Calibration..................................................................................................25
8.2 Example: Step pulse Calibration of the REF TEK Colt ...............................................................25
9 Feedback System ..........................................................................................................27
10 REF TEK Colt Transfer Functions...............................................................................28
10.1 Transfer Function for the 120 second REF TEK Colt (P/N 117400-120).................................28
10.2 Transfer Function for the 60 second REF TEK Colt (P/N 117400-60).....................................29
10.3 REF TEK Colt Response Characteristics .....................................................................................30
10.3.1 Amplitude and Phase Characteristics for the 120s Colt.................................................30
10.3.2 Amplitude and Phase Characteristics for the 60s Colt...................................................31

Rev D REF TEK Colt™ Broadband Seismometer User Guide 10/27/2021
117400-XX-UG
Reftek Systems Inc. v
11 Packing and Transportation......................................................................................32
11.1 Warranty Statement ...................................................................................................................32
11.2 Warranty/Non-Warranty Service ..............................................................................................32

Rev D REF TEK Colt™ Broadband Seismometer User Guide 10/27/2021
117400-XX-UG
Reftek Systems Inc. 6
1General Description
1.1 Overview of the REF TEK Colt broadband seismometer
The REF TEK Colt™ is a force-balance feedback broadband sensor which features low
self-noise and a high dynamic range. The REF TEK Colt incorporates the following built-
in functionality: automatic mass unlock after power up, automatic mass lock after loss of
power, analog mass position outputs, sensor calibration input, mass re-center upon user
command for remote mass centering, and lock/unlock upon user command. The REF
TEK Colt also incorporates built-in surge, lightning, and overvoltage protection on all
input/output pins.
The easy to use REF TEK Colt housing includes three adjustable leveling feet (each with a
locking nut), a bubble level, and several tools for easy alignment to North-South.
1.2 Sensor Operation
The REF TEK Colt uses a symmetrical axis topology as shown in Figure 1-1. With the
symmetrical topology, the REF TEK Colt uses three identical mechanical elements
mounted symmetrically onto the base of the unit. The REF TEK Colt’s analog output
signals are Z, Y, X orthogonal axis outputs. The Z output is the vertical output. The Y
axis output of the REF TEK Colt seismometer is the North-South output and the X axis is
the East-West output.
During normal operation the REF TEK Colt outputs are ZYX broadband sensor outputs.
During Mass Centering, Mass Unlocking, or Mass Locking the REF TEK Colt outputs are
switched into a short period ZYX output mode. During Calibration, while the Cal enable
signal is pulled low, the main signal outputs are switched to output the UWV signals
directly.
The REF TEK Colt has an internal super-capacitor which allows it to automatically lock its
masses anytime power is removed. When power is applied to the REF TEK Colt, it waits
two minutes for its internal mass lock super-capacitor to be fully charged. After the two
minute waiting period, the REF TEK Colt seismometer automatically unlocks its masses.
After the masses are automatically unlocked, the REF TEK Colt will automatically begin a
mass re-center cycle. This means that power can simply be applied to the REF TEK Colt
and after a few minutes it will have automatically unlocked itself, centered its masses
and be fully operational and outputting ZYX broadband seismometer signals.

Rev D REF TEK Colt™ Broadband Seismometer User Guide 10/27/2021
117400-XX-UG
Reftek Systems Inc. 7
Upon loss of power (including cable disconnection), the REF TEK Colt will automatically
lock the masses using power supplied by its internal super-capacitor. It is
recommended that the user manually lock the masses before powering off the unit
when moving or transporting the Colt seismometer.
1.2.1 Sensor Topology
The geometry of REF TEK Colt’s output coordinate system is shown below in Figure 1-1.
The conversion formula used to convert from the seismometers symmetrical (UVW)
orientation to its standard orthogonal (ZYX) output is show in Figure 1-2.
Figure 1-1 REF TEK Colt sensor topology
































=










W
V
U
Z
Y
X
222
3-30
112-
6
1
Figure 1-2 REF TEK Colt symmetrical to orthogonal output conversion formula

Rev D REF TEK Colt™ Broadband Seismometer User Guide 10/27/2021
117400-XX-UG
Reftek Systems Inc. 8
1.3 Specifications
Sensor Type
3 component Symmetrical
Feedback
Force balance with capacitive displacement transducer
Frequency Response
60s: 0.0167Hz (60 sec) - 80Hz (See Section 10)
120s: 0.0083Hz (120 sec) - 80Hz (See Section 10)
Sensitivity
2000 V/m/s (Differential output)
Output Signal
±20 V (Differential output)
Dynamic Range
Greater than >155 dB (1-10 Hz)
Output Impedance
Less than 100Ω
Calibration
Coil resistance 750Ωor 187.5Ω, based on serial number
sensitivity 10 m/s²/A
Leveling
Integrated bubble level
Adjustable leveling feet with locknuts (3)
Mass Position
Remote monitoring using 3 independent voltage outputs
Mass Locking
Automatic lock/unlock and upon user command
Distortion
Total distortion less than -60dB
Cross Axis Coupling
Less than 1%
Mechanical Zero
No need for adjustment in ± 20° C
Power-Fail Protection
Yes
Signal Overload Protection
Yes
Auto-recovery time
From Power Fail: ~10 Minutes
From Signal Overload: ~10 Minutes
Power Input
9 to 18 VDC
Operating Temperature
-25°C to +55°C
Power Consumption
<0.7 Watts
Water Tight Integrity
IP 67
Case
Aluminum, Powder Coated
Dimensions
Diameter 150 mm x Height 258 cm
Weight
5.5 kg
Connector
PT07A14-19S
1.4 Installation, Leveling and Orientation
Leveling of the REF TEK Colt is accomplished by using the three adjustable leveling feet
at the base of the unit. Once leveled, each leveling foot includes a locknut that should
be locked to keep the unit from moving. Before leveling the unit, the unit should be
orientated to point North. The REF TEK Colt includes two removable North-South
pointers that can be installed into the base of the unit during orientation. Additionally,
the handle is aligned in the North-South direction. The thermal cover bag also has the
letter “N” embroidered onto it for easy reference of the North orientation.

Rev D REF TEK Colt™ Broadband Seismometer User Guide 10/27/2021
117400-XX-UG
Reftek Systems Inc. 9
Figure 1-3 REF TEK Colt Orientation and Leveling
1.4.1 Leveling and Orientation Controls
See Figure 1-3 for reference.
Orientation
The orientation pins are used to orientate the seismometer in the North and South
direction. In addition, the handle on top of the unit is aligned North-South and can be
used to align the seismometer in the correct orientation.
Bubble Level
The Bubble Level is used to level the seismometer as adjustments are made to the
leveling feet.
Adjustable Feet
Three Adjustable Feet are provided to level the seismometer. Use the Locknut Ring to
lock each adjustable foot after the instrument is level.
Bubble Level
North Orientation
Marker
Orientation Pin
Connector
Leveling Foot