Reno A&E RAE BX-LP Series User manual

SINGLE CHANNEL LOOP DETECTOR
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
I General
The Model BX-LP is a low power loop detector for solar or low power installations. To minimize power
consumption the detector’s DET (Detect) LED will only light during the three minutes immediately following
initial power-up or detector reset. After the three minutes the DET(Detect) LED is will not light, but the detector
continues to function normally.
Please verify source voltage before applying power. The model designation indicates the input power required
and output configuration for the detector as follows:
Model BX-LP-xx
Blank = 12 VDC with Relay Outputs
24 = 24 VDC with Relay Outputs
SS = 12 VDC / 24 VDC with Solid State Outputs
The input voltage range, and current consumption figures for the various versions of the detector are listed in the
table below.
Relay Outputs
Solid State Outputs
Model
BX-LP
BX-LP-24
BX-LP-SS
Input Voltage
10 to 14 VDC
20 to 28 VDC
10 to 28 VDC
Current
Consumption*
3.3 to 7.0 mA in No Detect State
35 to 40 mA in Detect State
(Output A Presence / Output B Pulse)
60 to 65 mA in Detect State
(Output A Presence / Output B Presence)
3.3 to 7.0 mA**
N
OTES: * Current consumption is a function of the sensitivity. See the table in the "
Front Panel Rotary
Switch (Sensitivity)" section for actual current draw at each of the sensitivity settings.
** Add 6.0 mA for each lit (DET and/or Fail) LED.
II Indicators and Controls
i Detect / Fail LEDs
The detector has two red LED indicators that are used to provide an indication of the detector’s output state
and/or loop failure conditions. The DET (Detect) LED is only activated during the three minutes immediately
following initial power-up or detector reset. The table below lists the various indications and their meanings.
Status
DET (Detect) LED
FAIL (Loop Fail) LED
Off
Output(s) Off
Loop OK
On
Output(s) On
N/A
Flash 4 Flashes per Second (50% duty cycle)
Two second timing delay activated
1 Hz (50% duty cycle)
Loop Failure
One flash every five seconds
Prior Loop Failure
NOTE
: The DET
(Detect) LED will only turn on or flash during the three minutes
immediately following initial power-
up or reset of the detector. After the three
minutes immediately following initial power-
up or detector reset, the Detect
LED is deactivated, but the detector continues to function normally. The
FAIL
(Loop Fail) LED provides the indications shown above at all times.
MODEL BX-LP SERIES
3510 E. Atlanta Ave.
Phoenix, AZ 85040 USA
Telephone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Website: www.editraffic.com
E-mail: [e-mail]

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ii Front Panel Rotary Switch (Sensitivity)
The eight-position rotary switch selects one of eight (8) sensitivity levels as shown in the table below. 0 is
lowest and 7 is highest, with normal (factory default) being 3. Use the lowest sensitivity setting that will
consistently detect the smallest vehicle that must be detected. Do not use a sensitivity level higher than necessary.
Position
0
1
2
3 *
4
5
6
7
-∆L/L
1.28%
0.64%
0.32%
0.16% *
0.08%
0.04%
0.02%
0.01%
Current
Draw
3.3 mA 3.5 mA 3.8 mA 4.6 mA * 5.0 mA 5.1 mA 5.2mA 7.0 mA
* Factory default setting.
iii Front Panel DIP Switches
Switch
ON
OFF
Factory Default
1
Frequency
(See table in Frequency section)
OFF
2
OFF
3
Limited Presence
True PresenceTM
OFF
4
Sensitivity Boost
No Boost
OFF
5
Two Second Delay
No Delay
OFF
6
Fail-Safe Output A
Fail-Secure Output A
OFF
7
Exit Pulse Output B
Entry Pulse Output B
OFF
8
Presence Mode Output B
Pulse Mode Output B
OFF
Frequency (DIP Switches 1 and 2)
In situations where loop geometry forces loops to be located in close proximity to one another, it may be necessary
to select different frequencies for each loop to avoid loop interference, commonly known as crosstalk. DIP
switches 1 and 2 can be used to configure the detector to operate at one of four frequencies corresponding to Low,
Medium / Low, Medium / High, and High as shown in the table below.
NOTE: After changing any frequency DIP switch setting(s), the detector must be reset by momentarily changing
one of the other DIP switch positions.
Switch
Frequency
Low (0)
Medium / Low (1) *
Medium / High (2)
High (3)
1
ON
OFF *
ON
OFF
2
ON
ON *
OFF
OFF
* Factory default setting.
Presence Hold Time (DIP Switch 3)
Output A always functions as a presence output. DIP switch 3 can be used to select one of two presence hold
times; Limited Presence or True PresenceTM. Both modes provide a detect output when a vehicle is present
in the loop detection zone. True PresenceTM is selected when DIP switch 3 is OFF. If DIP switch 3 is ON,
Limited Presence is selected. Limited Presence will typically hold the detect output for one to three hours. True
PresenceTM will hold the detect output as long as the vehicle is present in the loop detection zone provided that
power is not interrupted, and the detector is not reset. TruePresenceTM time applies only for normal size
automobiles and trucks and for normal size loops (approximately 12 ft2to 120 ft2). The factory default setting is
OFF (True PresenceTM Mode).
Sensitivity Boost (DIP Switch 4)
DIP switch 4 can be turned ON to increase sensitivity during the detect period without changing the sensitivity
during the no detect period. The boost feature has the effect of temporarily increasing the sensitivity setting by up
to two levels. When a vehicle enters the loop detection zone, the detector automatically boosts the sensitivity level.
As soon as no vehicle is detected, the detector immediately returns to the original sensitivity level. This feature is
particularly useful in preventing dropouts during the passage of high bed vehicles. The factory default setting is
OFF (no Sensitivity Boost).
Output Delay (DIP Switch 5)
A two second delay of Outputs A and B can be activated by setting DIP switch 5 to the ON position. Output delay
is the time the detector outputs are delayed after a vehicle first enters the loop detection zone. If the two second
Output Delay feature is activated, the outputs will only be turned on after two seconds have passed with a vehicle
continuously present in the loop detection zone. If the vehicle leaves the loop detection zone during the two
second delay interval, detection is aborted and the next vehicle to enter the loop detection zone will initiate a new
full two second delay interval. The detector provides an indication that a vehicle is being detected but that the
outputs are being delayed, by flashing the front panel DET (Detect) LED at a four Hz rate with a 50% duty cycle.
The factory default setting is OFF (no Output Delay).
Fail-Safe / Fail-Secure (DIP Switch 6)
When DIP switch 6 is in the ON position, the detector will operate in Fail-Safe mode when a loop fault condition
exists. If a loop fault condition occurs while Fail-Safe mode is selected, Output A will activate (Relay A Normally
Open contacts closed, Relay A Normally Closed contacts open or Solid State Output A sourced to ground). When
DIP switch 6 is in the OFF position, the detector will operate in Fail-Secure mode when a loop fault condition
exists. If a loop fault condition occurs while Fail-Secure mode is selected, Output A will not activate (Relay A
Normally Open contacts open, Relay A Normally Closed contacts closed or Solid State Output A not sourced to

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ground). Output B always operates in the Fail-Secure mode, it will not activate during a loop fault condition
(Relay B Normally Open contacts open, Relay A Normally Closed contacts closed or Solid State Output A not
sourced to ground) regardless of the setting of this switch. The factory default setting is OFF (Output A Fail-
Secure).
Output
Loop Failure - Output A Fail-Safe
Loop Failure - Output A Fail-Secure *
A
Output ON
Output OFF *
B
Output OFF
Output OFF *
* Factory default setting.
Output B Output Mode (DIP Switches 7 and 8)
Output B has three (3) modes of operation: Pulse-on-Entry, Pulse-on-Exit, and Presence. DIP switches 7 and 8 are
used to configure the Presence and/or Pulse output modes of Output B.
When set to operate in Pulse mode (DIP switch 8 set to OFF), Output B can be set to provide a 250 millisecond
pulse when a vehicle enters or exits the loop detection zone. DIP switch 7 is used to select Pulse-on-Entry or
Pulse-on-Exit. When DIP switch 7 is OFF, Pulse-on-Entry is selected. When DIP switch 7 is ON, Pulse-on-Exit
is selected.
When set to operate in Presence mode (DIP switch 8 set to ON), Output B presence hold time is the same as
Output A.
The table below shows the various combinations of switch settings and Output B modes of operation.
Switch
Pulse-on-Entry *
Pulse-on-Exit
Presence
Presence
7
OFF *
ON
OFF
ON
8
OFF *
OFF
ON
ON
* Factory default setting.
III Reset
Changing any DIP switch position (except 1 or 2) or the Sensitivity level setting will reset the detector. After
changing the frequency selection switches, the detector must be reset.
IV Failed Loop Diagnostics
The FAIL LED indicates whether or not the loop is currently within tolerance. If the loop is out of tolerance, the
FAIL LED will flash at a rate of one flash per second. If and when the loop returns to within tolerance, the FAIL
LED will flash at a rate of one flash every five seconds to indicate that an intermittent loop fault has occurred and
has been corrected. This flash rate will continue until another loop fault occurs, the detector is reset, or power to
the detector is interrupted.
V Pin Connections (Reno A & E Wiring Harness Model 802-4)
Pin Wire Color
Function
Relay Outputs
Solid State Outputs
1
Black
DC +
DC +
2
White
DC Common
DC Common
3
Orange
RelayB, NormallyOpen (N.O.)
Output B Collector (Drain)
4
Green
No Connection
No Connection
5
Yellow
Relay A, Common
DC Common
6
Blue
RelayA,NormallyOpen(N.O.)
Output A Collector (Drain)
7
Gray
Loop
Loop
8
Brown
Loop
Loop
9
Red
Relay B, Common
DC Common
10
Violet or
Black / White
Relay A, Normally Closed (N.C.) No Connection
11
White / Green
or Red / White
Relay B, Normally Closed (N.C.) No Connection
NOTES: All pin connections listed above are with power applied, loop(s) connected, and no vehicle detected.
On the Solid State version (BX-LP-SS), the two Outputs (Output A and Output B) are FET devices that sink current to DC
Common (i.e. the FET Output switches the load to DC Common). To operate properly, the output must be connected as
shown below:
If the output is being used to turn on an inductive device such as a relay, a snubber diode should be wired in parallel with
the relay coil.
DC Common
Detector
+ VDC
Load
Output A, Output B, or Fail Output
Optional Diode

Model BX-LP Operating Instructions P/N 889-2902-00
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VI Warnings
For trouble free operation, use the Reno A&E model PLH (for pave over), or model PLB (for saw cut installation).
And follow good loop installation practices. The lead-in cable for each loop (including runs through all wiring
harnesses) must be twisted together a minimum of six (6) complete twists per foot. For trouble free operation, it is
highly recommended that all connections (including crimped connectors) be soldered.
VIII Loop Installation
The vehicle detection characteristics of an inductive loop detector are greatly influenced by the loop size and
proximity to moving metal objects such as gates. Vehicles such as small motorcycles and high bed trucks can be
reliably detected if the proper size loop is selected. If the loop is placed too close to a moving metal gate, the
detector may detect the gate. The diagram below is intended as a reference for the dimensions that will influence
the detection characteristics.
General Rules
1. The detection height of a loop is 2/3 the
shortest leg (A or B) of the loop. Example:
Short leg = 6 feet, Detection Height = 2/3 x 6
feet = 4 feet.
A =
6 ft
9 ft
12 ft
15 ft
18 ft
21 ft
C =
3 ft
4 ft
4.5 ft
5 ft
5.5 ft
6 ft
2. As the length of leg A is increased, distance C
must also increase.
3. For reliable detection of small motorcycles,
legs A and B should not exceed 6 feet.
Loop Installation - Saw Cut Type
1 Mark the loop layout on the pavement. Remove sharp inside corners that can damage the loop wire insulation.
2 Set the saw to cut to a depth (typically 2" to 2.5") that ensures a minimum of 1" from the top of the wire to
pavement surface. The saw cut width should be larger than the wire diameter to avoid damage to the wire
insulation when placed in the saw slot. Cut the loop and feeder slots. Remove all debris from the saw slot with
compressed air. Check that the bottom of the slot is smooth.
3 It is highly recommended that a continuous length of wire be used to form the loop and feeder to the detector.
Loop wire is typically 14, 16, 18, or 20 AWG with cross-linked polyethylene insulation. Use a wood stick or roller
to insert the wire to the bottom of the saw slot (do not use sharp objects). Wrap the wire in the loop saw slot until
the desired number of turns is reached. Each turn of wire must lay flat on top of the previous turn.
4 The wire must be twisted together a minimum of 6 twists per foot from the end of the saw slot to the detector.
5 The wire must be held firmly in the slot with 1" pieces of backer rod every 1 to 2 feet. This prevents the wire from
floating when the loop sealant is applied.
6 Apply the sealant. The sealant selected should have good adhering properties with contraction and expansion
characteristics similar to those of the pavement material.
1
3
1/8" to 1/4" SAW SLOT
THE WIRE IS
CONTINUOUSLY WOUND
IN THE LOOP SAW SLOT
FOR THE REQUIRED
NUMBER OF TURNS (2
turns shown)
turn 2
turn 1
REMOVE SHARP
INSIDE CORNERS
FEEDER SLOT
END OF SAW CUT
4
THE WIRES MUST BE
TWISTED TOGETHER
6 TWISTS PER FOOT
FROM THE END OF
THE SAW CUT TO
THE DETECTOR
Recommended Loop Wire: Reno A&E LW-120 for 1/8" slots
Reno A&E LW-116-S for 1/4" slots
ROAD SURFACE
MIN
1"
SAW SLOT
SEALANT
BACKER ROD
1" piece spaced
about every 1'
LOOP WIRE
3 TURNS
2
6
5
LOOP PERIMETER NUMBER OF TURNS
10 feet - 13 feet
5
14 feet - 26 feet
4
27 feet - 45 feet
3
46 feet - 100 feet
2
100 feet and up
1
C
A = Loop dimension parallel to the gate
B = Loop dimension perpendicular to the gate
C = Distance of the loop from the gate
SLIDE GATE
A
B