Rion VM-83 User manual

3-20-41 Higashimotomachi, Kokubunji, Tokyo 185-8533, Japan
http://www.rion.co.jp/english/
INSTRUCTION MANUAL
Vibration Meter
VM-83

i
Organization of this manual
This manual describes the features and operation principles of the vibration meter
VM-83. For information regarding the operation of other equipment in the case of
incorporating the VM-83 into a measurement system with other equipment, always
make sure refer to the documentation of the other equipment.
The page iii and follows contain important information on safety. Be sure to read
this part.
This manual contains the following sections.
Outline
Gives basic information on the conguration and features of the unit, and
contains a block diagram.
Controls and Features
Briey identies and explains all parts of the unit.
Preparations
Describes installation, connections, inserting batteries, pre-use checks and
other steps.
Measurement
Describes the steps for measurement.
Comparator
Describes how to use the comparator function.
Printer
Gives information on a printer that can be connected to the unit.
Serial Interface
Describes how to use the serial interface for connection to a computer.
Technical Information
Provides additional information that is helpful for using the unit.
Specications
Lists the technical specications of the unit.
Index
Index to the contents of the manual.
* All company names and product names mentioned in this manual are
trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

ii
This item is classied as “a regulated product or regulated tech-
nology in the Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Control Act”.
Export of this item from Japan requires an export license from the
Government of Japan.
The product described in this manual is in conformity with the
following European standards;
Note: CE requirements are met provided that a core lter is tted to
every cable.
The measurement result may be inuenced when the instrument is used
in a radio-frequency electromagnetic (RFE) eld.
To conform to the EU requirement of the Directive
on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment, the
symbol mark on the right is shown on the instru-
ment.
This product can be used in any areas including residential areas.

iii
FOR SAFETY
In this manual, important safety instructions are specially marked as shown
below. To prevent the risk of injury to persons and severe damage to the unit
or peripheral equipment, make sure that all instructions are fully understood
and observed.
Caution
Important
Disregarding instructions
printed here incurs the risk of
injury to persons and/or dam-
age to peripheral equipment.
Disregarding instructions
printed here incurs the risk of
damage to the product.
Mentioned about the tips to
use this unit properly. (This
messages do not have to do
with safety.)
Note

iv

v
Usage Precautions
Operate the unit only as described in this manual.
Take care not to drop the unit, and protect it from shocks and vibrations.
Do not store or use the unit in locations where the unit may be subject to
- splashes of water or high levels of dust,
- air with high salt or sulphur content, or other gases or chemicals,
- high temperature or humidity (50°C or above, 90%RH or above), or
direct sunlight,
- directly transmitted vibrations or shock.
Observe the following precautions after using the unit:
- Always switch off the power.
- When the unit is not to be used for an extended period, remove the
batteries to prevent possible damage caused by battery leakage.
Do not disassemble the unit or attempt internal alterations.
Have the unit checked and serviced regularly within one or two years.
(Sensitivity calibration can be performed at the factory for a fee.)
When powering the unit externally, use only the specied AC adapter
(option). Using a different adapter may cause malfunction or damage.
Do not tap the LCD panel for example with your nger or a pen, to prevent
possible malfunction or damage.
In case of malfunction, do not attempt any repairs. Note the condition of
the unit clearly and contact the supplier.
When disconnecting cables, always hold the plug and do not pull the
cable. Do not apply excessive force.
When disposing of the unit or the accessories, follow national and local
regulations regarding waste disposal.

vi
Contents
FOR SAFETY............................................................................... iii
Outline............................................................................................1
Controls and Features......................................................................3
Front panel ................................................................................3
Rear panel .................................................................................5
Side panel .................................................................................7
Display .....................................................................................8
Preparations .................................................................................. 11
Power supply ........................................................................... 11
Inserting batteries ...................................................................11
AC adapter ..............................................................................12
Using the prop-up feet ............................................................13
Selecting an accelerometer ......................................................14
Connecting the accelerometer .................................................15
Setting the INPUT SELECT switch.........................................17
Accelerometer sensitivity calibration .....................................18
Measurement.................................................................................20
Power-on .................................................................................20
Measurement mode setting .....................................................21
Display characteristics setting .................................................22
High-pass lter setting ............................................................23
Low-pass lter setting .............................................................24
Level range setting ..................................................................25
Menu settings ..........................................................................27
Calibration ..............................................................................31
Maximum value hold ..............................................................33
Peak hold ................................................................................36
Comparator ...................................................................................38
Printer...........................................................................................43

vii
Serial Interface..............................................................................47
Transmission principle ............................................................47
Local mode/Remote mode ......................................................48
Transfer protocol .....................................................................50
Error processing .....................................................................52
Control operation in remote mode ...........................................53
Command format ....................................................................54
Technical Information ...................................................................69
Noise level and measurement range ........................................69
Delay of output signal .............................................................73
Rack mounting ........................................................................73
Accelerometer installation ......................................................74
Display range ..........................................................................76
Aliasing effect ........................................................................77
Filter characteristics ................................................................78
VM-83PB1 software ...............................................................80
Specications ................................................................................81
Index.............................................................................................93

viii

1
Outline
The VM-83 is a vibration meter designed for measurement and evaluation
of vibrations, using a piezoelectric accelerometer or a servo accelerometer.
It provides four types of input connectors and allows selection of accelera-
tion, velocity, and displacement measurement. With the optional servo ac-
celerometer, even very low frequency vibrations in the range of 0.1 to 1 Hz
can be measured, something that is very hard to achieve with conventional
piezoelectric accelerometers.
Display characteristics can be switched to rms, equivalent peak, and equiva-
lent peak-to-peak. Peak hold and max. hold functions are also available, and
a comparator with level evaluation output is also available.
AC output, DC output, and a serial interface are provided as standard equipment.
The unit uses a box-type design that makes it easily portable, and it can be
powered from the AC adapter or from batteries.

2
Outline
Block diagram
PREAMP1
PREAMP2
SERVO
LPF
A/D DSP D/A
AC OUT
DC OUT
OVER ROM CPU
I/O EEPROM LCD
EXT 6 V
Charge
amplifier
Gravity acceleration
canceling circuit
Amplifier
Attenuator
Amplifier Amplifier
Amplifier
Amplifier
Interface LCD driver
DC/DC
converter
IEC R14 (size C)
battery × 4
Regulated
power supply
18 V 2 mA
(ACCELEROMETER)
PICKUP

3
Controls and Features
Front panel
LEVEL RANGE keys
Serve for switching the level range up ( ) or down ( ).
Display backlight key (LIGHT key)
Serves for turning the display backlight on and off.
When the unit is operating on batteries, the display automatically turns
itself off after 60 seconds. When the batteries are run down, the display
will be darker.
Calibration key (CAL key)
This key turns the calibration signal supplied at the AC and DC outputs on
and off. The signal is used to perform calibration of external equipment.
Accelerometer sensitivity key (PICKUP SENS key)
Serves for setting the accelerometer sensitivity. When the accelerometer
sensitivity setting mode is on, the indicator above the key lights.

4
Controls and Features
MENU key
Allows changing the menu by selecting a menu number. If this key is
pressed in remote mode, the remote mode is canceled and the unit returns
to the local mode.
Power switch
Serves to turn the unit on and off.
COMP ON/OFF key
Serves to turn the comparator function on and off.
HOLD RESET key
Serves for resetting maximum hold data and peak hold data, as well as
the comparator output.
Low-pass lter key (LPF key)
Serves for activating the low-pass lter (indicator above the key lights).
MAX HOLD ON/OFF key
Serves to turn the maximum value hold function on and off.
High-pass lter key (HPF key)
Serves for activating the high-pass lter (indicator above the key lights).
Accelerometer input connector (PICKUP connector)
The piezoelectric accelerometer is to be connected here.
Setting keys
Serve to set the measurement mode, display characteristics, low-pass
lter, high-pass lter, and accelerometer sensitivity. The keys will affect
the function for which the key indicator is lit. The keys are also used for
changing menu settings.
Measurement mode selector key (ACC/VEL/DISP key)
Serves to change the measurement mode (indicator above the key lights).
Display characteristics selector key (RMS/EQPEAK/EQP-P key)
Serves to change the display (detection) characteristics (indicator above
the key lights).
Display
Shows measurement values and various key settings.

5
Controls and Features
Rear panel
PREAMP 2
SERVO(LS-10C)
SERIAL COMP OUT
PREAMP 1
PREAMP 1
PICKUP
SERVO
SERVO
PREAMP 2
ACOM
LOCK UNLOCK
BATT BOX
AC OUT
DC OUT
INPUT SELECT EXT 6V
Battery holder
Battery holder button
AC output connector
DC output connector
External power
supply connector
Comparator
output terminals
Input select switch
Serial interface
connector
Servo input
connector
Preamplifier 2
input connector
Preamplifier 1
input connector
Battery holder
Four IEC R14 (size C) batteries are inserted here.
Battery holder button
Push this button to lock or unlock the battery holder.
AC output connector
An AC signal corresponding to the measurement value is available at this
connector (full-scale point: 2 V, output impedance approx. 600 ohms).
DC output connector
A DC signal corresponding to the measurement value is available at this
connector (full-scale point: 2 V, output impedance approx. 600 ohms).
External power supply connector
The AC adapter (option) can be connected here.

6
Controls and Features
Comparator output terminals
The comparator signal is available at these terminals. The maximum
applied voltage is 24 V, and the maximum drive current varies as follows
depending on the applied voltage.
50 mA (when the applied voltage is 24 V)
25 mA (when the applied voltage is 12 V)
10 mA (when the applied voltage is 5 V)
Input select switch
Serves to select the input source. Available settings are PICKUP / PRE-
AMP 1 / PREAMP 2 / SERVO / SERVO .
Serial interface connector
Serves for connection of a computer or printer.
Servo input connector (SERVO connector)
The servo accelerometer (LS-10C or LS-20C) can be connected here.
Preamplier 2 input connector (PREAMP 2 connector)
A piezoelectric accelerometer with integrated preamplier can be con-
nected here.
Preamplier 1 input connector (PREAMP 1 connector)
A piezoelectric accelerometer can be connected here via a preamplier.

7
Controls and Features
Side panel

8
Controls and Features
Display
For explanation purposes, the illustration below shows all display elements.
In actual use, not all elements will be seen together.
COMP indicator
This indicator appears when the comparator function is selected.
REMOTE indicator
This indicator appears when the unit is being controlled remotely over
the serial link.
OVER indicator
This indicator appears when the input signal has caused overload.

9
Controls and Features
Units indicator
The unit applicable to the current measurement mode is shown here.
m/s2When a piezoelectric accelerometer is used, this indicator
appears during acceleration measurement.
mm/s2When a servo accelerometer is used, this indicator appears
during acceleration measurement.
mm/s This indicator appears during velocity measurement.
mm This indicator appears during displacement measurement.
pC/(m/s2) This indicator appears during sensitivity setting for the
piezoelectric accelerometer.
Low-pass lter indicator
Shows the low-pass lter setting.
High-pass lter indicator
Shows the high-pass lter setting.
RMS/EQPEAK/EQP-P indicators
Shows the display (detection) characteristics setting.
Measurement value
Shows the current measurement value, maximum hold value, peak hold
value, menu settings, etc.
PEAK/MAX HOLD/OVER indicators
When the maximum hold function has been activated, the MAX HOLD
indicator is displayed (see page 33).
When the peak hold function has been activated, the PEAK HOLD indi-
cator is displayed (see page 36).
When the hold value has exceeded the measurement maximum, the OVER
indicator is displayed.
Bar graph
When the level range setting is 10000, 1000, 100, 10, 1, 0.1, or 0.01, the
indication follows the upper scale: 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10.
When the level range setting is 3000, 300, 30, 3, 0.3, 0.03, or 0.003, the
indication follows the lower scale: 0, 1, 2, 3.
The bar graph indication corresponds to the input level.

10
Controls and Features
UNDER indicator
This indicator appears when the input signal has fallen below the mea-
surement threshold.
Battery capacity indicator
Shows the remaining capacity of the batteries.
CAL indicator
This indicator appears during calibration.
Level range indicator
Shows which level range has been selected.