Seaward Sentinel Series User manual

Sentinel Series Safety Tester
Operating Instructions
Seaward Electronic Ltd
Bracken Hill, South West Industrial Estate,
Peterlee, Co. Durha . SR8 2SW. England.
Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone]
www.clare.co.uk
[email protected]
[email protected]

Sentinel Test Instrument
Operating Instructions
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Limited Warranty & Limitation of Liability
Seaward Electronic Ltd guarantees this product for a period of
1 year. The period of warranty will be effective at the day of
delivery.
© Copyright 2014
All rights reserved. Nothing fro this edition ay be
ultiplied, or ade public in any for or anner, either
electronically, echanically, by photocopying, recording, or in
any anner, without prior written consent fro Seaward
Electronic Ltd. This also applies to acco panying drawings
and diagra s.
Due to a policy of continuous develop ent Seaward Electronic
Ltd reserves the right to alter the equip ent specification and
description outlined in this publication without prior notice and
no part of this publication shall be dee ed to be part of any
contract for the equip ent unless specifically referred to as an
inclusion within such contract.
Disposal of Old Product

Sentinel Test Instrument
Operating Instructions
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This product has been designed and anufactured with high
quality aterials and co ponents that can be recycled and
reused.
When the crossed out wheelie bin sy bol is attached to a
product it eans the product is covered by the European
Directive 2012/19/EU.
Please fa iliarise yourself with the appropriate local separate
collection syste for electrical and electronic products.
Please dispose of this product according to local regulations.
Do not dispose of this product along with nor al waste
aterial. The correct disposal of this product will help prevent
potential negative consequences for the environ ent and
hu an health.

Sentinel Test Instrument
Operating Instructions
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Declaration of Conformity
As the supplier of the apparatus listed, we declare that the
product:
Sentinel Test Instru ent
To which this declaration relates are in confor ity with the
relevant clauses of the following standard:
BS EN 1010-1:2010
Safety requirements for electrical equipment for
measurement, control, and laboratory use – Part 1: General
requirements.
BS EN 1010-2-030:2010
Safety requirements for electrical equipment for
measurement, control, and laboratory use – Part 2-030:
Particular requirements for testing and measurement
circuits.
BS EN 132 -1:2013
Electrical equipment for measurement, control and
laboratory user-EMC Requirements.
Perfor ance: The instru ent operates within specification
when used under the conditions in the above EMC and Safety
Standards.
The product identified above confor s to the require ents of
Council Directive 2004/108/EC and 2006/95/EC.
This confor ity is indicated by the sy bol i.e. “Confor ite
Europeenne”.
Seaward Electronic Ltd is registered under BS EN
ISO9001:2000 Certificate No: Q05356.
.

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Operating Instructions
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Contents
1.0 User Notes .................................................................. 7
2.0 Safety Notes ............................................................... 8
Workplace Precautions and Safety Checks ......................... 9
Operating Precautions ........................................................ 10
3.0 Accessories ............................................................... 11
Standard Accessories ........................................................ 11
4.0 Description ................................................................ 11
Front Panel ......................................................................... 12
Rear Panel .......................................................................... 14
5.0 Environ ental Conditions ......................................... 16
6.0 Electrical Specifications ............................................ 17
AC Dielectric Withstand Test .............................................. 17
DC Dielectric Withstand Test .............................................. 18
Earth Bond Test (Sentinel 501) ........................................... 19
Insulation Resistance Test (Sentinel 501) ........................... 20
7.0 Operation .................................................................. 22
Test Lead Connection ........................................................ 22
Instru ent Set Up .............................................................. 23
Test Screen and Menu Navigation ..................................... 24
Manual Test Mode .............................................................. 27
Manual Test Utilities ........................................................... 29
Saving Manual Test Para eters ......................................... 34
Perfor ing a Manual Test .................................................. 34
PASS / FAIL Condition in Manual Test ............................... 35
Test Lead Null for Earth Bond Test (Sentinel 501) .............. 36
Special MANU Mode 000 (Sentinel 500 & 501) .................. 37
Changing Dielectric Withstand Test Voltage During Test ... 37
Turning off Ti er Setting .................................................... 38
Create Test Para eters ...................................................... 38
Sweep Function (Sentinel 500 Only) ................................... 38
Auto atic Test Mode ......................................................... 40
Choose / Recall an Auto atic Test .................................... 40
Editing Auto atic Test Sequences .................................... 41
Adding a Manual Test ......................................................... 42
Creating a Test Sequence Na e ........................................ 42
Saving the Auto atic Test Sequence ................................ 43
Auto atic Test Page View .................................................. 43
Moving a Test fro Page View ........................................... 44
Swapping two tests fro Page View .................................. 44
Skipping a Test step fro Page View ................................. 45
Deleting a Test step fro Page View .................................. 45
Saving changes ade in Page View ................................... 45
Perfor ing an Auto atic (AUTO) Test Sequence .............. 46

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Operating Instructions
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Auto atic Test Results....................................................... 47
Co on Utility Settings ..................................................... 48
Co on Utility – Display Options ...................................... 49
Co on Utility – Buzzer Settings ...................................... 49
Co on Utility – Interface Settings ................................... 49
Co on Utility – Control Settings ..................................... 50
8.0 External Control Options ........................................... 51
Re ote Ter inal ................................................................ 51
Re ote Ter inal Pin Configuration .................................... 51
Signal I/O Port .................................................................... 52
9.0 Re ote Control ......................................................... 54
Interface Configuration – RS232......................................... 54
Interface Configuration - USB ............................................ 55
GPIB Configuration ............................................................. 55
USB / RS232 Re ote Control Functionality Check ........... 55
Co and Syntax ............................................................... 56
Co and types ................................................................. 56
Co and For s ................................................................ 57
Syste Co ands ............................................................ 58
Manual Test Co ands .................................................... 63
Sweep Co ands ............................................................. 79
Auto Mode Co ands ...................................................... 82
Error essages................................................................... 87
10.0 Frequently Asked Questions ..................................... 88
11.0 Error Messages ......................................................... 89
12.0 Cleaning and Maintenance ....................................... 91
Cleaning.............................................................................. 91
Replacing the Fuse ............................................................. 91
13.0 Service and Calibration ............................................. 92

Sentinel Test Instrument
Operating Instructions
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1.0 User Notes
These operating instructions are intended for the use of
co petent personnel.
The Sentinel Test Instrument has been designed to operate
in a dry environment.
The following sy bols are used in these operating instructions.
Warning of electrical danger!
Indicates instructions must be followed to avoid
danger to persons.
Important, follow the documentation!
This symbol indicates that the operating instructions
must be adhered to in order to avoid danger / ensure
accuracy

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Operating Instructions
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2.0 Safety Notes
The Sentinel Test Instru ent has been built and tested in
accordance with:
BS EN 61010 part 1
BS EN 61557 part 1 and 2
BS EN 61326
The Sentinel Test Instru ent has left the factory in a perfectly
safe state. To aintain this state and ensure safe operation of
the unit, all notes and warnings in these instructions ust be
observed at all ti es.
Always use the Sentinel Test Instrument with the
supplied earth probe and earth return leads.
The Sentinel Test Instrument and all associated
cables and leads must be checked for signs of
damage before the equipment is operated.
Where safe operation of the Sentinel Test Instru ent is no
longer possible it should be i ediately shutdown and
secured to prevent accidental operation.
It ust be assu ed that safe operation is no longer possible:
- if the Sentinel Test Instru ent or the cable asse blies
show visible signs of da age, or
- the Sentinel Test Instru ent does not function, or
- after long periods of storage under adverse
environ ental conditions.
If the Sentinel Test Instrument is used in a manner
not specified by this document then the protection
provided by the equipment may be impaired.

Sentinel Test Instrument
Operating Instructions
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Workplace Precautions and Safety Checks
The Sentinel series instru ents are capable of the output of
dangerous voltages. This section describes precautions and
procedures that should be followed in order to create a safe
working environ ent
•Only co petent personnel should be allowed to
operate the Sentinel series of test instru ents.
•Ensure the operating workplace is fully isolated,
especially when the Sentinel is in operation. Creating
an environ ent in accordance with EN50191 is
strongly reco ended.
•The test operative should avoid wearing any
conductive aterials, such as watches and rings
whilst undertaking testing, or it is advised that suitably
insulated gauntlets shall be worn
•Always ensure the Earth connection in the supply is
properly connected.
•Ensure any devices that are adversely affected by
agnetic fields are not placed near the Sentinel Test
Instru ent
•Inspect all test leads prior to use to ensure there is no
da age to the insulating aterial such as signs of
overheating or splits.
•Before use it is reco ended that the tester is
checked for correct operation to ensure the current
trip is working as required. The use of a Fault
Si ulator is reco ended

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Operating Instructions
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Operating Precautions
•Never touch the instru ent, Test Leads or Probes,
Ter inals or any connected equip ent under test
whilst a Dielectric Withstand Test is being conducted
•Do not turn the Sentinel Off and On quickly or
repeatedly. To allow protection circuits to properly
initiate, please allow a few o ents before turning
the power back on.
•Only use the supplied leads when perfor ing tests.
•Do not short the High Voltage Ter inal with the Earth
Connection. Doing so could charge the instru ent
chassis to a dangerously high level of voltage.
•Do not leave the Sentinel unattended whilst in
operation, always turn the power off when leaving the
test area
•If re otely controlling the Sentinel, adequate safety
easures ust be in place to prevent;
•Inadvertent Output of the Test Voltage
•Accidental contact with the instru ent during
testing
•Always ensure an adequate discharge ti e for the
Equip ent under Test.
•When DC Dielectric Withstand Testing is perfor ed,
the Equip ent under Test (EUT), Test Leads and
probes beco e highly charged. The Sentinel series of
Test Instru ents are equipped with circuitry to
discharge the EUT after each test. The ti e required
to discharge is dependant upon the EUT and the test
voltage.
•Never disconnect the EUT fro the Sentinel before
discharging is co plete

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Operating Instructions
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3.0 Accessories
Standard Accessories
The Sentinel instru ent will be supplied fro new with the
following ite s.
1 off Dielectric Withstand Test Lead set (Co prises 2x
Test Leads ter inated in shrouded clips).
1 off Interlock Key.
1 off Re ote Ter inal Plug
1 off Power Lead
1 off operating instruction anual
1 off Earth Bond Test Lead set (Co prises 2x two wire
shrouded clips, black & red) Sentinel 501 Only.
4.0 Description
The Sentinel Series Test Instru ents are safety testers
designed for testing of product in anufacturing, service and
laboratory environ ents
All odels can operate at up to 5kVAC for AC Dielectric
Withstand (Flash) Testing and at up to 6kVDC for DC Dielectric
Withstand (Flash) Testing. The Sentinel 501 also includes Earth
Bond and Insulation Resistance tests. Please refer to Electrical
Specifications in section 6 for full test specifications
The Sentinel 500/ 501 has test ter inals irrored on both the
front and rear for added safety and for ore per anent safety
testing environ ents. They also include an innovative sweep
function to view test results as a graph, and a 500VA
transfor er.
The Sentinel Series Test Instru ents can store up to 100
anual tests, as well as run up to 16 anual tests sequentially
as an auto atic test, allowing the safety testers to
acco odate any nu ber of safety standards.

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Operating Instructions
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Front Panel
Sentinel 200/500
Sentinel 501
1. On/Off switch - Powers the internal electronics.
2. Start button - Used for starting tests whilst in READY
status, and also to put the instru ent into TEST
status.
3. Stop button - Used to Stop or Cancel an active test.
The Stop button is also used to enable the READY
status to begin testing.

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Operating Instructions
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4. Re ote Ter inal – Used to connect a re ote controller,
for external Start / Stop conditions for exa ple.
5. Configuration Keys – Co prising of
Utility Key – Used to enter the Manual (MANU) utility
or the Co on Utility enus.
Edit / Save Key – User to enter the edit function for
Manual (MANU) and Auto atic (AUTO) test
para eters. Also used to save settings and test
para eters.
Manu / Auto Key – Used to switch between anual
and auto atic test ode.
6. Rotary Wheel – Used to increase / decrease test
para eter values. Turn wheel clockwise to increase
and anticlockwise to decrease values.
7. Return Ter inal – Used for the voltage return when
perfor ing Dielectric Withstand Tests
8. High Voltage Ter inal – Used for the output of test
voltage. This ter inal is recessed for safety purposes.
9. High voltage Indicator – Illu inates when the output
ter inal is active.
10. Test Indicator – Illu inates to indicate the Sentinel is
perfor ing a Test.
11. Ready Indicator – Illu inates to indicate that the
Sentinel is ready to begin testing.
12. Control Buttons – Consisting of;
Directional Keys – Used to navigate enu
screens and para eter settings
Escape Key – ESC used to exit fro a enu or
cancel a setting
Page Key – PAGE, used to view auto atic test
infor ation and test results

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Operating Instructions
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13. Pass / Fail Indicators – Used to advise the test status
at the end of anual or auto atic tests
14. Function Keys – The function keys offer different
options dependant upon the currently active screen.
Offer short cuts to various options.
15. Display – 240 x 64 Dot Matrix Display (LCD)
16. High Voltage Return and Earth Bond Voltage Sense
return ter inal, L (Sentinel 501 Only)
17. Earth Bond Current Source return, L (Sentinel 501
Only)
18. Earth Bond Voltage Sense Output ter inal, H
(Sentinel 501 Only)
19. Earth Bond Current Source Output, H (Sentinel 501
Only)
Rear Panel
Sentinel 200
8 7 6
1 2 3 4
5

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Operating Instructions
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Sentinel 500
Sentinel 501
1. Signal I/O Port – Used to Monitor the Test Status
(PASS, FAIL & TEST), and input signals (START and
STOP). It is also used as part of the Interlock Key
2. USB A Socket – Used for Re ote Control
3. RS232 Interface - Used for Re ote Control and
Fir ware updates
4. Fan / Cooling Vents – Used for cooling of internal
co ponents.
Please ensure that adequate room is left for the fan
to vent. Do not cover the fan openings
8 7 6
1 2 3
4
5
9

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Operating Instructions
16
5. Earth Connection –Used for connection of the (GND)
Ter inal to an Earth connection
6. Line Voltage Fuse – Line voltage Selector and fuse
Sentinel 200:
100V/120V T5A 250V
220V/230V T2.5A 250V
Sentinel 500:
100V/120V T10A 250V
220V/230V T6.3A 250V
7. Line Voltage Input – Inco ing Mains supply
100 /120/220/230V ±10%
8. GPIB Interface – Optional slot for GPIB interface card
used for re ote control
9. Rear Test Ter inal Panel– Mirrored test ter inals as
per the front panel (Sentinel 500 & 501 Only)
Do not Touch the High Voltage Terminals whilst
testing is in process
5.0 Environmental Conditions
The Sentinel Test Instru ent has been designed to perfor
tests and easure ents in a dry environ ent.
Maxi u baro etric elevation at which easure ents can be
recorded is 2000 .
Conta ination degree 2 according to IEC 61010-1.
Electro agnetic co patibility (EMC). Interference i unity
and e itted interference confor ing to IEC 61326-1.
Operating te perature range of 0ºC to 40ºC without oisture
condensation.

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Operating Instructions
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The Sentinel can be stored at any te perature in the range -
10ºC to +70ºC (relative hu idity up to 85%).
Supply rating is specified as 100/120/220/230V AC±10% at
50/60Hz
.0 Electrical Specifications
Please Note – The specifications below apply when the
Sentinel Test Instru ent has been powered on for at least 30
inutes at te perature 15°C~35°C. Please see tables 1a and
1B for test output li itations at the end of this section
AC Dielectric Withstand Test
Output Voltage Range 0.100kV~ 5.000kV
Output Voltage Resolution 2V
Output Voltage Accuracy ±(1% of setting +5V) with no load
Maxi u Rated Load Sentinel 200
200 VA (5kV/40 A)
Sentinel 500 / 501
500 VA (5kV/100 A)
Maxi u Rated Current Sentinel 200
40 A
0.001 A ~10 A(0.1kV≤V≤0.5kV)
0.001 A ~ 40 A(0.5kV<V≤5kV)
Sentinel 500 / 501
100 A
0.001 A ~10 A(0.1kV≤V≤0.5kV)
0.001 A ~ 100 A(0.5kV<V≤5kV)
Frequency 50 Hz / 60 Hz
Voltage Regulation ±1% +5V
[Maxi u rated load → no load]
Volt eter Accuracy ± (1% of reading+ 5V)
Current Measure ent Range Sentinel 200
0.001 A~040.0 A
Sentinel 500 / 501
0.001 A~100.0 A
Current Best Resolution Sentinel 200
1µA
0.001 A(0.001 A~0.999 A)
0.01 A(01.00 A~09.99 A)
0.1 A(010.0~040.0 A)
Sentinel 500/ 501
1µA
0.001 A(0.001 A~1.100 A)
0.01 A(01.11 A~11.00 A)
0.1 A(011.1~100.0 A)

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Operating Instructions
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Current Measure ent Sentinel 200
Accuracy ±(1.5% of reading +30 counts) when HI
SET <1.00 A
± (1.5% of reading +3 counts) when HI
SET ≥1.00 A
Sentinel 500 / 501
± (1.5% of reading +30 counts) when HI
SET <1.11 A
± (1.5% of reading +3 counts) when HI
SET ≥1.11 A
Window Co parator Method Yes
ARC DETECT Yes
Rise-ti e Control Function Yes
RAMP (Ra p Ti e) 0.1~999.9S
TIMER (Test Ti e) OFF*, 0.5S~999.9S
GND RETURN/GUARD
* The ti er can only be turned off under special MANU ode
(MANU=***-000)
DC Dielectric Withstand Test
Output Voltage Range 0.100kV~ 6.000Kv
Output Voltage Resolution 2V
Output Voltage Accuracy ± (1% of setting +5V) with no load
Maxi u Rated Load Sentinel 200
50W (5kV/10 A)
Sentinel 500 / 501
100W (5kV/20 A)
Maxi u Rated Current Sentinel 200
10 A
0.001 A ~ 2 A (0.1kV≤V≤0.5kV)
0.001 A ~ 10 A (0.5kV≤V≤6kV)
Sentinel 500 / 501
20 A
0.001 A ~ 2 A (0.1kV≤V≤0.5kV)
0.001 A ~ 20 A (0.5kV<V≤6kV)
Volt eter Accuracy ± (1% of reading+ 5V)
Voltage Regulation ± 1% +5V
[Maxi u rated load → no load]
Current Measure ent Range Sentinel 200
0.001 A~010.0 A
Sentinel 500 / 501
0.001 A~20.0 A
Current Best Resolution Sentinel 200
1µA
0.001 A(0.001 A~0.999 A)
0.01 A(01.00 A~09.99 A)
0.1 A(010.0 A)
Sentinel 500/ 501
1µA

Sentinel Test Instrument
Operating Instructions
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0.001 A(0.001 A~1.100 A)
0.01 A(01.11 A~11.00 A)
0.1 A(011.1~020.0 A)
Current Measure ent Sentinel 200
Accuracy ± (1.5% of reading +30 counts) when HI
SET <1.00 A
± (1.5% of reading +3 counts) when HI
SET ≥1.00 A
Sentinel 500 / 501
± (1.5% of reading +30 counts) when HI
SET <1.11 A
±(1.5% of reading +3 counts) when HI
SET ≥1.11 A
Window Co parator Method Yes
ARC DETECT Yes
Rise-ti e Control Function Yes
RAMP (Ra p Ti e) 0.1~999.9S
TIMER (Test Ti e) OFF*, 0.5S~999.9S
GND RETURN/GUARD
* The ti er can only be turned off under special MANU ode
(MANU=***-000)
Earth Bond Test (Sentinel 501)
Output Current Range 03.00A - 32.00A
Output Current Accuracy ± (1% of reading +0.2A) 3A≤I≤8A
± (1% of reading +0.05A) 8A<I≤32A
Output Current Resolution 0.01A
Frequency 50Hz/60Hz selectable
Oh eter Measure ent ± (1% of reading +2 Ω)
Accuracy
Oh eter Measure ent 10 Ω~650.0 Ω (depending on output
Range current, see Graph below)
Test Voltage (Max 6V (AC) Open circuit
Measure ent Resolution 0.1 Ω

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Operating Instructions
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Window Co parator Method Yes
TIMER (Test Ti e) 0.5S~999.9S
GND OFF
Insulation Resistance Test (Sentinel 501)
Output Voltage 50 – 1000V
Output Voltage Resolution 50V
Output Voltage Accuracy (1% of setting +5V) with no load
Measure ent Range 1MΩ - 50GΩ
Test Voltage Measur ent Range Accuracy
50V – 450V 0.001-0.050GΩ ±(5% of reading +1 count)
0.051-2.000GΩ ±(10% of reading +1 count)
500V – 1000V 0.001 – 0.500GΩ ±(5% of reading +1 count)
0.501 – 9.999GΩ ±(10% of reading +1 count)
10.00 – 50.00GΩ ±(15% of reading +1 count)
Output I pedance 600kΩ
Window Co parator Method Yes
Rise-ti e Control Function Yes
RAMP (Ra p Ti e) 0.1 - 999.9S
TIMER (Test Ti e) 1S - 999.9S
GND OFF
General
Display 240 x 64 Dot Matrix LED back light LCD
Me ory AUTO/MANU ode 100 e ory blocks
Power Source AC 100V/120V/220V/230V ±10%
50Hz/60Hz
Di ensions & Weight Sentinel 200
330(W) x 148(H) x 452(D) , 19kg(Max)
Sentinel 500
330(W) x 148(H) x 482(D) , 24kg(Max)
Sentinel 501
330(W) x 148(H) x 587(D) , 27kg(Max)