Spectrum SC-100 User manual

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Sensor Checker
SC-100
Rev. 1.0

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Caution
Please read this manual carefully before
operating the SC-100 Sensor Checker

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Contents
1. Product Description................................................................................................................................................... 4
2. SC-100 Map and legend............................................................................................................................................ 5
3. Using SC-100 Sensor Checker.................................................................................................................................. 6
3.1 Sensor simulation mode.......................................................................................................................................... 7
3.2 Sensor checker mode .............................................................................................................................................. 8
4. Maintenance............................................................................................................................................................ 10
5. Device Dimensions................................................................................................................................................. 11

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1. Product Description
SC-100 is a battery operated, easy to use instrument which is used to check sensor condition by measuring
bias voltage and to electronically simulate IEPE sensor output from accelerometers.
Power is supplied from one internally mounted 9V alkaline battery. There is also a LED indication of LOW
battery.
Operational mode can be selected by side switch mounted on left side. There is also a visual indicator of
selected mode placed on the front panel. In the middle position device is OFF.
In BOV TEST mode, the user can read measured bias voltage on the screen, and sensor status indicated on
the LED diodes on the front panel. There are three predefines sensor status’ which are related to the bias
voltage and they are: SHORT CIRCUIT, SENSOR OK and OPEN CIRCUIT.
In SIGNAL GENERATOR mode, the instrument produces a fixed frequency sinusoidal signal to simulate
accelerometer or velocity sensor output.
Specification
Outputs
Type BOV - Bias Output Voltage
IEPE (ICP®) - current sinking
Signal Generation
Amplitude 100mV RMS, sinusoidal
Amplitude accuracy ±1.0%
Frequency 160Hz
Frequency accuracy ±1.0%
THD <1%
Environmental characteristics
Temeprature
Operating -10°C to +65°C
Storage -18°C to +65°C
Humidity 95% R.H. maximum
Power
Battery 1 x 9V Alkaline 9V (6LR61) battery
Physical characteristics
Dimension 150mm x 80mm x 30mm
Weight 0.5kg typical
Case Molded plastic case
Connection BOV, IEPE – BNC

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2. SC-100 Map and legend
Figure 1. Legend of SC-100

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3. Using SC-100 Sensor Checker
Selection of available functions is done by a side-switch mounted on the left side of the device. The front
panel includes six indicating LED diodes. Two LED diodes placed on left side of front panel indicate
operating mode of the device. The upper diode indicates SIGNAL GENERATION mode and the lower
indicates BOV TEST mode. When the device is off, both diodes are off. Three LED diodes placed on the
upper right position indicate status during BOV TEST. The possible indications are SHORT CIRCUIT,
SENSOR OK and OPEN CIRCUIT. The bottom right LED diode is battery empty indicator and battery
should be replaced when this diode lights up.
There is also a LCD screen which displays measured bias voltage in volts, when the device operate in BOV
TEST mode.
Figure 2. Empty battery notification

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3.1 Sensor simulation mode
Figure 3. SIGNAL GENERATION mode
SIGNAL GENERATOR mode is triggered by
placing side-switch in upper position. In this
operational mode, the Sensor Checker produce a
sinusoidal output voltage signal of 100mV RMS
at 160 Hz. In this case, the LCD screen is off, and
only the LED diode which indicates opearating
mode on front panel is lit. These values are fixed,
and not changeable. Values are choosen based on
standard of industrial accelerometer with
100mV/g, to produce 1g RMS readout on measure
instrument. Detailed table with converted values
for testing different types od vibration sensor is
provided below.
160Hz
units
RMS
PEAK
mV
100
141.4
m/s2
9.81
13.87
g
1
1.41
mm/s
9.75
13.79
ips
0.38
0.54

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3.2 BOV TEST mode
BOV TEST mode is triggered by placing side-switch in lower position. In this operational mode, sensor
checker can be used to test functionality of IEPE sensors. This is done by measuring bias voltage of
connected sensor. In this case, the BNC connector on top is used as an input for sensor. This checker is
suitable for checking bias voltage for all sensors that support IEPE standard. There is also a notification
about measeured voltage on LCD display on front panel and visual status of sensor with three LED diodes
placed on the front panel. Possible states are SHORT CIRCUIT, SENSOR OK and OPEN CIRCUIT.
Figure 4. Short circuit situation
If a measured voltage is below 7V, a SHORT
CIRCUIT LED diode (red LED) is lit up. BOV
readings below 7V usually indicate sensor
damage. Common sources of sensors damage are
exposure to excessive temperature, excessive
shock, electrostatic discharge or damaged
amplifier. If a measured voltage is near 0V it can
indicate a short connection between cable wires.
Figure 5. Good bias voltage situation
If a measured voltage is below 15V and greater
than 7V a SENSOR OK LED diode (green LED)
is lighted up and it usually means that sensor is in
good condition. It is recommended to check
documentacion for nominal bias voltage for
sensor under test.

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Figure 6. High bias voltage situation
If a measured voltage is greater than 15V an
OPEN CIRCUIT LED diode (yellow LED) is lit
up and it usually means the sensor amplifier is
disconnected or reverse powered. In most cases,
the problem is in the connector or sensor cabling.

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4. Maintenance
If an Empty battery LED light up, battery should be replaced. Battery can be changed by opening a battery
compartment on backside of the device.
Figure 7. Battery replacement
For this operation you need a flat screwdriver.
First, you must put screwdriver in a backdoor
opening hole. After that, gently pull the
screwdriver to the front of the Sensor Checker.
Door should be opened. Take out a battery and
replace it with a new one. Place a battery in such
way that there is not tension on the battery cable.
Place a backdoor and gently push till it close.
Sensor Checker is now ready to be used again.

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5. Device Dimensions
Figure 8. Device dimensions in millimeters
Figure 9. Device dimension in inch