TPS MC-83 User manual

Congratulations !
You have purchased the latest in Handheld Relative Humidity and
Temperature instrumentation. We trust that your new MC-83 Relative
Humidity-Temperature meter will give you many years of reliable service.
The MC-83 is a breeze to operate. This manual has been designed to
help you get started, and also contains some handy tips. If at any stage
you require assistance, please contact either your local TPS
representative or the TPS factory in Brisbane.
The manual is divided into the following sections:
1. Table of Contents
Each major section of the handbook is clearly listed. Sub-sections have
also been included to enable you to find the information you need at a
glance.
2. Introduction
The introduction has a diagram and explanation of the display and
controls of the MC-83. It also contains a full listing of all of the items that
you should have received with your MC-83. Please take the time to read
this section, as it explains some of items that are mentioned in
subsequent sections.
3. Main Section
The main section of the handbook provides full details of the MC-83,
including operating modes, troubleshooting, specifications, and warranty
terms.
MC-83 Humidity
& Temperature Meter
Version : 2.01
Date : 09/04/2003
Author : MS

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TPS Pty Ltd
ABN 30 009 773 371
4 Jamberoo Street
Springwood, Brisbane,
Australia, 4127
Phone : [phone]
International : 61 7 32 900 400
Fax : [phone]
International : 61 7 3808 4871
Email : [email protected]
Web : www.tps.com.au

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Contents
1. Introduction.........................................................................................4
1.1 MC-83 Display and Controls.........................................................4
1.2 Unpacking Information..................................................................6
1.3 Specifications................................................................................6
2. Relative Humidity and Temperature Measurement........................7
3. Freezing the Reading on the Display...............................................7
4. Data Record and Recall Functions...................................................8
5. Battery Replacement..........................................................................9
6. Display Mode Indicators....................................................................9
7. Humidity Calibration ........................................................................10
7.1 Calibration Procedure.................................................................11
8. Troubleshooting...............................................................................14
9. Warranty ............................................................................................15

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1. Introduction
1.1 MC-83 Display and Controls

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¬Display
Custom Liquid Crystal Display, shows Relative Humidity &
Temperature simultaneously. Indicators show the current mode.
-On / Off Switch ( ).
Press to switch the MC-83 on. Press a second time to switch the unit
back off. Alternatively, the MC-83 will switch itself off if no button has
been pressed for 10 minutes.
®HOLD
Press to freeze a reading on the display. “D.H” is shown on the
display whilst in Data Hold mode. Press a second time to un-freeze
the display. This feature is useful in rapidly changing environments
(see section 3).
¯oC / oF
Selects either OCelsius or OFahrenheit units in Temperature readout
mode. The display shows “OC” or “OF” accordingly. See section 2.
°RECORD
Press to start recording Maximum, Minimum and Average values.
Press a second time to stop recording these values. See section 4for
a full description of this function.
±RECALL
Press to sequentially recall Maximum, Minimum and Average values
recorded using the Record function. See section 4for a full
description of this function.
²Relative Humidity & Temperature Probe
The Relative Humidity & Temperature Sensor is conveniently
supplied with 1 metre of cable. The humidity sensor is a high
precision thin-film capacitance type for fast response. The thermistor
type temperature sensor is also designed for fast response in air.
³Sensor INPUT socket.
Plug the sensor into this socket. Take care to align the plug correctly
with the socket.
´Battery Compartment / Cover
Undo the retaining screw and slide out the cover to access the
battery.

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1.2 Unpacking Information
Before using your new MC-83, please check that the following
accessories have been included: Part No
1. MC-83 Relative Humidity-Temperature Meter..............................126106
2. Hard Plastic Carry Case ....................................................... MC83CASE
3. 9V Battery......................................................................................130026
4. MC-83 Handbook..........................................................................130050
Options that may have been ordered with your MC-83:
1. 75% Relative Humidity Standard, 100mL.....................................130090
2. 12% Relative Humidity Standard, 100mL.....................................130091
1.3 Specifications
Range Resolution Accuracy
Humidity 10% to 95 %RH 0.1 %RH ±3 %RH
Temperature (OC) 0 to 50 OC0.1 OC±0.8 OC
Temperature (OF) 32 to 122 OF0.1 OF±1.5 OF
Display :Custom Liquid Crystal Display shows Relative
Humidity and Temperature simultaneously.
Sensor Type :Humidity :Thin-film capacitance sensor
Temperature :Thermistor
Power :9V Alkaline Battery for 60 hours operation.
Dimensions :Instrument :185 x 78 x 38 mm
Probe :160 x 26mm dia
Mass :Instrument only :Approx 200g
Full Kit :Approx 0.5kg
Environment (instrument) Temperature :0 to 50 oC
Humidity :0 to 90 % R.H.

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2. Relative Humidity and Temperature Measurement
1. Plug the sensor into the INPUT socket. Take care to align the plug
correctly with the socket.
2. Press the green Power switch ( ) to switch the MC-83 on.
3. The Relative Humidity reading is the larger reading in the top half of
the display. Note the “% RH” indicator on the display.
The Temperature reading is the smaller reading in the bottom half of
the display. Note the “OC” or “OF” indicator on the display. Press the
“OC/OF” button to change between OCor OFreadout.
3. Freezing the Reading on the Display
When taking measurements in a rapidly changing environment, or in a
difficult to reach areas, the operator is able to freeze the display. This
allows readings to be correctly noted.
1. To freeze the display, press the “HOLD” button during normal
measurement. Note the “D.H” indicator on the display whilst the unit is
in data hold mode.
2. To resume normal measurement, press the “HOLD” button a second
time.

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4. Data Record and Recall Functions
The Data Record function records the Maximum, Minimum and Average
Relative Humidity and Temperature data. This function operates as
follows…
1. Press the “RECORD“ button. Note the “REC” indicator on the display
whilst the MC-83 is in data record mode. The unit is now recording
Maximum, Minimum and Average Relative Humidity and Temperature
values.
2. While the MC-83 is still in data record mode, press the “RECALL“
button. The Maximum values will now be displayed. Note the “Max”
indicator on the display.
Press the “RECALL” button a second time. The Minimum values will
now be displayed. Note the “Min” indicator on the display.
Press the “RECALL” button a third time. The Average values will now
be displayed. Note the “AVG” indicator on the display.
Press the “RECALL” button a fourth time to return to normal Data
Record mode with current readings on the display.
3. Press the “RECORD” button any time to exit Data Record mode.
Notes
1. The automatic power off function is disabled while Data Record mode
is active.

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5. Battery Replacement
1. When the battery is low the display shows “LBT” in the top left hand
corner. When this occurs the battery must be replaced as soon as
possible, otherwise readings will become inaccurate.
2. Remove the battery cover screw on the rear of the MC-83 and slide out
the battery cover.
3. Remove the battery and replace it with a new 9V battery. Alkaline
batteries are preferred.
4. Replace the battery cover and re-tighten the screw.
6. Display Mode Indicators
Below is a summary of the mode indicators that appear on the MC-83
display…
Indicator Meaning
% RH Indicates that the top reading is % Relative Humidity.
OCIndicates that the bottom reading is Temperature in OC.
OFIndicates that the bottom reading is Temperature in OF.
D.H Indicates that the MC-83 is in Data Hold mode (see
section 3).
REC Indicates that the Record Data mode is currently active.
(see section 4).
Max Indicates that the MC-83 is displaying the Maximum
recorded readings.
Min Indicates that the MC-83 is displaying the Minimum
recorded readings.
AVG Indicates that the MC-83 is displaying the Average
recorded readings.
LBT Indicates that the battery requires replacement.

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7. Humidity Calibration
The MC-83 is supplied pre-calibrated. Re-calibration will be required
periodically (approx annually), depending on application, environment etc.
75% and 12% Relative humidity standards are available from TPS. Table
1 shows the Relative Humidity characteristics of these two standards.
When making up your own standards…
•The solution must be saturated with the salt, i.e. no further solids will
dissolve.
•Use distilled water.
•Use a plastic bottle that allows the sensor tip to fit snugly into the top of
the bottle, making a good seal.
•Allow 24 hours after mixing for the temperature to stabilise.
•Standards can be stored (sealed) for approximately one year.

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7.1 Calibration Procedure
1. Fit the sensor head into a bottle of 12% humidity standard (part no
130091).
The sensor head must be above the level of the standard, as per the
diagram below.
DO NOT IMMERSE THE SENSOR.
Leave for 3 hours to allow the Relative Humidity in the bottle to
stabilise.
2. Switch the meter on.
Wait for the displayed Relative Humidity reading to stabilise (up to 3
minutes).

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3. Remove the battery cover screw on the rear of the MC-83 and slide the
battery cover away.
Adjust VR3 (see diagram below) until the display shows the
appropriate Relative Humidity value for the current temperature, as
detailed in Table 1.
4. Fit the sensor head into a bottle of 75% humidity standard (part no
130090).
The sensor head must be above the level of the, as per the diagram in
Step 1.
DO NOT IMMERSE THE SENSOR.
Leave for 3 hours to allow the Relative Humidity in the bottle to
stabilise.

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5. Switch the meter on.
Wait for the displayed Relative Humidity reading to stabilise (up to 3
minutes).
Note the reading obtained, and record it as “A”.
Make the following calculation to obtain value “B”
B = A x (Z –Y) / (A –Y)
Where…
Yis the value of the 12% humidity standard at the current
temperature, as calibrated in step 3 above
Zis the value of the 75% humidity standard at the current
temperature, as per Table 1.
For example…
If A= 70.0
Y= 11.3 (assuming the current temperature is 25 OC)
Z= 75.3 (assuming the current temperature is 25 OC)
Then B= 70.0 x (75.3 –11.3) / (70.0 –11.3)
B= 70.0 x 64.0 / 58.7
B= 76.3
6. Adjust VR4 (see diagram in Step 3 above) until the display shows the
value of B calculated above.
7. Adjust VR3 (see diagram in Step 3 above) until the display shows the
value of Z above.
8. Replace the battery cover and re-tighten the screw.
Notes
1. VR6 & VR7 are Temperature Zero and Gain adjustments respectively,
and should NOT be adjusted in the field. They are factory set
adjustments only.

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Table 1 –Relative Humidity Vs Temperature of Standard Solutions
Temp oCLithium
Chloride
LiCl (Y)
Sodium
Chloride
NaCl (Z)
011.2 75.5
511.3 75.7
10 11.3 75.7
15 11.3 75.6
20 11.3 75.5
25 11.3 75.3
30 11.3 75.1
35 11.3 74.9
40 11.2 74.7
45 11.2 74.5
50 11.1 74.4
8. Troubleshooting
Symptom Possible Causes Remedy
Unstable readings 1. Battery is low
2. Requires re-calibration
3. Sensor is faulty.
Replace battery.
Re-calibrate meter.
Return to factory for repair.
Display shows just
” ––––“ 1. Meter has over- ranged.
2. Instrument or sensor is
faulty.
Check that the R.H. or
temperature are within the
specified ranges (section 1.3)
Return to factory for repair.
Meter will not turn on. Battery is exhausted. Replace the battery.
Reading does not
change. Fixed at one
value.
Data Hold function is
selected. Press “HOLD” again to unfreeze
display.

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9. Warranty
TPS Pty. Ltd. guarantees all instruments and sensors to be free from
defects in material and workmanship when subjected to normal use and
service. This guarantee is expressly limited to the servicing and/or
adjustment of an instrument returned to the Factory, or Authorised
Service Station, freight prepaid, within twelve (12) months from the date of
delivery, and to the repairing, replacing, or adjusting of parts which upon
inspection are found to be defective. Warranty period on sensors is three
(3) months.
There are no express or implied warranties which extend beyond the face
hereof, and TPS Pty. Ltd. is not liable for any incidental or consequential
damages arising from the use or misuse of this equipment, or from
interpretation of information derived from the equipment.
Shipping damage is not covered by this warranty.
Please note
A guarantee card is packed with the instrument or sensor. This card must
be completed at the time of purchase and the registration section returned
to TPS Pty. Ltd. within 7 days. No claims will be recognised without the
original guarantee card or other proof of purchase. This warranty
becomes invalid if modifications or repairs are attempted by unauthorised
persons, or the serial number is missing.
Procedure for service
If you feel that this equipment is in need of repair, please re-read the
manual. Sometimes, instruments are received for "repair" in perfect
working order. This can occur where batteries simply require replacement
or re-charging, or where the sensor simply requires cleaning or
replacement.
TPS Pty. Ltd. has a fine reputation for prompt and efficient service. In just
a few days, our factory service engineers and technicians will examine
and repair your equipment to your full satisfaction.

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To obtain this service, please follow this procedure
Return the instrument AND ALL SENSORS to TPS freight pre-paid and
insured in its original packing or suitable equivalent. INSIST on a proof of
delivery receipt from the carrier for your protection in the case of shipping
claims for transit loss or damage. It is your responsibility as the sender to
ensure that TPS receives the unit.
Please check that the following is enclosed with your equipment:
•Your Name and daytime phone number.
•Your company name, ORDER number, and return street address.
•A description of the fault. (Please be specific.)
(Note: "Please Repair" does NOT describe a fault.)
Your equipment will be repaired and returned to you by air express where
possible.
For out-of-warranty units, a repair cost will be calculated from parts and
labour costs. If payment is not received for the additional charges within
30 days, or if you decline to have the equipment repaired, the complete
unit will be returned to you freight paid, not repaired. For full-account
customers, the repair charges will be debited to your account.
•Always describe the fault in writing.
•Always return the sensors with the meter.