Vibration Research ObserVR1000 User manual

Notes, Notices, and Cautions
© 2021 Vibration Research Corporation is a registered trademark in the United
States and other countries.
Information in this document is subject to change without notice.
Document last revised Tuesday, March 23, 2021 - Jenison, Michigan.
Vibration Research Corporation may have patents including but not limited to
U.S. Patent No. 7,426,426, Japan Patent No. 4429358, Canada Patent No.
2,568,178, China Patent No. 058001235.2, E.U. Patent No. 1766358, and other
patent applications, trademarks, copyrights, or other intellectual propertyrights
covering subject matter in this document. Except as expresslyprovided in any
written license agreement from Vibration Research Corporation, the furnishing
of this document does not give you anylicense to these patents, trademarks,
copyrights, or other intellectual property.
Products that are referred to in this document may be either trademarks and/or
registered trademarks of the respective owners. The publisher and the author
make no claim to these trademarks.
While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this document, the
publisher and the author assume no responsibilityfor errors or omissions, or
for damages resulting from the use of information contained in this document
or from the use of programs and source code that mayaccompany it. In no
event shall the publisher and the author be liable for any loss of profit or any
other commercial damage caused or alleged to have been caused directly or
indirectly by this document.
The NOTE icon indicates important information for better use of the
ObserVR1000.
The CAUTION icon indicates a potential for propertydamage, personal
injury, or death.

Table of Contents
ObserVR1000 Hardware Manual
................................................................................................................. 1
Hardware Overview
................................................................................................................. 4
Capabilities & Specifications
................................................................................................................. 6
Installation
................................................................................................................. 9
Connection
................................................................................................................. 14
Inputs/Outputs
................................................................................................................. 20
Troubleshooting & Diagnostics
................................................................................................................. 28
Warranty

[e-mail]
Hardware Overview
Front and Back Panel Inputs/Outputs

ObserVR1000 Hardware Manual
2
Hardware Overview CONTINUED
FRONT PANEL
· The ObserVR1000 front panel has 16 input channel connections that
support various analog input devices including IEPE transducers and
smart transducers (TEDS). The Channel 1 connector is a BNC. The
Channel 2 to 16 connectors are 9-pin LEMO, and each support 1 triaxial
transducer or 3 single axis transducers. Connections to the four-channel
ObserVR1000 model are made at Channels 1 to 4. Accelerometers,
microphones, and external conditioners are several of the supported
signals and transducers that would use these input channel connectors.
Each channel includes support for multiple input voltage ranges:
Input Voltage Range
Input Impedance
0-20V peak
100 kΩ
±10V peak
100 kΩ
±1V peak
100 kΩ
±2.5V peak
22 MΩ
±0.25V peak
22 MΩ
· The audio input connector supports a headset for audio prompting and
voice notes. A connected microphone replaces the Ch1 BNC input.
· The 9-pin LEMO for tachometer and remote I/O includes a configurable
two-channel tachometer. The tachometer channels can be used as
independent tachometers or combined for quadrature mode. The
tachometer signals can be configured for low-impedance hall effect
magnetics of up to ±30V peak. An auxiliary power output capable of
supplying 100mA at 5VDC to condition the tachometer input signals is
provided. Included with the tachometer connector is a single TTL digital
input and a single TTL digital output. A second auxiliary power output
capable of supplying 100mA at 5VDC to condition the digital
input/output signals is also provided.
BACK PANEL
· The output connector can be used to drive external equipment. The
connector is capable of a +/-10V signal and is typically used to
synchronize or drive external complementary equipment.
· The SD slot supports an SD card that provides storage for recorded
data.

[e-mail]
· The USB port connects to optional data acquisition interfaces and
external hard drives supplied by Vibration Research. The USB port is
capable of supplying 0.9Amps.
· The GPS port connects to an optional GPS supplied by Vibration
Research. The GPS is powered by the ObserVR1000 and includes
position updates at about 1Hz as well as GPS time base
synchronization.
· The Ethernet port is a 10/100/1000BASE-T capable port that connects
to an external computer. It supports auto-MDIX, which eliminates any
requirements for crossover network cables. With this connection, the
ObserVR1000 tethered can be used as a dedicated data acquisition
device in addition to the stand alone operation.
· The external battery port connects to an optional battery pack supplied
by Vibration Research to extend ObserVR1000 run times.
Top Plate

ObserVR1000 Hardware Manual
4
Capabilities & Specifications
Item Check List
· ObserVR1000 I/O unit
· IEC C13 AC power cable
· Charger
· Drive cable
· Network (Ethernet) cable
· Software installation CD
· ObserVIEW Quick Start Guide
· Hardware Manual
ObserVR1000 General Specifications
· 4 or 16 simultaneous channels (dependent on keyed configuration)
· Total harmonic distortion < -100dB THD+N
· 24-bit analog to digital (ADC) converter
·
· WiFi connection 802.11 b/g/n
· Gigabit Ethernet
· Compatible with VibrationVIEW control software and ObserVIEW
analysis software
Analog Inputs
· 128kHz maximum sample rate
· IEEE 1451.4 TEDS class 1; IEPE signal conditioner (2.1mA)
· 40V transient peak protection
· Single-ended with 0 to 20V peak, ±10V peak, and ±1V peak 100kohm
input range; ±2.5V and ±0.25V 22Mohm input range
· >100dB dynamic range; >130dB with tracking filters
· Analog multiple pole anti-aliasing filter and digital anti-aliasing filter with
>95dB attenuation
· One (1) nine-pin LEMO connector supporting three simultaneous I/O:
1 digital input, 2 tachometer inputs, 1 digital output
Analog Outputs
· 128,000 samples per second
· Analog multiple pole filter plus a digital filter and analog reconstruction
filters
· 33,000Hz frequency range
· One (1) analog output via BNC connector

[e-mail]
Environmental Specifications
TEMPERATURE
Operating: -4° to 131°F (-20° to 55°C)
Storage: -40° to 185°F (-40° to 85°C)
5 to 95% relative humidity, non-condensing
ATMOSPHERE
Up to 10,000ft MSL (3,048m): -4° to 131°F (-20° to 55°C)
Up to 20,000ft MSL (6,096m): -4° to 113°F (-20° to 45°C)
VIBRATION
Random: IEC 60068-2-64 at 5grms, 10 to 500Hz
Sinusoidal: IEC 60068-2-6 at 5g (peak), 10 to 500Hz
SHOCK
IEC 60068-2-27 at 30g/11ms half sine and 50g/3ms half sine
1m drop onto a hard surface
Hardware Safety Documentation
· The mains supply cord is part of the separately certified power supply.
Vibration Research is responsible for supplying the correct power supply
for the country in which it is sold.
· The external power supply should only be supplied by Vibration
Research. The external power supply shall be double insulated and LPS
rated.
· Make sure any external circuits that provide a source of power
connected to the unit are double or reinforced insulated from mains or
separated from mains by basic insulation plus a grounded shield and
meet requirements for separated or safety extra-low voltage (SELV)
levels (under 33Vrms/46.7Vpk or 70Vdc in normal conditions and
55Vrms/78Vpk or 140Vdc single fault).

ObserVR1000 Hardware Manual
6
Installation
Intended Use
The ObserVR1000 is a high sensitivity, low noise, and low voltage data
recorder to be used to record signals such as those generated by
accelerometers and other sensors that generate signals in the ±10V
range.
Installation Precautions
CAUTION: Before performing any of the following procedures, read and
follow the safety instructions.
CAUTION: If the equipment is used in a manner not specified by the
manufacturer, the protection provided by the equipment may be impaired.
CAUTION: Observe the following points before performing the
procedures in this section:
· Make sure the power source circuits are properly grounded.
· Observe and follow the service markings. Do not service any device
except as described in the system documentation.
· Opening or removing covers marked with a triangular symbol with a
lightning bolt may cause electrical shock. These components are to be
serviced by trained service technicians only.
· Make sure the power cable, extension cable, and plug are not damaged.
· Make sure the device is not exposed to water.
· Make sure the device is not exposed to radiators or heat sources.
· Do not push foreign objects into the device as it may cause a fire or
electric shock.
· Use the device with approved equipment only.
· Make sure the device does not overload the power circuits, wiring, or
over-current protection. To determine the possibility of overloading the
supply circuits, add together the ampere ratings of all equipment
installed on the same circuit as the device. Compare this total with the
rating limit for the circuit.
· Do not install the device in an environment where the operating ambient
temperature might exceed 131ºF (55ºC).
· Make sure the airflow around the front, sides, and back of the device is
not restricted.

[e-mail]
General Safety
· To prevent the spread of fire, keep candles or other open flames away
from the device at all times.
· Do not place the equipment in a closed-in wall unit or on a bed, sofa, or
rug.
· Keep the device away from radiators and heat sources.
· Keep the equipment away from extremely hot or cold temperatures to
ensure that it is used within the specified operating range.
· Avoid placing loose papers underneath the device.
· Do not use the equipment in a wet environment such as near a bath tub,
sink, or swimming pool, or in a wet basement.
· Do not use AC powered equipment during an electrical storm. Battery
powered devices may be used if all cables have been disconnected.
· Do not spill food or liquids on the equipment.
· Disconnect the equipment from the electrical outlet before cleaning.
Clean the device with a soft cloth dampened with water. Do not use
liquids or aerosol cleaners as they may contain flammable substances.
· Do not operate the equipment with any cover(s) removed.
· Do not use the device for any purpose other than its intended use.
· Do not incinerate the ObserVR1000 or its internal or external batteries.
Site Requirements
Before installing the device, verify that the site selected for the device
meets the following site requirements:
· Power — The device is charged and/or the power source is correctly
installed.
· Clearance — There is adequate clearance for operator access. Allow
clearance for cabling, power connections, and ventilation.
· Cabling — Cabling is routed to avoid sources of electrical noise such as
radio transmitters, broadcast amplifiers, power lines, and fluorescent
lighting fixtures.
· Ambient Requirements — The ambient device operating temperature
range is -4° to 131°F (-20° to 55°C) at a relative humidity of up to 95%
RH, non-condensing. Verify that water or moisture cannot enter the
device case. The ambient AC adapter operating temperature range is
32° to 104°F (0° to 40°C).
· Environmental Requirements — The device is operated in an approved
random, sinusoidal, or shock vibration environment (see Environmental
Specifications.)
· Do not operate this product near volatile or flammable materials.

ObserVR1000 Hardware Manual
8
Installation CONTINUED
Physical Dimensions
WITHOUT EXTERNAL BATTERY
6.3in x 9.8in x 2.2in
160mm x 250mm x 56mm
WITH EXTERNAL BATTERY
6.3in x 9.8in x 3.2in
160mm x 250mm x 81mm
Storage and Transportation
The ObserVR1000 can be stored in a non-operating state in an ambient
temperature of -40° to 185°F (-40° to 85°C). For optimal battery life, the
ObserVR1000 should be stored in an ambient temperature of 59° to 86°F
(15° to 30°C).
The ObserVR1000 should be packaged in the supplied case for shipping.
Shipping regulations regarding lithium-ion batteries are updated regularly;
check your local regulations before shipping. The ObserVR1000 contains a
44Whr (Watt-hour) lithium-ion battery pack.

[e-mail]
Connection
Connecting the ObserVR1000 to a Power Supply
CAUTION: Do not attempt to replace the ObserVR1000 battery. You
may damage the battery, which could cause overheating, fire, and injury.
The lithium-ion battery in the ObserVR1000 should be serviced or recycled
by Vibration Research or an authorized service provider and must be
recycled or disposed of separately from household waste. Dispose of
batteries according to your local environmental laws and guidelines.
NOTE: For first use of the ObserVR1000, connect the battery to an
electrical outlet using the AC adapter. For best results, operate the
ObserVR1000 with the AC adapter until the battery is fully charged.
NOTE: The battery operating time decreases over time and is
dependent on how often the battery is used and the conditions under
which it is used. You may need to purchase a new battery during the life of
the ObserVR1000.
100/1000BASE-T CABLE REQUIREMENTS
The Ethernet port is a 10/100/1000BASE-T capable port that connects to
an external computer. It supports auto-MDX, which eliminates any
requirements for crossover network cables. With this connection, the
ObserVR1000 tethered can be used as a dedicated data acquisition device
in addition to the stand alone operation. The amber and green indicators
on the Ethernet port indicate Ethernet activity when properly connected to
a link partner.

ObserVR1000 Hardware Manual
10
Connection CONTINUED
BATTERY PERFORMANCE
The ObserVR1000 battery is a 44Wh/4Ah lithium-ion battery with a
nominal voltage of 10.95V. It takes about six hours to charge at room
temperature. The ObserVR1000 battery is not user serviceable.
The internal battery status indicator will illuminate to show the charging
progress while the internal battery is charging from the AC adapter:
Battery Status Indicators
Battery Charge Level
1 Blinking
< 20%
1 Solid, 1 Blinking
2 Solid, 1 Blinking
3 Solid, 1 Blinking
4 Solid, 1 Blinking
5 Solid
5 Blinking
Battery error*
*The ObserVR1000 will only attempt to charge the internal battery when
the battery temperature is 32° to 113°F (0° to 45°C). The battery
temperature may be monitored from the web application. If a battery
charging error condition does not clear after 15 seconds of charging and
within the allowable battery temperature range, the internal battery requires
servicing. The ObserVR1000 can still be operated with an AC adapter or
an external battery, but the internal battery will be unavailable.
While charging, the duty cycle of the blinking indicator will increase as the
battery charge level increases. For instance, with a 1 solid and 1 blinking
status indicator and 22% charge, the blinking status indicator will blink on
for a short period and be off for a long period. At 38% charge, the blinking
status indicator will blink on for a long period and be off for a short period.

[e-mail]
Connecting the Device to the Network
CAUTION: Terminals on the unit shall be connected only to passive
load transducers or source transducers that apply no more than 10V to the
circuit that originates from the ObserVR1000 (or other value that equates
to not more than 33Vac rms /46.7V peak or 70Vdc total on the circuit).
CAUTION: The input power terminal shall be connected only to the
designated power cord. The other terminals on the rear of the unit shall be
connected only to SELV/double insulated circuits of other equipment.
The 10/100/1000 BASE-T ports are copper twisted-pair ports.
RJ45 Pin Number Allocation for Ethernet Port
Pin No
Function
1
TxRx 1+
2
TxRx 1-
3
TxRx 2+
4
TxRx 2-
5
TxRx 3+
6
TxRx 3-
7
TxRx 4+
8
TxRx 4-

ObserVR1000 Hardware Manual
12
Connection CONTINUED
Connecting the Device to Software
The user can control the ObserVR1000 with one of the three Vibration
Research software applications. Each software package offers a different
set of capabilities when paired with the ObserVR1000.
VibrationVIEW: To connect the ObserVR1000 to the VibrationVIEW
software for vibration control, please refer to the VibrationVIEW Quick Start
Guide. VibrationVIEW must be configured to use the appropriate network
connection after the hardware is set up and PC communication is
established.
ObserVIEW: To connect the ObserVR1000 to the ObserVIEW software for
signal analysis, please refer to the ObserVIEW Quick Start Guide. Live
Analyzer is the default connection in ObserVIEW. In Live Analyzer, the
user can access the full spectrum of analysis controls in ObserVIEW as
live data streams in from the device.
VR Mobile: The VR Mobile software application is embedded in the
ObserVR1000 hardware. VR Mobile connects whenever a smart phone or
tablet makes a WiFi connection to an ObserVR1000. The smart
phone/tablet serves as the user interface display.
FCC Notice
This device complies with part 15 of FCC Rules. Operation is subject to
the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful
interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired operation. Changes or
modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for
compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.
NOTE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the
limits for a Class A digital device, pursuant to part 15 of FCC Rules. These
limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful
interference when the equipment is operated in a commercial environment.
This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy
and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instruction manual,
may cause harmful interference to radio communications. Operation of this
equipment in a residential area is likely to cause harmful interference in
which case the user will be required to correct the interference at his own
expense.

[e-mail]
This portable transmitter with its antenna has shown compliance with
FCC’s SAR limits for general population/uncontrolled exposure. The
maximum listed SAR level is 1.07 W/kg (body). The antenna used for this
device must not be co-located or operated in conjunction with any other
antenna or transmitter.

ObserVR1000 Hardware Manual
14
Inputs/Outputs
Analog Inputs
CHANNEL 1 BNC INPUT
BNC connectors are manufactured with 50Ω and 75Ω impedance
capability. 50Ω cables are typically used in this application. BNC inputs
are typically used with an accelerometer. Nominal ranging allows for
maximum 20V peak input devices.
CHANNELS 2 TO 16 LEMO INPUTS
The LEMO input connectors are LEMO EXG.0B.309.HLN. An example
LEMO cable side connector that mates with the ObserVR1000 is
FGG.0B.309.CLAD52. There are a variety of configurations available;
consult LEMO's documentation for the full range of options.
The lowest number channel is labeled A, the second channel is labeled B,
and the highest numbered channel is labeled C. An optional cable is
available to break out a LEMO connector into 3 BNC jacks. The jacks are
color coded: red = A, yellow = B, and white = C.

[e-mail]
Connecting/Disconnecting LEMO Input and Tachometer
Connectors
The LEMO self-latching system allows the connector to be mated by
simply aligning the red dot on the connector with the red dot on the plug,
pushing the plug axially into the socket.
The connector is disengaged by a single axial pull on the outer release
sleeve. This first disengages the latches and then withdraws the plug from
the socket.
Images courtesy of LEMO.
Digital I/O
TACHOMETER CONNECTOR
The ObserVR1000 tachometer interface contains two tachometer inputs,
one digital input, one digital output, and two auxiliary 5V power supplies.
The interface uses the same connector as the LEMO inputs.

ObserVR1000 Hardware Manual
16
Inputs/OutputsCONTINUED
A LEMO to BNC breakout cable may be used on the tachometer
connector. If used as such, the B (yellow) connector is the digital output,
the C (white) connector is the first tachometer, and the A (red) connector
is the second tachometer. The digital input and auxiliary powers are not
accessible when using a LEMO to BNC breakout cable. The digital input
and output support 5V TTL logic levels. The tachometer inputs support
signal levels of up to ±30V and provide two different tachometer input
conditioning circuit options:
Tachometer Zero Crossing Configuration ("Filtered")
The zero crossing configuration is generally used with variable reluctance
magnetic sensors. Input signals in this configuration must be bipolar,
where the voltage swings above and below ground. Input signals may be
up to 1MHz. In this configuration, the ObserVR1000 detects zero
crossings in the negative-going direction.
Zero crossings will only be detected after the input signal exceeds a
positive-going "arming" voltage, which can have one of three values:
· Arm when ~0V is exceeded
· Arm when ~200mV is exceeded
· Arm when adaptive threshold is exceeded
The adaptive threshold monitors the input signal level and adjusts to be
approximately 80% of the peak input voltage. At input signal levels less
than 230mV peak, the adaptive threshold is fixed at approximately 45mV.
At input signal levels less than 30mV peak, the adaptive mode will not
arm.
Tachometer Logic Level Configuration ("Unfiltered")
The logic level configuration is generally used with sensors that output a
5V or 3.3V digital signal. Input signals in this configuration must be greater
than 2.2V to register high and less than 0.6V to register low. Input signals
may be up to 1MHz. Using both tachometer inputs simultaneously, the
ObserVR1000 supports quadrature encoders.