VICI UMH User manual

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MODULAR UNIVERSAL ACTUATOR
Instruction Manual
VICI Valco Instruments Co. Inc.
North America, South America & Australia/Oceania Europe, Asia & Africa
VICI AG International
tel: [phone]
fax: [phone]
email: [e-mail]
sales: 800-367-8424
tech: 713-548-2700
email: [email protected]om
APPLICABLE MODELS
This manual is applicable to the following models:
• UMH
• UMD
• UMT
Version 2 : 04-2023

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Instruction Manual
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Introduction .......................................................................................................................................... 3
1.1. Description ..........................................................................................................................................3
1.2. Getting Started ...................................................................................................................................3
1.3. Multiposition Valve Switching Times...................................................................................................4
1.4. Two-Position Valve Switching Times ...................................................................................................4
1.5. Modular Universal Actuator Components...........................................................................................6
2. Control Port Functions ......................................................................................................................... 7
2.1. Two-Position Modes ............................................................................................................................7
2.2. Multiposition Modes ...........................................................................................................................9
3. Serial Port Conguration ...................................................................................................................... 9
3.1. Serial Communication Protocol ...........................................................................................................9
3.2 Switching Serial Modes...................................................................................................................... 10
3.3. Establishing Serial Communication................................................................................................... 11
3.4. Serial Command Table...................................................................................................................... 11
3.5. Using the Device ID Feature ............................................................................................................. 13
3.6. Setting or Changing the Device ID................................................................................................... 13
3.7. Setting the Operation Mode............................................................................................................. 13
3.8. Command Reference ........................................................................................................................ 15
4. Optional BCD Interface....................................................................................................................... 20
4.1. Hardware Input/Output Protocols.....................................................................................................20
4.2. Digital Input Signal Denitions .........................................................................................................21
4.3. Digital Input Protocols ......................................................................................................................22
4.4. Additional Digital Input & Output Signals ........................................................................................23
5. Appendix A: Setup .............................................................................................................................. 25
5.1. Setup Mode: Using the Manual Remote to Congure the Actuator.................................................25
6. Appendix A: Menu Tree ...................................................................................................................... 27
7. Appendix B: Mounting & Dimensions ................................................................................................. 28
8. Appendix C: Manual Remote Factory Mode ...................................................................................... 29
8.1. Setup Mode: Using the Manual Remote to Congure the Actuator..................................................29
9. Appendix D: Serial Response Strings.................................................................................................. 30
9.1. Modular Universal Command Response Reference Table, = LG1, IFM0 (factory default).................30
9.2. Modular Universal Command Response Reference Table, = LG0, IFM0 ..........................................31
9.3. Modular Universal Command Response Reference Table, = LG0, IFM1 ..........................................32
9.4. Modular Universal Command Response Reference Table, = LG0, IFM2 ..........................................33
9.5. Modular Universal Command Error Response Reference Table, Setup = IFM0. ..............................34
10. Revision History ................................................................................................................................ 36

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Instruction Manual
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1. Description
The VICI universal actuator models are designed to work with both two position and multiposition valves,
with any number of ports. This is accomplished through simple programming via the manual remote or the
serial port.
The actuator consists of a stepper motor/gearbox assembly, a separate electronics Control Module, a
universal AC input (100-240 VAC, 50-60 Hz) to 24 VDC 2.5 amp power supply, a manual remote, and cables.
See gure in Section 1.5.
Actuator control can be accomplished in four different ways: 1. by use of the Manual Remote controller
buttons; 2. through one of two selectable serial interface options, either RS-232 or half duplex (two wire)
RS-485; 3. by use of two digital (TTL) input pins on a six pin header; or 4. by use of an optional BCD
(TTL I/O) board.
1.2. Getting Started
If you ordered a valve and actuator together and will be operating the unit solely with the manual remote,
this section of the document contains the basic information you need to use the valve and actuator. If you will
be controlling the actuator via the standard interface or one of the optional interfaces, refer to the Table of
Contents to locate the appropriate chapter. OEM users might nd useful information in Appendix A: Setup
Mode: Using the Manual Remote to Congure the Actuator. See Sections 6 and 7.
1.2.1. Mounting
The actuator should be oriented so that any potential leakage of liquid from the valve or the ttings ows
away from rather than into the actuator. Appendix B: Mounting and Dimensions. See Section 8.
1.2.2. Power
24-28 VDC is supplied through a 2.5 x 5.5 x 9MM barrel connector with center pin positive. The positioning
current requirements can vary from 2.1 to 2.5 amps; standby current draw is typically 80 - 120 milliamps. The
actuator should not share a power supply with other noise-sensitive electronics, as the high current draw could
cause problems for other devices.
Power input polarity

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1.2.3. Actuator Output Torque
Actuator torque and speed are functions of the specic actuator assembly, which are designated as Models
UMH, UMD and UMT, in order of increasing torque/ decreasing speed. All models have different gearboxes
which provide differing speed and torque values. See the table below.
1.3. Multiposition Valve Switching Times
The time it takes to step a valve from one position to another depends upon the actuator model, the number
of positions for which the actuator is set, and the total amount of rotation involved. Actual times can be
computed from the tables below.
1.4. Two-Position Valve Switching Times
The actual time required to switch the valve from Position A to Position B, as seen in the table below, depends
on two factors: the model number (reecting the actuator speed) and the degree of rotation between
positions. The move times accuracies are +/- 10ms and may vary with direction changes.
ACTUATOR MODEL MAX RECOMMENDED TORQUE LOAD
UMH 10 lb/in (1.1 Nm)
UMD 22 lb/in (2.5 Nm)
UMT 45 lb/in (5.0 Nm)
VALVE UMH
(high speed/low torque)
UMD
(midrange speed/torque)
UMT
(low speed/high torque)
Number
of
positions
Single position
move time
Move time
per each
additional
port
Single
position
move time
Move time
per each
additional
port
Single
position
move time
Move time
per each
additional
port
4 235 mSec 215 mSec 545 mSec 525 mSec 870 mSec 790 mSec
6 160 mSec 145 mSec 370 mSec 345 mSec 610 mSec 525 mSec
8 125 mSec 105 mSec 280 mSec 265 mSec 475 mSec 395 mSec
10 105 mSec 85 mSec 230 mSec 215 mSec 405 mSec 315 mSec
12 85 mSec 75 mSec 195 mSec 175 mSec 345 mSec 270 mSec
16 75 mSec 65 mSec 150 mSec 135 mSec 280 mSec 195 mSec

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1.4.1. Basic Operation with the Manual Remote
The manual remote provides simple valve positioning capabilities, but in the setup mode, it can also be used
to execute extensive actuator setup functions. For more information, refer to Setup Mode: Using the Manual
Remote to Congure the Actuator. See Sections 6 and 7.
1. Display
2. UP arrow button: In the two position mode, pressing the UP arrow button moves the actuator to Position
B. If it is already in Position B, nothing happens. In multiposition mode, pressing the UP arrow button
advances the actuator one position, i.e., from 1 to 2, 4 to 5, etc.
3. DOWN arrow button: In the two position mode, pressing the DOWN arrow button moves the actuator
to Position A. If it is already in Position A, nothing happens. In multiposition mode, pressing the DOWN
arrow button reverses the actuator one position, i.e., from 2 to 1, 5 to 4, etc.
4. HOME/SETUP button: In the two position mode, pressing the HOME button moves the actuator to
Position A. If it is already in Position A, nothing happens. In multiposition mode, pressing the HOME
button sends the actuator to Position 1. Pressing and holding the HOME/SETUP button for 5 seconds
sends the manual remote into the Setup mode. (See Sections 6 and 7).
• Do not attempt to enter the setup mode by holding down the two arrow buttons, as with
the Microelectric actuator.
• Pressing and holding the HOME button for 5 seconds sends the manual remote into the
setup mode. If this occurs unintentionally, press the UP arrow to escape and return to
normal operation. Changing settings in this mode can cause the unit to be inoperable.
1
2 4 3

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1.5. Modular Universal Actuator Components

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2. CONTROL PORT FUNCTIONS
Basic actuator control functionality facilitates position switching in two position mode, and STEP and HOME
functions in the multiposition mode. This is done via direct input signals from switch closures, relay contacts,
or TTL-compatible interfaces. The control cable has six pins: however, only ve are used.
2.1. Two position modes
Pins 4 and 6 are digital inputs for switching valve positions. They remain high when not active but are
activated by a low input signal from a 3.3-5VDC TTL/CMOS logic output, by an activated open-collector
output, or by contact closure to ground (pin 2). These input signals must be applied for a minimum of 25
mSec to initiate a move. The switching functions are established by the SM settings “1” through “4” and are
dened under Digital Input Modes in Section 2.1.1.
Position feedback can be read from the A and B outputs. These are 5VDC tolerant, 3.3VDC outputs, sourcing
and sinking a maximum of 10 milliamperes each. An output will go high (3VDC) when the valve reaches the
respective position.
PIN # MULTIPOSITION FUNCTIONS
1 Motor Run output
2 Common
3 Home output
4 Home input
5 Unused
6 Step input
PIN # TWO-POSITION FUNCTIONS
1 A output
2 Common ground
3 B output
4 A input
5 Unused
6 B input

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2.1.1 Two position modes
Digital Input Modes:
Four input mode options are provided to expand the control exibility of the actuator. The factory
default setting is Mode 1. All four modes are described below. The mode is set via the serial port using
the SMn command and is retained even when the power is cycled to the controller. See the serial
commands section on Section 3.7. for details. NOTE: Changing the input mode does not affect the digital
output functions.
Mode 1 (dual signal control mode)
In mode 1 (default) the digital inputs use the two input signals for position control. Asserting input pin 4
causes the actuator to go to Position A, and asserting input pin 6 sends it to Position B.
Mode 2 (single signal toggle mode)
Operation in this mode uses a single signal for position control with two options. Asserting pin 4 causes
the actuator to toggle from the current to the opposite position. Asserting pin 6 causes the actuator to
toggle to the opposite position, delay for a user settable period of time (the default is 1000 mSec), then
toggle back to the original position. The delay time is set using the DTn serial port command. See the
serial commands Section 3.3. for details.
Mode 3 (state mode with enable)
This mode uses the pin 4 input as a state input, meaning that a low signal (asserted) on pin 4 causes the
actuator to move to Position A. A high signal (deasserted) on pin 4 causes the actuator to move to
Position B. Pin 6 is used as an enable/disable pin to prevent startup irregularities. The actuator is
normally disabled when pin 6 is in its high (deasserted) state; it must be pulled low (asserted) to enable
the actuator to move.
Mode 4 (state mode with disable)
This mode differs from Mode 3 only in the status of pin 6. As in Mode 3, a low signal (asserted) on pin 4
causes the actuator to move to Position A and a high signal (deasserted) on pin 4 causes the actuator to
move to Position B. However, in Mode 4 the actuator is normally enabled when pin 6 is in its high
(deasserted) state. It is disabled only when pin 6 is pulled low (asserted), which is the opposite of how
pin 6 works in Mode 3.
Mode Setup:
To set the actuator mode, connect it to a serial port as described in the section establishing
Serial Communications on page 9 and 10. To see the current setting, enter the SM command as shown in the
Serial Commands chart on page 19. To change the mode, enter SMn, where n is a number between 1 and
4. Mode settings are saved when the actuator is powered off.

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2.2. Multiposition modes
2.2.1. Step Command
Applying a 25 mSec low signal to the “Step” input pin causes the actuator to move to the next position in the
currently-set direction of rotation.
2.2.2. Home Command
Applying a 25 mSec low signal to the “Home” input pin causes the actuator to go to the HOME position
(position 1), moving in the currently-set direction of rotation. Feedback is obtained from the Motor Run and
Home output pins. The Motor Run output (pin 1) goes low when the motor is running, and the Home output
(pin 3) output goes low when the valve is in the HOME position.
• For all modes: asserting or reasserting a digital input during a move can cause the move
to be aborted and the new position to become the target. Asserting a position multiple
times during a move can cause a positioning failure.
3. SERIAL PORT CONFIGURATION
Models UM(x)A and UM(x)C have been factory-preset for RS-232; Models UM(x)F are set for RS-485. An RS-
232 model can be changed to an RS-485 model, or vice versa, by setting the internal serial port conguration
jumpers as described below.
To access the COMM and TERM jumper boards:
1. Grip the lower section of the control module enclosure on the two opposing sides that have the curved
release tabs.
2. With the top cover facing upwards, carefully depress the tabs while lifting the top cover upwards with
the other hand. We recommend that the enclosure be opened in a static free environment, following all
proper ESD protection techniques. CAUTION: Once the control module cover has been removed, the
printed circuit board can fall out.
3.1. Serial Communication Protocol
Serial communication is based on an ASCII string protocol. A Carriage Return (OD hex) or a Line Feed (OA
hex) character parse the communications by dening the end of each command. Two serial connectors,
connected to one internal serial port are provided for multidrop applications. Software ow control (Xon/
Xoff) and hardware handshaking are not supported. Section 3 describes and explains all the commands
available. A more complete explanation follows in the Serial Command table in Section 3.7.

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* These pin numbers are used in the VICI cable I-22697 PIN 1 PIN 1
PIN # RS-232 RS-485 DB9*
1 Ground Ground 5
2 Transmit to host A (–) 2
3 Receive from host B (+) 3
3.2. Switching serial modes
As discussed in the “Using the Device ID Feature” in Section 3.4, all RS-485 communications require an ID. If
the actuator has had an ID set previously, that ID will be recalled and retained. Otherwise, the ID will be set
to the factory default value of “Z”.
When switching from RS-485 to RS-232, the ID used in the RS-485 mode will be retained, and if not required
must be cleared using a serial port ID command. To clear any ID, the wildcard ID can be used. Example:
“*ID*” where the rst “*” addresses all devices on the serial port, and where the second “*” clears all RS-232
devices addressed.
JUMPER SELECTOR
RS485
JUMPER SELECTOR
RS232
JUMPER SELECTOR
RS485 TERMINATION
OFF / ON