Vishay VT300 User manual

VT300
Weighbridge Indicator
User’s Guide
Revision A4, September 2006 Doc # UM-VT300-EN

Table of Contents
VT300 User’s Guide, Rev. A4 ii Doc # UM-VT300-EN
Table of Contents
TABLE OF CONTENTS ................................................................................II
LEGAL NOTICE......................................................................................... VI
WARRANTY ............................................................................................VII
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS........................................................................ VIII
DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY ................................................................X
ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT.......................................................................... XI
QUICK START GUIDE ............................................................................ XIII
1INTRODUCTION............................................................................. 15
1.1 HOW IT WORKS ................................................................................... 15
1.1.1 Receiving Input from a Scale.............................................................. 16
1.1.2 Displaying and Manipulating Weight Information ................................... 16
1.1.3 Sending Output to Other Devices ........................................................ 16
1.2 PRODUCT FEATURES .............................................................................. 16
1.2.1 Options........................................................................................... 17
1.2.2 Wiring............................................................................................. 17
1.2.3 Power ............................................................................................. 17
1.3 STARTUP SEQUENCE .............................................................................. 17
2USING THE DISPLAY AND KEYS ..................................................... 18
2.1 UNDERSTANDING THE VT300 DISPLAY ........................................................ 18
2.1.1 Status Annunciators.......................................................................... 19
2.1.2 Common Messages Shown on the Display ............................................ 19
2.2 FRONT PANEL KEYS............................................................................... 20
2.2.1 Using Keys to Perform Operations....................................................... 20
2.2.2 Using Keys to Enter Information ......................................................... 21
2.3 THE MENU ......................................................................................... 21
2.3.1 Using the Menu ................................................................................ 21
2.3.2 Menu Structure and Options Summary................................................. 21

Table of Contents
VT300 User’s Guide, Rev. A4 iii Doc # UM-VT300-EN
3ZEROING AND TARING...................................................................23
3.1 MANUAL ZEROING ................................................................................ 23
3.2 TARING ............................................................................................. 24
3.3 PRESET TARE ...................................................................................... 24
3.4 VIEWING PRESET TARE VALUE .................................................................. 25
4MEASURING WEIGHT ..................................................................... 26
4.1 WEIGHING AN ITEM ............................................................................... 26
4.2 HIGH RESOLUTION WEIGHING .................................................................. 26
4.3 ACCUMULATED TOTAL WEIGHT .................................................................. 27
4.3.1 Adding a Measurement to the Total ..................................................... 27
4.3.2 Viewing the Total.............................................................................. 27
4.3.3 Resetting the Total............................................................................ 28
5WEIGHING VEHICLES.....................................................................29
5.1.1 The V-File........................................................................................ 29
5.1.2 Weighing a Truck of Unknown Weight.................................................. 29
5.1.3 Weighing a Truck Stored in the V-File .................................................. 31
5.1.4 Entering Preset Tare for a Truck.......................................................... 31
6COUNTING UNITS ..........................................................................33
6.1 COUNTING UNITS ................................................................................. 33
6.2 USING A SAMPLE TO SET UNIT WEIGHT ....................................................... 34
6.3 ENTERING PRESET UNIT WEIGHT ............................................................... 34
7PRINTING......................................................................................35
7.1 PRINTING THE CURRENT MEASUREMENT ....................................................... 35
7.1.1 Repeating the Last Printout (Producing a Copy)..................................... 35
7.2 PRINTING HISTORIC MEASUREMENTS .......................................................... 35
7.3 PRINTING FROM V-FILE .......................................................................... 36
7.3.1 Printing Truck Tare Values ................................................................. 36
7.3.2 Printing All First Weighings................................................................. 36
7.3.3 Printing the Entire V-File.................................................................... 37
7.3.4 Printing the V-File Record of a Specific Truck ........................................ 37

Table of Contents
VT300 User’s Guide, Rev. A4 iv Doc # UM-VT300-EN
8ALIBI MEMORY FUNCTIONS ........................................................... 38
8.1 VIEWING OR PRINTING A SPECIFIC HISTORIC MEASUREMENT ............................... 38
8.2 PRINTING ALL HISTORIC MEASUREMENTS...................................................... 38
8.3 CHECKING ALIBI MEMORY FOR ERRORS ........................................................ 39
9WORKING WITH THE V-FILE .......................................................... 40
9.1 ADDING A NEW VEHICLE.......................................................................... 40
9.2 PRINTING FROM V-FILE .......................................................................... 41
9.2.1 Printing Truck Tare Values ................................................................. 41
9.2.2 Printing All First Weighings................................................................. 41
9.2.3 Printing the Entire V-File.................................................................... 42
9.2.4 Printing the V-File Record of a Specific Truck ........................................ 42
9.3 CHECKING V-FILE INTEGRITY ................................................................... 42
9.4 DELETING V-FILE RECORDS ..................................................................... 43
9.5 CHECKING AVAILABLE V-FILE MEMORY ........................................................ 43
10 COMMUNICATION WITH EXTERNAL DEVICES................................. 44
10.1 SERIAL PORTS CONFIGURATION................................................................. 44
10.1.1 RS232 Serial Port ............................................................................. 44
10.1.2 RS485 Serial Port ............................................................................. 44
10.2 SETTING PORT OUTPUT .......................................................................... 45
10.2.1 Setting Port 1 Output ........................................................................ 45
10.2.2 Setting Port 2 Output ........................................................................ 45
10.3 OUTPUT FORMATS ................................................................................ 45
10.3.1 Continuous Weight Output ................................................................. 45
10.3.2 Continuous Weight With Tare ............................................................. 46
10.3.3 Alibi Transmit................................................................................... 47
10.3.4 EDP Protocol Output.......................................................................... 48
10.3.5 Remote Printer Output ...................................................................... 49

Table of Contents
VT300 User’s Guide, Rev. A4 vDoc # UM-VT300-EN
11 SETPOINTS AND DIGITAL INPUT....................................................50
11.1 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS..................................................................... 50
11.1.1 Digital Outputs................................................................................. 50
11.1.2 Digital Input (Tilt Switch)................................................................... 50
11.2 EDITING THRESHOLDS FOR SETPOINTS ........................................................ 50
11.3 USING THE TILT SWITCH......................................................................... 51
12 ERRORS AND TROUBLESHOOTING..................................................52
12.1 HARDWARE AND GENERAL ERRORS ............................................................. 52
12.2 PRINTING AND EDP PROTOCOL ERRORS ....................................................... 53
12.3 WEIGHING AND COUNTING ERRORS ............................................................ 53
12.4 ALIBI MEMORY AND ACCUMULATED TOTAL ERRORS .......................................... 54
APPENDIX A: SETUP PARAMETERS AND MENUS .......................................55
CONTACTING VISHAY TRANSDUCERS ......................................................57

Legal Notice
VT300 User’s Guide, Rev. A4 vi Doc # UM-VT300-EN
Legal Notice
This manual contains information that is proprietary to Vishay Transducers Ltd.
(“VT”). No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form whatsoever
without prior written approval by VT.
Right, title and interest, all information, copyrights, patents, know-how, trade
secrets and other intellectual property or other proprietary rights relating to this
manual and to VT300 (“the Product”), and any software components contained
therein, are proprietary products of VT protected under international copyright law
and shall be and remain solely with VT.
VT300 is a registered trademark of VT. No right, license, or interest to such
trademark is granted hereunder, and you agree that no such right, license, or interest
shall be asserted by you with respect to such trademark.
You shall not copy, reverse compile or reverse assemble all or any portion of the
Manual or the Product. You are prohibited from, and shall not, directly or indirectly,
develop, market, distribute, license, or sell any product that supports substantially
similar functionality as the Product, based on or derived in any way from the Product.
Your undertaking in this paragraph shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
This Agreement is effective upon your opening of the packaging of the Product, and
shall continue until terminated. VT may terminate this Agreement upon the breach by
you of any term hereof. Upon such termination by VT, you agree to return to VT the
Product and all copies and portions thereof. For further information contact VT at the
address below or contact your local distributor.

Warranty
VT300 User’s Guide, Rev. A4 vii Doc # UM-VT300-EN
Warranty
Vishay Transducers warrants all instruments it manufactures to be free from defect in materials and factory workmanship, and agrees to repair
or replace any instrument that fails to perform as specified within one year after date of shipment. Coverage of computers, cameras,
rechargeable batteries, and similar items, sold in conjunction with equipment manufactured by Vishay Transducers and bearing the identifying
name of another company, is limited under this warranty to one year after the date of shipment. The warranty on non-rechargeable batteries
and similar consumable items is limited to the delivery of goods free from defects in materials and factory workmanship.
This warranty shall not apply to any instrument that has been repaired, worked on or altered by persons unauthorized by Vishay Transducers
in such a manner as to injure, in our sole judgment, the performance, stability, or reliability of the instrument; subjected to misuse, negligence
or accident; or connected, installed, adjusted, or used otherwise than in accordance with the instructions furnished by us.
At no charge, we will repair, at our plant, or an authorized repair station, or at our option, replace any of our products found to be defective
under this Warranty.
This Warranty is in lieu of any other warranties, expressed or implied, including any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular
purpose. There are no warranties which extend beyond the description on the face hereof, Purchaser acknowledges that no salesman, agent, employee
or other person has made any such presentations or warranties or otherwise assumed for Vishay Transducers any liability in connection with the sale of
any goods to the purchase. Buyer hereby waives all rights Buyer may have arising out of any breach of contract or breach of warranty on the part of
Vishay Transducers, to any incidental or consequential damages, including but not limited to damages to property, damages for injury to the person,
damages for loss of use, loss of time, loss of profits or income, or loss resulting from personal injury.
Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages for consumer products, so the above limitations or
exclusions may not apply to you.
The Purchaser agrees that the Purchaser is responsible for notifying any subsequent Buyer of goods manufactured by Vishay Transducers of
the warranty provisions, limitations, exclusions and disclaimers stated herein, prior to the time any such goods are purchased by such Buyer,
and the Purchaser hereby agrees to indemnify and hold Vishay Transducers harmless from any claim asserted against or liability imposed on
Vishay Transducers occasioned by the failure of the Purchaser to so notify such buyer. This provision is not intended to afford subsequent
Purchasers any warranties or rights not expressly granted to such subsequent Purchasers under the law.
Vishay Transducers reserves the right to make any changes in the design or construction of its instruments at any time, without incurring any
obligation to make any change whatever in units previously delivered. Vishay Transducers’ sole liabilities, and Buyer’s sole remedies, under
this agreement shall be limited to the purchase price, or at our sole discretion, to the repair or replacement of any instrument that proves,
upon examination, to be defective, when returned to our factory, transportation prepaid by the Buyer, within the applicable period of time from
the date of original shipment. Return transportation charges of repaired or replacement instruments under warranty will be prepaid by Vishay
Transducers.
Vishay Transducers is solely a manufacturer and assumes no responsibility of any form for the accuracy or adequacy of any test results, data,
or conclusions which may result from the use of its equipment.
The manner in which the equipment is employed and the use to which the data and test results may be put are completely in the hands of the
Purchaser. Vishay Transducers shall in no way be liable for damages consequential or incidental to defects in any of its products.
This warranty constitutes the full understanding between the manufacturer and buyer, and no terms, conditions, understanding or agreement
purporting to modify or vary the terms hereof shall be binding unless hereafter made in writing and signed by an authorized official of Vishay
Transducers.

Safety Instructions
VT300 User’s Guide, Rev. A4 viii Doc # UM-VT300-EN
Safety Instructions
The following instructions serve as a general guide for the safe operation of the
VT300. This User’s Manual is intended for users of the indicator, who are prohibited
from installing, calibrating, setting up or servicing the product. Only qualified and
authorized service personnel should install the product, set it up, calibrate it, or carry
out adjustment, maintenance or repairs.
Safety Symbols
This symbol indicates potential safety hazards regarding product operation or
maintenance to operator or service personnel.
General Safety Practices
Do not touch or tamper with the power supply when the power cord is connected.
Line voltages may be present even when the product is powered off or a fuse is
blown.
Before working on equipment connected to power lines or to other devices, remove
jewelry or any other metallic object that may come into contact with energized parts.
The product is intended to be grounded during normal use. Grounding is provided by
connecting the mains plug to a wall socket with a protective earth terminal. The earth
lug provided on the product should be connected to the protective earth at all times,
by a wire with a diameter of 18 AWG or wider.
Always make the ground connection first and disconnect it last. Do not connect data
cables to ungrounded equipment. Make sure that all other cables are disconnected
before disconnecting the ground.
Special Safety Warnings
Welding on or in the vicinity of the equipment is strictly prohibited.
Use reliable lightening conductors to prevent static loads caused by
thunderstorms.

Safety Instructions
VT300 User’s Guide, Rev. A4 ix Doc # UM-VT300-EN
Connection of AC Mains
Make sure that the electrical installation complies with local codes. Always connect
the AC plug to a wall socket with a protective ground.
The maximum permissible current capability of the branch distribution circuit that
supplies power to the product is 16A. The circuit breaker in the building installation
should have high breaking capacity and must operate at short-circuit current
exceeding 35A.
Always connect the power cord first to the equipment and then to the wall socket. If
the power cord cannot be readily disconnected in case of emergency, make sure that
a readily accessible circuit breaker or emergency switch is installed in the building.
Operating Environment
Ambient
Temperature
Storage temperature: -10C to +70C (14F to 158F).
Operating temperature: -10C to +40C (14F to 104F).
Humidity 40% to 90% RH (non condensing).
Vibration Severe vibration can affect the accuracy of weighing and damage components.
Air The air surrounding the product should be dust-free and should not contain
corrosive gasses or other materials that could adversely effect the product.
Electromagnetic
Fields
Heavy electrical equipment should not be installed near to the weighing
apparatus.
Incoming and
Outgoing Signals
Relays and contacts connected to the equipment must have reliable and
effective interference suppression. This also applies to other equipment within
3 meters of the equipment.

Declaration of Conformity
VT300 User’s Guide, Rev. A4 xDoc # UM-VT300-EN
Declaration of Conformity
Non-Automatic Weighing Instrument (III)
Manufacturer Vishay Transducers
Type/Model VT300
EC Type Approval
Certificate Number
DK 0199.62
Corresponds to the production model described in the EC Type Approval Certificate
and to the requirements of the Council Directive 90/384/EEC as amended and to the
requirements of the following EC Directives:
EN 45501:1994, The Metrological Aspects of Non-Automatic Weighing Machines.
EN 55022:1987, Limits and Methods of Measurement of Radio Interference
Characteristics of Information Technology Equipment.
EN 60950:1992, Safety of Information Technology Equipment.
Date
April 30, 2004
Signature
Benny Shaya, Director R&D/Operations Instruments
Being the responsible person employed and appointed by Vishay Transducers.

About this Document
VT300 User’s Guide, Rev. A4 xi Doc # UM-VT300-EN
About this Document
This document explains how to use the VT300 Weight Indicator. It is intended for
users who perform weighing and related operations themselves. Before starting to
operate the VT300, make sure it has been connected to the mains and to a scale, and
properly set up, by a certified technician.
For information on how to install, setup, upgrade and service these products, see
the VT300 Technical Manual.
Following this section is a Quick Start Guide that provides a brief overview of the
VT300’s main functions.
Chapters and Their Contents
1 Introduction An overview of VT300 features and how the indicator
works.
Pg. 15
2 Using the Display and
Keys
VT300 display and the functions of different keys. Pg. 18
3 Zeroing and Taring How to zero and tare the scale. Pg. 23
4 Weighing Mode How to use VT300 to weigh items. Pg. 26
5 Weighing Vehicles How to use VT300 to weigh trucks with known or
unknown weight.
Pg. 29
6 Counting Mode How to use VT300 to count units. Pg. 33
7 Printing How to use VT300 to print weight measurements. Pg. 35
8 Alibi Memory
Functions
Gives details of how to use the alibi memory functions. Pg. 38
9 Working With the V-
File
How to store and manage vehicle tare values and other
vehicle-related information.
Pg. 40
10 Communicating With
External Devices
How to communicate with a host PC, a printer and a
remote display over VT300’s two serial connections.
Pg. 44
11 Setpoints and Digital
Input
Technical specification for VT300’s setpoints and digital
input, and how to define setpoints.
Pg. 50
12 Errors and
Troubleshooting
Errors displayed by the indicator and how to resolve
each problem.
Pg. 52

About this Document
VT300 User’s Guide, Rev. A4 xii Doc # UM-VT300-EN
Style Conventions
Verdana Regular text.
Arial Bold Commands, keys and other parts of the user interface.
Arial Italics Names of classes, methods, arguments, exceptions, properties, etc. Also used
for special terms, the first time they appear.
Monospace Text displayed on the LCD or on a computer attached to the product.
Notes, which offer an additional explanation or a hint on how to overcome a
common problem.
Warnings, which indicate potential safety hazards regarding product operation
or maintenance to operator or service personnel.

Quick Start Guide
VT300 User’s Guide, Rev. A4 xiii Doc # UM-VT300-EN
Quick Start Guide
Front Panel
Keys
Press to zero the scale*. Only works within the zero range.
Press once to tare the scale*. Press again to view gross weight.
Press to enter a preset tare. Enter the tare value using the alphanumeric keypad and press
ENTER. The display shows net weight. To cancel and view gross weight, press ESC.
When you press this key, the current weight* is printed to the printer, output to an attached
computer, and added to the accumulated total.
Press to switch between Weighing Mode and Counting Mode.
Press to turn the indicator on, or to switch it off when it is running.
Press to perform a first weighing of a vehicle with unknown tare.
Press to weigh a vehicle with known tare, or to perform a second weighing of a vehicle with
unknown tare.
Toggles between scale 1, scale 2 and the sum of both scales (if two scales are connected to the
indicator).
Enters the menu. The arrows around this button allow you to navigate the menu
Keys (cont.)

Quick Start Guide
VT300 User’s Guide, Rev. A4 xiv Doc # UM-VT300-EN
Cancels the current operation, exits a menu or exits a mode.
Clears the characters entered
Confirms the current operation or the information entered.
* If the scale is not stable, the current weight cannot be used for this operation.
Status Annunciators
At the left of the display are several icons. A dot shows up next to these to indicate
the current status of the scale or indicator.
Stable Active – the scale is stable (necessary for ZERO, Tand PRINT).
Inactive – the scale is not stable.
Center of Zero Active – the current weight is at center of zero (or at manual zero).
Inactive – the scale is above or below center of zero.
Net Weight Active – the display is showing net weight.
Inactive – the display is showing gross weight.
S1 Scale 1 Appears on the right of the display to show that the indicator is set to scale 1.
S2 Scale 2 Appears on the right of the display to show that the indicator is set to scale 2.
S0 Sum of scales Appears on the right of the display to show that the indicator is displaying the
sum of the weight on scales 1 and 2.
W1 The scale is currently in weight range 1.
W2 The scale is currently in weight range 2.
* These are not relevant if you only have one scale connected to the indicator.
Common Operations
Taring the scale Place the empty package on the scale and wait for it to become stable (
becomes active). Press T( ).
Preset tare Press P.TARE (). Enter a preset tare, then press ENTER.
Weighing an item Tare the scale if necessary, then move the item onto the scale. Wait for it
to become stable ( becomes active). The weight appears on the display.
Counting units by
weight
Switch to Counting Mode by pressing PCS (). Tare the scale if
necessary, then move the item onto the scale. Wait for it to become stable
(becomes active). The number of units appears on the display.
Printing current
weight Press PRINT ( ). If a printer is connected to the indicator, details of the
current weighing print out. The weight is also added to the total.

Introduction
How it Works
VT300 User’s Guide, Rev. A4 15 Doc # UM-VT300-EN
1 Introduction
VT300 is an industrial weight indicator, which connects to either one or two scales
and allows you to:
Zero or tare the scale (see chapter 3)
View an item’s weight (see chapter 4)
Weigh trucks, taring the scale from memory or by weighing twice (see chapter 5)
Count large numbers of items that weigh the same (see chapter 6)
Print weight measurements (see chapter 7)
Save measurements in memory and recall them later (see chapter 8)
Enter vehicle tare values and data into a vehicle file, or V-File (see chapter 9)
Communicate with external devices over a serial connection (see chapter 10)
Define thresholds for two analog setpoints and tilt settings for an analog input
(see chapter 11)
Before starting to operate VT300, make sure it has been connected to the
mains, connected to at least one working scale, calibrated and properly set up.
These operations should only be carried out by an authorized technician. For
information see the VT300 Technical Manual.
1.1 How it Works
A weight indicator is a central component of an industrial weighing system. It
receives weight information from a scale; interprets this information, manipulates it
and displays it; and can then pass it on to peripheral devices, most commonly
printers or personal computers.

Introduction
Product Features
VT300 User’s Guide, Rev. A4 16 Doc # UM-VT300-EN
1.1.1 Receiving Input from a Scale
A scale is designed to send out an electrical signal when weight is applied to its
weighing platform. The heavier the item being weighed, the stronger the signal. An
indicator like VT300 receives this signal and uses it to calculate the weight of the
item. To do this, it must be connected to the scale and properly calibrated.
Calibration, which may only be performed by authorized technicians, tells the
indicator the minimum and maximum weight the scale can handle, and the
corresponding electrical signal for each of these extremes. This allows the indicator to
translate an electrical measurement into actual weight in kilograms or pounds.
1.1.2 Displaying and Manipulating Weight Information
The basic operation of VT300 is to display the weight of the item that is currently on
the platform. This information can be saved to non-volatile memory called Alibi
Memory, and retrieved later.
If you provide more information, VT300 can do more than just display the current
weight. It can deduct the weight of the container (taring); calculate the number of
units being weighed; and calculate an average weight for the units being weighed.
1.1.3 Sending Output to Other Devices
In addition to showing and manipulating weight information, VT300 can send it to
other devices using its two serial ports. In a typical setup, the indicator is connected
to a printer, allowing you to print out weight information in several formats.
It is also possible to connect the indicator to a personal computer, which allows more
powerful data processing, or to an external display, which allows weight information
to be viewed in a larger format or at a distance from the indicator itself.
VT300 also has two analog setpoints, with corresponding weight thresholds. When
the item being weighed exceeds one of these thresholds, the relevant setpoint can
trigger an event in your production process.
Only authorized technicians may connect the indicator to external devices such as the
ones listed above.
1.2 Product Features
High accuracy analog-to-digital converter (max 550,000 internal counts).
Front panel with 16 character (14.5mm height) LCD display module.
27-key membrane keyboard with tactile feedback.
32 KB Flash RAM, real-time clock and non-volatile memory for system parameters
and calibration data.
Flash memory storing up to 10,000 weights (electronic tally roll or Alibi memory).

Introduction
Startup Sequence
VT300 User’s Guide, Rev. A4 17 Doc # UM-VT300-EN
2 serial ports (RS232C or RS485A) for connection to printers, computers and
remote displays.
2 setpoints, 24VDC/100mA optoisolated, and 1 optoisolated input.
Four programmable print formats are available.
Weighing file stores up to 250 first-weighing or fixed-tare weights, date and time,
serial number and two reference codes.
Unit counting feature with selectable sample size.
Both printer and host PC interface can be active at the same time.
1.2.1 Options
Second scale input Scale input board
Analog output 0/4 - 20mA or 0-10V, 16 bits resolution. Powered by an external 24VDC.
RS485 serial port adapter Used for bi-directional communication with a PC
Rechargeable battery For stand-alone operation. Only available for aluminum enclosure
1.2.2 Wiring
Use load cell cable 6 x 0,5 mm2shielded for the sensor. Use 3 x 0,34 mm2shielded
for RS232C connection, and 2x0,34 mm2shielded twisted pair for RS485 connection.
All connections to the instrument are made through the rear panel connectors. The
shield should be connected to the metal frame of the connector.
1.2.3 Power
The instrument is powered from mains 80-250VAC, or from a rechargeable battery
(available only for aluminum enclosure option). Power supplied should come from a
source that is isolated from other process equipment.
1.3 Startup Sequence
Press the ON/OFF key ( ) to turn on the VT300. The following steps should then take
place automatically.
# Description of Step Display Shows (e.g.)
1 Software ID is displayed briefly XXXXXX
2 Date of issue of current software version is displayed briefly. XXXXXX
3 The scale attempts to zero automatically. ZERO SCALE
4 If current weight is within zero range, the scale zeroes; if not , Error 15
is displayed. To continue, unload the scale and press ESC.
ZERO SCALE or
E15: PWRUP ZERO
5 Current weight is shown 000.0

Using the Display and Keys
Understanding the VT300 Display
VT300 User’s Guide, Rev. A4 18 Doc # UM-VT300-EN
2 Using the Display and Keys
The VT300 front panel can be divided into four areas:
A sixteen-character dot matrix display shows weight information, status
information, and the names of menus and functions.
The function keypad, with ten orange keys, allows you to turn the unit on and off
and perform the most common operations.
A navigation area (to the right of the display) allows you to access and navigate
the menu, which contains more advanced operations.
An alphanumeric keypad, with 12 green keys, allows you to enter numbers and
letters.
2.1 Understanding the VT300 Display
The VT300 has an LCD display. There are three status annunciators on the left of the
display and two more on the right of the display. Small dots (status annunciators) may
appear next to one or more of these, to show status information such as whether the
scale has been tared or not.

Using the Display and Keys
Understanding the VT300 Display
VT300 User’s Guide, Rev. A4 19 Doc # UM-VT300-EN
2.1.1 Status Annunciators
At the left of the display are several icons. A dot shows up next to these to indicate
the current status of the scale or indicator. Status annunciators are often important
to understand what is being shown on the display.
Stable Active – the scale is stable (necessary for ZERO, Tand PRINT).
Inactive – the scale is not stable.
Center of Zero Active – the current weight is at center of zero (or at manual zero).
Inactive – the scale is above or below center of zero.
Net Weight Active – the display is showing net weight.
Inactive – the display is showing gross weight.
S1 Scale 1 Appears on the right of the display to show that the indicator is set to scale 1.
S2 Scale 2 Appears on the right of the display to show that the indicator is set to scale 2.
S0 Sum of scales Appears on the right of the display to show that the indicator is displaying the
sum of the weight on scales 1 and 2.
W1 The scale is currently in weight range 1.
W2 The scale is currently in weight range 2.
2.1.2 Common Messages Shown on the Display
Message Type Meaning
352.0
Weight of the item on the scale.
24509
Approximate number of units on the scale.
319.0
(active)
Net weight, or number of units calculated after subtracting the container’s weight.
∩∩∩∩∩∩ Over range. The item on the scale weighs more than the maximum capacity of the
scale, or the load cell signal is too high.
UUUUUU Under range. The item on the scale weighs less than the minimum capacity of the
scale, or the load cell signal is too low.
E15: PWRUP
ZERO
An error has occurred (see chapter 12). In some cases, you can ignore the error and
continue working by pressing ESC.
XXXXXX Software model number, shown during the power-up sequence.
XXXXXX Software version issue date, shown during the power-up sequence.
ZERO SCALE Automatic zeroing, performed at the end of the power-up sequence.
Other types of messages may be shown when you perform specific operations, such
as editing the tare value or displaying battery status.

Using the Display and Keys
Front Panel Keys
VT300 User’s Guide, Rev. A4 20 Doc # UM-VT300-EN
2.2 Front Panel Keys
The keys on the VT300 front panel can serve two functions:
Performing common operations and accessing the menu.
Entering alphanumeric information.
2.2.1 Using Keys to Perform Operations
Key Description Related operations Refer to
Press to zero the scale*. Only works within the zero
range.
Manual zeroing Chapter 3.1
Press once to tare the scale*. Press again to view
gross weight.
Taring using current
weight
Chapter 3.2
Press to enter a preset tare. Enter the tare value
using the alphanumeric keypad and press ENTER.
The display shows net weight. To cancel and view
gross weight, press ESC.
Preset tare Chapter 3.3
When you press this key, the current weight* is
printed to the printer, output to an attached
computer, and added to the accumulated total.
Printing Chapter 7.1
Press to switch between Weighing Mode and
Counting Mode.
Counting pieces,
weighing
Chapters 4, 6
Press to turn the indicator on, or to switch it off
when it is running.
Starting the indicator
Press to perform a first weighing of a vehicle with
unknown tare.
Weighing, printing Chapter 5.1.2
Press to weigh a vehicle with known tare, or to
perform a second weighing of a vehicle with
unknown tare.
Weighing, printing Chapter 5
Toggles between scale 1, scale 2 and the sum of both scales (if two scales are
connected to the indicator).
Enters the menu. The arrows around this button allow you to navigate the
menu
Chapter 2.3
Cancels the current operation, exits a menu or exits a mode.
* If the scale is not stable, the current weight cannot be used for this operation.