Smart Interface User Manual Sierra S-Series Smart Interface Software User Manual Part Number IM-SIP 08/99 Revision B 5 Harris Court, Building L Monterey, CA 93940 (831) 373-0200 (800) 866-0200 Fax (831) 373-4402 http://www.sierrainstruments.com Sierra Instruments b.v.
Smart Interface User Manual © COPYRIGHT SIERRA INSTRUMENTS 1998 No part of this publication may be copied or distributed, transmitted, transcribed, stored in a retrieval system, or translated into any human or computer language, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, manual, or otherwise, or disclosed to third parties without the express written permission of Sierra Instruments. The information contained in this manual is subject to change without notice.
Smart Interface User Manual Table of Contents Sierra’s Smart Interface Software........................................5 Using This Manual...................................................5 Note and Safety Information........................................6 Technical Assistance.................................................6 Overview of Smart Flow Meters.........................................7 System Requirements and Software Installation.......................8 Getting Started ......................
Smart Interface User Manual Warnings and Cautions Warning! The sensor validation procedure must be performed with the power off. Warning! Do not open the flow meter enclosure in an hazardous area. Caution! The flow meter must not be reporting or measuring gas flow during adjustments. Caution! Adjusting zero or span will affect meter calibration. Caution! To ensure back up of the factory settings, download and save the flow meter variables using the Smart Interface software.
Smart Interface User Manual Sierra’s Smart Interface Software Sierra’s Smart Interface software is a menu-driven program used to configure and validate Sierra’s Smart Mass Flow Meters. In the instrument shop or in the field, you can easily set up and test Smart flow meters. Communication is simple using a PC compatible computer with the supplied RS-232 interface cable and software. The Smart electronics device located inside the flow meter enclosure integrates many convenient flow measurement functions.
Smart Interface User Manual Note and Safety Information We use note, caution and warning statements throughout this manual to draw your attention to important information. Warning! This statement appears with information that is important to protect people and equipment from damage. Pay very close attention to all warnings that apply to your application. Caution! This statement appears with information that is important for protecting your equipment and performance.
Smart Interface User Manual Overview of Smart Flow Meter Features Dual Range or Dual Gas Calibration If your meter is configured with a second factory calibrated flow range, use an external contact switch to select the desired range. Adjustable User Full Scale Select from 50% to 100% of the factory full scale setting (factory full scale is normally set to 125% of the user-specified maximum flow rate). This adjustment is made for each flow range.
Smart Interface User Manual Instrument Validation Two simple tests offer complete “field-validation” of your Smart mass flow meter. Each test consists of an easy to follow set of instructions shown on progressive screens that “walk” you through the validation procedures. The first test checks the system electronics, linearization and microprocessor functionality and is performed by injecting a known input value and confirming that the flow meter outputs the expected value.
Smart Interface User Manual Getting Started Before booting the Smart Interface software, connect the Smart flow meter to your computer. 1. Locate the serial communications port "COM 1" or "COM 2" on your computer (if uncertain, check the computer manual). Plug the Smart Interface serial cable into the desired port. 2. Remove the flow meter cover. For square NEMA 4X enclosures, loosen four screws and remove the front cover.
Smart Interface User Manual Select task using the Function Selector Enter new value here Click Go to save the ‘Value to Write’ into the Smart electronics Verify Range selection before changing parameters Flow Rate and Totalizer are updated twice per second Select Graph/Print to collect and save graph data and print graph files Figure 2.
Smart Interface User Manual Using the Smart Interface Software Basic Features The Sierra Smart Mass Flow Meter does not require any adjustment to be operational. If changes are needed, it’s a good idea to make a backup file of the current configuration before entering any new parameters (see page 18). It is important to note that any changes made to the flow meter settings take immediate effect.
Smart Interface User Manual Write User Full Scale Value Caution! The flow meter must not be reporting or measuring gas flow during adjustments. The Write User Full Scale (UFS) feature adjusts the flow meter’s engineering output range anywhere within 50% to 100% of the factory full scale (FFS). This feature allows you to re-range the voltage or current output of the meter to accommodate different flow rates. To enter a new user full scale: 1. Verify the desired range is selected.
Smart Interface User Manual Write Zero Cut Off Value Caution! The flow meter must not be reporting or measuring gas flow during adjustments. Zero Cut Off Value selects the setting where output values are forced or “cut off” to indicate a zero value. Set the cut off value to 0% for no effect to a maximum setting of 10%. This setting is valid for both Range 1 and Range 2. To enter a new zero cut off value: 1. Choose the Function Selector and select Write Zero Cut Off Value. 2.
Smart Interface User Manual Write Low Alarm Set Point Value Caution! The flow meter must not be reporting or measuring gas flow during adjustments. The Low Alarm Set Point Value selects the setting where the low alarm will trip. The valid input range is from 0% to 100% of the user full scale setting multiplied by the K-factor (set in flow units). The alarms should have a minimum deadband of 3% to avoid "chattering.
Smart Interface User Manual Select Speed of Response The Speed of Response setting allows you to change the digital smoothing filter response speed. Use a larger response time (7.2 seconds maximum) for better smoothing or a smaller response time for faster tracking. This setting is valid for both Range 1 and Range 2. To enter a speed of response value: 1. Choose the Function Selector and select Write Speed of Response. 2. In the Value to Write selector type in the desired setting in seconds.
Smart Interface User Manual Using the Smart Interface Software Advanced Features Select the Advanced Options button to: Press CTRL-H to open the Smart Interface help screen. Help screens are available when the mouse is positioned over a command field or dialog box. Save Variables to Disk. This routine allows you to save the complete flow meter configuration to disk. As a safety measure, you should perform this routine to create a back up file of the existing configuration before making any changes.
Smart Interface User Manual Voltage Zero & Span Adjust Record the current values shown on the screen before making any changes to the zero and span settings. Caution! The flow meter must not be reporting or measuring gas flow during adjustments. Adjusting zero or span will affect meter calibration. Warning! Do not open the flow meter enclosure in a hazardous area. 1. Set the DVM to voltage mode and connect between Vout (+) and Vout (–) on the flow meter terminal block. 2.
Smart Interface User Manual Save Variables to Disk To save the configuration of the currently attached flow meter: 1. Select Advanced Options from the main screen. Choose the Function Selector and select Save Variables to Disk. 2. Select the desired filename and location. Click OK to continue. The system reads the original factory calibration data from the Smart flow meter electronics and stores the information on disk. 3. Click Return to return to the main screen.
Smart Interface User Manual Using the Validation Screens Press CTRL-H to toggle the Smart Interface help screen. Help screens are available when the mouse is positioned over a command field or dialog box.
Smart Interface User Manual Read Curve The Read Curve screen displays a graph of the calibration data stored in the Smart electronics. Unless you need to change the factory calibration, there is no need to use ANY function on this screen. The purpose of the Read Curve screen is to enable viewing of the raw sensor data that is then linearized (conditioned) to read out in a form easily output and displayed. The Smart electronics stores the raw calibration for each range in the onboard non volatile ram.
Smart Interface User Manual Run System Validation Caution! During the validation procedures the output of the flow meter will be forced from the zero condition to the full scale condition. Make sure that any monitoring system is in manual mode during validation. System validation is a method of confirming that the entire system is performing to the original factory specifications.
Smart Interface User Manual Select Validation from the Smart Interface software main screen. Select Run System Validation from the validation screen. Select enclosure type, E or EN. To begin the validation procedure: Warning! Do not open the flow meter enclosure in a hazardous area. Step 1. D/A Outputs Validation 1. Select D/A Outputs. Select the output signal you wish to monitor for this test, 4-20 mA, 0-5 VDC or 0-10 VDC (optional). Click Continue. 2. Connect the flow meter as shown on the screen.
Smart Interface User Manual Step 3. Sensor Validation 1. Select Sensors to continue with sensor validation. Warning! The sensor validation procedure must be performed with the power off. 2. Turn off power to the flow meter. If the sensor probe is flowing air allow a 3 minute cool-down before continuing. If the probe is on the bench allow a 6 minute cool-down before continuing. 3. Locate and remove the sensor validation jumper as shown on the screen.
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