Thermologger 309 - Thermometer VOLTCRAFT - Free user manual and instructions

USER MANUAL Thermologger 309 VOLTCRAFT

The present operating instructions form part of this product. They contain important information on how to put the product into operation and how to operate it. Please take this into consideration when you pass it on to third parties. Keep these operating instructions for future reference. The table of contents on page 21 indicates the topics and the relevant page numbers

7. Taster T1 - (minus) T2

Introduction Dear customer With the digital thermometer 309 you have bought a 4-channel temperature measur- ing instrument that was constructed in keeping with the present technological devel- opment. It is provided with a serial, bidirectional interface. Thus it is also possible to connect the measuring instrument to the PC. The structure complies with DIN VDE 0411, part 1 for measuring instruments = EN 61010- 1. Moreover, it has been EMC tested (for the domestic domain) and thus meets the requirements of the current European and national guidelines. Conformity has been established and the relevant documents have been deposited at the manufacturer. We kindly request the user to follow the operating instructions in order to preserve this condition and to ensure safe operation. In case of technical questions please contact us: Germany: Tel. [phone], Fax [phone] E-mail: Please use our contact form in the Internet: www.conrad.de in the category "Contact" Mon to Thurs 8.00am to 4.30pm Fri 8.00am to 2.00pm Prescribed use of the Thermologger 309: Measurement of temperatures in a range that reaches from -200° C to +1370° C or from –328° F to +2498° F by means of one or two (independent) external temperature sensor(s) (K type). Measurement of temperatures in a range that reaches from –50° C to max. +200° C or from –58° F to +392° F by means of the supplied K type temperature sensors. Bidirectional signal transmission to an IBM compatible PC with Windows ’95 or Win- dows '98 or Windows NT4.0 or higher by means of the serial interface; with data log- ging function. A measuring under unfavourable ambient conditions is inadmissible. Unfavourable ambient conditions are: - Dampness or too high air humidity, - dust and combustible gases, fumes or solvents, - thunderstorms and thunderstorm conditions like strong electrostatic fields, etc. Any use other than the one described above damages the measuring instrument. Moreover, this involves dangers, such as e.g. short-circuit, fire, electric shock, etc.20 No part of the product may be modified or rebuilt. Always observe the safety instruc- tions. Controls Illustration (fold-out page)

1. Measuring input "+" and "-", channel T1, for a K type temperature sensor

2. Measuring input for channel T2, for a K type temperature sensor

3. Measuring input for channel T3, for a K type temperature sensor

4. Measuring input for channel T4, for a K type temperature sensor

5. Multifunctional display with 4 x 3-digit sub displays (smaller displays) and dis-

play of the functions and measuring units

6. On / Off button, serves in second function in connection with the "T1 - T2" but-

ton as key for the setup "Set"

7. T1 - (minus) T2 button

8. "HOLD" button serves to hold a measuring value (in case of quickly changing

measuring signals), serves in second function as "Clock" button to indicate the set time

9. "MAX MIN" button serves to record the minimum value, maximum value and

average value, serves in second function as INTV button

10. Record button "REC", serves in second function to change the settings in

upward direction (increase)

11. Change button serves to change the measuring unit from "°C" to "°F" and vice

versa, serves in second function to change the settings in downward direction (decrease)

14. Supply jack for the connection of a suitable network adapter "-" inside

15. Threaded tripod bush

16. Cover for the battery chamber lying underneath it21

• Table of contentsx Introduction p. 19
• Prescribed use p. 19
• Controls (fold-out page) p. 20
• Table of contents p. 21
• Safety instructions p. 21
• Presentation p. 23
• Handling, putting-into-operation p. 23
• Connection of the PC, installation of the software p. 27
• Carrying out measurements p. 28
• Disposal p. 31
• Correcting malfunctions p. 31
• Maintenance p. 32
• Technical specifications, measuring tolerances p. 32
• Safety instructions We do not assume liability for damages to property or personal injury which are caused due to improper use or due to failure to observe these operating and safety instructions. In such cases the guarantee will expire. - The digital thermometer 309 left the works in technically reliable condition. In order to preserve this condition and to ensure safe operation, we kindly request the user to observe the safety instructions and the warning notes (" Warning!" and "Note!") of these operating instructions. The following symbols need to be observed: = Read the operating instructions - Keep measuring instruments and accessories out of reach of children. They are nothing to play with. - In commercial and industrial facilities the regulations for the prevention of acci- dents as laid down by the professional trade association for electrical equipment and devices need to be observed. - In schools, training facilities, do-it-yourself and hobby workshops the measuring instruments are to be used under the responsible supervision of trained personnel.22 - Make sure when handling the thermometer that the measuring media are absolute- ly dead! The utmost caution is advised when dealing with voltages that exceed 25 V AC or 35 V DC. Even at these voltages you may get an electric shock that is dan- gerous to life if you touch the electrical conductors. - Make sure before each measuring that neither your measuring instrument nor your temperature sensors are damaged. - Make absolutely sure that the voltage between measuring instrument and earth does not exceed 24 VACrms or 60 VDC. - Do not use the measuring instrument under unfavourable ambient conditions or in rooms that contain or may contain combustible gases, fumes or dusts. Make sure for your own safety that neither the measuring instrument nor the measuring leads get damp or wet. Avoid operation in the immediate vicinity of a) strong magnetic fields (loudspeakers, magnets) b) electromagnetic fields (transformers, motors, coils, relays, contactors, electro- magnets, etc.) c) electrostatic fields (charges / discharges) d) transmitting antennas or HF generators - Do not use the digital thermometer just before, during or shortly after a thunder- storm (lightning stroke! / high-energy over-voltages!). Ensure that your hands, shoes, clothes, the floor, the measuring instrument and the measuring leads, cir- cuits and circuit elements are absolutely dry. - If there is reason to believe that safe operation has become impossible, put the device out of operation and secure it against unintended operation. Safe operation must be presumed to be no longer possible if - the device exhibits visible damages - the device does not function any more - the device was stored under unfavourable conditions for a long period of time or - the device was exposed to extraordinary stress caused by transport. - Never turn-on the measuring instrument immediately after it has been brought from a cold into a warm room. Under unfavourable conditions, the condensation water that forms may destroy your device. Leave the device turned-off until it has reached room temperature.23 Presentation, system prerequisite(s) This digital thermometer 309 with PC connection is equipped with several special features which complete some measuring in a significant way: With the function "MAX MIN" you can, for example, detect and record the maximum or the minimum measuring value that appears. With the function "HOLD" it is possible to record quickly changing measuring values (for the measuring protocol). The recording of the measuring values is started with the button "REC". With the button "° C/° F" you can choose between two measuring units: the "English” unit in Fahrenheit and the unit used in the "remaining European countries” in Celsius. If you actuate the button "T1 - T2" dur- ing the turning-on, you will get to the setup menu. Further information will be given later. By means of the supplied interface circuit (serial), a bidirectional connection to the PC is made. After the installation of the relevant software on the PC, the digital ther- mometer and the PC can communicte. The following requirements must be met for installing and using the software: At least 486 DX2/ 100 with 16 MB RAM or faster/bigger At least Windows `95 or `98 or NT 4.0 or higher A CD ROM drive, a resolution of at least 800 x 600 And finally approx. 7 MB free fixed-disk storage The measuring range reaches from –200° C to +1370° C or from –328° F to +2498° F. The temperature range of the supplied sensors, however, is limited to a range that reaches from –50° C to +200° C. The digital thermometer 309 can be used universally for hobby, profession or school purposes, etc. Handling, putting-into-operation A Insertion of the battery – Replacement of the battery Your measuring instrument must be equipped with a 9 Volt battery to function cor- rectly. When the battery replacement symbol appears at the top on the left of the dis- play, the battery must be replaced. Proceed as follows: - Disconnect your measuring instrument from voltage circuit and PC, - remove the temperature sensors from the measuring instrument, - turn it off and - remove the battery chamber cover pushing it carefully in arrow direction. - Disconnect the used battery from the connecting clip and - replace the battery with a new battery of the same type. - Insert the connected battery into the battery chamber after completed replace- ment of the battery and - close the battery chamber carefully. - Ensure not to squash the cable of the connecting clip (red/black) when closing the battery chamber.24 Never operate the measuring instrument when it is open. Do not leave the used batteries in the measuring instrument. Even leakage-protected batteries may corrode. The chemicals which may be set free damage your health and the battery chamber. Defective, used batteries are to be considered as special waste and must be disposed of in an environmentally compatible way. Used batteries can be given back free of charge at the collecting boxes provided by your municipality, at our branches or at the shops that sell batteries and accumulators. There you can find specially marked collecting boxes. It is not permitted to put used batteries into the normal domestic waste. B Connection of the temperature sensors For your measurements, make only use of temperature sensors that are specified for this purpose (in this case K type). Always examine the connectors and the sensor ends (" pearls") before use and make sure that the insulation is not damaged. Always ensure to expose only the temperature sensors to the temperatures that are to be measured. Always observe the safety instructions and the technical specifications concerning the wor- king temperature. Never exceed the max. input quantities. C Putting-into-operation C1 Basic setting The measuring instrument is turned-on and turned-off with the colour button "I" (in the circle). For turning-off the device it is necessary to keep the button pressed until the display disappears ( off). The device can also be turned-off by means of the automatic power-off function. Automatic power-off means that the device is auto- matically set to the so-called "sleep mode" ("stand-by"). The device will be turned- off after approx. 30 minutes provided that there are no buttons actuated or that the measuring instrument does not do any recordings of measuring values (REC) or that the automatic power-off function has not been turned-off before. If you want to turn-off the automatic power-off function, actuate the Hold button at the same time when you turn-on the thermometer. The symbol " " indicates that the automatic turning-off has been deactivated.25 C2 Button assignments a) MAX MIN for the temperature measuring input "T1" By actuating the button "MAX MIN" you get to the recording of the minimum and maxi- mum values. The highest and lowest temperatures are constantly detected and recor- ded. With each actuation of the button you can read alternately the maximum value "MAX", the minimum value "MIN" or the current measuring value "MAX MIN" (flashing). Actuate the button "MAX MIN" for approx. 2 seconds in order to quit the function. Note! It is not possible to change the measuring unit during the recording of the maximum / minimum values. b) CLOCK for the time display The actual date with year (centre), month, day (at the bottom on the left) and time (hours:minutes, at the bottom on the right) are indicated with the button "CLOCK" (after setting the time). Each press of the button is confirmed with a short "Beep" of the beeper. In order to set the time, proceed as follows: Actuate the button "T1 - T2" at the same time when you turn-on the thermometer in order to set the time. In that way you will get to the setup menu "Set". Now actuate the button "CLOCK" (= Hold). The display for the date and the time appears, the year is flashing. With the buttons "^" for upwards (=" REC") and "v" (="° C/° F") for downwards you can modify the setting upwards or downwards. Set the year and actuate the button "CLOCK" once. Now the segments for the month are flashing. Set the actual month (e.g. 01 for January) and actuate the button "CLOCK" once again. Now the segments for the day are flashing. Set the actual day (e.g. 08 for the eighth day of the month) and actuate the button "CLOCK" once. Now the segments for the hours are flashing. Set the hours (24-hour display) of the actual time and actuate the button "CLOCK" once. Now the segments for the minutes are flashing. Set the minutes and actuate the button "CLOCK" once in order to finish the setting of the time. The display indicates for a short time the available memory (e.g. 1 5984 for 15984 memory locations). Then the display changes to the "normal" temperature display. Now the time is set relative exactly to the minute. c) HOLD function With each press of the button (brief) the HOLD function is activated or deactivated. HOLD means that the current measuring value of T1 is held until the data hold func- tion will be deactivated. While the measuring value of T1 stands still, the temperatu- re difference T1- T2 and the temperature display T2 continue running. It is neither possible to change from °C to °F or vice versa nor to activate the time display or the function "MAX MIN".26 d) Data logger, recording of measuring values The recording of the measuring values is started with the REC button. Every 5s (adju- stable, recording interval), for example, the measuring values are recorded (T1, T2, T3 and T4) with time registration. The values are filed at a memory location. You can see the values in the data logger window of the computer. Proceed as follows to set the recording interval: Actuate the button "T1 - T2" at the same time when you turn-on the thermometer and you will get to the setup "Set". Now actuate the button "MAX MIN" once. After that, there will appear "Int" for Interval and a flashing minute display. Now set the desired recording interval in minutes and seconds. The maximum recording interval is 59 minutes and 59 seconds. The minimum value is limited to "00: 01" (= 1s). Actuate the "MAX MIN" button once again after completed setting and you will get back to the current temperature measuring display. Note! Each press of a button is confirmed with a short "Beep" of the installed beeper. C3 Jack assignment The jacks T1 to T4 are so-called unipolar blade contact jacks. You must connect the K type temperature sensors to these jacks if you want to carry out temperature mea- surements according to the sensor specifications. Take into account that the blade contact jacks have different widths. Never try to squeeze the connectors the wrong way (+ and – mixed up) with force into the jacks. The jacks would be destroyed definitely and should be replaced. The jack "OUTPUT" is the serial RS-232 interface in 3,5 mm stereo jack format. The assignment can be defined as follows (connector plan): At the back of the connector there is the ground = GND = reference mass (= refe- rence potential) In the centre of the connector there is the contact RX = 5 V high input (= data input) At the front at the point there is the contact TX = 5 V high output (= data output) And finally there is the jack DC 9V. You can connect here a power supply unit with following output data: 9 V direct voltage, if possible, stabilised, with an output cur- rent of at least 100 mA, a connector outside diameter of 3,5 mm and a connector inside diameter of 1,35 mm. The polarity: minus "-" inside, plus "+" outside. D Working position Always operate the digital thermometer 309 so that you can read the liquid-crystal display (LCD) or that the digital display points upwards.27 Connection of the PC, installation of the software The communication between the thermometer and an IBM compatible PC can only take place if the following requirements are met: p. 3

1. a connection between PC and thermometer and

2. the installation of the software

Concerning 1. Connect the supplied interface circuit to the 9-pole sub D jack "COM 1" at the tur- ned-off PC and then to the 3,5 mm stereo jack bush at the thermometer. Now check the safe fit of the plug-in connection and turn-on both the thermometer and the PC. Concerning 2. There is a CD attached to the data logger digital thermometer 309. The software that can be found on this CD now needs to be loaded on the PC. Put the CD into the rele- vant CD-ROM drive of the PC and close the drive. Now the automatic setup starts. Follow the instructions on the screen and finish the installation with a restart "Finish"

Click the Start button and then the field "Programs". Click the field "Windows- Explorer" right at the bottom. Now click in the Windows-Explorer the field "D" or "E" or "F" or something like that depending on the designation of your CD-ROM drive. The contents of the CD are indicated. Double click the Icon "Setup". Now the setup takes place. Follow the instructions on the screen: First "Initializing" (basic elements) => window "ThermoLog" => "Welcome....." => "Components"- Selection => file designation in the start window => "Copying instal- lation files" => "Reboot windows" with "finish". After completed installation and restart, open the file "Programs" and click there "Test Link" => "Se 309" and finally once again "Se 309". Now the working window appears more or less quickly (depending on the working storage and the speed of your computer). Further information will follow in the next chapter.28 Carrying out measurements, data transmission Data transmission A) In general We are still in the working window. On the left, there is the illustration of the thermo- meter and perhaps "No Connection" provided that the thermometer has been tur- ned-off or disconnected. Turn-on the thermometer or connect it. Now the message "No Connection" disap- pears. If the message "No Connection" does not disappear, there is a problem either with the thermometer (battery?) or with the connecting cable (safe fit?) or with the software installation (setup error?). Start again from the beginning and try it once more. In the working window you can click everywhere where a "readable" button can be seen. In the headline of the menu window you can find the following fields: The field "File" for Save, Print or Exit for quitting the program or The field "Real Time" (graph), a graphic presentation of the measurement in real time (Run or Stop) or The field "Datalogger", the transmission of the stored data from the thermometer to the PC or The field "View" for activating and deactivating the Control Panel or the graph or The field "Window" for activating or deactivating different window views (cascading windows) or The field "Com Port" for setting up the interface if the Com 1 is "occupied"

The field "Help", the so-called help file with a German menu-driven operation but an English help text or Finally the field "Exit" (a "X" at the top on the right) for quitting the program. In the bottom line of the working window you can follow the status of the Thermo- logger: "On Connection" for "the connection has been established" or "Off Connec- tion" for "the connection has been interrupted". B) Real time graph Click the field "Real Time" and "run". If you have a colour display or a colour monitor, you will see four constantly writing lines that depict the temperatures T1 (in yellow), T2 (in red), T3 (in green) and T4 (in pink) in dependence on the time T. In the following you will find a short description of the different commands. The two fields on the left in the real time graph window serve to fade in or fade out the table below the temperature writing or to fade in or fade out the three fields Start- Time, Sampling Rate and Data-No. (= continuous counter of the acquired tempera-29 ture data). The max. setting time of the Sampling Rate is 59 minutes and 59 seconds. The shortest setting is 2s, that means every 2 s there are new screen contents appearing (new measuring values). The three buttons to the right of them for the "Normalcursor" (arrow symbol) the so- called X-marker to set X-markings and the "T" for a text comment in the stopped temperature writing. To the right of it, there is the Clear button which serves to delete made settings. To the right of it, there is the button for "Undo Zoom". If you have zoomed a detail with the mouse (keep the left mouse key pressed) you can now undo this zoom with the "Undo Zoom". To the right of it (between "Undo Zoom" and "Graph Options"), there is a inconspi- cuous field "Split". If you click this field, the measuring depiction will be split from one-channel presentation to four-channel presentation and vice versa. Graph Options If you click this field, you will get to a further window which is called "Customization". With this field and the contained field commands you can create a main and a subtit- le in different founts, change the background colour, make the grid lines disappear, etc. Y- Axis When you click this field, you can define the temperature depiction range, e.g. from –20° to +60° or –50° to +200°. The unit depends on the thermometer setting, the big- ger the range, the less exact the depiction. If you want to close the window "Real- Time Graph", click the "x" at the top on the right in the menu "Graph". Below the "screen" with the continuous temperatures (channel 1 to 4) there is a table that registers the lowest and the highest appearing temperatures of each channel with time. Stop the measuring writing and the average value AVG can be seen, too. In that way you can, for example, find out at what time a temperature has changed at which sensor in which way. C) Data Logger If you click this window symbol, you will see two submenus: "Load" to start the data logger and "Setup" for the alignment of the measuring instrument to the PC (time synchronous etc.). Click "Load" and there will appear a mix of "Real-Time- Graph", a "MAX MIN" depiction (below) and a display of "Data Sets" (data records) to the left of it. Click one of these data records and the contents will be depicted on the screen, provided that they have been filed. At the bottom you see the maximum value (MAX)30 and the minimum value (MIN) from T1 to T4. With the left mouse key (keep it pressed) and the mouse cursor you can zoom details of the graphics. With the "Undo Zoom" you can undo the zoom. The depiction of the table "Tabular" has already been described sufficiently. D) View Click the field "View" and there "Control Panel". Now the front of your thermometer 309 is depicted with changing display. On a limited scale (no setup settings) you can now operate your thermometer from the PC with the mouse. If you click the real time graph, however, the screen is filled with the real time display. Click the "x" at the top on the right in order to close the window "Real Time Graph". E) Window Click "Window" and there Tile for the total view or Cascade for a minimised view. Click "Panel" for the Thermologger (front) in the foreground or "Real- Time- Graph" for the real time measurement in the foreground or, if activated, "Data Logger" for the data log depiction in the foreground. F) HELP If you click this symbol (question mark above a book) you will get to the described help menu. Carrying out a measurement In general: The temperature measuring range of the digital thermometer reaches from -200° C to +1370° C. The temperature range of the supplied sensor reaches from -50° C to max.! 200° C. Do not measure temperatures that are higher than +200° C (= 392° F) with the sup- plied sensor. Take into account that "outside" the temperature range +18° C to +28° C (= range of the guaranteed measuring accuracy) it is only permitted to expose the thermoele- ment to the temperature that is to be measured. Measuring: Proceed as follows to measure the temperature:

1. Connect, depending on the demand, either one or two or four K type temperature

sensors (you find two attached) to the thermometer an turn it on. Do not connect any voltages. This might destroy the device.

2. Hold the temperature sensor/s (wire end/s) at/into the dead measuring medium

(heat sink etc., but no caustic or combustible liquids!).31 Notes! The temperature of T1 is displayed in the left upper display. In the right upper display the temperature of T2 is displayed. Below them on the left and on the right, the temperatures of the inputs T3 and T4 are displayed. If one of the four temperature sensors is not connected or if it is interrupted, the signs "- - - -" will be displayed instead of a measuring value. In this case the difference will not be detected/displayed.

3. Now, when the two inputs T1 and T2 are occupied, it is possible to measure the

difference temperature. Actuate the button "T1 - T2". Now the temperature T1 is displayed at the top on the left, T2 at the bottom on the left. "1 - 2" can be read at the top on the right and the difference of T1 minus "-" T2 is displayed at the bot- tom on the right. Disposal If the digital thermometer 309 does not function any longer or cannot be repaired any more despite correct supply (9 Volt battery), ensure to dispose of the device accor- ding to the relevant statutory requirements. Correcting malfunctions The digital thermometer 309 you have bought was constructed in keeping with the present technological development. Nevertheless, there may arise problems or mal- functions. For this reason, the following chapter will give you information on how to correct some of these malfunctions rather easily. Observe the safety instructions! Error Possible cause No transmission to the PC Safe contact of the connecting cable? Software loaded according to the instructions? PC interface all right? No display at the Is the battery discharged? turned-on device Did the measuring instrument turn-off automatically after 30 minutes of non-use?32 Maintenance and calibration In order to ensure the accurcy of the thermometer for a longer period of time you should calibrate it once a year. The replacement of the battery is described in the chapter "Handling, putting-into- operation A". Clean the device and the window of the display with a clean, lint-free, antistatic and dry cleaning cloth. Do not use cleaning agents that contain carbon or benzines, alco- hol or anything similar to clean the product since these sub- stances damage the surface of the measuring instrument. Moreo- ver, these fumes are hazardous to the health and explosive. Do not use tools with sharp edges, screwdrivers, metal brushes or anything similar to clean the device. Technical specifications and measuring tolerances Technical specifications Display : 4 x four-figure displays up to max. 9999, symbol displays and measuring units Max. measuring rate : 1,25 measurements per second, that are 5 measurements in 4 s Working temperature (surroundings of the measuring instrument) : from 0° C to +50° C (from 32° F to 122° F) Storage temperature : from -10° C to +60° C (from 14° F to 140° F, battery removed) Relative air humidity : from 0 to 80 %, not condensing Temperature for guaranteed accuracy : from +23° C ±5 K Temperature coefficient : further 0,01% of the reading +0,03° C (or 0,01% of the reading +0,06° F) per K in a range reaching from 0° C to 18° C and from 28° C to 50° C Battery replacement indication : " " from below approx. 7,3 V battery voltage Battery type : NEDA 1604 9V or 6F22 9V (alkaline) Weight : 250 g (with battery) Dimensions (L X W X H) : 184 x 64 x 30 mm (without lines)

Measuring tolerances Indication of the accuracy in ±(% of the reading + indication error in Kelvin "K") "K" for Kelvin stands as absolute value of a temperature difference or deviation. Accuracy for 1 year at a temperature of +23° C ±5K, at a relative air humidity lower than 80 %, not condensing. The warm up time is 1 minute Measuring range of the Accuracy Resolution measuring instrument: From -200° C to +200° C ±( 0,2%+ 1K) 0,1° C From +200° C to +400° C ±( 0,5%+ 1K) 1° C From +400° C to +1370° C ±( 0,2%+ 1K) 1° C From -328° F to -200° F ±( 0,5%+ 2° F) 0,1° F From -200° F to +200° F ±( 0,2%+ 2° F) 0,1° F From +200° F to +2498° F ±( 0,3%+ 2° F) 1° F Temperature sensor TP- K01 From -50° C to +200° C± 2,2K or ±0,75% From -58° F to 392° F ±3,6K or ±0,75% Exceeding the max. admissible input quantity may damage under unfavourable conditions the measuring instrument and may be hazardous to the user’s life.34