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MicroLab Lite
User Manual
30 pgs685.96 Kb0

Fourtec MicroLite, MicroLab Lite User Manual

MicroLite &
MicroLab Lite
User Guide
Fifth Edition April 2011 © fourtec – Fourier Technologies
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION 1
CHAPTER 1 USING THE MICROLITE 2
1.1. Overview 2
1.2. Getting Started 2
1.3. Reading the MicroLite Display 2
1.3.1. Data Displays 3
1.4. MicroLite Working Modes 4
1.5. USB Port Connection 5
1.6. The MicroLite Battery 5
1.6.1. Battery Level 5
1.6.2. Replacing the Battery 5
1.6.3. Using the MicroLite Magnet 6
CHAPTER 2 MICROLAB LITE 8
2.1. MicroLab Lite Software Overview 8
2.2. Software Installation 8
2.2.1. System Requirements 8
2.2.2. Installation Procedure 8
2.3. Getting Started 10
2.3.1. Setting up the MicroLite 10
2.3.2. Completing the Setup 12
2.3.3. Starting Data Recording 12
2.3.4. Stopping Data Recording 13
2.3.5. Temperature Sensor Calibration 13
2.3.6. Communication Setup 14
2.3.7. Downloading Data 14
2.3.8. Saving Data 15
2.4. MicroLab Lite Basics 15
2.4.1. Opening Files 15
2.4.2. Displaying Properties 15
2.4.3. Printing a Graph 15
2.4.4. Printing a Table 16
2.5. Viewing the Data 16
2.5.1. Display Options 16
2.5.2. The Cursor 17
2.5.3. Graph Features 17
2.5.4. Cropping the Data 19
2.5.5. Formatting the Graph 19
2.5.6. Displaying Alarm Levels 19
2.5.7. Changing the Temperature Units 19
2.5.8. Adding Annotations to the Graph 19
2.5.9. Exporting Data to Excel 20
2.5.10. Export File Settings 20
2.5.11. Copying the Graph as a Picture 20
2.5.12. Viewing more than one Data Set on the Graph 21
2.6. Analysis Tools 21
2.6.1. Setting the Analysis Tools Parameters 21
2.6.2. Histogram 22
2.6.3. Pasteurization 22
2.6.4. Statistics 23
2.7. Toolbar Buttons 23
2.7.1. Main (Upper) Toolbar 23
2.7.2. Graph (Lower) Toolbar 24
MICROLITE SPECIFICATIONS 25
MicroLite Hardware 25 MicroLab Lite Software 26
APPENDIX: FIGURES 27
Introduction
The MicroLite is a compact 16-bit USB data logger designed for accurate temperature monitoring for a wide range of applications. Due to its low cost, the MicroLite can be used as a One Trip Logger, for monitoring temperature of perishable goods during transportation, for example. Other typical applications include warehousing of food, monitoring of controlled environments i.e. in the pharmaceutical industry, and many more.
Chapter 1 of this user guide details the operational procedures for MicroLite as a
standalone device.
Chapter 2 provides instruction on how to work with the MicroLite software, MicroLab
Lite.
Contacting fourtec technical support: e-mail: support@fourtec.com
Web: http://www.fourtec.com/support Voice:
+972-3-901-4849 1-888-778-4927 (USA, Toll Free)
For Troubleshooting and FAQs visit the website at:
http://www.fouriersystems.com/support/faq/
To download updated versions of the MicroLab Lite software and MicroLite User Guide, visit: http://www.fourtec.com/download-center
Chapter 1
Using the MicroLite
1.1. Overview
The MicroLite can be used as a standalone device to monitor temperature levels. The MicroLite LCD screen continuously displays the current temperature recordings and the maximum and minimum temperature readings. You can also define minimum and maximum alarm levels for a specific data logging session, and the LCD screen will also show any alarm levels that may have been breached as well as the duration of the alarm. The data stored by MicroLite can be easily downloaded to any computer for further viewing and analysis using the MicroLab Lite software, and can also be exported to an Excel spreadsheet.
1.2. Getting Started
The MicroLite data logger you have purchased is shipped in a plastic box with a Quick Start Guide printed on the rear of the box. The box contains one MicroLite data logger and one small magnet accessory (located in the placeholder on the MicroLite packaging). Read more about the purpose of this magnet in section 1.6.3 on page 6.
In order to save battery life, MicroLite is shipped in Stop Mode. This means that before you can start recording, you must first connect MicroLite to the PC and set it up with the MicroLab Lite software (downloaded from the fourtec website – see section 2.2: Software Installation on page 8). To set up MicroLite with the MicroLab Lite software, refer to section 2.3.1: Setting up the MicroLite on page 10. Once MicroLite receives the Setup command, it begins logging the temperature data immediately or waits for a predefined time to start logging.
1.3. Reading the MicroLite Display
The MicroLite has a 3-digit (with one decimal place) 7-segment LCD screen, which is able to display the following information:
The temperature reading currently recorded  The lowest and highest temperature recorded to that point  Low and/or high alarm level breach  Duration of low and/or high alarm level breach  Low battery warning
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Time on Screen
(seconds)
Data Reading
Example of Reading on
Screen
8
Temperature (in Celsius or Fahrenheit)
25.5 ˚C
2
Low alarm duration *
AL-L
1.55H
2
High alarm duration *
AL-H
1.05H
2
Minimum temperature reading
MIN
23.2 ˚C
2
Maximum temperature reading
MAX
30.1 ˚C
2
Low battery warning *
BATT LO
1.3.1. Data Displays
The LCD displays the data in a continuous cycle, alternating in duration according to the order shown in the table below:
* If relevant (only displayed in event of alarm/low battery)
Current Temperature Reading
This is the last temperature reading recorded by the MicroLite. If the sampling interval is once per second, then the reading will be updated for each of the four seconds it displayed on the LCD. Therefore you will be looking at the actual temperature recorded at that very moment.
MicroLite Alarm
MicroLite displays an alarm notification whenever any alarm level is exceeded.  AL-L – The temperature reading is lower than its low alarm level (as defined in the
logger Setup).
AL-H – The temperature reading is higher than its high alarm level (as defined in the
logger Setup). The alarm notification remains until the next time you download data to a PC. To learn how to set alarm levels, refer to page 10. The alarm duration on the logger’s LCD is calculated in hours. For example, the shortest
possible duration of 0.01 hours means the logger has been in alarm for between 0 and 36 seconds. A duration of 1.55 hours means the logger has been in alarm for 93 minutes. If the MicroLite is in a Low and High alarm simultaneously, then it will show the duration for both alarms.
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Note: When the MicroLite is in Cyclic mode, the Low or High alarm level displayed represents the lowest or highest readings recorded since the MicroLite starting logging data, irrelevant of how many cycles the logger has recorded.
Minimum and Maximum Temperature Readings
The logger display automatically scrolls through the Min/Max temperature readings while sampling. These readings are simply the minimum and maximum temperature values recorded by the MicroLite up until that point. If your logger has breached an alarm level, look at the MIN and MAX readings to see the extent of the low or high alarm level breach. These readings are constantly updated.
1.4. MicroLite Working Modes
MicroLite is always set in one of five possible modes. These modes are all activated via the MicroLab Lite software.
Stop
MicroLite is idle and is not recording. When pressing Stop in the MicroLab Lite software, the logger LCD immediately ceases to record data, instead displaying STOP and scrolling through the alarm durations (if alarms were previously recorded).
Run
MicroLite is recording data. It will stop recording automatically when its memory has reached full capacity (8,000 or 16,000 samples depending on the model).
Cyclic Run
Similar to Run mode, but MicroLite will continuously sample data, recording over old data when the memory reaches its capacity, beginning with the earliest data recording.
Timer Run
MicroLite can be configured to start recording at a predetermined time. When MicroLite is set for such a run, its status is set to Timer Run. The logger LCD displays tRUN.
Push to Run
MicroLite will only begin logging data when the user operates the logger’s reed switch with the MicroLite magnet. The logger LCD displays PUSH. See section 1.6.3 on page 6 for more details.
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Internal battery compartment
1.5. USB Port Connection
The MicroLite interfaces with the computer via any of its USB Host ports. In order to be detected by the computer and by the MicroLab Lite software, the USB driver must first be installed. USB driver installation is part of the software installation (see section 2.2: Software Installation on page 8).
MicroLite LCD Status when Connected to USB
The USB connection status is always displayed on the MicroLite LCD when connected or disconnected from a USB port. The LCD flashes USB ON once when connected and flashes USB OFF once when disconnected from the USB port. The logger LED (located adjacent to the logger’s USB connector) also lights up green when connected to the USB port.
If the MicroLite is in Run mode when connected to the USB port, the LCD will only display the current temperature reading and will not scroll through the other readings.
If the MicroLite is in Stop mode when connected to the USB port, the LCD will display STOP. If the logger had recorded an alarm during the previous data logging session, then the LCD will also scroll through the alarm durations.
1.6. The MicroLite Battery
The MicroLite runs on a standard 3V CR2032 lithium battery. The battery maintains the MicroLite’s Real-Time Clock (RTC). The logger’s time/date
settings are synchronized with the PC when you perform a Setup. Removing the battery will return the logger’s time/date settings to the default of 01 Jan 2004.
1.6.1. Battery Level
The MicroLite battery level indication is provided in the MicroLab Lite software’s Setup dialog (see page 10). The MicroLite battery’s maximum lifespan is approximately two years. This long battery life is achieved by the MicroLite putting itself to sleep between data recordings. While in sleep mode, the data logger consumes a minimal amount of power. MicroLite will wake up for a few micro-seconds whenever it has to record a data sample or display new data on the LCD screen.
1.6.2. Replacing the Battery
5
Ensure ridge on cover and on logger case are in line
Figure 1: MicroLite battery compartment
As shown in the figure above, the MicroLite internal lithium battery is located under a removable plastic cover. To replace the battery, simply use the groove in the plastic cover to twist the cover open, and pull out the battery. When twisting the cover back into position, ensure that the small ridge on the battery cover is in line with the similar ridge on the logger case, as indicated in the figure below.
Figure 2: Closing battery compartment
Note: Be sure to twist the plastic cover properly back into a sealed position, to maintain
the MicroLite’s dust and waterproof IP68 compliancy. As stated previously, replacing the battery will lose the MicroLite’s time/date settings.
These can be restored the next time you Setup the logger using MicroLab Lite. After replacing the battery, the MicroLite LCD will display PUSH, indicating it is in Push to Run mode. Once you connect the logger to the PC’s USB port, you will be able to run the logger without the need for the magnet. In addition, you will still be able to download the data previously recorded onto the MicroLite, before you removed the battery. This data is not lost.
1.6.3. Using the MicroLite Magnet
The MicroLite includes the magnet accessory (stored in the magnet placeholder in the MicroLite packaging). This magnet is used to activate the logger when in Push to Run mode. There is a reed
relay on the MicroLite’s circuit board which is closed using the magnet, thereby
activating the logger.
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