Instruction Sheet
Micromate® External Trigger Cable
Purpose
This bulletin describes the procedure for connecting an External Trigger Cable (Part No. 721A1401)
to the Micromate and using this external trigger cable to trigger and record waveform events on
one or more Micromate units. The External Trigger cable will only work while the Micromate is
monitoring in waveform mode.
Explanation
When the optional auxiliary I/O has been congured for an External Trigger, the Micromate will
monitor the input signal from the External Trigger Cable for a voltage level change. The external
trigger can be used to trigger the Micromate at a specic time or it could be used to synchronize
the triggering of up to six Micromate units. The Micromate will determine the level, high or low,
of the input before entering monitor mode and automatically start recording within one sampling
period when the signal level changes from:
1. A high to a low level – This is referred to as a Wire Make. The two wires start out not connected
and are then connected by a push button or vibration event.
2. A low to a high – This is referred to as a Wire Break. The two wires started out connected and
this connection is broken by a push button or vibration event.
If the external trigger does not change its state (trigger mechanism fails), the individual Micromates
will still trigger based on their respective vibration and overpressure conguration setups.
As an additional feature, with multiple Micromates using the wire make conguration, if the trigger
mechanism fails, the rst Micromate to trigger from the vibration or air overpressure will drive the
external trigger signal low within two samples of this trigger. This will force the remaining units
to start recording data. This feature is not available with the external trigger congured as a wire
break.
Example Applications
1. When an operator sees that a train has reached a specic point, the operator could activate the
external trigger by pressing a button or toggling a switch. This would cause the Micromate to
trigger and start recording data.
2. Install four Micromates in a building, each on a dierent oor, and connect the external triggers
of each Micromate to a contact that will be opened or closed by the vibration event. The
activation of the contact will cause all of the Micromates to trigger and start recording data.
The results from each unit can help determine the propagation of the vibration through the
building.
3. Install up to six Micromate units and connect all of the external triggers in parallel as a wire
make. Set the trigger levels on each of the Micromates such they will be triggered by an
external event. As soon as one of the Micromates is triggered it will drive the external trigger
signal low and force all of the remaining ve units to start recording data.
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Equipment Required
1. Up to six Micromate systems as required
2. Micromate Optional Auxiliary I/O connector (Part No. 721A0101)
3. Micromate External trigger cable, one per unit (Part No.
721A1401)
4. Up to 152 meters (500 ft) of 22 AWG red and black wire
5. Wire strippers
6. Two position switch as required
7. Electrical tape as required
8. Volt meter
9. Ammeter
1.8 m (6 ft.) External Trigger Cable
Testing the External Trigger
The External Trigger Cable should be tested prior to each use. Test the open circuit voltage and the
short circuit current of the External Trigger Cable while it is connected to the unit. Attach the trigger
cable to the Micromate as shown below:
1. Test the open circuit voltage of the trigger cable while attached to the monitor. The voltage should
be 3.4 volts. (Black wire is negative and brown wire is positive.)
2. Test the short circuit current of the trigger cable while attached to the monitor. The current should
be less than 0.14 mA.
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Congure a Single Micromate with an External Trigger Cable
1. Test the maximum voltage and current as previously outlined in the “Testing the External Trigger”
section.
2. Use the red and black 22 AWG wire to connect to the triggering device (switch or wire break
mechanism).
3. Connect the free ends of the red and black wire to the Micromate External Trigger Cable (red wire
connected to the brown wire of the trigger cable, black wire connected to the black wire of the
trigger cable).
4. Congure the Micromate recording parameters (refer to the Micromate Operator Manual):
a. Press Setup
b. Select View/Edit Current Setup
c. Active sensors
d. Record mode – MUST be Waveform
e. Record Time
f. Sample Rate
g. Trigger Level and source
h. Any applicable notes
5. Congure the Micromate Auxiliary I/O for External Trigger.
a. Press the Setup key
b. Select the View/Edit Current Setup
c. Scroll to the Auxiliary I/O menu (bottom menu)
d. Select External Trigger entry
6. Install the geophone and microphone sensors as required.
7. Perform a Sensor Check to ensure that all sensors are passing.
8. ENSURE THE VIBRATION SOURCE AREA HAS BEEN CLEARED.
9. Connect the External Trigger Cable to the AUX port on the Micromate.
10. Place the Micromate in monitor mode.
11. Once the External Trigger has been asserted, the Micromate will start recording the event.
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Congure Multiple Micromates with External Trigger Cables
(Maximum of 6 Micromates)
1. Test the maximum voltage and current as previously outlined in“Testing the External Trigger.”
2. Use the red and black 22 AWG wire to connect all of the external trigger cables in parallel (red
wire connected to the brown wire of the trigger cable, black wire connected to the black wire of
the trigger cable), and to the triggering device (switch or wire break mechanism).
3. Congure each Micromate. Refer to the section “Congure a Single Micromate with an External
Trigger” and the Micromate Operator Manual.
4. Congure each Micromate Auxiliary I/O for External Trigger as per the section “Congure a Single
Micromate with an Auxiliary Trigger.”
5. Install the geophone and microphone sensors for each unit as required.
6. Perform a Sensor Check to ensure that all sensors are passing.
7. ENSURE THE VIBRATION SOURCE AREA HAS BEEN CLEARED.
8. Connect the External Trigger Cables to the AUX ports on the Micromates.
9. Place the Micromates in monitor mode.
10. Once the External Trigger has been asserted, the Micromate will start recording the event.
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© 2016 Xmark Corporation. Instantel, the Instantel logo and Micromate are trademarks or
registered trademarks of The Stanley Works or its afliates.
US Ofce:
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Ogdensburg, New York 13669
USA
Toll Free: (800) 267 9111
Telephone: (613) 592 4642
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Email: sales@instantel.com
721U1401 Rev 04 - Products Specications are Subject to Change
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