Mil-Ram Technology, Inc. TA-2102 Instruction Manual

M I L - R A M T E C H N O L O G Y

TA-2102

Two Wire Loop Powered

smarter Transmitter

Instruction Manual

Detection Range:
Operating Voltage: 10-30 VDC

Arsine, AsH3 Tungsten Hexafluoride, WF
Phosphine, PH3 Tetrachlorosilane, SiCl4
Diborane, B2H
Hydrazine, N
Silane, SiH

4

6

2H4

Many More Gases

Ammonia, NH3
Boron Trichloride, BCl
Bromine, Br2
Carbon Monoxide, CO
Chlorine, Cl2
Chlorine Dioxide, ClO2
Dichlorosilane, SiH2Cl
Fluorine, F2
Hydrogen Bromide, HBr
Hydrogen Chloride, HCl
Hydrogen Cyanide, HCN
Hydrogen Fluoride, HF
Hydrogen Iodide, HI
Hydrogen Peroxide, H
Hydrogen Sulfide, H
Nitric Acid Vapors, HNO3
Nitrogen Dioxide, NO
Oxygen, O
Ozone, O
Sulfur Dioxide
Silicon Tetrafluoride, SiF
Sulfur Dioxide, SO2
Sulfuric Acid Vapors, H

6

2

3

5423 Central Avenue Suite 1

Mil-Ram Technology, Inc.

2

S

2

3

2

2O2

2SO4

4

no false alarms

Newark, CA 94560

Ph [phone]

Fax [phone]

Web: www.mil-ram.com

Table of Contents

I. Description ............................................................................... 1

II. Smarter Features ..................................................................... 1

III. Installation ............................................................................... 2

IV. Transmitter Wiring ................................................................ 4

V. Transmitter Operation........................................................... 5

A. Main Information Mode.................................................... 6

B. Loop Test............................................................................. 9

VI. Diagnostic Messages............................................................. 11

VII. Rain/Splash/RF Shield (optional)....................................... 12

IIX. Sensor Calibration ............................................................... 13

A. Zero Calibration ............................................................ 14

B. Span Calibration ............................................................ 15

IX. Off-Site Sensor Calibration................................................ 16

X. Self-Calibration .................................................................... 17

XI. Remaining Sensor Life........................................................ 17

Installation Drawings

Warranty

I. Description:

The model TA-2102 smarter Transmitter provides remote detection of a specific toxic gas
using Mil-Ram’s patented no false alarms electrochemical sensor technology. The
transmitter is two-wire loop powered and transmits a standard 4-20mA signal. The smarter
transmitter operates on 10-30 VDC.

II. Smarter Features:

• 2-Wire Loop Powered – operates on 10-30 VDC and generates a standard 4-20mA
signal

• Self-Calibration – unattended span calibration adjustments performed every 30 days
based on life curve for sensor

• Auto-Calibration – non-intrusive calibrations using a magnet to activate zero and span
switches located behind glass window of explosion-proof junction box – no mechanical
adjustments required

• LCD Display – 12 character x 2 line display provides meter readings, calculated values
and diagnostic messages

• Life Remaining – sensor life remaining based on calibration history, life curve for sensor
and electrical characteristics of sensor

• Peak Value/15-min. TWA/Number of days since last gas calibration—Transmitter
displays this information on demand

• Loop Test – Output 4/8/12/16/20mA to verify readings and alarms at controller
electronics

• Calibration Mode Alarm Inhibit – during span calibration and for a period of 5 minutes
after calibration, the transmitter outputs 4.0mA

• Diagnostics – continuous diagnostics related to both hardware and software operation
with auto reset of micro-controller in the event of software failure – provide messages
including Replace Sensor, Remaining Sensor Life and Sensor Disconnected

2-Wire Toxic Smarter Transmitter

22May2002 Page 1

III. Installation:

The sensor is provided with ¾’ NPT external threads opposite the sensing end of the device.
The sensor screws into an explosion-proof junction box which houses the smarter
electronics. The sensor/smarter electronics/junction box assembly constitutes the
transmitter.

Install transmitter as follows:

1. Unscrew cover (with glass window) from junction box.

Junction Box with cover/glass
window removed

Removal of LCD display/main circuit
board assembly from junction box

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Junction box with banana
sockets

2. Remove LCD display/main circuit board assembly by pulling up on face plate at two
locations marked PULL (banana jacks secure the assembly in the junction box).
Carefully lift assembly from junction box.

3. Carefully guide brown sensor cable connector through opening in bottom of junction
box. Screw sensor into junction box hand tight. Attach sensor connector to bottom of
main circuit board at 9-pin brown connector marked SENSOR. Seat the sensor
connector fully to lock in place.

4. Install LCD display/main circuit board assembly in junction box by carefully aligning
banana plugs on bottom of main circuit board with sockets in junction box. Gently push

(directly above face-plate screws) until banana plugs seat fully in sockets.

5. Replace cover on junction box.

6. Mount junction box to a vertical surface with the perforated end of the sensor
pointing downward.

Note: It is generally recommended that the sensor be installed at a location as close as
possible to the source of gas.

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IV. Transmitter Wiring:

The smarter transmitter is 2-wire loop powered and operates on 10-30 VDC. Make
connections as follows:

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Run two wires from the controller 4-20mA Input and signal common to the power/signal
terminals located on the bottom of the main circuit board. The power/signal terminals are
non-polarized.

NOTE: The two power/signal wires must be isolated from other wires and should therefore

be shielded or run in metal conduit to avoid electrical pick-up. If a shield is used it
should run continuously from the controller electronics to the inside of the
transmitter junction box. The shield should be terminated at the controller signal
common but left floating (do not attach to anything) inside the transmitter junction
box to avoid ground loop interference. Apply electrical tape to exposed shield
inside junction box.

The smarter transmitter can be located up to several thousand feet (max. total loop
resistance = 500 ohms) from the controller electronics using 18 AWG standard copper wire.

V. Transmitter Operation:

The smarter transmitter provides four magnetic switches to access information, test the
loop and calibrate the toxic sensor. The switches are activated using a magnet held directly
over the switch outside the junction box glass window.

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The switches are designated as follows:

ENTER: A magnetic switch used to enter the main Information Routine to view
Peak Value, Remaining Sensor Life, 15-Min. TWA (Time Weighted

Average) and Ambient Temperature (degrees C). ENTER switch is also
used to escape Loop Test in progress.

UP: A magnetic switch used to enter Zero Calibration mode and increment
span calibration gas concentration. The UP switch is also used to proceed
with the Loop Test.

DOWN: A magnetic switch used to enter Span Calibration mode and decrement
span calibration gas concentration. The DOWN switch is also used to exit
Loop Test before generating any output.

RESET: A magnetic switch used to reset Peak Value and escape Span Calibration
mode without performing calibration.

A. Main Information Mode:

The smarter transmitter displays the following parameters when the Information Mode is
entered:

• Peak Value

• Remaining Sensor Life

• 15-Min. TWA (time weighted average)

• Ambient Temperature (degrees C)

Upon entering the Information Mode the LCD display will automatically sequence through
the parameters.

To enter Information Mode, momentarily hold magnet directly over ENTER
switch until LCD display shows the Peak Value

22May2002 Page 6