NOVUS NC400-6 User Manual

NC400-6 Counter

ELECTRONIC PROGRAMMABLE COUNTER – INSTRUCTIONS MANUAL – V1.2x A

SAFETY ALARMS

The following symbols appear in the device and throughout this
manual to call the user’s attention as to important information related
to safety and device use.

CAUTION:

Read manual carefully before
installing and operating the device

All safety recommendations must be followed as to warrant the
individual’s safety and prevent damage to the instrument or system. If
the instrument is used in another way other than that specified in this
manual, the equipment safety protections may not work properly.

Over Temperature Protection

When a system is designed, it is fundamental that one considers the
consequence of any failure in any component of such system. In
temperature control application, danger is even higher when heating
remains constantly on. In applications where physical damage or
device destruction may occur, the installation of an independent
protection device is recommended, which has its own temperature
sensor and can turn off the heating circuit in case of over heating. Note
that the counter output relays of NC400-6 do not offer protection to all
failure conditions.

CAUTION OR DANGER:

Risk of electrical shocks

DESCRIPTION

The NC400-6 counter and its configuration parameters are divided in
the following blocks:

• Inputs

• Main counter

• Batch counter

Each of these blocks has its own set of configuration parameters,
which together determine how the device works. A summary of the
operation of each block is presented below as well as their
parameters.

INPUTS

NC400-6 has three inputs that can be configured to read contacts,
NPN sensors, PNP sensors or voltage pulse connections. All inputs
must receive the same type of input signal. Functions of each input
are:

COUNT1: Main counting input

HOLD/COUNT2: Input to hold counting or second counting input. The

RESET: Input for external reset of counters and/or outputs.

Man 5001392

• Totalizador counter

• OUT1

• OUT2

second counting input is required when the NC400­6 counter increases or decreases actions are
determined by an external signal (quadrature
signals, for example).

INTRODUCTION

NC400-6 is an advanced 6-digit counter that also performs batch and
totalizer counting operations. It has two outputs with independent and
configurable presets that can be triggered based on counting, batch
or totalization values. Its 2 outputs allow for an independent timed
triggering.

The counting input can be configured to read dry-contact, voltage
pulse, NPN our PNP sensor connections. Sensors may be powered
by an internal power supply.

Counting mode can be configured as progressive, regressive,
quadrature, ADD or SUB. Several reset modes — automatic or
manual — can be configured. Manual reset can be generated by a
digital input or key from the front panel.

The following configuration parameters are directly related to the
operation of inputs:

SEnS.tY

SEnS.tY

SEnS.tYSEnS.tY

Coun.tY

Coun.tY

Coun.tYCoun.tY

Coun.UP

Coun.UP

Coun.UPCoun.UP

MAIN COUNTER

It counts pulses from inputs, showing the value in the display after
multiplying it by a configurable scaling factor. Manual or automatic
reset. Two Set points can be defined (presets); when they are
reached they produce configurable actions (enable output, increment
batch counter, reset counter etc.) The following configuration
parameters are directly related to the main counter operation.

FActor

FActor

FActorFActor

SP1 C

SP1 C

SP1 CSP1 C

SP2 C

SP2 C

SP2 CSP2 C

OPt.SP.C

OPt.SP.C

OPt.SP.COPt.SP.C

OFF.C

OFF.C

OFF.COFF.C

rES.C

rES.C

rES.CrES.C



Selection of type of signal (contact, pulse,
NPN, PNP).



Selection of counting speed (slow or fast).



Progressive or regressive counting choice
and use of COUNT2 input.



Factor that multiplies the number of input
pulses (0.00001

0.00001 to 9.99999

0.000010.00001



Set point 1 for the main counter.



Set point 2 for the main counter.



Condition for Set point 1 reached (main
counter higher or lower than Set point 1).



Initial value (Offset) for main counter.



Reset options in the main counter (input,
key, Set point, output, etc.).

9.99999).

9.999999.99999

NOVUS AUTOMATION 1/8

Contador Eletrônico NC400-6

BATCH COUNTER

Counts the number of times that Set point 2 for the main counter was
reached, with manual or automatic reset. When its Set point is
exceeded (greater than or equals to) results in configurable actions
(enable output or increment totalizer counter). It is always a
progressive counter. The following configuration parameters are
directly related to the batch counter operation.

SP bAt

SP bAt

SP bAtSP bAt

OFF.bAt

OFF.bAt

OFF.bAtOFF.bAt

rES.bAt

rES.bAt

rES.bAtrES.bAt



Batch counter Set point.



Initial value (Offset) for the batch counter.



Reset options for the batch counter (input,
key, Set point, output, etc.).

TOTALIZER COUNTER

Totalizes the main counter or the number of times that the batch
counter Set point was reached, with manual or automatic reset.
When its Set point is reached (greater than or equals to) it can
activate an output. The following configuration parameters are
directly related to the totalizer operation.

Opt.tot

Opt.tot

Opt.totOpt.tot



Totalizer counting option (input pulse or
batch)

SP tot

SP tot

SP totSP tot

OFF.t

OFF.t

OFF.tOFF.t

rES.tot

rES.tot

rES.totrES.tot



Totalizer Set point.



Initial value (Offset) for the totalizer.



Reset options for the totalizer (input, key,
Set point, output, etc.).

OUT1

This output is always associated to the main counter, and it is
activated when Set point 1 is reached, and disabled with time,
reset, Set point 1 or when OUT2 is enabled. The following
configuration parameters are directly related to the OUT1 operation.

Out1.t

Out1.t

Out1.tOut1.t



Time to deactivate OUT1 (0.00

0.00 to 9999.99

9999.99

0.000.00

9999.999999.99

s).

Out1.E

Out1.E

Out1.EOut1.E



Turn-off options of OUT1 (time, OUT2,
reset, Set point 2).

Out1.OP

Out1.OP

Out1.OPOut1.OP



Freeze counting while OUT1 is activated
(yes, no).

Out1.c

Out1.c

Out1.cOut1.c



OUT1 normal state open or closed.

OUT2

This output can be activated by Set point 2 of the main counter, by
the batch counter Set point or by the totalizer Set point. It can be
deactivated by time, reset, activation of OUT1 or Set point that
activated it. The following configuration parameters are directly
related to the OUT2 operation.

Out2.SE

Out2.SE

Out2.SEOut2.SE



OUT2 activation options (Set point 2, batches
or totalizer).

Out2.t

Out2.t

Out2.tOut2.t



Time to deactivate OUT2 (0.00

0.00 to 9999.99

9999.99

0.000.00

9999.999999.99

s).

Out2.E

Out2.E

Out2.EOut2.E



Turn-off options of OUT2 (time, OUT1,
reset).

Out2.OP

Out2.OP

Out2.OPOut2.OP



Freeze counting while OUT2 is activated
(yes, no).

Out2.c

Out2.c

Out2.cOut2.c



OUT2 normal mode open or closed.

BLOCK DIAGRAM

Figure 1 illustrates associations among features and resources of

NC400-6:

Figure 1 – Diagram with features and resoucers of NC400-6

COUNTING MODES

The Coun.tY

Coun.tY parameter selects the counting mode as slow or fast.

Coun.tYCoun.tY

In the slow counting mode, a filter is applied to the counting signals,
limiting the maximum pulse frequency, which is necessary to count
the number of activations of electromechanical contacts. In the fast
counting mode, NC400-6 operates up to the maximum frequency
specified for the input signal. The frequency limits for each mode are
defined in Item 5.

The Coun.UP

Coun.UP parameter defines the main counting direction (UP or

Coun.UPCoun.UP

DOWN) and the function of each input. Table 1 shows options for
this parameter.

Code

0000
1111
4444
5555
6666
7777
8888
9999

12

12

1212
13

13

1313
14

14

1414
15

15

1515

Table 1 – Counting modes that can be selected with the Coun.UP

COUNT2/HOLD

Input

COUNT1 Input Main direction

HOLD SUB DOWN
HOLD ADD UP

SUB SUB DOWN
SUB ADD UP
ADD SUB DOWN

ADD ADD UP
Select ADD SUB or ADD DOWN
Select SUB ADD or SUB UP

QUADRATURE DOWN

QUADRATURE UP
QUADRATURE 2x DOWN
QUADRATURE 2x UP

Coun.UP parameter.

Coun.UPCoun.UP

The main counting direction affects the main counter:

Main direction UP: Main counter count upstream, starting from

the Offset value defined (usually zero).
Actions can be programmed to take place
in Set point 1 and 2 values.

Main direction DOWN: The main counter count downstream,

starting from the Set point 2 value (SP2C

SP2C).

SP2CSP2C

The action programmed for this Set point
will take place when the counter reaches
the programmed Offset value.

The totalizer direction is always up.

You can select functions for COUNT1 and COUNT2/HOLD inputs:

ADD: Progressive counting input.

SUB: Regressive counting input.

Operation descriptions in this manual consider that
the NC400-6 counter is operating in the UP direction.
To operate in DOWN direction, refer to the
explanation above.

HOLD: Stops the counting input for COUNT1.

NOVUS AUTOMATION

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Contador Eletrônico NC400-6

Select ADD/SUB: COUNT2 input defines if COUNT1 input is

progressive or regressive.

QUADRATURE: Bidirectional counting mode that uses two

counting inputs to determine if counting is
progressive or regressive. In this counting
mode, the Coun.tY

Coun.tY parameter is ignored

Coun.tYCoun.tY

and the counting mode is always fast.

QUADRATURE 2X: The same as the QUADRATURE mode,

but it counts twice as fast, increasing
resolution. In this counting mode, the

Coun.tY

Coun.tY parameter is ignored and the

Coun.tYCoun.tY

counting mode is always fast.

The counter is incremented or decremented whenever the voltage
level in the counting inputs increases (rising edge) except in the fast
counting mode (Coun.tY

Coun.tY = 1111) in COUNT1 input.

Coun.tYCoun.tY

The most representative counting modes are shown in Figures 2 to

5. Low and High levels in the following figures correspond to voltage

levels in these inputs with PNP sensor or Voltage pulse. For the case
of NPN sensors or dry contact, signals will be reversed.

Figure 2 – Counting modes 1 and 5

Figure 3 – Counting modes 7 and 8

FEATURES

• Signals compliant with the RS-485 standard. MODBUS (RTU)

protocol. 2 wire connection between 1 master and up to 31 (able
to address up to 247) instruments in bus topology.
Communication signals are electrically isolated from the rest of
the device;

• Maximum connection distance: 1000 meters;

• NC400-6 disconnection time: Maximum 2 ms after the last byte;

• Fixed communication speed (Baud Rate): 9600 bps;

• Number of data bits: 8, no parity. Number of stop bits: 1;

• Transmission onset and response time: maximum of 100 ms

after command.

RS-485 signals are:

D1 D D + B

D0

D - A

C

GND

CONFIGURATION OF SERIAL COMMUNICATION PARAMATERS

Bidirectional data line. Terminal 16

Reserved bidirectional data line. Terminal 17

Optimal connection that enhances
the communication performance.

Parameter that must be configured when the serial communication
used:



Addres

Addres

AddresAddres

OVERFLOW AND UNDERFLOW

NC400-6 counter communication adress.

If the counter is at 0000 and it receives a pulse to decrement, the
counter will show 999.999
that the counter rolls to 999.999

999.999 and turn the OVFL flag on. This means

999.999999.999

999.999. If it increments beyond this, it will

999.999999.999

roll back to 0000, clearing OVFL flag.
On a similar way, when the counter is at 999.999

999.999 and it is

999.999999.999

increased, it will roll to 0000 and turn the OVFL flag on. When it
decreases again below 0000, it will turn the flag off and roll back to

999.999

999.999.

999.999999.999

Note: The setpoints and output control have no effect while OVFL
flag is on, except those who are cleared by time.

Terminal 18

Figure 4 – Counting mode 13 (quadrature)

Figure 5 – Counting mode 15 (quadrature 2x)

SERIAL COMUNICATION (OPTIONAL)

Optionally, NC400-6 can be deliverd with an assynchronous master­slave serial communication interface RS-485 to communicate with a
supervisor computer (master). The counter is always the slave.
Communication always start with the master, which sends a
command to the slave address with whom it wants to communicate.
The addressed slave undertakes the command and sends the
response to the master. NC400-6 also accepts broadcast
commands.

INSTALATION

PANEL MOUNT

NC400-6 must be installed in a papel. To install, follow the steps
below:

1. Make a panel cutout of 45.5 x 45.5 mm;

2. Remove the clips from NC400-6;

3. Insert NC400-6 in the frontal panel cutout;

4. Replace clips in NC400-6 and press them tightly to clamp the

counter to the panel.

INSTALLATION RECOMMENDATIONS

• Input signal wires must be installed in grounded conduits and

away from power or contactor wires+

• Instruments must be powered only by an exclusive power

supply.

• System failure should always be taken into account when

designing a control panel to avoid irreversible damage to
equipment or people. The output internal relay does not warrant
total protection.

• Installing RC filters (47 Ohms and 100 nF, serial) is strongly

recommended at contactor coils or any other inductors.

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