Omega Products PC-104A Installation Manual

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User’s Guide

PT-104A

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LOGGING SOFTWARE FOR

TC-08 AND PT-104A DATA

ACQUISITION MODULES

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Contents

ILogging Software User's Guide

.....................................................................................................................................11 Introduction

1 Overview

2 Recording

3 Safety warning

...........................................................................................................................................1

...........................................................................................................................................2

...........................................................................................................................................3

.....................................................................................................................................42 Software components

1 Introduction

2 Recorder

3 Logging Player

4 Graph

5 XY Graph

6 Spreadsheet

7 Notes

...........................................................................................................................................4

...........................................................................................................................................5

...........................................................................................................................................6

...........................................................................................................................................7

...........................................................................................................................................9

...........................................................................................................................................11

...........................................................................................................................................13

.....................................................................................................................................143 How to...

1 Add new measurements

2 Select which measurements to display

3 Start a new run

4 Repeat an existing run

5 Start recording whenever Windows starts

6 Display data

7 Print data

8 Export data to a spreadsheet

9 Export a graph to a word processor

10 Enable date and time scaling on a graph

11 Transfer data over an IP network

12 Run multiple recorders

...........................................................................................................................................14

...........................................................................................................................................15

...........................................................................................................................................16

...........................................................................................................................................17

...........................................................................................................................................18

...........................................................................................................................................19

.....................................................................................................................................204 Menu bar

1 File

2 Settings

3 View

4 Help

5 Keyboard shortcuts

...........................................................................................................................................20

...........................................................................................................................................21

...........................................................................................................................................22

...........................................................................................................................................23

.....................................................................................................................................245 Dialogs

1 General dialogs

1 Recording 2 Sampling Rate 3 Print 4 Confirm File delete 5 Converter-related 6 IP socket-related 7 Parameter-related 8 Window-related

...........................................................................................................................................24

...........................................................................................................................................25

...........................................................................................................................................26

...........................................................................................................................................29

...........................................................................................................................................32

...........................................................................................................................................38

ContentsII

9 Preferences 10 Hardware configuration

...........................................................................................................................................41

...........................................................................................................................................43

.....................................................................................................................................476 Equipment overview

1 PT-104A

2 USB TC-08

3 IP sockets

...........................................................................................................................................47

.....................................................................................................................................487 Technical information

1 .ini preferences file

2 .plw data file

3 .pls settings file

4 Scaling file

5 Command line options

6 Multiple program instances

7 DDE

8 Equation notation

9 Glossary

..............................................................................................................................................55

Index

...........................................................................................................................................48

...........................................................................................................................................49

...........................................................................................................................................51

...........................................................................................................................................52

...........................................................................................................................................53

Logging Software User's Guide 1

Welcome to the User's Guide for the Logging Software, a data acquisition tool that collects, records, displays and analyses measurement data. The software has the following capabilities:

Collects blocks of data at high speed from a single logger Collects data at low speed over long periods from multiple loggers Allows you to adjust Alarm settings for measurements you want to take Enables you to apply Parameter scaling , using equations or tables Allows you to Edit calculated parameters Can analyse other files during data collection Displays data during slow collection and after collection Graphical display in the XY Graph and Graph windows, and spreadsheet display in the Spreadsheet

windows Transfers data to other applications via clipboard, file or DDE Transfers data between computers using IP sockets

1 Introduction

1.1

Overview

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Introduction2

1.2

Recording

The recording mode and repeat functions are selected using the Recording dialog. Ensure that real time continuous mode is selected. This offers continuous recording over long periods. The data can be displayed in graphical or spreadsheet format during data collection. The fastest sampling rate in realtime mode depends on the speed of the computer and the operating system (it is of the order of a few milliseconds).

There are several options to specify what should happen at the end of a run when the specified maximum number of samples have been collected. The options are as follows:

Stop Repeat immediately Scroll Repeat after delay

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Logging Software User's Guide 3

1.3

Safety warning

DO NOT connect the ground input of the converter to anything which may be at some voltage other than ground, as you may risk damage to the converter and your computer. Furthermore, if you connect the converter ground to something which is live, your computer chassis may become live.

If in doubt, check by connecting a channel input to the doubtful ground point, and check that there is no significant AC or DC voltage.

We strongly recommend that you read the general safety information in your installation guide and also the product-specific safety warning in the product manual before using your product for the first time.

2 Software components

Software components4

2.1

Introduction

The Logging Software is made up of a number of separate components, but you need only activate the components that you wish to use. As a result, the screen is not cluttered with data that you are not using and the computer can easily be used for other applications whilst you are recording.

The application components that are available are as follows:

Logging Recorder . Enables you to start and stop recording and to specify

recording files, the measurements currently being taken and the alarm state.

Logging Player . Enables you to scroll quickly and easily through stored files to

compare results on successive runs.

Graph . Shows the readings for single or multiple measurements over a period of

time.

XY Graph . Shows the readings of one measurement against another, on the same

graph.

Spreadsheet . Shows detailed or summary information in a format which can be

copied to a clipboard.

Notes . Enables you to enter information for a particular run.

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9

13

5

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11

When you start the Logging Software in recorder mode, the computer displays the Logging Recorder . The Logging Player and display windows can be selected from the Window menu.

When you start the Logging Software in player mode, the computer displays the Logging Player . The Logging Recorder and display windows can be selected from the Window menu.

Logging Software User's Guide 5

2.2

Recorder

When you start the Logging Software using the Recorder icon, the computer displays the monitor window:

At the top is a menu bar containing the File , Settings , View and Help menus. Below the menu bar are two sets of controls, the Recorder controls and the Window controls.

Recorder controls

New file. Specify a new file to record to. Re-record. Rewind the current file so that it can be re-recorded. Start recording. Pause/resume. Stop recording. Help. Access the help information for the recorder window (this page).

20 21 22

Window controls

The second group of buttons, on the right, is used to open other windows:

View Notes. Open a Notes window. View Graph. Open a Graph window. View spreadsheet. Open a Spreadsheet window.

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7

11

Range indicators

The lower pane of the window contains a line of information for each selected measurement. At the beginning of each line is an indicator lamp that signals the current status of the readings taken by the PT-104 software:

The measurement value is within range The measurement value is currently out of range, but has not been out of range

long enough to trigger an alarm The measurement value is in an alarm state. To cancel the alarm, use the mouse

to click on the lamp

The measurement value is in an alarm state, but the alarm has been cancelled

Next to each lamp is the name of the measurement and its current value. If you click on a measurement name, the computer will display the details of the measurement.

Software components6

2.3

Logging Player

When you start the Logging Player, or you select Player from the View menu of the Logging Recorder, the computer opens a new window:

This shows you the name of the current Logging Player file and the number of samples taken so far.

Logging Player controls

The buttons on the left are used to specify a filename and to go forwards or backwards in a file sequence. The controls are as follows:

Open file. Load a new file into the player. Back a file. Go to the previous file in a sequence. Forwards a file. Go to the next file in a sequence.

Window controls

The buttons on the right are used to open other windows:

View Notes. Open a Notes window. View Graph. Open a Graph window. View spreadsheet. Open a Spreadsheet window.

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7

11

Logging Software User's Guide 7

2.4

Graph

From the View menu of the Logging Recorder or Logging Player, select Graph.

Note that there are several graph options that affect the way that the graph is displayed and the format of the axis scales.

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38

The group of horizontal buttons in the top right corner of the screen selects what time interval is displayed:

Scroll left. Move a whole display left. Scroll quarter left. Move a quarter display left. Expand horizontal axis. Magnify the middle half of the display to fill the whole

width. Shrink horizontal axis. Shrink the current display to half size, so that more is

displayed before and after.

Scroll quarter right. Move a quarter display right. Scroll right. Move a whole display right.

The upper group of vertical buttons controls the vertical range displayed. If there is more than one graph frame, the buttons control the frame with the thicker border. To switch to a different frame, point inside the new frame with the cursor and click the left mouse button.

Scroll up. Move a whole display up. Expand vertical axis. Magnify the middle half of the display to fill the whole

height. Shrink vertical axis. Shrink the current display height to half size, so that more

is displayed above and below. Scroll down. Move a whole display down.

Note that if you use these controls to change the time or vertical range, auto-scaling for that axis is turned off automatically. Use the options to turn auto-scaling back on again (see button below).

Software components8

The remaining vertical controls are:

Copy to clipboard. Copy the graph to the clipboard. Print view. Print the graph. New file. Write graph to file in .bmp , .jpg , or .wmf format.

Select channels . Select the measurements to display on the graph. View options . Specify the options for the graph.

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53 53 54

Help. Access the help info for the graph window (this page).

If you move the mouse cursor onto the graph part of the screen, the computer will display the measurement value and time at the current cursor position. If you click the left mouse button, the graph will zoom in, centred on the mouse cursor. If you click the right mouse button, the graph will zoom out, centred on the mouse cursor.

Logging Software User's Guide 9

2.5

XY Graph

From the View menu of the Logging Recorder or Logging Player, select XY Graph.

22

There are several buttons in the top right corner of the screen. The top row of buttons controls the horizontal range displayed:

Scroll quarter left. Move a quarter display left. Expand horizontal axis. Magnify the middle half of the display to fill the whole

width. Shrink horizontal axis. Shrink the current display to half size, so that more is

displayed. Scroll quarter right. Move a quarter display right

The upper group of buttons in the column on the right controls the vertical range displayed:

Scroll up. Move a whole display up. Expand vertical axis. Magnify the middle half of the display to fill the whole

height. Shrink vertical axis. Shrink the current display height to half size, so that more

is displayed above and below. Scroll down. Move a whole display down.

Note that if you use these controls to change the horizontal or vertical range, autoscaling for that axis is turned off automatically. Use the options to turn auto-scaling back on again (see buttons below).

The remaining vertical controls are:

Copy to clipboard. Copy the graph to the clipboard. Print view. Print the graph. Select channels. Select the measurements to display on the XY graph (only

two).

View options. Specify the options for the graph. Help. Access the help info for the graph window (this page).

Software components10

If you move the mouse cursor onto the graph part of the screen, the computer will display the measurement values at the current cursor position.

Logging Software User's Guide 11

2.6

Spreadsheet

From the View menu of the Logging Recorder or Logging Player, select Spreadsheet.

22

There is one line for each reading. The first column shows the time in seconds, while the remaining columns show the selected measurements.

The following options buttons are available:

Select channels. Select the measurements to display. View options. Spreadsheet options specify whether to display individual

readings, or first reading, average, minimum and maximum for a period.

If you select a range of readings, you can use the following buttons:

Write to disk. Write the readings to a print file (.prn ) or a text file (.txt) - Both are tab-separated value files.

Copy to clipboard. Write the readings to the clipboard. Print view. Print the graph.

You can select a range in one of three ways:

If all of the readings that you want to select are on the screen:

Point the mouse at the first reading Press and hold down the left mouse button Drag the mouse to the last reading (the selected readings will be highlighted as you go) and Release the left mouse button.

53

If the readings are a long way apart:

Point the mouse at first reading Click the left mouse button (this will highlight the first reading) Scroll down to the last reading Point at the last reading and Press the shift key and click the left mouse button.

If you wish to select all of the readings for one day:

Point the mouse at any reading during the required day Click the left mouse button (this will highlight the reading) and

Click on the 'select day' icon:

Software components12

Logging Software User's Guide 13

2.7

Notes

From the View menu of the Logging Recorder or Logging Player, select Notes.

This window enables you to enter information for a particular run. This is useful if you carry out a number of similar runs. The report title can be the same for every run, but the notes contain information specific to each run.

If you have a Notes window open when you use the player to browse through several runs, the notes for each run will be displayed. The notes also appear on printed reports.

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3 How to...

How to...14

3.1

3.2

3.3

Add new measurements

1. Select the converter in the normal way

2. At the measurement list dialog, select Add (for the PT-104, for example, this would be the Pt104 Channels dialog)

3. Enter the details for the measurement

4. Click the Scaling button

5. Enter the scaling details (see Parameter scaling dialog for details).

43

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Select which measurements to display

When you first open a graph or spreadsheet window, the computer displays only the first measurement. To select a different measurement or to add further measurements:

1. Click on the Select channels button: . The computer will display the Select

parameters dialog, with a list of all of the measurements and which ones are

in use

2. Click on each measurement that you wish to be active

3. Click OK

34

Start a new run

To start a new run from scratch, select New settings from the File menu. The Logging Software will take you through the steps necessary to define what you want to collect:

Recording method (real time continuous only) Sampling Rate , including sampling interval and maximum number of samples Converter details

Measurement setup: for example, if you are using the PT-104, you will see the PT-

104 Channel List dialog

Once you have entered these details, check that the monitor window in the Logging

Recorder is displaying the measurements that you wish to record, and that the

correct values are showing.

1. If you are in the Logging Player, go to the View menu and select Recorder, otherwise go straight to step 2

2. The Logging Recorder window has buttons like a tape recorder, to start, stop, rewind etc.

3. Click on the New file button:

4. Type the name of the file to which you wish to record

5. Click OK (the filename will appear in the recorder window)

6. Click the Start recording button:

The sample number will increase on every sample interval.

24 2

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5

Logging Software User's Guide 15

3.4

3.5

Repeat an existing run

If you have just recorded a run, and you wish to retain the data, yet start a new run:

1. Click on the New file button: . Note: Do not attempt to save your data directly to a floppy disk. The computer will display the next sequence-numbered file name.

2. If you do not wish to use the default filename, type in a different name.

3. Click OK

4. Click the Start recording button:

If you have just recorded a run, and you wish to discard the data and start a new run:

1. Click the Re-record button:

2. Click the Start recording button:

If you wish to repeat a run:

1. From the File menu, select Open.

2. Select the file that you wish to repeat.

3. From the View menu, select Recorder. This displays the recorder window.

4. Proceed according to the retain or discard options described above.

Start recording whenever Windows starts

First, save the settings for the type of run that you wish to start:

1. Define the type of run that you wish to carry out

2. Select Save as... from the File menu

3. Type in a filename for these settings

4. Change the file type to .pls

5. Click OK

Note: Do not attempt to save your data directly to a floppy disk. Now run the program:

1. Click the Windows Start button

2. Select Settings or Control Panel

3. Select Taskbar and Start Menu

4. Click Start Menu

5. Click Add

6. Type c:\omega\plw32.exe -r settings.pls (or whatever your settings file is called) and click OK

7. Select the startup folder (programs in the startup folder are run automatically when Windows starts) and click OK

8. Click the Finish button

53

Omega Products PC-104A Installation Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual

1 Introduction

Overview

Recording

Safety warning

Software components4

Introduction

Recorder

Logging Player

Graph

XY Graph

Spreadsheet

Notes

How to...14

Add new measurements

Select which measurements to display

Start a new run

Repeat an existing run

Start recording whenever Windows starts