Protimeter HygroTrac Kit Operating Manual

GE

Sensing

Protimeter HygroTrac

Remote Wireless Monitoring System

Instruction Manual

GE

Sensing

Protimeter HygroTrac

Remote Wireless Monitoring System

Instruction Manual

INS9000B
July 2007

HygroTrac is a Protimeter product. Protimeter has joined other GE high­technology businesses under a new name—GE Industrial, Sensing.

Table of Contents

Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

System Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

HygroTrac Applications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Permanent Installations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Temporary Installations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Installation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Wireless Sensors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Data Acquisition Gateway. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Gateway Activation and Site Creation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Gateway Installation Guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Location Preparation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Antenna . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Location and Mounting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Rear Panel LEDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Accessing Gateway Configuration Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Using Ethernet Port to Access Configuration Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Using RS-232 Port to Access Configuration Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Connecting the Gateway to the Internet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Connecting Gateway to an Ethernet LAN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

Connecting Gateway Using Proxy Servers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

Connecting Gateway Using a Modem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

Secure Digital (SD) Card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Operation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Web Data Service. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Viewing the Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Troubleshooting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

iii

Table of Contents (cont.)

Technical Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Wireless Sensor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

%RH/Temperature Sensor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Moisture Sensor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Data Acquisition Gateway. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Certification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Warranty

GE warrants its products against defects in material and workmanship for 12
months from the date of shipment. Products not subjected to misuse will be
repaired or replaced. GE reserves the right to make changes without further
notice to any products herein. GE Sensing makes no warranty, representation
or guarantee regarding the suitability of its products for any particular
application nor does GE assume any liability arising out of the application or
use of any product or circuit and specifically disclaims all liability without
limitation for consequential or incidental damages. The foregoing warranties
are exclusive and in lieu of all other warranties, whether written, oral, implied
or statutory. No implied statutory warranty of merchantability or fitness for
particular purpose shall apply.

iv

Introduction

The Protimeter HygroTrac is a simple and cost effective system for remotely
monitoring moisture and temperature levels in buildings. The Protimeter
HygroTrac system measures and logs parameters such as the following:

• GPP or g/kg

• dew point temperature

• relative humidity

• air temperature

• % moisture in wood

To set up the system, small HygroTrac wireless sensors are placed in the
building. Sensor readings are transmitted to a Data Acquisition Gateway,
which is connected to a dedicated and secure web server via either an Ethernet
or telephone line connection. The measurements can then be viewed at

www.gehygrotrac.com, using a secure password to access the data.

System Components

The Protimeter HygroTrac kit comprises a carry case containing the
components detailed in Table 1 below. Figure 1 on the next page shows a
typical BLD9000 kit.

Table 1: Protimeter HygroTrac Kit (BLD9000)

Description

Hard Carry Case with Custom Foam Insert

Data Acquisition Gateway*

Detachable Antenna w/RP-SMA connector

10 Wireless Sensors w/Lithium Batteries*

20 Conductive Mounting Screws

3.3v Power Supply

Ethernet Cable (RJ 45)

Telephone Cable (RJ 11)

Instruction Manual

*Additional sensors (BLD9050) and gateways (BLD9010) are available. For
European use, append “-EU” to the part numbers.

Protimeter HygroTrac Instruction Manual Page 1

System Components (cont.)

Figure 1: BLD9000 Kit

Page 2 Protimeter HygroTrac Instruction Manual

HygroTrac Applications

Permanent Installations

The Protimeter HygroTrac system provides warnings of potential moisture­related problems that can lead to property damage or health risks. This makes
it ideal for locations such as:

• heritage and historic buildings

• museums

• food storage

• apartment buildings

Temporary Installations

The Protimeter HygroTrac system can be used in restoration projects to
reduce costly regular visits to take moisture and humidity measurements
when drying a building after water damage. HygroTrac may be used to:

• automatically produce detailed professional reports

• get output readings from dehumidifiers

• provide early warnings of targets reached and potential problems through

e-mail alerts and cellular text messages

Installation

A complete installation of your Protimeter HygroTrac system includes the
wireless sensors, the data acquisition gateway and website access.

IMPORTANT: The external power supply included in your HygroTrac

BLD9000 kit is fitted with an AC plug suitable for the country
of destination. If you require a different plug, please contact
GE Sensing for assistance.

IMPORTANT: See the Declaration of Conformity at the end of this manual for

HygroTrac certification information.

Protimeter HygroTrac Instruction Manual Page 3

Wireless Sensors

A photograph of a HygroTrac wireless sensor
appears at the right. To install your wireless sensors,
complete the following steps:

1. To help determine the best locations for the
sensors, use a standard moisture meter such as
the Protimeter SurveyMaster to establish the
existing moisture conditions within the building.

2. Select up to 600 sensor locations that are within
150 ft (46 m) of the planned location of the data
acquisition gateway.

Note: The maximum sensor transmission distance varies with the building

construction materials. Also, if more than 600 sensors are required,
additional gateways will be needed. You may also need additional
gateways if your sensors are out of the sensor RF transmission range
due to distance or building construction materials.

Caution!

If it becomes necessary to replace a sensor battery, use only a LISUN

#ER14505 lithium battery and be sure to install it with the correct

polarity. Use of any other battery or installation of the battery with the

incorrect polarity will void your sensor warranty.

3. When mounting the sensors, observe the following precautions:
a. If you use a powered screwd river, be careful not to overtighten the

screws. The screws should be just tight enough to ensure good contact
between the material and the sensor.

b. Avoid placing sensors in locatio ns where they could be step ped on or in

locations where they might interfere with working machinery.

c. Do not mount sensors in areas where water could enter the electronic

components.

Page 4 Protimeter HygroTrac Instruction Manual

Wireless Sensors (cont.)

4. Fix each HygroTrac wireless sensor at its chosen
location using two of the supplied conductive
mounting screws. As the mounting screws are
also the terminals for the moisture sensor, the
HygroTrac moisture reading is taken at the depth
of the screw in the material. For measurements
deeper in the material, you can substitute longer
screws obtained from a local supplier. However,
the screws must be made from stainless steel.
The photograph at the right shows a sensor
mounted to the wall above a doorway.

IMPORTANT: You must be sure to use a spring washer with each mounting

screw to maintain the integrity of the connection, as the
material expands and contracts with moisture changes.

5. Record the ID number and location of all installed sensors. The sensors
have bar-coded ID numbers for use with bar-code readers when installing
large numbers of sensors (see photograph on previous page).

Protimeter HygroTrac Instruction Manual Page 5

Data Acquisition Gateway

To install your Data Acquisition Gateway, refer to Figur e 2 below and
proceed to the instructions on the next page.

Antenna

SD Card Slot

Phone Line Port

LAN Port

RS232 Port

Power Input

Figure 2: Data Acquisition Gateway - Rear Panel

Gateway Activation and Site Creation

A gateway sends all the data it collects to the HygroTrac Database Server
(HDS). Users can then access this data at www.gehygrotrac.com (The site
itself supplies detailed instructions in the GE HygroTrac Web Site User’s
Guide.) To store and access data, users must first activate the gateway and
assign it to a user-created “site” at www.gehygrotrac.com. Users must first
register as subscribers at www.gehygrotrac.com. Subscribers can then
create sites by logging into their account at www.gehygrotrac.com and
using information that describes the site to be monitored (customer name,
address, email etc.) after which the user assigns one or more gateways to that
site. When sensors send data through a gateway assigned to a site, those
sensors are automatically assigned to that site as well.

Record the gateway ID which is on the ID label located on the bottom of the
gateway. You will need this ID in order to activate your gateway at

www.gehygrotrac.com.

Page 6 Protimeter HygroTrac Instruction Manual

Gateway Installation Guidelines

Location Preparation

When planning your installation, remember that the gateway requires an AC
power source and either a LAN or modem Internet connection. Also, position
the gateway as centrally as possible to the planned sensor locations.

Power

The gateway requires 3.3 VDC, provided by the supplied AC adapter.
Connect the adapter to an AC power source and plug the jack into the
“3.3VDC” receptacle on the gateway rear panel. When power is active, the
PWR LED will be on.

Antenna

The antenna supplied with your gateway connects to the “Antenna” connector
on the gateway rear panel. It should be screwed on “finger tight.” The antenna
is designed to swivel in all directions and must be pointed “skyward,” or
vertically oriented, for best wireless performance.

Location and Mounting

The gateway can either be wall mounted using the built in teardrop shaped
mounting holes on the bottom of the case (screws not supplied) or it can be
placed on any horizontal surface. In either case, be sure the antenna is pointed
skyward. For best system wireless coverage, locate the gateway central to
where the sensors are to be installed. Do not locate the gateway close to large
metal obstructions such as filing cabinets or refrigerators.

Protimeter HygroTrac Instruction Manual Page 7

Rear Panel LEDs

The gateway rear panel, shown in Figure 3 below, contains several LEDs
which provide useful information on the status of the gateway.

Figure 3: Data Acquisition Gateway - Rear Panel LED Detail

The LEDs indicate the following information:

Wireless

• TX LED – consistent rapid flashing indicates normal transmitter operation.

• RX LED – flashes briefly while the gateway is receiving data over the

wireless link. The activity of this LED depends on the number of sensors in
your system and the sensor reporting interval.

• Status LED – lit when gateway is communicating normally with the

OmniSense Database Server or ODS.

Modem

• Link LED – flashes to indicate modem is attempting to dial out; steady light

indicates modem is connected to far side modem

• Act LED – when lit, indicates gateway has successfully logged in to your

ISP; flashes to indicate sending and receiving of packets

LAN

• Speed LED – always off, indicating 10 Mb/s link speed

• Link LED – Ethernet link is active; flashes to indicate transmission or

receipt of packets

• PWR – when lit, indicates power is on

Page 8 Protimeter HygroTrac Instruction Manual

Accessing Gateway Configuration Menu

Note: For LAN connections, no configuration changes are usually

necessary. For modem connections, ISP login, password, and phone
number are necessary.

To change the gateway configuration, users must enter the configuration
menu. You can access this menu via either the Ethernet port connection or the
RS-232 port connection, using a standard RS232 serial port cable with DB-9
connectors (not supplied). Either connection provides access to the same
menu settings.

Using Ethernet Port to Access Configuration Menu

Use the following steps to access the configuration menu via the LAN
connection:

1. Disable and disconnect ALL network connections on your laptop/PC
except for the LAN connection, and then reboot your PC so that the LAN
connection will use an Auto Assigned IP Address.

2. Connect the gateway to your laptop or PC using supplied Ethernet cable.

3. Apply power to the gateway, and verify that the LAN Link LED is lit and/

or flashes.

Note:If the LAN Link LED does not go on and/or flash, you will need to use

an Ethernet crossover adapter or an Ethernet Hub.

4. Wait for ~30 seconds while the PC assigns itself an Auto IP address.

5. On your PC, verify that it has assigned itself the correct Auto IP address

using

“Start>Run” to execute the command “cmd /K ipconfig” as shown

below. Click

Protimeter HygroTrac Instruction Manual Page 9

OK.

Data Acquisition Gateway (cont.)

6. The windows IP configuration window will open. Note that any

169.254.xxx.xxx address is acceptable and your address need not exactly
match the address shown below.

7. On your PC, connect to the gateway configuration menu using
to execute the command

telnet 169.254.1.1 9999 and click OK, as shown

below.

You should see a new window similar to the one shown below.

Start>Run

Page 10 Protimeter HygroTrac Instruction Manual

Data Acquisition Gateway (cont.)

Note: If this command fails, then it is likely your PC is not using an auto

assigned IP address. Make sure you that have followed the
instructions in step 1.

8. Press the space bar to access the configuration menu as well as to view the
current gateway settings. You should see the menu shown below.

9. You can then modify individual settings by selecting the desired menu
item.

Note:Be sure to save your changes; saving changes forces a r eboot which will

disconnect your telnet session from the gateway.

Protimeter HygroTrac Instruction Manual Page 11

Using RS-232 Port to Access Configuration Menu

Complete the following steps to access the configuration menu via the RS­232 port connection.

IMPORTANT: Be sure the gateway is unplugged from the power source.

1. Connect the gateway RS-232 port to your PC’s serial COM port (usually,

but not always, designated “COM1”) using a serial cable (not supplied).

2. On your PC start a HyperT erminal window (shown below) usin g
to execute the command

hypertrm. Click OK.

Start>Run

3. At the prompt, enter a name (see below) for the new connection and click

OK.

Page 12 Protimeter HygroTrac Instruction Manual

Using RS-232 Port to Access Configuration Menu (cont.)

4. You will then be prompted to select the gateway connection (see below);
usually the connection is through the COM1 port, but it will vary from PC
to PC, and in some cases may be through a serial adapter on a USB port.
Select the appropriate COM port name and click

5. Follow prompts to enter the COM port settings. Configure the COM port
with the following settings and click

OK.

OK.

• Bits per second: 57600

• Data Bits: 8

• Parity: None

• Stop bits: 1

• Flow control: None

Protimeter HygroTrac Instruction Manual Page 13

Using RS-232 Port to Access Configuration Menu (cont.)

6. You are now ready to power on the gateway. Power on the gateway and
your HyperTerminal window should resemble the screen shown below. If
you have problems, be sure that the HyperTerminal window is the
currently selected window on your desktop and that you do not currently
have any text selected in the HyperTerminal window.

7. Press the space bar within 5 seconds of power-up to access the gateway
configuration menu

.

Page 14 Protimeter HygroTrac Instruction Manual

Using RS-232 Port to Access Configuration Menu (cont.)

8. You can now modify individual settings by selecting the desired menu
item. Remember to save your changes.

Protimeter HygroTrac Instruction Manual Page 15

Connecting the Gateway to the Internet

If a LAN connection is present, the gateway will automatically use it. If the
LAN connection is inactive, the gateway will attempt to dial out until it
reaches the maximum number of dial retries. Note that if you have an active
LAN connection, but you want the gateway to use the MODEM connection,
you must change the gateway settings from “Auto Detect Connection” to
“Use MODEM Connection”.

Connecting Gateway to an Ethernet LAN

Using the supplied Ethernet cable, connect the gateway’s “LAN” port to an
available and active data port on your LAN network. Power on the gateway,
and the Link LED should go on within 1-2 seconds. If it does not, see the
troubleshooting chart on page 24.

1. Configuring the LAN Connection

The gateway is shipped from the factory to plug and play with most common
LAN environments but from time to time you may need to change the settings
to be compatible with “non-standard” LAN environments. Some possible
LAN configurations include:

• Setting a non-zero “LAN static IP”, “LAN default gateway IP” and

“LAN subnet mask”

Note: You should use a static IP address only if instructed to do so by your

network administrator.

• Setting the “LAN Static IP” to 000.000.000.000 (this is the factory

default), which forces the gateway to use DHCP to acquire an IP
address from your network’s DHCP server.

Page 16 Protimeter HygroTrac Instruction Manual

Connecting Gateway to an Ethernet LAN (cont.)

Note: If no DHCP server is found, the gateway will default to an auto-

assigned IP address of 169.254.1.1 and will continue to try to get a
DHCP assigned address as well.

2. Testing the LAN connection

If the Status LED lights up, the LAN connection is working. If the Status LED
does not light up, the LAN connection is not working (see Troubleshooting on
page 24).

Connecting Gateway Using Proxy Servers

Some networks, especially large corporate networks, block users from direct
access to the Internet. Instead, users must access the Internet through a proxy
server. The gateway can operate with proxy servers; you must set the
gateway’s “Remote Server IP” to the IP address of the network’ s proxy server.
If you do not know the proxy server IP address, contact your network
administrator. To set your gateway back for use in a standard (i.e., no proxy
server) network environment, set the “Remote Server IP” to 12.156.76.36.

Protimeter HygroTrac Instruction Manual Page 17

Connecting Gateway Using a Modem

You must have a working dialup account in order to use the modem.

1. Connecting Gateway to Phone Jack

Connect the gateway to an active analog telephone jack using the supplied RJ­11 phone cable or a similar phone cable as shown below. Residential phone
lines are typically analog, while office lines are digital. In an office you
should use a phone line that can support a fax/modem.

Note: The modem interface is surge protected by a non-replaceable non-

resetting slow-blow fuse. If you use a phone line that experiences
frequent surges or lightning strikes, you should put a surge prote ctor
in line with the phone line to protect the modem from damage.

2. Configuring Dialup Information

The gateway requires your Internet Service Provider (ISP) phone number,
user name, and password. You must set these parameters using the New
Customer Registration menu. In most cases, one ISP account can support
many gateways and, in the event your ISP only allows a single login at a time,
the gateway will continue to attempt to login until it reaches the maximum
number of retries.

3. Other Dialup Settings

In most office environments, you will need to dial 9 for an outside line, in
which case you should change the dialup number on the configuration menu
to include a dialing prefix of “9,”. For example:

“Set dialup number(9,18666633679)”

Be sure to include the comma, as it instructs the modem to pause before
dialing the next number, and the pause is required to wait for a dial tone from
the outside line.

Page 18 Protimeter HygroTrac Instruction Manual

Connecting Gateway Using a Modem (cont.)

You can also configure the time between server connection attempts and the
maximum number of dialup retries used during a connection attempt. By
limiting the number of dialup retries, you can prevent the modem from
monopolizing the phone line in the event your ISP is not responding.

The gateway configuration menu also has a configuration option to allow you
to specify a “Modem Custom AT command string”. Rarely used, this string
permits operating the modem outside of North America.

4. Testing Your Modem Connection

First, power up the gateway. If the LAN cable is disconnected or if you have
manually configured the gateway to the “Use MODEM Connection” option,
the gateway will always attempt to dial up the configured ISP such that you
can get immediate confirmation at the time of installation that the modem
connection is working. If the Status LED lights up, and you must watch it
carefully as in most cases it will only stay on for a few seconds, the modem
connection is working. See the section Troubleshooting (page 24) if you do
not see the Status LED go on.

Protimeter HygroTrac Instruction Manual Page 19

Secure Digital (SD) Card

The preferred mode of Protimeter HygroTrac operation is through one of the
direct Internet connections. Direct connection permits immediate access to
any automated warnings that may be generated by the system. However,
anytime an Internet connection is not active, the gateway will store data to
either the internal flash memory or the optional Secure Digital (SD) Card if it
is present. (You can then upload this data to the HygroTrac web site by
bringing the gateway to a location that can provide access to your Internet
account.)

To set up your HygroTrac system with an SD card:

1. Purchase an SD card from a local supplier.

Note: A 128 MB SD card will support 10 sensors, reporting every five

minutes for 728 days.

2. Use a computer with an SD card reader to format the new SD card with an
MS Windows FAT file system.

3. Insert the SD card into the slot on the back of the data acquisition gateway
(see below).

Caution!

Use only the GE Sensing power supply provided with your HygroTrac

kit. The use of non-factory power supplies may damage the

equipment and will void your warranty.

4. Connect one end of the power supply to your data acquisition gateway (see
the photograph on the previous page), and plug the other end into a
suitable AC outlet. As the gateway does not have an ON/OFF switch,
connection and plugging in will immediately power up the gateway.

Page 20 Protimeter HygroTrac Instruction Manual

Secure Digital (SD) Card (cont.)

5. T o upload your SD card data to the HygroT rac web site, bring the gateway
to a location where a connection to your Ethernet/dial-up Internet account
can be made. Upload time depends on the amount of data, but typically
takes a few minutes.

Note: The gateway includes onboard flash data storage that is sufficient for

one year of data, with ten sensors each reporting every hour. To
upload data from the internal flash storage, use Step 5 above. GE
Sensing recommends the use of an SD Card only if your data storage
needs exceed the capacity of the onboard flash storage.

Protimeter HygroTrac Instruction Manual Page 21

Operation

As soon as the Protimeter HygroTrac system is installed and powered up, as
described in the previous section, it begins collecting data. In order to access
this data, follow the instructions in this section.

Web Data Service

Note: Please r efer to the GE HygroT rac Web Site User’s Manual for detailed

information on setting up the web site.

The HygroTrac data is stored on a dedicated and secure web server . T o access
your data, complete the following steps:

Note: There is a monthly fee for the HygroTrac service account.

1. Using your existing internet connection, go to the following URL:

www.gehygrotrac.com

2. Choose one of the following options:
a. If you already have an account, simply log in.
b. If you do not already have an account, create a new user account and

accept the terms and conditions.

c. View the online “Web Site User Guide” for any required help.

3. Follow the online instructions to view your data.

Page 22 Protimeter HygroTrac Instruction Manual

Viewing the Data

After you access your HygroTrac account, the following data is available for
each data point from each sensor, by sensor ID and description:

• Time and date

• Temperature

• Relative Humidity

• Wood Moisture Equivalent (%WME)

• Grains per Pound (GPP) or g/kg

• Dewpoint temperature (°C or °F)

From your HygroTrac account, you can perform the following functions:

• Name the individual sensors to indicate their locations

• View and graph near-live data

• View dewpoint, GPP, temperature, % RH, and % WME data

• Set alarms and thresholds that automatically send e-mails or mobile phone

text messages.

• Produce automatically generated reports

• Set up multiple users with different access levels

• Download data in a text file format for importing into spreadsheet and

other applications

• Set multiple users with different access levels

Protimeter HygroTrac Instruction Manual Page 23

Troubleshooting

Table 2 covers possible problems and their solutions.

Table 2: Troubleshooting the LAN/Ethernet Connection

Problem Cause Solution

LAN Link
LED is on,
but Status
LED never
goes on

LAN Link
LED does
not go on

The LAN connection
that the Gateway is
using does not have
Internet access
because Internet con­nection is down or
does not exist.

The LAN connection
that the Gateway is
using does not have
direct Internet access
because network uses
a proxy server.

The LAN Ethernet
port you are using is
not active.

The Ethernet cable is
not plugged in.

The LAN Ethernet
port you are using is
configured as a cli­ent.

V erify the LAN port you are using
can access the Internet.

See page 17 on operating with a
proxy server.

Make sure the Ethernet jack you
are using is active; check with
another computer or laptop.

Check the Ethernet cable connec­tions and make sure they “click”
when the plugs are pushed in.

Use an Ethernet crossover
adapter.

The Ethernet cable is

Replace the Ethernet cable.

bad.

Status LED
is ON, but

Gateway out of range
of sensors.

Replace gateway closer to sen-

sors.
when I log on
to the web­site, I do not
see my data

Page 24 Protimeter HygroTrac Instruction Manual

Table 2: Troubleshooting the LAN/Ethernet Connection (cont.)

Problem Cause Solution

Not all of my
sensors are
Active on the
website

MODEM
Link LED
goes solidly
on, but Act
LED never
flashes

MODEM
Link LED
goes solid

Gateway out of range
of sensors.

Relocate gateway close to sensors

or add additional gateway(s) to

expand wireless coverage.

Bad username and/or
password

Verify username and password

are correct.

No dial tone Verify phone line has dial tone
Bad dialup phone

number

Verify dialup phone number is

correct

Missing DSL filter Assuming your phone line is used

for DSL service, add DSL filter to

the line.

Protimeter HygroTrac Instruction Manual Page 25

Technical Specifications

Wireless Sensor

Transmission Distance*: 150 ft (46 m) nominal
Transmission Frequency: 902.2 - 907.8 MHz;

868.2, 868.4, 869 MHz (EU)

Size (l x w x h): 2.25 x 1.5 x 2.25 in. (60 x 30 x 60 mm)
Weight: 2.42 oz (68 g)

*Transmission distance varies with many factors, including the presence
of obstacles such as concrete walls and interference from other electronic
equipment.

%RH/Temperature Sensor

Range: 0 to 100% (non-condensing)
Accuracy: 10 to 90% ±2.5%
Temperature Range: -40 to 185°F (-40 to 85°C)
Temperature Accuracy: ±1°F (±0.5°C) at 77°F (25°C)
Battery Life: 15 years nominal, when reporting hourly

Moisture Sensor

Resistance: pin type
Range: 8 to 40%
Accuracy: ±1% in wood, 10 to 25% subject to adjustments for

species and temperature
Calibration Temperature: 68°F (20°C)

Page 26 Protimeter HygroTrac Instruction Manual

Data Acquisition Gateway

Maximum Inputs: 600 sensors
Data Transmission: to secure Internet via

10 Mb/s Ethernet output or
dial on-demand telephone modem

Onboard Data Storage: approximately 1 year of data
with 10 sensors each reporting hourly

Additional Data Storage: up to 2 GB on SD card (not supplied)
Size (l x w x h): 7.5 x 4.9 x 1.6 in. (190 x 125 x 40 mm)
Weight: 10.8 oz. (305 g)
Power Input: 3.3 VDC external power supply (included)

Certification

See the Declaration of Conformity at the end of this manual.

The information contained in this manual is given in good faith. As the method of use of the
instrument (and its accessories) and the interpretation of the readings are beyond the
control of the manufacturers, they cannot accept responsibility for any loss, consequential
or otherwise, resulting from its use.

Protimeter HygroTrac Instruction Manual Page 27

GE

Sensing

DECLARATION

OF

CONFORMITY

We, GE Sensing

1100 Technology Park Drive

Billerica, MA 01821

declare under our sole responsibility that the

Protimeter HygroTrac Monitoring System

to which this declaration relates, is in conformity with the following standards:

For US and Canada Models Only

•FCC Part 15

This Product Contains Transmitter Module FCC ID: RY20002.

This equipment complies with Parts 15 of the Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) rules for the United States. Operation is subject to the
following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause interference, and (2) this
device must accept any interference, including interference that may cause
undesired operation of the device.

The equipment has been tested and found to comply with part 15 of the FCC
rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against
harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates,
uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in
accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio
communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not
occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful
interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by
turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try and correct the
interference by one or more of the following measures:

• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.

• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.

• Connect the equipment into an outlet or on a circuit different from that to
which the receiver is connected.

• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

FCC Part 15 Warning: Changes or modifications to this unit not expressly
approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user's
authority to operate the equipment.

Page 1 of 2

Protimeter HygroTrac Declaration of Conformity

• Industry Canada (IC)

This Product Contains Transmitter Module IC ID:6474A-0002.

This digital apparatus does not exceed the Class B limits for radio noise
emissions from digital apparatus set out in the interference causing equipment
standard entitled Digital Apparatus, ICES-003 of Industry Canada. This device
complies with Canadian RSS-210 regulations.

NOTICE: The Industry Canada (IC) label identifies certified equipment. The

Department does not guarantee the equipment will operate to the user’s
satisfaction.

For EU Models Only

• Data Acquisition Gateway

The Data Acquisition Gateway is in conformity with the following standards:

-EN55022: 1998 + A1: 2000 + A2: 2003

-EN55024: 1998 + A1: 2001 + A2: 2003

-EN60950-1: 2001

following the provisions of the 89/336/EEC Electromagnetic Compatibility (as
amended) and 73/23/EEC Low Voltage Directive (as amended).

•Sensor Module

The Sensor Module is in conformity with the following standards:

-EN300 220-3 V1.1.1 (2000-09)

-EN301 489-3 V1.4.1 (2002-08)

following the provisions of the Radio Equipment and Telecommunications
Terminal Equipment. (R&TTE) directive: Directive 1999/5/EC.

Billerica - June 9, 2006

Page 2 of 2

Mr. Gary Kozinski

Certification & Standards Lead Engineer

USA

1100 Technology Park Drive
Billerica, MA 01821-4111
Web: www.gesensing.com/protimeterproducts

Ireland

Sensing House
Shannon Free Zone East,
Shannon, County Clare
Web: www.gesensing.com/protimeterproducts

INS9000, Rev. B