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User Manual
TA200
Laser Photo/Contact Tachometer
Introduction
Congratulations on your purchase of the Triplett TA200 Laser Photo/Contact Tachometer.
The TA200 digital tachometer offers fast and accurate measurements of the following:
Rotational speed (RPM)
Total Revolutions (REV)
Frequency (Hz)
Surface Speed (meters per minute, incher per minute, feet per minute, yards per minute)
Length (meters, inches, feet, and yards)
Features include wide measurement range, high resolution, easy‐to‐read backlit LCD, MAX‐MIN‐
AVG memory, Record/Recall readings, and Laser sighting.
This device is shipped fully tested and calibrated and, with proper use, will provide years of reliable
service. Please visit our website (www. triplett.com) to check for the latest version of this User
Guide
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Description
Meter Description
1. Surface (circumference) wheel accessory is
shown connected to shaft (rubber cone and
concave accessories are also supplied)
2. Adaptor shaft
3. Removable collar (Photo sensor and laser source are
located at the top of the meter under this collar)
4. MEM (Memory) button
5. Battery compartment (rear)
6. MEASURE button
7. MODE button
8. LCD Display
Push‐button Description
MEM (Memory) button: Used to Record/Recall readings
MEASURE button: Press and hold to take readings. The Laser pointer will switch on for
Photo tachometer measurements when pressed
MODE button: Press momentarily to switch measurement units. Press and hold for 2
seconds to switch between Surface Speed and Length measurement modes
Safety
WARNING!
Do not directly view or direct the laser pointer toward an eye.
Low power visible lasers do not normally present a hazard, but
present potential for hazard if viewed directly for extended
periods of time.
The Laser in this unit complies with: FDA 21 CFR 1040.10 and
1040.11
CAUTION!
Rotating and linear moving objects can be dangerous. Use extreme care.
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Preparing for Measurements
Non‐Contact (Photo) Tachometer Preparation
1. Apply a square piece of reflective tape to the surface of the object under test (nominal tape
size: 0.5”/12mm). Be sure to affix the tape as close to the outer edge of the object under
test as possible. See diagram below.
2. If not already done, unscrew and remove the meter collar (item number 3 in the
Description section diagram)
3. Proceed to the “Taking Measurements” section below.
Contact Tachometer Preparation
5. If not already done, attach the collar (item number 3 in the Description section diagram)
to the meter.
6. Slide the contact adaptor onto the tachometer’s shaft. Be sure to align the adaptor with
the alignment pin on the shaft of the contact adaptor.
7. Attach a contact measurement accessory (cone, wheel, or concave accessory) onto
the contact adaptor.
8. For Contact operation the meter can measure Surface Speed or Length. Read the section
titled “Surface Speed and Length Measurement Modes” later in this guide for details.
9. Follow the steps in the “Taking Measurements” section below.
Taking Measurements
Non‐Contact (Photo) Tachometer Measurements
1. Prepare for the Non‐Contact measurement as described in the Measurement Preparation
section above.
2. Use the MODE button (momentarily presses) to select RPM (rotations per minute) or Hz
(Hertz: rotations per second) as the unit of measure.
3. Press and hold the MEASURE button to begin a measurement session. Hold the MEASURE
button down for the duration of the test and release it to end the session.
4. Point the meter toward the device under test at a distance of 2" to 20" (50 to 500mm). Be
sure to align the laser light beam with the reflective tape (see diagram above in previous
section).
5. Verify that the ((( ))) monitor indicator appears on the LCD when the reflective tape passes
through the light beam.
6. Read the measurement result from the LCD display.
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7. When the MEASURE button is released the last reading will remain on the display for 5 to 10
seconds before the ‘Auto Power OFF’ feature switches the meter OFF. The HOLD display icon
will switch ON.
Non‐Contact (Photo tachometer) Measurement Considerations
Contact Tachometer Measurements
1. Prepare for Contact measurements as described in the Measurement Preparation section
2. Determine if Surface Speed or Length measurements are to be made. Refer to the section
3. Press and hold the MEASURE button.
4. Touch the measurement accessory (cone, wheel, or concave accessory) to the object under
5. Read the measurement result from the LCD display.
6. When the Measure button is released the last reading will remain on the display for 5 to 10
7. To change the unit of measure, first release the MEASURE button. Then, momentary presses of
Bright ambient light may interfere with the reflected light beam. Shading the target area
may be necessary in some cases.
The non‐reflective area must always be larger than the reflective area.
If the shaft or rotating object is normally reflective, it must be covered with black tape or
paint before the reflective tape is applied.
To improve repeatability of low RPM measurements, apply additional squares of
reflective tape. Divide the reading shown on the display by the number of pieces of
reflective tape squares to calculate the actual RPM.
above.
“Surface Speed and Length Measurement Modes” later in this guide for details.
test.
seconds before the ‘Auto Power OFF’ feature switches the meter OFF. The HOLD display icon
will switch ON.
the MODE button will step through the available units. Refer to the Specifications section and
to the section below entitled “Surface Speed and Length Measurement Modes” for units of
measure details.
Surface Speed, Length, and Revolutions Measurement Modes
1. To switch between the Surface Speed and the Length measurement modes, press and hold
the MODE button for two seconds.
2. The units of measure available in the Surface Speed mode are meters per minute (M/M),
inches per minute (I/M), feet per minute (F/M), and yards per minute (Y/M). Step through
the units selections with momentary presses of the MODE button.
3. The units of measure available in the Length measurement mode are meters (M), inches (I),
feet (F), yards (Y), and revolutions (REV). The Revolutions (REV) mode is handy as a counter for
use with custom sized wheel attachments to count (tally) wheel rotations. Step through the
units selections with momentary presses of the MODE button.
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Datalog Readings
The TA200 can log up to ten (10) “reading sets” for each measurement session (for each unit of
measure display). A reading set consists of four (4) values:
Initial reading (reading recorded when MEM button is
pressed) Maximum reading (MAX icon shown)
Minimum reading (MIN icon shown)
Average reading (AVG icon shown)
This totals 400 stored readings (4 values per reading set * 10 reading sets per
measurement session * 10 units of measure displays)
A measurement session starts when the MEASURE button is pressed and ends when it is released.
Logging starts when the user presses the MEM button momentarily and ends when the
MEAUSURE button is released. The number shown on the LCD in the lower right hand corner (data
0 – 9) indicates the current memory location. See example time‐line diagram below.
MEAS‐01: MEASURE button is pressed (measurement session begins)
A: No logging during this period
MEM: MEM button is pressed momentarily, initial reading is logged and
MIN/MAX/AVG logging begins
B: MAX/MIN/AVG readings are tracked and recorded during this period
MEAS‐02: MEASURE button is released (measurement session and logging ends)
1. Press and hold the MEASURE button to begin a measurement session as described earlier.
2. While holding down the MEASURE button, press the MEM button momentarily. The reading
on the display at the time of the MEM button press (initial reading) will be stored in the
current reading set and the MIN/MAX/AVG tracking will begin. Note the reading set
memory location on the lower right-hand corner of the LCD.
3. The MIN/MAX/AVG readings are calculated over the course of the measurement session
(starting from when the MEM button is pressed and ending when the MEASURE button is
released). MIN/MAX/AVG readings are stored in the same reading set as the ‘initial
reading’.
4. Release the MEASURE button to end the measurement session.
5. Now, momentary presses of the MEM button step through the initial reading, MAX, MIN,
and AVG readings stored in the current memory location. Note that subsequent presses
of the MEM button step through the remaining nine memory locations; be sure to note
the memory location number when reviewing data to avoid confusion.
6. When recalling data, press and hold the MEM button to quickly jump from one reading set to
another. The reading set number, on the lower right, scrolls while the MEM button is held.
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Datalogging more than one Reading Set per Measurement Session
If the MEM button is pressed momentarily, during a measurement session, the reading set
will be created for that measurement session (one reading set for each MEM press). This is
useful if more than one ‘initial reading’ is desired for a given measurement session. The
MIN/MAX/AVG values logged in each reading set represent the MIN/MAX/AVG values
recorded between the MEM presses. See the time‐line example below:
MEAS‐01: MEASURE button is pressed (measurement session begins)
A: No logging during this period
MEM01: MEM button is pressed momentarily, logging begins into location ‘Data 0’
B: Reading set ‘Data 0’ logs initial reading and MAX/MIN/AVG readings
MEM02: MEM pressed again, previous log (data 0) ends and new log (data 1) begins
C: Reading set ‘Data 1’ logs initial reading and MAX/MIN/AVG readings for this time period
MEAS‐02: MEASURE button is released (measurement session and logging ends)
Battery Replacement
The low battery indication appears as BAT on the display. To replace the battery, loosen the
Philips head screw securing the rear battery cover and lift the cover off. Replace the 9V
battery and replace cover.
Never dispose of used batteries or rechargeable batteries in household waste. As
consumers, users are legally required to take used batteries to appropriate
collection sites, the retail store where the batteries were purchased, or wherever
batteries are sold.
Disposal: Do not dispose of this instrument in household waste. The user is
obligated to take end‐of‐life devices to a designated collection point for the disposal
of electrical and electronic equipment.
Other Battery Safety Reminders
• Never dispose of batteries in a fire. Batteries may explode or leak.
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Specifications
General Specifications
Time base Quartz crystal
Display 5‐digit LCD Display
Laser light source Class 2 laser < 1mW power; Wavelength is 630 to
670nm
Detecting Distance 50 to 500mm (2 to 20")
Sampling Time 0.5 seconds (over 120 rpm)
Tachometer accuracy ± (0.05% reading + 1digit)
Memory Measurement data are stored in ‘reading sets’. A
reading set consists of
Operating Conditions 0 °C to 50 °C (32 °F to 122 °F); RH 80% Max
Power Supply 9V battery
Power Consumption 45mA DC approximately
Weight 151g (5.3oz.)
Size 160 x 60 x 42 mm (6.2 x 2.3 x 1.6")
One (1) instantaneous measurement plus
MIN/MAX/AVG readings.
Ten reading sets’ are available per measurement
session
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Range
Resolution
Accuracy
Photo‐Tachometer
Revolutions per
0.1 rpm (2.0 to
9999.9
2 to 200,000 RPM
RPM) 1 rpm (>
9999
0.05% of
reading + 1
minute
rPm)*
digit
Frequency
0 to 1666 Hz
1 Hz
Contact‐
Tachometer
Revolutions per
0.001 rpm (2.0 to
9999.9
2 to 19,999 rpm
RPM) 1 rpm (>
9999
minute
rPm)*
0 to 2000 meters
per
1 m/min
minute
Surface Speed
0 to 78,740 inches
per
1 in/min
minute
0 to 6560 feet per
minute
1 ft/min
0 to 2186 yards per
minute
1 yd/min
0.05% of
reading + 1
0.1 to 1000 meters
0.1 meter digit
Measurement Range Specifications
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Length
3.9 to 39,370
inches
0.1 inch up to
9999.9
(using
circumference
1 inch > 9999
wheel
attachment)
0.3 to 3280 feet
0.1 inch
0.1 to 1093 yards
0.1 yard
Revolutions
(counter
for custom sized
0 to 99,9999
Revolutions
1 revolution (REV)
wheels)
Frequency
0 to 1666 Hz
1 Hz
*Note that when RPM is mixed case (rPm) it represents readings >9999 with a
resolution of ‘1’ and when it is upper case (RPM) if represents the range 0.2 to
9999.9 with 0.1 resolution.
Warranty Information
Triplett / Jewell Instruments extends the following warranty to the original
purchaser of these goods for use. Triplett warrants to the original purchaser for
use that the products sold by it will be free from defects in workmanship and
material for a period of (1) one year from the date of purchase. This warranty
does not apply to any of our products which have been repaired or altered by
unauthorized persons in any way or purchased from unauthorized distributors so
as, in our sole judgment, to injure their stability or reliability, or which have been
subject to misuse, abuse, misapplication, negligence, accident or which have
had the serial numbers altered, defaced, or removed. Accessories, including
batteries are not covered by this warranty
Copyright © 2019 Triplett
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