Vanguard VBT-60_80 User Manual

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS

for the

VBT-60/80

Vacuum Bottle Tester

Vanguard Instruments Company

1710 Grevillea Court
Ontario, California 91761

TEL: [phone] August 2005
FAX: [phone] Rev. 1

VBT-60/80 Operating Procedures

SAFETY SUMMARY

NOTICE

This manual applies to Models VBT-60, and VBT-80. The operating procedures are virtually
the same for all models; any differences are clearly described in the step-by-step procedures.

Follow Exact Operating Procedures

Any deviation from the procedures described in this operator’s manual may create one or more
safety hazards, damage the VBT, or cause errors in the test results; Vanguard Instruments Co.,
Inc. assumes no liability for unsafe or improper use of the VBT.
The following safety precautions must be observed during all phases of test set up, test hookups,
testing, and test-lead disconnects.

SAFETY WARNINGS AND CAUTIONS

This device shall be used only by trained operators.

All circuit breakers under test shall be off line and fully isolated.

Do Not Modify Test Equipment

Because of the risk of introducing unknown hazards, do not install substitute parts or perform
any unauthorized modification to any Model VBT Test unit. To ensure that all designed safety
features are maintained, it is recommended that repairs be performed only by Vanguard
Instruments Co. factory personnel or by an authorized repair service. Unauthorized
modifications can cause serious safety hazards and will nullify the manufacturer's warranty.

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VBT-60/80 Operating Procedures

Table of Contents

1.0 INTRODUCTION ...............................................................................................................6

1.1 Applicability .....................................................................................................................6

1.2 General Description...........................................................................................................6

1.3 Functional Description ......................................................................................................6

1.4. Furnished Test Accessories ..............................................................................................6

2.0 VBT SPECIFICATIONS .....................................................................................................8

2.1 VBT-60 Specifications......................................................................................................8

2.2 VBT-80 Specifications......................................................................................................9

3.0 CONTROL AND DISPLAY..............................................................................................10

3.1 VBT-60 Front Panel........................................................................................................10

3.2. VBT-80 Front Panel.......................................................................................................12

4.0 VBT-60/80 IMPORTANT FEATURES.............................................................................14

4.1 Operating Voltages..........................................................................................................14

4.2 VBT-60/80 Serial Interface .............................................................................................14

5.0 CABLE CONNECTION....................................................................................................15

6.0 OPERATING PROCEDURES...........................................................................................16

6.1 0 Preparations..................................................................................................................16

6.1.1 Setup and Run Test Procedure......................................................................................16

6.1.2. Repeat Test Procedure.................................................................................................17

6.1.3. Change VBT Test Duration, Test Voltage and Test Current Threshold........................18

6.1.4. Set VBT Clock............................................................................................................19

6.1.5. Set VBT LCD Contrast ...............................................................................................19

6.1.5 VBT Test PASS Display...............................................................................................20

6.1.6 VBT Test FAIL Display...............................................................................................20

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VBT-60/80 Operating Procedures

List of Figures

Figure 1. High voltage cable ......................................................................................................7

Figure 2. High Voltage return cable ...........................................................................................7

Figure 3. VBT-60 Control-Panel Controls and Display.............................................................10

Figure 4. VBT-80 Control-Panel Controls and Display.............................................................12

Figure 5. VBT-60 Connection Diagram 1.................................................................................15

Figure 6. VBT-80 Connection Diagram 2.................................................................................15

Figure 7. “PASS” Message ......................................................................................................20

Figure 8. “FAIL” Message.......................................................................................................20

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VBT-60/80 Operating Procedures

List of Tables

Table 1.0. VBT-60 Specifications ..............................................................................................8

Table 2.0. VBT-80 Specifications ..............................................................................................9

Table 3.0. Functional Description of VBT-60 Controls and Display.........................................11

Table 4.0 Functional Description of VBT-80 Controls and Display..........................................13

Table 5. Setup and Run Test Procedure....................................................................................16

Table 6. Repeat Test Procedure................................................................................................17

Table 7. Set VBT Test Duration, Voltage, Current...................................................................18

Table 8. Set VBT Clock...........................................................................................................19

Table 9. Set VBT LCD Contrast ..............................................................................................19

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VBT-60/80 Operating Procedures

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Applicability

This manual applies to the Model VBT-60™ and Model VBT-80™ (hereafter, VBT), made by
Vanguard Instruments Company, Inc.

1.2 General Description

The VBT-60 and VBT-80 are light-weight DC vacuum bottle testers made by Vanguard
Instruments Company. The VBT tests the vacuum bottle integrity by applying a DC voltage
across the bottle under test. A simple “PASS” or “FAIL” message indicates the condition of the
bottle after each test. The VBT is field-portable, rugged, and is easily operated by first-time users
having a minimum of training. It features a “Turn-then-Press” control knob for entering test
parameters and control functions.

Turning the knob scrolls through a menu of possible options (which display in sequence) and
pressing the knob activates the selected function

A 2-line by 16-character LCD alpha/numeric readout is used for displaying control-option
menus, and test results. The operation requires little more than connecting test leads to the
vacuum bottle, selecting the desired test voltage and test duration.

1.3 Functional Description

Using a voltage multiplier, the VBT-60 generates a programmable test voltage from 10,000 V dc
to 60,000 V dc (or 10,000 V dc to 80,000 for VBT-80) with 5,000 V dc steps.
The test voltage can be applied at different time durations: 5 seconds, 10 seconds, 30 seconds, 1
minute, or 2 minutes. Test current is monitored by the VBT electronics during test. If this test
current exceeds a preset threshold, the test is terminated and a test “FAIL” message is displayed.
The over-current threshold is programmable at 100 micro-amps, or 200 micro-amps, or 300
micro-amps.
A “FAIL” message will be displayed on the LCD and “TEST FAIL” indicator will be
illuminated on the front panel.
A test is considered successful if the selected test voltage was applied for the full test duration
and the test current did not exceed the preset threshold.
The VBT’s LCD displays “PASS” message along with the test voltage and test duration if a test
is successful.

1.4. Furnished Test Accessories

The VBT is supplied with one 10-foot long high-voltage test cable, one 10-foot long voltage­return lead with alligator clamps. A Ground cable, power cord and a shipping case are also
included with each VBT.

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VBT-60/80 Operating Procedures

Figure 1. High voltage cable

Figure 2. High Voltage return cable

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