FracSim Meters FracSim Meters was founded with the intention of providing specifically designed tools for the well service industry. Our goal is to provide quality tools with a robust design to meet the needs of well service technicians. If you Operator Manual 1.4 FRACSIM MINI have any questions or concerns please contact us at: FracSim Meters Grande prairie Alberta (780) 882 2546 or www.fracsimmeters.com For additional information on different products or instructional videos on how to use the FracSim meter please visit the website. 2
Table of Contents FracSim Meters... 2 Specifications: Specifications:... 4 Selecting and using batteries:... 5 Cold weather operation:... 5 Warnings:... 6 Using this manual:... 7 Using the interface turn knob:... 7 Main Menu:... 8 Voltage Measure:... 9 Current Measure:... 9 Continuity Measure:... 9 Diode Measure:... 10 Frequency Measure:... 10 Scope View:... 10 Current Simulate Functions:... 11 Frequency Simulation Function:... 12 Serial Data Functions:... 13 Settings Menu:... 14 3 4
Selecting and using batteries: The FracSim meter uses a switching power supply and can accept battery voltages from 6.5 to 20 volts. The higher the voltage, the less current it draws due to the switching power supply. Using the supplied battery holder you can use 2 X 9V. Alkaline batteries work but can be substituted with "9V"rechargeable batteries. The battery voltage is momentarily displayed when the meter powers up. The Battery voltage dictates the maximum voltage on frequency simulate and current sourcing modes. Warnings: Do not open the case: Opening the case beyond the battery compartment will void warranty. There are no user serviceable parts. The current measure has 130 ohm s resistance with a PTC and cannot be damaged even with a dead short (maximum 30 volts). To open the battery compartment remove the 4 screws on the bottom of the meter. This will release the battery cover. Disconnect the connectors on the top of the batteries to remove them from the meter. Avoid contacting the battery pack connector terminals incorrectly with the battery pack terminals (reverse polarity). This has been tested and does not cause immediate damage but is not recommended. Cold weather operation: In colder weather (less than 0 C), the meter should be powered up inside before being exposed to the colder weather. The FracSim meter is calibrated at 22 C, the highest level of accuracy is at 22 C (the temperature where it was calibrated at). Fail Safe Contrast boot: If the meter's displays contrast is far out of adjustment you can power up the meter in a special mode to set the contrast. Follow these steps: Power on the meter by pressing the button but continue to hold down the button. The meter will beep a pulse beep for about 7 seconds. when the beep turns into a continuous tone release the button. the meter will now change contrast slowly. When the text becomes clearly visible press the button again to set 30 VDC MAX. NOT INTRINSICALLY SAFE. DO NOT APPLY THE CURRENT SOURCE OUTPUT OF THE FRACSIM METER TO THE GND OF ANOTHER VOLTAGE SUPPLY, THIS MAY GENERATE A HIGHER VOLTAGE DUE TO THE SERIES EFFECT AND DAMMAGE THE FRACSIM METER. BE AWARE OF THE ACCURACY SPECIFICATIONS OF THIS DEVICE. PLEASE REFERENCE THE SPECS AND MAKE SURE THEY ARE WITHIN YOUR TOLERANCE. 5 6
Using this manual: Main Menu: When using the manual please note the following: This icon marks all the pin outs for each function. All measurement function use the "Red Socket" (positive)" and "Black socket"(negative)" This icon marks important operation functionality. Please keep these in mind when using the FracSim MEAS<= V DC To measure voltage / mv DC ma To measure ma Hz To measure frequency / scope view Ω To measure continuity DIODE To measure voltage drop across a diode Using the interface turn knob: To become efficient and fast at managing the meter you should take a few minutes to learn the correct interface turn knob usage. The turn knob is a rotary encoder. By turning it left and right you can scroll through different menus and adjust variable set points. By pressing the turn knob down you can; power the meter off and on, select menu items and exit from menus. Pressing the turn knob down and holding for 1 second will power the meter on. Pressing the turn knob down and holding for 2 seconds will power off power off. Pressing the turn knob down and holding between 1 and 2 seconds causes the meter to exit the current mode SIM=> ma To sink or source current Hz output a frequency signal RS 485 DAT<= To read incoming RS485 DAT=> To output RS485 SETTING CONTRAS To adjust screen contrast BACKLT To change backlight timer AUTOPW To change auto power off timer CALMODE for factory trained techs 7 8
Voltage Measure: The FracSim meter will measure -30V to 30 V DC. To access voltage measure mode from the main menu select MEAS<= and V DC. Pressing the turn knob down quickly will change the range to -1500 mv to 1500 mv and back Current Measure: Diode Measure: The FracSim meter will measure voltage drop across a diode. To access diode measure mode from the main menu select MEAS<= and DIODE. Red socket to anode of diode Black socket to cathode of diode The FracSim meter will measure -21mA to 21mA. To access current measure mode from the main menu select MEAS<= and ma. The current measurement circuit does not employ a traditional fuse for protection. Current limiting is accomplished by utilizing a relatively high internal resistance, 100 ohms. The current measure was designed for use on current loops and in most situations this load is fine. Just be aware of its limitations. If the FracSim is exposed to a dead short on current measure the internal PTC will open up however some current will still flow and the display will flash OL. Continuity Measure: The FracSim meter will measure continuity. An audio and visual feedback will trigger at approximately 50Ω To access continuity measure mode from the main menu select MEAS<= and Ω. Frequency Measure: The FracSim meter can measure frequency from 1 to 10000 Hz @ 0.5 to 30 volts AC/DC. To access frequency measure from the main menu select MEAS<= and Hz. The measure frequency function also displays the duty cycle, and Min and Max peak values. Pressing the turn knob down quickly will change the meter to Scope view Scope View: Once inside the frequency measure mode pressing the turn knob quickly will enter the Scope View mode. The Scope View mode display a visual representation of the frequency signal. The time base and voltage level is auto ranging. 9 10
Current Simulate Functions: The FracSim meter can sink or source 0 up to 22mA while simultaneously measuring loop voltage. To access the current simulation from the main menu select SIM=> and ma. Use the following pin outs: Sinking: - Supply volts from equipment to red socket on meter - Black socket to signal input of equipment Sourcing: - Red socket to signal input of equipment - Frame ground to black socket on meter As previously stated the current simulation also shows the measured loop voltage for quick loop diagnostics. The loop voltage function is only useful while sinking current. Most transmitters require a minimum 8 to 10 volts. So if you see a loop voltage lower than this or the transmitters recommended voltage minimum, then this is an issue. The FracSim meter will work because it is internally powered but the transmitter may not Pressing the turn knob down quickly will increment the output value by 4mA each press Turning the turn knob clockwise will increment the output value by 0.1mA Turning the turn knob counter-clockwise will decrement the output value by 0.1mA Frequency Simulation Function: The FracSim meter will simulate an AC / DC square wave frequency from 1 to 5000 Hz with a range from 0 to 18 volts (maximum is proportional to battery voltage). To access the frequency simulation from the main menu select SIM=> and Hz. Use the following pin outs: Adjustments: Red socket to device input Black socket to device ground Default output is 18V (battery voltage) DC coupled at 100 Hz Turning the knob will increment / decrement the frequency output Pressing the turn knob down quickly will enter an adjustment sub menu First Select AC or DC for the correct type of coupling Second turn the knob left and right to adjust the voltage level For devices that have a very low level switching point use the AC mode. An example of a low level input could be the Red Lion silver tube amplifiers (Part: ASTC0000). 11 12
Serial Data Functions: The FracSim meter can read and write RS 485 ASCII data @4800, 9600, 19200, 38400, 57600. The data output can either by in WITS or CSV format. Every time data is received the FracSim will beep. To access frequency measure from the main menu select RS485. Red socket to RS485 "A" Black socket to RS485 "B" There are several serial data modes here is basic list of when to use each: DAT <=, RAW- use when you need read generic ASCII data. DAT <=, COMPANY SPECIFIC- use when you need read application specific data. DAT =>, CSV- use when you need output CSV format ASCII data. DAT =>, COMPANY SPECIFIC- use when you need to output application specific data. DAT =>, CSV Select the baud rate. The screen will display the same data that is being outputted. The first digit of each value is the channel number. The two decimal places are random numbers. Example data burst: 1.45,2.67,3.83,4.22...10.12 DAT =>, COMPANY SPECIFIC The baud rate and format is pre determined. The data output is application specific. The display shows the data output with the channel names. Pressing the turn knob down will change the display format to show raw data. Settings Menu: Inside the settings menu you can: Adjust the contrast Adjust the auto Backlight off, units are in seconds Adjust the auto power off, units are in minutes DAT <=, RAW Select the baud rate. Once inside the data window you will see incoming data. If you see "waiting on data" it means no valid data has been received. The maximum input is 500 characters per data burst. Turn the turn knob to scroll through the data buffer. DAT <=, COMPANY SPECIFIC The baud rate and format is pre determined. The data input is application specific. The display shows the data input with the corresponding channel names. Turning the turn knob will scroll through all the data available. 13 14