Not yet for distribution! This is a work in progress.

This )This applies to SA380 units from Mod. State 4 onwards, bearing serial numbers above 4000, manufactured from 20232024.

For older versions, see https://utils.mpec.co.uk/downloads/sa380_ug.pdf

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Copyright

Copyright © MPEC Technology Ltd. 20232024.

Versions

Overview

The SA380 & SA380C are data capture devices intended for to monitor railway signalling relays in interlockings and at level crossings. A single device can monitor up to 384 separate relays, safely, reliably and precisely. That data is not only recorded locally, but transmitted live to our Centrix back-office service for graphical replay. This enables faults and operational incidents to be investigated faster, in more detail, and with less time spent on-site.

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Specifications and Ratings

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Human interfaces

Ports

Performance

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• 100Mbps Ethernet (with MDI-X)

• 4G cellular modem (Speed dependent on network operator)

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Methods of configuration

The device can be controlledconfigured:

• Using the built-in touchscreenUsing the

• Remotely using Centrix

(MPEC Connect app

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Using a laptop and the local web interface

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Remotely using Centrix

Back-office services

support coming soon)

Back-office services

Designed to connect to Centrix for:

• Graphical event playback

• Near-real-time monitoring

• Customisable fault alarms

• Push notifications

• Remote configuration and firmware upgrade

• Integration with data from other MPEC products

Certificates & Approvals

Product-Approved for use on Network Rail infrastructure, and rigorously tested for long-term reliability

Environmental

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✅

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BS EN 50125-3:2003

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Versions and upgrades

Hardware

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The hardware version number is included in the serial number label on the front of the unit. This is composed of:

• A major hardware version, also called a “Mod State”

• A minor hardware number, corresponding to MPEC’s Engineering Change Notification (ECN) system

The example shown (right) is thus Mod State 4, with ECN’s applied up to ECN “A”

Older hardware versions may still be used, and upgrades to include the latest ECNs are available from MPEC

Software

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The firmware version number can be seen on the “Information” screen https://mpec.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/SSD/pages/edit-v2/2548629547#Information , and is also visible on the loggers' page on Centrix.

Units will be initially shipped with firmware version “1982”. We anticipate making firmware upgrades available through Centrix for improved performance and functionality.

Certificates & Approvals

Product-Approved for use on Network Rail infrastructure, and rigorously tested for long-term reliability

Environmental

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Options and accessories

SA380 and SA380C devices can be supplied with a number of fitting and accessories.

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• All cable connections to the device are secure

• The “Status” indication on the display is Greenred “Fault” indicator light is not showing

• If mains power is disconnected from the device, it continues to operate for at least 15min

• The device is kept dry and clean. Dust with a soft cloth if necessary.

Servicing, including replacing the internal battery, can be carried out by the manufacturer.

Removing USB disk for investigation

In the event of a serious incident, the investigating authority may require recorded data. This is stored on the external USB disk.

Removing USB disk for investigation

In the event of a serious incident, the investigating authority may require recorded data. This is stored on the external USB disk.

• Touch the display to activate

• Press “Eject USB disk”

• Press “Yes”

• Remove USB disk from the the bottom of the device

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Installation

Competence

N.B. This guide is not a substitute for the purchasing organisation's rules, standards and policies, which must be adhered-to at all times.

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Wiring must be installed to Signal Works Testing Handbook.

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Testing is to be carried out by a signalling tester competent to Section 3B (I)

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Commissioning is to be carried out by a competent Instrumentation Engineer.

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• Touch the display to activate

• Press “Eject USB disk”

• Press “Yes”

• Remove USB disk from the the bottom of the device

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Installation

Competence

N.B. This guide is not a substitute for the purchasing organisation's rules, standards and policies, which must be adhered-to at all times.

• Wiring must be installed to Signal Works Testing Handbook.

• Testing is to be carried out by a signalling tester competent to Section 3B (I)

• Commissioning is to be carried out by a competent Instrumentation Engineer.

• Before any work takes place, a risk assessment and method statement for the installation and commissioning of the datalogger must be approved by the infrastructure controller.

Logistics

• The device and accessories are supplied in a cardboard box with protective foam inserts. No special transport or handling requirements apply, and all components can easily be carried by one person.

• Installation can be performed with common hand-tools; screwdrivers and spanners. Optionally, a drill may be used when mounting the device directly to a wall.

• Maintenance does not require tools beyond a soft cloth for dusting

• Removal of the device is the reverse of installation, requiring only simple hand-tools

• At the end of its service life, the device may be returned to MPEC for responsible disposal. Do not dispose of the product with general waste.

Mechanical

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Mounting

When ordering, specify mounting type required. This can be:

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Installations where the cellular radio is used to connect to the internet require an external antenna.

Exactly Details of placement will depend on local circumstances, but we recommend:

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The antenna wire should be screwed onto the device SA380’s SMA connector to finger-tightness. Overtightening with tools will damage the device.

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• This should be plugged into “USB1” Image Added

• A faulty or absent USB disk will cause the Fault LED to light

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• This can be either 110V or 230V nominal

• An external isolation transformer is not required

• The device contains internal overcurrent over-current protection

• The supply should be fused at 1A, but a higher-rated fuse or MCB may be used where 1A is not available

• Where the supply is protected by an MCB, this should be of a B-curve type

• A wire retaining loop is provided to secure the power inlet connector. Ensure this is positioned around the incoming flex.

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If using ethernet to connect the logger to Centrix, consult the person responsible for your network.

By default, loggers are configured for use with O2 SIMs. Customers using other mobile networks should consult their documentation for appropriate APNs and credentials.

Master-slave networks

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Multiple SA380 loggers can be connected together, using an ethernet LAN. This allows them to share an internet connection, and ensures precise relative timing and ordering of events. We recommend this for monitoring interlockings with more than monitored 384 connected relays.

MPEC can preconfigure master-slave networks for faster installation

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• Connect all the devices together using the ethernet switch and ethernet cables provided.

• Connect the ethernet switch power supply to the power output on the Master logger

• Using the touchscreen UI on each device, navigate to Setup Networking, disable “DHCP Client”, and set a static IP address

  • These must be unique on the network

  • We suggest 192.168.0.1 (master) 192.168.0.2 (First slave), 192.168.0.3 (Second slave) (etc)

• On each slave device navigate to “Setup Centrix Server”, and set the “Centrix domain” to the chosen IP address of the master logger

• Do not change the “Centrix Server” settings on the master device

• On the master, navigate to “Setup inputs”

• Press “Autoconfigure”, and confirm you have connected an ethernet slave logger is if asked

• Restart each device, and wait for a minute

• Navigate to Setup Inputs → Autoconfigure again

• The slave devices will now appear in the list of inputs

• Map channel names in the same way as if for a single device

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The Power LED indicates the presence of a power supply to the processor. This can be either from the external mains, or internal battery.

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The Run LED blinks in a “heartbeat” pattern to show the device’s firmware is running.

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The Disk LED lights when data is being written to the external USB disk.

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The Server LED lights when a connection has been established to Centrix, or to a Master logger in a local network

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The Internet LED lights when the logger has access to the internet

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The Fault LED lights in the event of an internal device fault. Note that this will also be lit during device startup.

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The MPEC Connect button flashes when Bluetooth connectivity is enabled, and lights solid when a connection has been made to a phone/tablet.

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Information

The Information page describes the product and current firmware.

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Status

The Status page indicates the status of the device’s software functionality. The specific set of entries may vary depending on configuration, but a typical set is shown here.

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Network

This page shows both connections to the internet, and local LAN

• Ping time should be under 30ms for wired wired connections, and under 300ms for most cellular connections, and under 300msdependent on network operator and usage

• Multiple IP addresses may be shown when a local master has a cellular internet connection.

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The “Queued” figure shows the number of events waiting to be sent to the remote service. In normal operation, this number should be and remain small. A large or increasing number indicates a poor or misconfigured network connectionan inadequate network connection, or a misconfigured connection to the server.

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Processes

The processes list shows the status of internal software functions.

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Processes

The processes list shows the status of internal software functions

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Live channels

This shows a paged view of every channel currently being logged, including those from slave dataloggers, and system-internal metrics.

Each channel has a preview graph, showing value against time. Channels that have changed recently are shown green, others are shown in grey.

Press any channel name to see more detail.

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Live channels

This shows a paged view of every channel currently being logged, including those from slave dataloggers, and system-internal metrics.

Each channel has a preview graph, showing value against time. Channels that have changed recently are shown green, others are shown in grey.

Press any channel name to see more detail.

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Channel detail

Depending on channel type, details displayed include:

• A live graph of recent values, with the option to pause/resume

• Its present value (and units if applicable)

• Front/Back contact status

• Acquire-on-change sensitivity

• Time since last value

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Live events

This shows a list of the most recent digital events on the logger, with the most recent at the bottom. The page is updated live, and can be useful when investigating the sequence of relay operation.

Note that changes on Anlaogue Analogue channels are not shown

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Event log

Not yet documentedSelect the date and hour to view digital events

N.B. We highly recommend using Centrix for graphical playback and analysis of this data

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System log

The system log shows a record of the device’s internal functions.

Use this page to investigate misconfigured or malfunctioning dataloggersdevices

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The main configuration page typically shows six seven entries:

• Placename: This is the name that will appear on Centrix and in logs. Typically the name of the interlocking, signalbox or REB

• Setup Inputs: This allows to to name and configure input channels, including on slave loggers

• Setup Networking: How the logger connects to the internet

• Centrix server: How data is sent over the network either to Centrix or to a local master logger

• Setup passcode

• Extra options, including loading/saving configuration and firmware using a USB memory stick

• Shutdown / Reboot

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• An input device can be given a custom name. This is primary primarily useful in master-slave networks

• An input device can be assigned a prefix. This is used for new automatically-detected channels that do not appear in the configuration

• Select “Configure” to set-up individual channels

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Setup Networking

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• If you are using a cellular network, the modem must be “On”

• APN, User and Pass will depend on your network provider

• Loggers installed by Network Rail typically use APN “mobile.o2.com”, User “o2web”“o2web”, and Pass “o2web”“o2web”

• Cellular connections always use an IP address provided by the network operator

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• DHCP Client: If enabled, the device will automatically use network settings provided by another device on the same network, which could be a router, or another datalogger.DHCP Server: If enabled, the device will provide network settings to other devices on the network.

• IP Address: If DHCP Client is disabled, use this to set a static IP address. Use CIDR notation to indicate a subnet mask (e.g. ‘/24’)

• Route: The IP address of your router

• DNS: The IP address of your DNS server (Usually the same as Route, above)

Using the web interface or app

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The SA380 MS4 has provision for use with the MPEC Connect app for on-site wireless configuration and investigation.

This feature will be developed in future firmware releases. Until then, we recommend using Centrix for similar purposes.