Aster Applications

SA380TX Configuration

To connect an Aster VTI21 to an SA380TX, Generic Logger firmware is required.

This is version 1.5G557 and is available from the MPEC website here: http://www.mpec.co.uk/downloads/Test_Releases/TX2%5b1.5G557-802%5d.zip

The unit can be upgraded to this version of firmware if required using dUpgrade, following the instructions found in the dUpgrade User Guide.

Contact MPEC for instructions on how to upgrade via USB.

Once the SA380TX is running the correct version of firmware, it must be configured to acquire data from the Aster VTI21 over 4-20mA and RS485 connections.

4-20mA Output:

This requires connection of the 4-20mA output to an analogue channel on the SA380TX. Please see VTI21 Hardware Wiring for 4-20mA Operation and follow the instructions titled "Wiring for 4-20mA Operation".

To configure the analogue channel of the SA380TX to accept the 4-20mA output of the VTI21 the web config tool should be used.

To do this, firstly connect to the SA380TX over ethernet, then open a preferred web browser and type [SA380TX IP]/config into the URL. This should open the web config tool.

Next navigate to the real channels tab, as shown below.

Apply the suggested settings shown below to the analogue channel that is connected to the VTI21 4-20mA output.

RS485:

For information on the wiring required for RS485 communications please see VTI21 Hardware Wiring for RS485 Operation  and follow the instructions titled "Wiring for RS485 Operation" or "Alternate Wiring for RS485 Operation" dependant on the SA380TX's hardware configuration.

To configure the VTI21 over RS485, please follow the instructions under the heading "Configuration on RS485" in the VTI21 Configuration guide.

After configuring the RS485 connection, each reported channel needs to be assigned to an analogue channel using the settings shown below.

See the table in the Aster VTI21 Outputs for the units and change threshold for each channel.

Installation

To monitor the performance of an Aster, the current flowing to the REC. 1 connections on the receiver must be monitored.

• This feed must pass through the current transducer connected to the "CH1" input on the VTI21.

If monitoring of an additional Aster receiver is required, the feed connecting to REC. 1 of the second receiver must pass through the current transducer connected to the "CH2" input on the VTI21.

The 4-20mA output of the VTI21 only reports current for CH1.

The wire connecting to REC. 1 on the Aster receiver must be fed through the current transducer in two different ways depending on the receiver type.

For the S.F. Style 15 the wire must be fed straight through, see below.

For the Style UR1 the wire must be fed through twice, see below.

Please observe that as this is an AC application the device operation is unaffected by the direction that the wire is fed through the current transducer.

Aster VTI21 Outputs

The Aster VTI21 sensor can output the following quantities when monitoring Aster receivers.