User`s manual

MDL-DataManager™ Reference Guide Architectural Energy Corporation
Section 3.0 MDL-DataManager™ Software Page 14
Scale Buttons
There are four Scale buttons, one for each channel. These are enabled only if a User
Configurable type of module is installed, such as a 0-5 VDC input module or a pulse
input module, for example. When a user configurable module is installed, click the
Scale button to open the module Configuration Parameters window.
Configuration Parameters.
User configurable modules can be configured with the following parameters.
Slope and Offset. The Scale Factors of Slope and Offset are used to convert raw data
into engineering units suitable for display. These Scale Factors are very important for
user-supplied sensors that do not Auto-ID in the MDL-DataManager software. For
guidance on how to calculate scale factors, reference the MDL-DataManager Help
topics and select Calculating Scale Factors.
Units of Measure. Selecting this menu option opens a window that provides a choice
of either English or SI (metric) units of measure for the non-user configurable
modules, such as temperature. After selecting the desired units, click OK to save this
information.
Warm-Up Time. The MDL can supply 12-volt DC power for sensors and modules.
Only User Configurable Modules (5 volt, 10 volt, 20 mA, etc.) can have their warm-up
times adjusted, but not below the minimum value that automatically appears. These
modules are typically used to input signals from sensors and transducers supplied by
other manufacturers.
Some types of modules require power to be turned on prior to sampling a channel.
This is called Warm-Up Time: the length of time excitation power is turned on before
taking a sample. When an external sensor is powered by the MDL, the 12-volt sensor
power needs to be turned on before taking a reading to allow the output signal to
stabilize. The default warm-up time for most modules is five tenths of a second (500
mS). Depending on the characteristics of the sensor, the default warm-up time may
need to be increased. Check the sensor manufacturer's specifications for how long it
takes the output signal to become stable after the power is turned on.
If a longer warm-up time is needed, enter a new time such as 10, for a one second
Warm-Up time (ie: 10 tenths of a second). All modules default to a minimum warm-up
time and cannot be adjusted below that minimum.
Note:
Warm-Up times longer than two seconds automatically limit the Sample Interval
to 6 seconds or longer. The Sample Interval must be longer than the longest
warm-up time selected. If the Sample Interval needs to be adjusted to
accommodate a long warm-up time, a dialog box will inform the user.
Decimal Digits. The Decimal Digits controls the number of decimal places to the right
of the decimal point that will be displayed. Two decimal digits are the recommended
number to have for any data collection efforts. A selection of three or more decimal
digits will cause asterisks (****) to appear in the MicroDataLogger unit’s display.
Slope and Offset Wizard. MDL-DataManager version 5.0 introduced a Wizard for
performing the calculations required for Slope and Offset based on the information
entered by the user. TO access the Wizard feature, click on the Slope and Offset
Wizard button.
Note:
The MicroDataLogger unit’s LCD displays a maximum of 5 digits plus a decimal
point and the sign (-) of the number. If asterisks (****) appear in the display,
reduce the number of decimal places. Logged data is always recorded at full
accuracy and is not affected by the display’s decimal digits setting.