Specifications

Sicon-8 Technical Manual CircuitWerkes, Inc.
47
Two ways to setup metering:
The Sicon-8 allows you to setup meters in two ways. The normal method requires you to provide a sample. You then tell the
Sicon-8 what value that sample represents along with the appropriate mode (linear, power, etc.) and the Sicon-8 sets the scaling
value for you. This method works very well for all meters except those that normally have very low or zero output, like VSWR
meters where it is impractical to take a meaningful reading most of the time. Although it is possible to take a sample of even the
lowest order and have the Sicon scale that sample, the conversion may not be very accurate due to the inherent limitations
imposed by the A/D conversion. A/D inputs are stored in “blocks” and a Voltage can vary a bit before crossing from one block
the next. This is sometimes referred to as granularity. The Sicon-8 automatically compensates for this by pre-scaling the input
Voltages before using them to make a reading. By pre-scaling, we can achieve great accuracy, however very small Voltages
can still result in inaccurate reporting of higher values. When it is not practical (or desirable) to drive the subject meter to the
middle third of its scale, then an alternative is to find out what the nominal output of the meter is. Then, manually enter a sample
Voltage value that the Sicon-8 will use to set its reading. For instance, if you know that an output Voltage (like 3V) from your
metering sample will equal a value of 1,000, you will have the opportunity to manually enter 3.0 thereby replacing the step where
the Sicon actually samples its input during setup. All values entered are in metering input Volts. A second way is to actually
simulate the nominal output of the meter using a voltage source (like a battery) and a divider and then proceed with the standard
setup method. Either way, the sample will be scaled down inside the Sicon-8 instead of scaled up which is inherently more
accurate for higher values. This can be especially important on channels where alarms are to be set. Accurate scaling,
particularly when setup at the alarm trip point, will allow the alarm to be reported properly. In cases where a meter value is
normally zero, one of the alternate methods described here would be the only way to properly set the Sicon-8’s metering inputs.
Labels spoken at the end of each reading have no effect on the actual numbers and can be changed or re-recorded to specify any
units that you need. The default Sicon-8 unit labels are shown below:
Spoken Phrase or word Meter Units ID # Spoken Phrase or word Meter Units ID #
Percent 0 Degrees 1
Volts 2 Amps 3
Watts 4 Millivolts 5
Milliamps 6 Milliwatts 7
KiloVolts 8 KiloWatts 9
Metering Setup Quick Reference: (Note: you must be on the channel to be programmed before starting)
Meter Type Meter confirm or re-enter enter units
Standard Setup
(this channel)
71
♪
1 (normal) 0,1,3,4 or 5
♪
Xx*xx
+ #
reads entry 1 or 0 read value
♪
1 – 9
Units
Manual Setup
this channel)
71 2
(manual)
Xx*xx + #
(Sample
Value)
reads
entry
1 or 0
C or R
0,1,3,4 or 5
Type
Xx*xx + #
Value
reads
entry
1 or 0
C or R
read
value
1 – 9
Units
72 - Set Status “polarity”. - Enter 1 for normal (status is considered “ON” when grounded). Enter 0 for inverted (status is considered
“ON” when input is open or ungrounded). Example: 72, Sicon beeps, 0, Sicon beeps twice. Polarity setup is now ended. You
must enter 72 again if you change you mind.
73 – Alarm Setup. - This function lets you set the number and type of alarms for the currently active channel. Each channel
can have up to five alarms (upper & lower action, upper & lower critical & a status alarm). Alarms may be set for either over-value
or under-value. An over-value alarm is one that exceeds a pre-programmed value that you have specified. Conversely, an
under-value alarm is one that drops below a pre-programmed value that you have specified. Alarms may be either “action” or
“critical”. An action alarm can cause the Sicon-8 to attempt to correct a situation by operating a relay. Action alarms are reported
if the Sicon-8 cannot eliminate the condition after 3 attempts, but action alarms don’t initiate outbound calls. Critical alarms make
outbound telephone calls, but do not operate relays. The Sicon-8 attempts to rectify action alarms up to three times, then stops.
It also stops if any new alarm occurs while an action alarm is still pending or if a user calls in while the alarm is still pending. In
that case, all current alarms go on the new alarm stack. Critical alarms will be saved, but can only dial out if the Sicon-8 is
connected to a telephone line or suitable simulator. The Sicon-8 cannot dial outbound numbers through a phone connection.
Action alarms can only operate relays in the momentary mode. Relays that have been set up for latching modes will be operated
as timed closures during an action alarm.