Stagehand Mini
2
Manual
Page 22
Brake
Fault
Input
The Brake Fault Input is one of two inputs that can be used to get more information about the health of the
machine that is being controlled by the Mini
2
. If you have a machine & suitable electronic sensor circuits that
detect whether or not your mechanical brakes are functioning, you can use this input to pass that information
along to the Stagehand Mini
2
and thereby display that status in Spikemark.
[Diagram needed]
Internally, the Brake Fault Input uses an opto‐coupler to isolate the Mini
2
from external interference. When a
voltage of at least 3.3VDC, in reference to the Input Common pin, is sensed the Brake should be operating
normally and the Mini
2
is free to move the machine as commanded. However, if no voltage is detected then the
Mini
2
believes that the brake is unreliable and will not allow any movement. If you do not want to use the Brake
Fault Input, you must supply 3.3‐24VDC to disable this fault. The included 15‐pin shorting plugs will disable both
the Brake Fault and Drive Ready inputs.
Brake Fault Input Voltage
Stagehand Mini
2
Condition
<3VDC
Brake is faulty, will not move.
3VDC – 24VDC
Brake is operating normally, OK to move.
Drive
Ready
Input
The other input available to gauge the health of a machine or drive connected to the Mini
2
is the Drive Ready
Input. As the name suggests, when the Drive (aka Amplifier) is healthy and without a fault it can signal to the
Mini
2
through this input pin that it is ready and waiting to move. If the drive has an internal fault that will
prevent it from executing a movement, it can remove the signal on the input and the Mini
2
will no longer
attempt to execute any motion until the fault is resolved.
[Diagram needed]
Just like the Brake Fault Input, the Drive Ready Input is isolated from external interference by an opto‐coupler.
A voltage (3VDC‐24VDC) referenced to the Input Common pin must be present to indicate that the drive is
healthy and fault‐free. Many VFD’s, electro‐hydraulic valves, and some DC drives offer a fault‐indicating output
that can be connected to this input which is advantageous to use when available. Without this input, the Mini
doesn’t receive any feedback when the amplifier is unable to run for any reason and will blithely attempt to run
cues and have no idea why nothing is moving. Since the Mini
2
has no idea why nothing is moving, the unlucky
operator running Spikemark will also be in the dark about why the system isn’t responding as expected. So, if
you can, use this input it is definitely worth a little time spent wiring.
Similar to the Brake Fault Input, the Drive Ready Input requires that voltage is present to allow movement. If
you don’t want to utilize the Drive Ready Input, you must supply voltage to the pin to disable the feature. The
included shorting plug will disable both the Drive Ready Input and the Brake Fault Input.
