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12 

Control

Value

Notes

a

The analog input is used as the setpoint source. Digital setpoint commands are not 

accepted.

s

Saved digital. Digital setpoint commands are accepted; the most recent command 

will be used when the instrument is powered up. The analog input is disconnected 

from the setpoint.

CAUTION: If the setpoint is consistently changed more often than every few 

minutes, the nonvolatile memory may be damaged and may no longer correctly 

store the setpoint.

u

Unsaved digital. Setpoint changes from the digital setpoint commands are accepted 

but will not affect the setpoint used by the instrument on the next power up. The 

analog input is disconnected from the setpoint.

This setting is recommended when the setpoint will often be changed more often 

than every few minutes.

Example: 

aLSS a

 

(the analog input will be the source for the setpoint for 

instrument A)

Maximum Setpoint Ramp Rate

This value determines the maximum rate at which the setpoint can change (controllers 

only). It applies to both increasing and decreasing setpoints, whether the setpoint was given 

digitally or via the analog input. 

To read the current setpoint ramp rate

unit_id

SR

To set a new setpoint ramp rate

unit_id

SR

 

max_ramp_rate time_units

max_ramp_rate

 is the new maximum setpoint ramp rate. The value is a non-negative floating-

point value in the default units of the loop control variable (se

page 13

). The instrument 

will use the closest available ramp rate. 

time_units

 are the units for the ramp rate, per the table below:

Unit Label

Values

Notes

ms

3

millisecond

s

4

second

m

5

minute

Example: 

aSR 600 3

  (set the maximum ramp rate to 600 [flow units] /ms for 

instrument A)

To disable any limiting of the setpoint ramp rate

unit_id

SR 0

Communication Watchdog 

A communication watchdog (controllers only) will force a zero setpoint and close the controller 

valve if no serial communication is received within a user-defined time period. 

 

Note: 

The Communication Watchdog is only available when the setpoint is being set via 

MODBUS communication and the Setpoint Source is set to "unsaved digital" (see 

page 11

). 

All other setpoint sources (ASCII, saved digital, analog) are not impacted by the 

Communication Watchdog. 

To read the current watchdog

unit_id

WD

  Example: 

aWD

  (read watchdog time on instrument A) 

To set a new watchdog

unit_id

WD

 

watchdog_time

watchdog_time

 is the desired watchdog duration, from 0–5000 milliseconds.

Summary of Contents for ALICAT BC Series

Page 1: ...OPERATING MANUAL FOR MASS FLOW INSTRUMENTS BASIS 2 METERS AND CONTROLLERS...

Page 2: ...ibration BASIS 2 instruments are factory calibrated When operated per instructions regular maintenance is not required Periodic inspection and recalibration can ensure ongoing performance and accuracy...

Page 3: ...g the use or operation of this instrument please contact us using the information on page 2 Alicat offers many combinations of instrument sizes accessories connections and configurations These custom...

Page 4: ...nges 14 Taring the Instrument 14 Autotare 15 Active Gas 15 Totalizer Reset 15 Totalizer Batch 15 Totalizer Configuration 16 Full Scale Flow 16 Unit ID 16 Serial Number 16 Version Number 16 MODBUS Addr...

Page 5: ...g Green Power is applied serial activity is occurring Fast Red Blink Mass overrange temperature overrange totalizer overrange etc Slow Red Blink Valve override in effect Mounting Mount the instrument...

Page 6: ...first two threads entering the instrument This will minimize the possibility of tape entering the flow stream and clogging the flow path Face seal fittings can be installed without Teflon tape applie...

Page 7: ...7 Getting Started Pin Function 1 Analog Setpoint Input 2 Analog Signal Output 3 Ground 4 Power In 12 24V 5 Serial RS 232 Rx or RS 485 B 6 Serial RS 232 Tx or RS 485 A...

Page 8: ...g to increase response speed and stability for some applications Establishing Communication To connect your instrument to FlowVision 2 0 1 Download FlowVision 2 0 from alicat com flowvision and instal...

Page 9: ...field to use a percentage instead of a unit of measure d Resume clears the direct drive and returns to closed loop control 2 The totalizer limit mode shown in Instrument Settings Totalizer is unique...

Page 10: ...ponse of the previously issued command has been received the behavior of the instrument is undefined Establishing Communication Connect the instrument to a computer through a COM port or virtual COM p...

Page 11: ...64 Current batch remaining 128 Instrument Status Add the table values to request multiple data which will be returned in the order they appear in this table The total value must be an integer from 1...

Page 12: ...log input To read the current setpoint ramp rate unit_idSR To set a new setpoint ramp rate unit_idSR max_ramp_rate time_units max_ramp_rate is the new maximum setpoint ramp rate The value is a non neg...

Page 13: ...from 0 65535 The larger the igain the more aggressively the controller will correct errors between the commanded setpoint and the measured process value Example aLCG 500 5000 sets pgain to 500 and ig...

Page 14: ...will be unit _ id time avg _ temp avg _ flow where unit _ id The text ID of the instrument time The elapsed time that data has been acquired in milliseconds avg _ temp The average temperature during t...

Page 15: ...Methane To read the active gas unit_idGS To set the active gas unit_idGS gas_number gas_number is an integer from the table above Example aGS 8 flow methane on instrument A When reading or setting th...

Page 16: ...olume totalizer batch 2 Maximum temperature Example aFPF 2 returns the max temperature for Instrument A The data returned will be unit _ id value units where units is a text string indicating the unit...

Page 17: ...described in this manual to Protocol 1 described in the BASIS 1 manual To read the current command protocol unit_idP To switch from Protocol 2 to 1 unit_idP 1 To switch from Protocol 1 to 2 unit_idP2...

Page 18: ...t the response to function code 6 Write Single Register will echo the value provided by the master in the write and not the value of the register after the write For example if the setpoint register w...

Page 19: ...register 524 To set the desired setpoint write the setpoint as a signed 2 byte integer to register 33524 The setpoint is equal to the value after formatting with the factory set number of decimal plac...

Page 20: ...register 53 Batch Dispensing Batch dispensing controllers only flows a set volume of gas after which the valve closes and flow stops You can repeat batches To read the volume remaining for the curren...

Page 21: ...the selected gas remains unchanged Added in V3 0 0 2101 R 1 If set there is a mass flow overrange MOV condition 2 If set there is a temperature overrange TOV condition 4 If set there is a totalizer o...

Page 22: ...least significant register of the average flow of the last measurement address 4214 is read Added in V3 0 0 4201 R W The number of samples to take in a measurement an unsigned integer Each sample is...

Page 23: ...e Valve drive value 100 Added in V3 0 0 4210 R The minimum flow measured in the previously completed measurement a signed 2 byte integer Flow is equal to the value after formatting with the factory se...

Page 24: ...scale range of the flow an unsigned 4 byte integer in SCCM 39 W Write 0xAA55 43605 to tare instrument flow Note that performing a tare will interrupt any currently executing measurement 45 R W The MOD...

Page 25: ...eger 0 3000 Reference temperature C value 100 Added in V2 4 0 53 W Write 0xAA55 43605 to reset the total volume to 0 Added in V2 5 5 54 R W The totalizer behavior when the total volume reaches the max...

Page 26: ...available when the setpoint is being set via MODBUS communication and the Setpoint Source is set to unsaved digital see page 11 All other setpoint sources ASCII saved digital analog are not impacted b...

Page 27: ...the current instrument total volume units indicated in register 49 and scale formatted with the factory set number of decimals Added in V3 0 0 524 525 R W The maximum setpoint ramp controllers only Th...

Page 28: ...anage the setpoint using pin 1 analog in of the 6 pin connector The voltage current sent to the controller is proportional to the full range of the instrument The setpoint value should correspond line...

Page 29: ...n tape As noted on page 6 never tape the first two threads entering the instrument to help avoid this issue Issue My flow readings are negative Action Negative flow readings under no flow conditions c...

Page 30: ...has entered your instrument do not take apart the flow body to clean it as this will negate its NIST traceable calibration Please contact support for cleaning page 2 Recalibration BASIS 2 instruments...

Page 31: ...ubic meter per hour Sm d Nm3 d Cubic meter per day SCIM Cubic inch per minute SCFM Cubic foot per minute SCFH Cubic foot per hour SCFD Cubic foot per day Temperature Units C Degrees Celsius Time Units...

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