Mounting
Mount the unit on a bench, table top or shelf in a
horizontal position and operate at least ten inches
from any air obstructions to the fan, front, rear
panel, bottom and top of the unit, in an ambient
environment between the specified 0 to 50°C
(32 to 122°F).
Your unit was shipped to you with a wood plug
installed in the heater cavity to prevent damage dur-
ing shipping. This plug must be removed before using
your calibrator.
Ambient Temperature
The target plate of the BB-4A can achieve any
temperature within the specified temperature range
when being operated in normal ambient temperature
environments. The maximum specified heater cavity
temperature of 982°C (1800°F) can be achieved over
the entire specified ambient temperature range.
Front Panel
Process Temperature:
This field displays the current temperature of the
target plate.
Setpoint Temperature:
This field displays the desired target plate
temperature. Once the target plate reaches this
desired temperature, both displays will read the same
value.
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Using This Quick Start Manual
Use this Quick Start Manual with your BB-4A
Blackbody Calibrator for easy installation and
basic operation. For detailed information, refer to
the User’s Guide (Manual # M3264).
PRECAUTIONS:
• Follow all safety precautions and operating
instructions outlined in this quick start and
accompanying User’s Guide.
• Never leave your calibrator unattended when in
use.
• Keep out of reach of all children.
• Remove the cavity wood shipping plug before use.
• Never touch the heater cavity when hot.
• Never place any object within 3 inches of the
cavity opening when hot.
• Do not operate in flammable or explosive
environments.
• Never operate with a power cord other than the
one provided with your unit.
• Remove and or disconnect main power cord
before attempting any maintenance or fuse
replacement.
• Do not connect and or operate this unit to a
non-grounded, non-polarized outlet or power
source.
• Do not connect the serial port or reference
probe port to equipment with exposed,
hazardous, live voltages.
• Protect from moisture and rain.
• The operator of this instrument is advised that if
the equipment is used in a manner not specified
in this manual, the protection provided by the
equipment may be impaired.
General Information
The Model BB4A is a portable, rugged, bench-
top, blackbody calibrator source with a built-in
precision PID digital controller. The calibrator is
used to test and calibrate infrared pyrometers.
The heater cavity, with 21.66 mm (0.88") aperture,
has an emissivity of 0.99 and can be set to any
temperature between 100 to 982°C (212 to 1800°F).
Parameter/Access Key:
Press to scroll through menu parameters.
Raise Key:
Press to increase the selected parameter or scroll
upward in the list of possible settings.
Lower Key:
Press to decrease the selected parameter or scroll
downward in the list of possible settings.
Mode Key:
Press to save settings and exit a menu level.
Back Panel
AC Power Mains Input and Fuse Compartment:
The customer connects the power cord to the AC
Power Input. As a safety precaution, the power cord
cannot be connected if the fuse compartment is open.
Refer to the User’s Guide for information on fuse
replacement.
Reference Probe Connection:
The reference probe enables the user to monitor the
target plate temperature with an external instrument.
A “K” type thermocouple reference output is
provided.
RS232 Communications Port:
The Female DB-9 port allows the customer to make a
3-wire RS232 interface with the BB-4A.
Thermal Reset Switch
In the event that the target plate temperature
and/or ambient temperature exceed the
acceptable limit, this reset switch will pop open.
The controller will appear to be demanding
a temperature increase but the target plate
temperature will not rise. Let the unit cool down,
completely. Press the switch located on the right
side of the unit, behind the carry handle until a
click is heard. If this has no effect, refer to the
troubleshooting section in the User’s Guide.
Changing the Temperature Setpoint
The BB-4A’s upper display indicates the
blackbody target plate temperature known as
(PV) Process Variable, while the lower display
indicates the programmed setpoint known as
(SV) Setpoint Variable. Making changes to the
setpoint, units of measure (°F/°C) and
communication settings (BAUD, etc.) are made
via the
and
keys.
Holding a key in, continuously, will cause the
setpoint temperature to advance more quickly
to a desired value. Three scanning speeds are
provided: slow, medium and fast. The minimum
and maximum setpoints are locked.
Menu Heat Up/Cool Down Cycle Time Tables
Approximate cycle times for heat up and cool
down are given in the table above. To find a
given transition time from an initial temperature
to a second target temperature follow this
procedure: Look for an initial temperature in the
left column. Next, look for the target temperature
along the top row. The intersection of the row
and column provides the approximate transition
time.
BB-4A
212F/100C
Temperature
Range
1800F/982C
TM
SETPOINT TEMPERATURE
PROCESS TEMPERATURE
HEATER CAVITY
MODE KEY
TEMPERATURE RANGE
REFERENCE BAR
LOWER SETPOINT KEY
RAISE SETPOINT KEY
PARAMETER/
ACCESS KEY
ON/STAND-BY
POWER SWITCH
AC MAINS POWER INPUT
AND FUSE COMPARTMENT
TC REFERENCE
PROBE CONNECTION
FAN
FUSE
RS-232 COMMUNICATIONS PORT
NOTE:
121ºC
538ºC
982ºC
121ºC
25 min. 40 min.
250ºF
538ºC
60 min. 30 min. 1000ºF
982ºC 140 min. 30 min. 1800ºF
250ºF
1000ºF 1800ºF
TO:
TO:
FROM:
FROM: