User manual
EXPERT 2K-FA
Pag. 25 of 25 Issue 2 – May 2011
9. PROTECTIONS / ALARMS
The SPE EXPERT 2K-FA has a sophisticated protection system that constantly
monitors and controls the amplifier’s most important parameters.
These parameters are:
Temperature of the heatsink; max. / min. voltage on the PA; max. PA current; SWR;
reflected power; max voltage RF on the tuner; input power; power combiner balance.
The protection system is effected in two different ways:
1)
Through hardware circuits to guarantee minimum intervention time.
2)
Through software, with one of the two CPU’s, to guarantee the maximum
precision.
The two results are always compared, every difference produces a protection trip and
consequent alarm.
There are three types of protections/alarms:
a)
SIMPLE
This is the most common case. An acoustic warning beep
sounds, but no operator intervention is required, as the control
system automatically restores the correct operating conditions.
b)
SERIOUS When automatic system recovery is not possible (e.g. the
temperature climbs over the limits due to obstruction of the fans,
SWR is too high, etc.). In this case the amplifier switches into
standby state and the alarm is stored. Normally transmission can
continue with the exciter only.
c)
FATAL
If the amplifier is in the b) situation but one CPU is faulty or it isn’t
able to operate or some fault appears in the power supply, the
amplifier is turned OFF with no other warning. To restart the
amplifier, the main switch in the rear panel has to be set first to
[O], and then to the [I] position.
Note: it is possible to read the alarm history in the standby mode using [SET] and
then [ALARMS LOG] keys, to reset the alarm file press [TUNE] and
[OPERATE] keys together.
For further details, please consult the next paragraphs
.
Note: if the acoustic alarm is very frequent during transmission, the possible causes
should be investigated.
Note: before the temperature limits are reached (76°C), the output power will change
from MAX to MID automatically and then possibly from MID to LOW, so that
transmission with the amplifier may continue with reduced power.
If the temperature, in LOW, is allowed to rise further, a “SERIOUS“ alarm
will eventually be activated and the linear switched in STBY.
Note: during a SERIOUS alarm, there is an acoustic alarm for 10 sec. Pressing the
[DISPLAY] key, the system changes to ‘STANDBY’ state immediately.
Note: ATTENTION :when a “FATAL” alarm occurs, immediately contact your reseller.