RPC Test Specs Model168UserGuideRev1.pdf

MODEL 168 TEST SET

INSTRUCTION MANUAL

RLC INSTRUMENT CO.

330-405-4433 (voice) 330-405-4463 (fax)

Suite #9 1410 Highland Road

Macedonia, OH 44056

USA

www.rlcinstrument.com

GENERAL

The Model 168 Test Set functions to automatically integrate DC current flow to measure the chloride permeability of concrete cores and cylinders as outlined in the ASTM Test Designation, C 1202-97. From 1 to 8 specimens may be tested simultaneously. The current range is 0 to 1 amperes. The integration or test time is automatically terminated at the recommended six hours or may be terminated manually at any time. The test status as defined by Elapsed Test Time, Current Level, Voltage Level, and Coulombs, is printed out for 1 to 8 cells at user selectable intervals. A manual printout can be obtained at any time. Multiple printouts of the final results can be obtain upon completion of the six hour test and up until a new test is started or power is removed from the test set. The printouts require a parallel MS-DOS compatible printer supplied by the end user.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION

The Model 168 Test Set consists of an aluminum, fan cooled enclosure measuring 17 inches wide, 8.75 inches high and 19 inches deep. Weight of the unit is approximately 36 pounds. The enclosure contains all electronics and readout necessary for performing the chloride permeability test on up to eight specimens. The device includes a parallel printer port and a serial communications port on the back panel. An AC power cable and four test cables fitted with color-coded banana sockets are included with the test set.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The Test Set consists of two main power supplies. The test voltage power supply is a linear regulated unit. The other power supply is a switching regulated unit, which supplies 5 volts and 12 volts for the measurement, display, and printer electronics. There are two main printed circuit board assemblies in the Test Set. The “Interface” circuit board formats the data, digitally integrates the currents, and controls displaying of data, printing of data, and controls reading of switches on front panel. The other “Measurement” circuit board is used for measuring the current flow through the cells, measuring the test voltage level, timing the test and directing the test voltage to selected cells. The current flow is measured as a voltage drop along a current sense resistor. The voltage drop’s common mode voltage (the test voltage) is then removed by an instrumentation amplifier. The voltage drop is then amplified by another instrumentation amplifier and then digitized. A crystal-based clock is used to allow display of elapsed test time, the 360-minute test time termination, the data digitization timing and the automatic printout cycle. The printout cycle does not interrupt the accumulation of new data. Data may be printed out at any time by the use of the manual printout switch. All tests are stopped automatically by test time completion. Individual tests are stopped before test completion by the current in the cell exceeding a preset hard limit of approximately 2.0 Amperes. Either an individual cell test or all tests may be aborted manually at any time.

OPERATING CONTROLS AND FRONT PANEL INDICATORS

Power Switch This switch is located on back panel above the AC power inlet. Energizes all test set internal power supplies.

Power LED This indicator is on the front panel and is on when test set is energized and 5V DC power supply is operating normally.

Test Volt Power LED This front panel indicator is on when the test set is energized and the Test Voltage power supply is operating above approximately 9.5 V DC. This is an indication the Test Voltage is operating.

Test Voltage Adjustment Potentiometers – Coarse & Fine Adjustments Allows adjustment of the Test Voltage (normally 60 volts) DC supply. Adjustment range is typically 10 to 60 volts DC.

Manual Print Switch Allows data printout at any time after test is started. After test completion multiple printouts of the final results can be obtained until a new test is started or power is removed from the test set. The switch is simply labeled “MANUAL” on the front panel.

Start Switch After the test parameters have been set and under normal start up conditions, depressing the Start switch will start the test. Test voltage (normally 60 volts) power is delivered to the selected test cells.

Stop Switch Removes Test voltage (normally 60 volts) from the selected (normally twelve) front panel Test Connectors. This also stops the test time from incrementing and stops measurements of the currents and the accumulation of those currents (Coulombs).

Reset Switch During the Test this switch is inoperative. Before the test starts the Stop and Reset switches are depressed simultaneously to enable the Start switch to start the test. After the test depressing the Reset switch clears the last results from the display.

Cell Position LEDs (1 through 8) Energized while test is in progress. De-energized when a position is not under test.

Test Abort Switches (1 through 8) Before starting the test toggles selection of cells for testing. Before the test is started the message “ON” is displayed for selected cells. The message “OFF” is displayed for cells that are not selected. Only information for cells that are selected is included in the printouts. During test these switches allow any individual cell test to be aborted manually. An “ABORT” is then displayed for that cell’s position on the display. The abort of an individual cell test is annotated on the printout and no further results for that position (cell) are printed.

Print X Switches Pushing the Print X switch changes the time increment of the automatic printout. This value defaults to 30 minutes upon Test Set power initialization. The time increment options available are 5, 10, 15, 30, and 60 minutes. The is also an “OFF” option that does not print values automatically.

Display The display shows the current in milliamps and the Coulombs for each selected cell during the test. The elapsed Test time in minutes and the Test voltage in volts are also displayed. The Program and Value switches control the display contrast.

Program and Value Switches The Program and Value switches control the display contrast. Pushing the Program switch increases the contrast value by one unit until the maximum contrast value is reached. Pushing the Value switch decreases the contrast value by one unit until the minimum contrast value is reached.

TYPICAL TEST SET UP

1. Condition a sample cell and insert in the test cell as per ASTM C 1202-97.

Connect the test leads to their mating connectors. If testing less than 8 cells, deselect the unused cell position numbers.

2. Turn Test Set Power switch on. The display will show a start up message for approximately 10 seconds. The display will then show the test voltage and the cell positions selected. Allow approximately 10 to 15 minutes warm up time for the test set. Adjust the Test Voltage potentiometers to obtain a test voltage reading of

60.0 volts DC.

3. Depress the Stop and Reset switches simultaneously to enable the Start switch to operate. A message showing “ARMED” will be shown on the display showing that the Test Set is ready for activation.

4. Depress the Start switch. The selected cell position LEDs should energize and current results should start to be displayed within one second. If necessary readjust the Test Voltage potentiometer to obtain a test voltage reading of 60.0 volts DC.

5. Pushing the Manual Print switch can check the printer operation. Activation of the printout will include one line showing the current of each cell selected and one line showing Coulomb results for cell selected along with a heading line showing the cell numbers. One heading line, one line with currents, and one line showing Coulombs will also be printed for each user selected time interval during the test.

The test will terminate automatically after the 360-minute printout. After test completion multiple printouts of the final results can be obtained until a new test is started or power is removed from the test set.

6. If the specimen diameter is other than 3.75 inches, the value for total charged passed must be adjusted. See the ASTM C 1202 specification for the required adjustment calculation.

ACCURACY AND FUNCTIONALITY CHECK TEST SET UP

1. Connect the No. 1 test cell cable to a dummy load for test purposes. Make sure cell number 1 is selected. A dummy load, which will draw about 0.3 amps at 60 volts, can be made from a 200 ohm 25 watt resistor. These resistors are available from most electrical supply houses, Newark, Pioneer, etc. Make sure the resistor’s surface is away from combustible material. This resistor will get HOT!

2. Turn Test Set Power switch on. The display will show a start up message for approximately 10 seconds. The display will then show the test voltage and the cell positions selected. Allow approximately 10 to 15 minutes warm up time for the test set. Adjust the Test Voltage potentiometers to obtain a test voltage reading of

60.0 volts DC.

3. Depress the Stop and Reset switches simultaneously to enable the Start switch to operate. A message showing “ARMED” will be shown on the display indicating that the Test Set is ready for activation.

4. Depress the Start switch. The selected cell position LED should energize and current results should start to be displayed within one second. If necessary readjust the Test Voltage potentiometer to obtain a test voltage reading of 60.0 volts DC.

5. Pushing the Manual Print switch can check the printer operation. Activation of the printout will include one line showing the current of each cell selected and one line showing Coulomb results for cell selected along with a heading line showing the cell numbers. One heading line, one line with currents, and one line showing Coulombs will also be printed for each user selected time interval during the test.

The test will terminate automatically after the 360-minute printout. After test completion multiple printouts of the final results can be obtained until a new test is started or power is removed from the test set.

6. The current displayed and printed should be approximately equal to the test voltage divided by the dummy resistor value. The accuracy of the resistor and the resistor’s temperature coefficient will determine its actual resistance value and hence the accuracy of this quick test.

SPECIFICATIONS

Voltage Range The Test Voltage adjustment range (normally set to 60 volts) of the DC supply is typically 30 to 60 volts DC. The Test Voltage is regulated for load and line voltage changes.

Total Current Range Total current range is from 0 to 6 amps DC.

Coulombs (amp-Sec) Range Coulomb range is from 0 to 99,999 Coulombs (amp-Sec).

Elapsed Test Time Test time elapsed is displayed in one minute increments.

Display Readouts The resolution Test Voltage displayed is 0.1 volt. The display of Current is four digits with a resolution of 1 milliamp. The display of Coulombs is five digits with a resolution of 1 Coulomb. The readouts for the twelve specimens are displayed simultaneously.

Coulomb Integrator The Coulomb results are digitally integrated.

Printout Internal printer printing results for each specimen, test voltage, test time and messages at user selectable time intervals or by pressing manual switch.

Printout Interval Automatic printout defaults to 30-minute intervals. Test and printouts terminate automatically after 360 minutes. User can select automatic printout intervals of 5, 10, 15, 30, or 60 minutes.

Manual Printout Can be implemented at any time during test by actuating push button switch.

Clocks Clocks are all crystal oscillator based.

Test Stop The test can be terminated automatically by normal test time run out or exceeding the approximately 2.0 Ampere current limits. All tests can be manually aborted at any time by depressing the Stop switch. An individual test can be aborted by depressing the selected test cell’s Abort switch.