VIBRATING WIRE

READ OUT UNIT

AIM 875-500
INTRODUCTION

AIM 875-500 Vibrating Wire Indicator with engineering units display is a microprocessor based
indicator for use with AIMIL range of Vibrating Wire Transducers. It can display the measured
frequency in terms of time period, frequency, frequency squared or the value of the measured
parameter directly in proper engineering units.

The indicator can store calibration coefficients of up to 500 vibrating wire transducers so that the
value of the measured parameter from these transducers can be shown directly in proper
engineering units. The user does not have to refer to look up tables or manually calculate the
parameter values.

For transducers with a built in interchangeable thermistor, it can also display the temperature of
the transducer directly in degree Centigrade.

The indicator has an internal non-volatile memory with sufficient capacity to store about 2000
readings from any of the 500-programmed transducers in any combination. That is to say, that
2000 readings from any one transducer can be stored, 4 sets of readings from all 500 transducers
can be stored and anything in the middle can be stored. Each reading is stamped with the date
and time that the measurement was taken on.

The stored readings can either be uploaded to a host computer using the serial interface or can be
printed out on any text printer equipped with an RS-232C serial communication interface. The
setup information (calibration coefficients) for all the channels can also be printed out for
verification.
Setting up the indicator is easy as all the prompts and error messages are in plain simple English
language. Power on self-tests and a separate test mode operation for more detailed diagnostics
are an added advantage.

An internal 6V rechargeable sealed maintenance free battery is used to provide power to the
indicator. A fully charged new battery provides nearly 60 hours of operation on a single charge.
A separate battery charger is provided with the indicator to charge the internal battery from 230
V AC mains.
2. DESCRIPTION

The indicator is housed in a weather-proof housing. Connectors for making connections to the
vibrating wire transducer and the battery charger are provided.

Aside from this, the only visible part of the indicator is the display and front panel sticker. This
section gives a brief description of the features of the front panel and a couple of additional
controls.

2.1 Display

The display is a 20 character 4 line LCD display. It can display any English alphabet, numbers
and a number of special symbols. The display is used to show the measured value, date, time,
and either the frequency or its square. The display also toggles between the temperature
measured and the percentage of battery life remaining.

2.2 On / off switch

A toggle switch is provided on the right hand side face of the indicator. This switch is used to
turn on or off power to the indicator. The ‘On’ and ‘Off’ direction are marked on the front panel
adjacent to the switch location.

2.3 Keypad

CH No. / In the measurement mode this button is used to select the transducer
EXP. number (channel number) whose reading is to be measured, to be
stored or to be recalled.

In the number entry mode it is used to enter the exponent of a floating

point number (1.2345E6).
Send / ‘—‘ In the measurement mode this button will start the process of
uploading data to a host computer connected to the RS-232C serial
communication port of the indicator.

In the number entry mode it is used to enter the minus sign (-1.2345).
RECALL / 1 Used to recall previously stored readings.

In the number entry mode it is used to enter the numeric digit 1

(1.2315).
UP / 2 In the measurement mode this button is used to increase the
brightness of the LCD Display.

In the number entry mode it is used to enter the numeric digit 2

(2.1325).
PRINT / 3 The print function can be activated for old printers which have a serial
 connection facility on request at the factory only at the time of placing
the order.

In the number entry mode it is used to enter the numeric digit 3

(3.2135).
ESC. / CLR In the number entry mode this button is used to clear an erroneous
entry. It should be noted that the whole number entered earlier will be
erased by pressing this button; it is not possible to erase any single
incorrect digit.

In all other modes it is used to terminate an unwanted command,

which may have been erroneously selected or activated.
PERIOD / ‘.’ In the measurement mode this button is used to display the time
period of the gathered frequency.

In the number entry mode it is used to enter the decimal point

(1.2345).
PREV / 4 In the recall mode this button is used to display the previous saved
reading.

In number entry mode it is used to enter the numeric digit 4 (4.2145).

FF / 5 In the recall and in measurement mode this button is used to display
the ‘Frequency squared’ value of the measured and saved frequency
respectively.

In the number entry mode it is used to enter the numeric digit 5

(5.2154).
NEXT / 6 In the recall mode this button is used to display the next saved
reading.

In the number entry mode it is used to enter the numeric digit 6

(6.2165).
ENTER / In the number entry mode this button is used to communicate to the
SETUP indicator that the number entry is complete and the value can be
accepted by the indicator.

In all other modes it is used as a confirmation key whenever prompted

by the display to do so.

With a special power on sequence this key allows entry to the setup
mode so that the calibration coefficients of the transducers can be
entered, stored and logged data can be erased.
TIME / 0 In the measurement mode this button is used to change the time of the
device.

In the number entry mode it is used to enter the numeric digit 0

 (0.2105).
DATE / 7 In the measurement mode it is used to change the date of the device.

In the number entry mode it is used to enter the numeric digit 7

(7.2175).
DOWN / 8 In the measurement mode it is used to decrease the brightness of the
LCD Display.

In the number entry mode it is used to enter the numeric digit 8

(8.1385).
STORE / 9 In the measurement mode it stores the currently displayed reading in
the internal memory.

In the number entry mode it is used to enter the numeric digit 9

(9.1395).