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CAENels CT-BOX User Manual

Digital current measurement & calibration system
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CT-BOX
Digital Current
Measurement & Calibration System
<
DC Current Transducers
User's Manual
All Rights Reserved
© CAEN ELS s.r.l.
Rev. 1.4 – March 2018
1

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Summary of Contents for CAENels CT-BOX

  • Page 1 CT-BOX Digital Current Measurement & Calibration System < DC Current Transducers User’s Manual All Rights Reserved © CAEN ELS s.r.l. Rev. 1.4 – March 2018...
  • Page 2 CAEN ELS s.r.l. c/o AREA Science Park S.S. 14 km 163,5 - 34149 Basovizza (TS) Italy Mail: info@caenels.com Web: www.caenels.com...

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    ...................10 ERSIONS ..............12 TART PERATION IN TEPS 1.4.1 Package Content ...................12 1.4.2 Connect the CT-BOX ................13 1.4.3 Turn On the CT-BOX ................14 1.4.4 CT-BOX Viewer Installation..............14 1.4.5 Connect and Play ..................15 1.4.5.1 Ethernet Communication ...............15 1.4.5.2 USB Communication ..............15 ...............17...
  • Page 4 CT-BOX User’s Manual 2.3.10 TIME Command ................56 2.3.11 DATE Command ................57 CONNECTORS AND INTERFACES ............58 ................58 THERNET NTERFACE USB I ..................59 NTERFACE 3.2.1 Firmware Upgrade................60 ..................62 OWER ONNECTOR I/O C ..................63 ONNECTOR 3.4.1 External Temperature Sensor ..............64 DCCT C ...................65 ONNECTOR ..................65...
  • Page 5 CT-BOX User’s Manual Document Revision Date Comment June 23 2015 Draft release January 28 2016 First Release December 23 2016 Address Changed New technical February 8 2017 specifications added as from recent tests December 10 2017 New features added Data Representation...
  • Page 6 CT-BOX User’s Manual Safety information - Warnings CAEN ELS will repair or replace any product within the guarantee period if the Guarantor declares that the product is defective due to workmanship or materials and has not been caused by mishandling, negligence on behalf of the User, accident or any abnormal conditions or operations.
  • Page 7 CT-BOX User’s Manual Read over the instruction manual carefully before using the instrument. The following precautions should be strictly observed before using the CT-BOX device: • Do not use this product in any manner not WARNING specified by the manufacturer. The protective features of this product may be impaired if it is used in a manner not specified in this manual.
  • Page 8 CT-BOX User’s Manual The following table shows the general environmental requirements for a correct operation of the instrument: Environmental Conditions Requirements Operating Temperature 10°C to 40°C Operating Humidity 30% to 85% RH (non-condensing) Storage Temperature -10°C to 60°C Storage Humidity...

  • Page 9: Introduction

    100 kHz which allows the acquisition of high frequency components and fast current transients for data analysis. The CT-BOX is housed in a light, robust and extremely compact metallic box that can be also installed in 1U – 19” rack with the available optional mounting brackets.

  • Page 10: The Ct-Box At A Glance

    The power switch, display, status led indicators and communication connectors are placed on the front side of the CT-BOX unit. The power button is used to switch on or switch off the device. This switch does not fully disconnect the device from the mains...
  • Page 11 The I/O connector is an expansion connector that allows to connect an additional external temperature sensor, triggers and alarm. The CT-series connector is used to connect the CT-BOX unit with its calibrated CT-series DCCT head. The analog output monitor gives a voltage value, which is proportional to the measured current (the analog monitor has worse accuracy respect to the digital acquisition).

  • Page 12: Ct-Box Versions

    CT-BOX User’s Manual 1.3 CT-BOX Versions The CT-BOX unit is available in the following versions, depending on the maximum current measuring range: Product Code Ordering Code Description 100A Current Transducer Digital Box with Local Display CT-BOX-100 WCTBOX100XAA and Ethernet, USB, RS-232 Communication Interfaces...
  • Page 13 CT-BOX User’s Manual The ordering code for the additional mounting bracket is the following: Product Code Ordering Code Description CT-BOX Mounting Brackets for 1U - 19" cabinet CT-BOX-MB WCTBOXMBXAAA installation Table 3: CT-BOX optional mounting brackets...

  • Page 14: Start Operation In 5 Steps

    1.4 Start Operation in 5 Steps The CT-BOX can be operated straightforward following these simple steps. 1.4.1 Package Content The CT-BOX bundle is composed of six different items. Please check that all the listed elements are present upon receipt of the package. ①...

  • Page 15: Connect The Ct-Box

    1.4.2 Connect the CT-BOX Please connect the CT-BOX central unit ① to the AC power line with the provided cable – i.e. item ③ - as shown hereafter.

  • Page 16: Turn On The Ct-Box

    CT-BOX User’s Manual 1.4.3 Turn On the CT-BOX Turn on the CT-BOX central unit ① by switching the power button on the front panel of the unit to “1” – i.e. ON – position. Figure 6: Power switch ON position Once the device powers up, the display and LEDs should turn on and light up.

  • Page 17: Connect And Play

    CT-BOX User’s Manual Please refer to the “CT-BOX Viewer - Quick Start Guide” to check all features and capabilities of the control software. 1.4.5 Connect and Play There are two suggested ways to communicate with the CT-BOX central unit, using the provided USB cable or a standard Ethernet connection. Both of them are described hereafter.
  • Page 18 CT-BOX User’s Manual Follow the instructions and communication setting presented in the section “USB Interface” hereafter in this document.

  • Page 19: Start-Up Configuration

    Please note that these two alternate configurations are only valid for start-up and they do not affect the other functionalities of the unit in any manner. These start-up modes can be set by a DIP switch placed on the rear side of the CT-BOX enclosure. 1.5.1 Saved Configuration The CT-BOX starts with the last saved configuration that was configured to the device.

  • Page 20: Temperature Stabilization

    CT-BOX User’s Manual Figure 11: Desktop Configuration at start-up This configuration is extremely useful when there is the need to use the CT-BOX as a simple readout indicator of a current that needs to be measured as it could be in cases of direct measurement on the field or in laboratory desktop setups.

  • Page 21: Software Commands

    The CT-BOX commands and replies syntax is described in the following sections: • Commands to the CT-BOX must be sent in ASCII format and are composed of a “command field” and one, two or none “parameter fields”, separated by a colon (‘:’...
  • Page 22 Commands are processed one at a time; therefore, user must wait for a response from the unit before sending the next command. • Replies FROM the CT-BOX are all formatted in upper case and are terminated with the ‘carriage return\line feed’ sequence (‘\r\n’). The reply from the device depends on the specific command;...
  • Page 23 ‘\r\n’ is the termination sequence of the reply. The list of commands used by the CT-BOX and the corresponding syntax is hereafter presented as well as a description of each command purpose and any special requirements related to the specific command. The commands are described and grouped in categories based on their purpose.

  • Page 24: Data Representation

    CT-BOX User’s Manual • Oscilloscope commands, that are used only in oscilloscope mode of operation, are marked with the following blue icon: • Data-logger commands, that are used only in data-logger mode of operation, are marked with the following green icon: 2.1.1 Data Representation...
  • Page 25 0x00 001F represents the acquisition #31. The fourth byte represents the status code of CT-BOX. The bit meanings are shown in the following table (#8 is the MSB): Status Code Bit # Bit Name...
  • Page 26 The first value field indicates the acquisition sequence number in ASCII integer decimal representation. This value is reset ad every acquisition start. The second 8-bit field represents the status of the CT-BOX as described in the Oscilloscope mode. The third, fourth and fifth numbers represent the measurements in ASCII fractional decimal representation.
  • Page 27 CT-BOX User’s Manual The acquisitions in the Data-logger mode have a variable character’s length. For additional information regarding the optional temperature fields, please see the ACQT command.

  • Page 28: Basic Commands

    CT-BOX device. 2.2.1 MODE Command The MODE command allows selecting the mode of operation of the CT-BOX device. Two modes of operation can be selected for the measurements acquisition: • Oscilloscope: this mode of operation allows to obtain the measurements up to 100 kHz, letting to acquire high frequency components and fast current transients;...
  • Page 29 CT-BOX User’s Manual Examples: MODE example for Oscilloscope mode set: MODE:OSC\r ACK\r\n MODE read example: MODE:?\r OSC\r\n...

  • Page 30: Get Command

    CT-BOX User’s Manual 2.2.2 GET Command The purpose of the GET command is to read back the actual measured current. The syntax of the command is the following: “GET\r”. The returned data depends on the selected mode of operation and the relative sampling period. The format of the returned measurement is always expressed in ASCII floating number with 7 decimals numbers in Ampere [A] with the ‘\r\n’...

  • Page 31: Gett Command

    The purpose of the GETT command is to read the temperature of the CT-sensor head or of the connected external temperature sensor. For more information regarding the external temperature sensor, see the CT-BOX overview chapter. The syntax of the command is the following: “GETT:HEAD\r”...

  • Page 32: Acq Command

    2.2.4 ACQ Command The ACQ command starts or stops the current measurements acquisition from the CT-BOX device. This command can be used in both modes: Oscilloscope and Data- logger. The instrument starts to acquire the measurements as soon as the command “ACQ:ON\r”...
  • Page 33 CT-BOX User’s Manual 0x00 0x00AB03 0x41200000\r\n 0x00 0x00AB04 0x41200069\r\n 0x00 0x00AB05 0x41200073\r\n ACQ:OFF\r ACK\r\n ACQ ON example in Oscilloscope mode with PRINT enabled afterwards (note in this case the first acquisition 0x01 – 0x10 are not displayed, because the PRINT command...

  • Page 34: Print Command

    CT-BOX User’s Manual 2.2.5 PRINT Command The PRINT command allows enabling or disabling the printing of the measured data to the communication stream. This command can be used in both modes: Oscilloscope and Data-logger. The printing to the communication stream is enabled as soon as the command “PRINT:ON\r”...

  • Page 35: Ts Command

    Oscilloscope mode, where sampling_interval is the time interval expressed in µs in the interval [10 – 1.000.000], with incremental step of 10. When the TS command is correctly processed, the CT-BOX replies with an acknowledge (“ACK\r\n”). The command used to read the actual TS setting is: “TS:?\r”. The reply to the read command is in the following form: “sampling_interval\r\n”, where...

  • Page 36: Freq Command

    The command “FREQ:sampling_freq\r” is used to set the sampling interval for the Data-logger mode, where sampling_freq is the frequency expressed in Hz in the interval [0.1 – 10]. When the TS command is correctly processed, the CT-BOX replies with an acknowledge (“ACK\r\n”).

  • Page 37: Acqt Command

    ‘100’: DCCT head temperature readings enabled; ‘110’: External sensor and DCCT head temperature readings enabled. When the ACQT command is correctly processed, the CT-BOX replies with an acknowledge (“ACK\r\n”). The command used to read the actual ACQT setting is: “ACQT:?\r”. The reply to the read command is in the following form: “xxx\r\n”, where xxx is the ASCII number...

  • Page 38: Ver Command

    CT-BOX User’s Manual 2.2.9 VER Command The VER command allows to read the information about the CT-BOX firmware version. The reply to the “VER\r” command is in following format: “firmware_release\r\n”, where firmware_release indicates the installed CT-BOX firmware release. Example: VER example:...

  • Page 39: Ctbox Command

    The command “CTBOX:DES:?\r” can be used to read the serial number of the CT-BOX device. This command is factory defined and so it is read-only. The reply to this command is in following format: “serial_number\r\n”, where serial_number indicates the unit serial number.

  • Page 40: Dcct Command

    The command “DCCT:DES:?\r” can be used to read the model and serial number of the DCCT Head who is calibrated with the CT-BOX. Also this command is factory defined and so it is read-only. The reply to this command is in following format: “model_serial_number\r\n”, where serial_number indicates the DCCT Head serial...

  • Page 41: Pturns Command

    The PTURNS command allows to configure the number of turns applied to the CT-sensor head in order to scale the CT-BOX readings by the factor of turns N. The factory defined number of turns is #1 (no turns applied to the primary conductor).
  • Page 42 CT-BOX User’s Manual PTURNS example to set the number of turns to 3: PTURNS:3\r ACK\r\n PTURNS read: PTURNS:?\r 3\r\n...

  • Page 43: Offset Command

    CT-BOX User’s Manual 2.2.13 OFFSET Command The CT-BOX device is already factory-calibrated during the production process. However, at power-up the device has a very small offset error (<10 ppm), due to the intrinsic magnetic properties of the DCCT technology. In order to have a very accurate measure it is possible to null also this offset.

  • Page 44: Status Command

    CT-BOX User’s Manual 2.2.14 STATUS Command The CT-BOX has an internal status register that shows the actual status and configuration of the instrument. The command used to read the status register is “STATUS:?\r”. The reply to the read command is in the following form: “status_register\r\n”, where status_register is the ASCII representation of the internal...

  • Page 45: Err Command

    CT-BOX User’s Manual 2.2.15 ERR Command The CT-BOX has an internal Error register that shows the eventual error status of the device that could occurred during the normal device operation. Reading this register allows to identify the actual error(s) of the device. The command used to read the error register is “ERR:?\r”.
  • Page 46 CT-BOX User’s Manual Type of Parameter Command description Return value command Reset the Error register ASCII representation of the internal Error Read the Error register Read register value. Table 20: ERR command Examples: Error register read example (for example the value 0x10001 indicates that there was an SD mount error –...

  • Page 47: Advanced Commands

    2.3.1 ALARM Command The CT-BOX allows to detect when the measured current is outside of a desired current range. The command that sets this functionality is called ALARM command. The alarm checks are performed at the selected acquisition frequency, so they depend over the: •...
  • Page 48 CT-BOX User’s Manual ALARM Command – limit set: (ALARM:parameter#1:parameter#2\r) Type of Parameter#1 Parameter #2 Command description Return value command Set the upper limit current ULIM Current in Amps threshold Read the upper limit current Upper threshold limit in ULIM Read...
  • Page 49 CT-BOX User’s Manual Examples: ALARM checking enabling example: ALARM:ON\r ACK\r\n ALARM Upper Threshold limit set to 100A example: ALARM:ULIM:100\r ACK\r\n ALARM:ULIM:?\r 100\r\n...

  • Page 50: Save Command

    CT-BOX User’s Manual 2.3.2 SAVE Command The SAVE command allows to enable or disable saving the measured data to the external SD-card. This function works only in the Data-Logger mode. This function is disabled in the Oscilloscope mode, because the acquired data quantity is too large to be transferred on the SD-card.

  • Page 51: Sd Command

    The SD command allows to manage the SD memory card. When the SD card is inserted in the appropriate slot it must be mounted before the CT-BOX can use it. The command “SD:MOUNT\r” allows to mount the SD-card. Otherwise the SD card must be unmounted before it is removed from the CT-BOX device.
  • Page 52 “SD:READ:sd_filename\r” command, where the : “sd_filename” stands for the filename of the file which contents are needed. The CT-BOX replies with the stream of data which is identical as the data in the selected file. After the data are printed the CT- BOX sends the acknowledge (“ACK\r\n”) to inform the user that the operation...

  • Page 53: Trg Command

    2.3.4 TRG Command The CT-BOX has also two external trigger signals (trigger in and trigger out), which can be used to synchronize the acquisition of different CT-BOX units or to relate the acquisition to an external event (triggered acquisition). Triggered Acquisition 2.3.4.1...
  • Page 54 CT-BOX User’s Manual acquisition. If a sequence number is equal to 0, a rising edge of the trigger signal was detected. Examples: Triggered acquisition example in Oscilloscope mode with PRINT enabled: TRG:IN\r ACK\r\n ACQ:ON\r ACK\r\n 0x00 0x000001 0x41200000\r\n 0x00 0x000002 0x41200000\r\n ……….\r\n...

  • Page 55: Ip Command

    CT-BOX User’s Manual 2.3.5 IP Command The IP address of CT-BOX can be changed with the IP command. The command “IP:ip_address\r” has to be used to set the new IP address, where the “ip_address” stands for desired IP address in ASCII format (123.456.789.123). After the successful IP address change the CT-BOX replies with an acknowledge (“ACK\r\n”).

  • Page 56: Mask Command

    CT-BOX User’s Manual 2.3.6 MASK Command The Ethernet Subnet mask of the Ethernet communication of the CT-BOX can be changed with the MASK command. The command “MASK:subnet_mask\r” has to be used to set the new subnet mask, where the “subnet_mask” stands for desired subnet mask in ASCII format (e.g.

  • Page 57: Port Command

    20001. Application that receives the data must bind a datagram socket to this port. If required, this port can be changed using “PORT:#port\r” command to satisfy user’s specific needs, e.g. if multiple CT-BOX are connected to the same host, each one can send data to different port.

  • Page 58: Time Command

    CT-BOX User’s Manual 2.3.10 TIME Command The CT-BOX contains also a Real-Time Clock (RTC). The RTC time can be read using the “TIME:?\r” command. The CT-BOX replies with the “time\r\n”, where the time is ASCII formatted string: hours.minutes.seconds. This setting is used in the Data-Logger mode.

  • Page 59: Date Command

    CT-BOX User’s Manual 2.3.11 DATE Command The RTC date can be read using the “DATE:?\r” command. The CT-BOX replies with the “date\r\n”, where the date is ASCII formated string: day.month.year. This setting is used in the Data-Logger mode. The RTC can be changed with the “DATE: date \r” command, where the date stands for ASCII formatted string: day.month.year.

  • Page 60: Connectors And Interfaces

    20001 Table 33: Factory Ethernet settings Even if the CT-BOX device can be connected to a LAN network, a point-to- point Ethernet connection is strongly recommended in order to obtain minimum delay, maximum data rate performance and to avoid possible communication problems – i.e.

  • Page 61: Usb Interface

    • dpinst_x86.exe for a 32-bits OS version; • dpinst_amd64.exe for a 64-bits OS version. When the USB is connected with the CT-BOX a COM port will be recognized and under the Device Manager it is possible to view the associated COM port:...

  • Page 62: Firmware Upgrade

    After the installation, prepare the CT-BOX for the firmware update, following the subsequent steps: • Switch OFF the CT-BOX unit using the main switch, present on the front panel of the device; • Set the SWITCH #1 on the rear panel to be positioned high, as illustrated in Figure 17;...
  • Page 63 Figure 18: DfuSe Demonstration • Under Upgrade or Verify Action (Figure 19), click on “Choose” and select the new firmware file (.dfu) to download into the CT-BOX: Figure 19: DfuSe Upgrade setup • Check the boxes “Verify after download” (Figure 19) and click “Upgrade”;...

  • Page 64: Power Connector

    CT-BOX User’s Manual • The DfuSe will download the new firmware in the CT-BOX and verify the operation; • Switch OFF the CT-BOX; • Set the SWITCH #1 on the rear panel to be positioned low, as illustrated in Figure 20;...

  • Page 65: I/O Connector

    CT-BOX User’s Manual 3.4 I/O Connector The I/O connector is an expansion connector that allows connecting different signal and to interface the unit to the external environment. An additional external temperature sensor, triggers and alarm can be all connected and are available on this I/O connector type, a standard D-SUB DA-15S (female).

  • Page 66: External Temperature Sensor

    Figure 22: I/O connector description – rear panel 3.4.1 External Temperature Sensor The CT-BOX can read the temperature of the DCCT head with a sensor that is integrated into the 0-FLUCS current sensor. Data are transmitted on the DE-9 to DE-9 cables and this feature is completely transparent for the user which is able to read the sensor internal temperature value on the software.

  • Page 67: Dcct Connector

    CT-BOX. It is for this reason that it is suggested to use this monitor signal mainly for debugging purposes – e.g. connecting to an oscilloscope – and to use the CT-BOX as...

  • Page 68: Sd-Card Socket

    CT-BOX User’s Manual Figure 25: Analog Output connector The performance of this output monitor is guaranteed only when connecting a load – e.g. oscilloscope input, etc. – with equivalent impedance higher than 500 kΩ. 3.7 SD-Card Socket The SD-Card slot on the rear side of the unit can host a Micro SD-Card with the...

  • Page 69: Technical Specifications

    CT-BOX User’s Manual 4. Technical Specifications Main technical specifications for the CT-BOX unit are shown in the following table: Characteristic Value 90 – 260 VAC AC Line Input 46 - 440 Hz Maximum Power Consumption 30 W Current Accuracy < 0.005%...

  • Page 70: Noise

    4.1 Noise The CT-BOX noise depends over the averaging performed by the device, this affecting the ENOB (Effective Number Of Bits). In the following graph the CT-BOX noise characteristic and the equivalent ENOB are represented: Figure 26: Typical Noise in terms of ppm/FS for different sampling rates and equivalent...

  • Page 71: Mechanical Dimensions

    CT-BOX User’s Manual 5. Mechanical Dimensions The mechanical dimensions of the CT-BOX unit, including connectors, are hereafter presented: Figure 27: CT-BOX mechanical dimensions...
  • Page 72 CT-BOX User’s Manual Figure 28: CT-BOX with Mounting Brackets...

  • Page 73: Appendix

    6. Appendix 6.1 List of Error Codes The CT-BOX unit replies with a Not AcKnowledge (“NAK”) if the received command is not correct or it is not accepted. This “NAK” reply is followed by a two digit “error code” field, which indicates the error cause and/or type. The list of the...
  • Page 74 CT-BOX User’s Manual FREQ parameter is out of range- it is too high FREQ parameter is out of range - it is too low or unknown ALARM Parameter is wrong ALARM Command is not allowed during the acquisition mode ALARM Lower Limit Parameter is out of the DCCT range...
  • Page 75 CT-BOX User’s Manual 30:5 SD card cannot be unmounted 30:6 It is not possible to remove the file 30:7 It is not possible to open the file 30:8 It is not possible to read the file 31:1 OFFSET Parameter is wrong...

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