Setup with PACTware ......................56 Connect the PC ......................56 Parameter adjustment with PACTware ................57 Saving the parameterisation data ................... 58 Diagnostics and servicing ....................59 Maintenance ........................59 Status messages ......................59 MINITRAC 31 • Four-wire 4 … 20 mA/HART...
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11.4 Trademark ........................74 Safety instructions for Ex areas Take note of the Ex specific safety instructions for Ex applications. These instructions are attached as documents to each instrument with Ex approval and are part of the operating instructions. Editing status: 2021-03-04 MINITRAC 31 • Four-wire 4 … 20 mA/HART...
Symbols used Document ID This symbol on the front page of this instruction refers to the Docu- ment ID. By entering the Document ID on www.vega.com you will reach the document download. Information, note, tip: This symbol indicates helpful additional infor- mation and tips for successful work.
During work on and with the device, the required personal protective equipment must always be worn. Appropriate use The MINITRAC 31 is a sensor for level measurement and level detec- tion. You can find detailed information about the area of application in chapter "Product description". Operational reliability is ensured only if the instrument is properly used according to the specifications in the operating instructions manual as well as possible supplementary instructions.
That is why we have introduced an environment management system with the goal of continuously improving company environmental pro- tection. The environment management system is certified according to DIN EN ISO 14001. Please help us fulfil this obligation by observing the environmental instructions in this manual: • Chapter " Packaging, transport and storage" • Chapter " Disposal" MINITRAC 31 • Four-wire 4 … 20 mA/HART...
Alternatively, you can access the data via your smartphone: • Download the VEGA Tools app from the " Apple App Store" or the " Google Play Store" • Scan the DataMatrix code on the type label of the instrument or •...
The instrument is various application possibilities. Apart from the level detection, the MINITRAC 31 can also detect residues. It is not possible to update the software to 3.0.0. In this case the electronics module must be exchanged.
Due to the physical properties of the radioactive radiation, the pulse rate is subject to slight fluctuations. Set a suitable damping level to get a stable measured value. Non-linearity of the pro- The relation between level and the pulse rate measured by the sensor cess value is not linear. MINITRAC 31 • Four-wire 4 … 20 mA/HART...
Technical data - Ambient conditions" • Relative humidity 20 … 85 % Lifting and carrying With instrument weights of more than 18 kg (39.68 lbs) suitable and approved equipment must be used for lifting and carrying. MINITRAC 31 • Four-wire 4 … 20 mA/HART...
VEGACONNECT The interface adapter VEGACONNECT enables the connection of communication-capable instruments to the USB interface of a PC. VEGADIS 81 The VEGADIS 81 is an external display and adjustment unit for VEGA plics sensors. ® VEGADIS 82 VEGADIS 82 is suitable for measured value indication and adjustment of sensors with HART protocol.
Take note of the following three important measures: Fig. 3: Measures for protection against radioactive radiation Shielding Time Distance Shielding: Provide good shielding between the source and your- self as well as all other persons. Special source containers (e.g. MINITRAC 31 • Four-wire 4 … 20 mA/HART...
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(in Ger- many, for example, the radiation protection ordinance). We are at your disposal for further information concerning radiation protection and regulations in other countries. MINITRAC 31 • Four-wire 4 … 20 mA/HART...
These are mainly: • Active measuring component • Process fitting • Process seal Process conditions in particular are: • Process pressure • Process temperature • Chemical properties of the medium • Abrasion and mechanical influences MINITRAC 31 • Four-wire 4 … 20 mA/HART...
VEGASOURCE. You can mount the MINITRAC 31 in any position. If you have ordered your instrument with a lead cover as a protection against ambient radiation (optionally), the the sensor is shielded laterally against X-ray radiation.
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Mounting horizontally, at right angles to container Level measurement - Residue detection The MINITRAC 31 can be used for residue detection, e.g. in storage tanks for high-cost liquids. For this purpose, the instrument must be mounted at the lowest point of the vessel.
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The cooling system must also be included in the calculations for the measuring point. Contact our specialists regarding the dimensioning of the cooling. MINITRAC 31 • Four-wire 4 … 20 mA/HART...
You have to remove these plugs before electrical connection. NPT thread In the case of instrument housings with self-sealing NPT threads, it is not possible to have the cable entries screwed in at the factory. The MINITRAC 31 • Four-wire 4 … 20 mA/HART...
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Connection procedure Proceed as follows: The procedure applies to instruments without explosion protection. 1. Unscrew the big housing cover 2. Loosen compression nut of the cable gland and remove blind plug MINITRAC 31 • Four-wire 4 … 20 mA/HART...
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The terminal blocks are pluggable and can be detached from the electronics. To do this, loosen the two lateral locking levers of the terminal block with a small screwdriver. When loosening the locking, MINITRAC 31 • Four-wire 4 … 20 mA/HART...
If inductive loads or stronger currents are switched through, the gold plating on the relay contact surface will be permanently damaged. The contact is then no longer suitable for switching low-voltage circuits. MGC = Multi Gauge Communication MINITRAC 31 • Four-wire 4 … 20 mA/HART...
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Fig. 9: Electronics and connection compartment (Ex-d) with instruments with intrinsically safe current output Voltage supply Relay output Interface for sensor-sensor communication (MGC) Setting the bus address for sensor-sensor communication (MGC) MGC = Multi Gauge Communication MINITRAC 31 • Four-wire 4 … 20 mA/HART...
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It is imperative that you take measures to extinguish sparks to protect the relay contact (e.g. Z diode) or the transistor or 8/16 mA output. MINITRAC 31 • Four-wire 4 … 20 mA/HART...
Contact pins for the display and adjustment module or interface adapter Instruments with intrinsically safe current output You can find detailed information on the explosion-protected versions (Ex-ia, Ex-d) in the Ex-specific safety instructions. These safety instructions are part of the scope of delivery and come with the Ex- approved instruments. MGC = Multi Gauge Communication MINITRAC 31 • Four-wire 4 … 20 mA/HART...
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Terminals for intrinsically safe signal output 4 … 20 mA/HART (active) Contact pins for the display and adjustment module or interface adapter Terminals for the external display and adjustment unit Ground terminal MGC = Multi Gauge Communication MINITRAC 31 • Four-wire 4 … 20 mA/HART...
SIL rating and can be also found on our homepage via the search. Application area The instrument can be used for point level detection or level measure- ment of liquids and bulk solids in safety-instrumented systems (SIS) MINITRAC 31 • Four-wire 4 … 20 mA/HART...
The DTM suitable for the controller in conjunction with an adjust- ment software according to the FDT/DTM standard, e. g. PACT- ware Note: For operation of the MINITRAC 31 an actual DTM Collection is re- quired. The modification of safety-relevant parameters is only possible with active connection to the instrument (online mode). Safe parameterization...
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Warning: Instrument reset In case of a reset to basic settings, all safety-relevant parameters will also be reset to default. Therefore all safety-relevant parameters must be checked or readjusted. MINITRAC 31 • Four-wire 4 … 20 mA/HART...
The display and adjustment module is powered by the sensor, an ad- ditional connection is not necessary. Fig. 15: Insert display and adjustment module Note: If you intend to retrofit the instrument with a display and adjustment module for continuous measured value indication, a higher lid with an inspection glass is required. MINITRAC 31 • Four-wire 4 … 20 mA/HART...
The pen oper- ates the four keys of the display and adjustment module right through the closed lid (with inspection window) of the sensor housing. MINITRAC 31 • Four-wire 4 … 20 mA/HART...
Carry out a setup in the sequence described in the following. Main menu The main menu is divided into five sections with the following func- tions: Setup: Settings, e.g. for measurement loop name, isotope, applica- tion, background radiation, adjustment, signal output Display: Settings, for example language, measured value display MINITRAC 31 • Four-wire 4 … 20 mA/HART...
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• Special characters + - / _ blanks Isotope In this menu item you can adjust the MINITRAC 31 to the isotope installed in the source container. For this purpose, check which isotope is in the source container. You can find this information on the type label of the source container.
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7 Set up with the display and adjustment module The MINITRAC 31 requires this information for the automatic decay compensation. This ensures error-free measurement over the entire lifetime of the gamma emitter - an annual recalibration is not neces- sary.
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Radiation is switched on - Source container is set to "ON" The vessel is either completely filled (100 %) or completely emptied (0 %). Depending on whether the vessel is full or empty, you can first carry out the full or the empty adjustment. The MINITRAC 31 sorts the points automatically according to their level. Select "Show table" to display and edit the linearisation points. Select "Linearisation - New" to enter the first point.
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In this menu item you can show the individual value pairs of the linearization. Linearization - Delete You can also delete individual linearization points. Linearization - Modify You can also modify individual linearization points. MINITRAC 31 • Four-wire 4 … 20 mA/HART...
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Current output In this menu item you can activate or deactivate the current output. The MINITRAC 31 checks if with activated current output there is re- ally an instrument connected. If no instrument is connected to the current output, you have to deacti- vate the current output.
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Independent of the selected reference value, the relay will deenergize in case of failure. This does not apply if " X-ray alarm" is selected as reference value. In this case the fault message is not active. MINITRAC 31 • Four-wire 4 … 20 mA/HART...
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German and in the case of all other menu languages, in English. In a second step, all modified safety-relevant parameters are listed. Confirm the modified values. If the described process of parameter adjustment was run through completely and correctly, the instrument will be locked and hence ready for operation. MINITRAC 31 • Four-wire 4 … 20 mA/HART...
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"OK". In case of fault, you will find the corresponding fault code here. Peak value indicator The peak value function holds the max. and min. values during opera- tion. • Pulse rates - min./max. • Temperature - min./max./actually MINITRAC 31 • Four-wire 4 … 20 mA/HART...
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You can simulate different values: Pulse rate of the sensor Process value Current output Switching function of the relay Information: The simulation is terminated automatically 60 minutes after the last key has been pressed. MINITRAC 31 • Four-wire 4 … 20 mA/HART...
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The following table shows the default values of the instrument. The values apply for the application " Level". First of all you have to select the application. Depending on the instrument version, not all menu items may be available or they may be differently assigned: MINITRAC 31 • Four-wire 4 … 20 mA/HART...
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Additional adjustments Temperature unit °C Linearisation curve Empty HART mode Standard Address 0 HART mode With this function you can select the mode. The default setting is standard with address 0. MINITRAC 31 • Four-wire 4 … 20 mA/HART...
Examples for info display: Parameter adjustment - Point level detection The instrument is adapted to the application conditions via the pa- rameter adjustment. The parameter adjustment is carried out with an adjustment menu. MINITRAC 31 • Four-wire 4 … 20 mA/HART...
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You can enter names with max. 19 characters. The character set comprises: • Capital letters from A … Z • Numbers from 0 … 9 • Special characters + - / _ blanks MINITRAC 31 • Four-wire 4 … 20 mA/HART...
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7 Set up with the display and adjustment module Isotope In this menu item you can adjust the MINITRAC 31 to the isotope installed in the source container. For this purpose, check which isotope is in the source container. You can find this information on the type label of the source container.
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This menu item appears only if you have selected "Single point (single point adjustment) adjustment" as adjustment mode (Setup - Adjustment mode). In this menu item you determine the point at which the MINITRAC 31 should switch in uncovered status. Empty the vessel until the sensor is uncovered.
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You thus get the min. pulse rate (ct/s) for the "covered" adjustment. Enter the requested pulse rate manually or let the rate be determined by MINITRAC 31. Automatic determination of the pulse rate should be given preference. You can enter the adjustment point (ct/s) manually.
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Current output In this menu item you can activate or deactivate the current output. The MINITRAC 31 checks if with activated current output there is re- ally an instrument connected. If no instrument is connected to the current output, you have to deacti- vate the current output.
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Keep the entered PIN number in mind. Operation of the sensor is only possible with this PIN number. Caution: When the sensor is locked, adjustment via PACTware/DTM as well as other systems is also blocked. In delivery status, the PIN is 0000. Call our service department if you have modified and forgotten the PIN. MINITRAC 31 • Four-wire 4 … 20 mA/HART...
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If no language is preset, you will be asked during setup. Displayed value With this parameter you can change the indication of the display. You can choose if the display should show the actual pulse rate or the electronics temperature. MINITRAC 31 • Four-wire 4 … 20 mA/HART...
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In this menu item you can simulate measured values via the current output. This allows the signal path to be tested, e.g. through down- stream indicating instruments or the input card of the control system. You can simulate different values: MINITRAC 31 • Four-wire 4 … 20 mA/HART...
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In this menu item you can set the actual date, time and display format. Reset When a reset is carried out, all settings (with only a few exceptions) are reset. The exceptions are: PIN, language, SIL and HART mode. MINITRAC 31 • Four-wire 4 … 20 mA/HART...
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Selected language Displayed value Pulse rate Additional adjustments Temperature unit °C HART mode Standard HART mode With this function you can select the mode. The default setting is standard with address 0. MINITRAC 31 • Four-wire 4 … 20 mA/HART...
Saving the parameterisation data On paper We recommended writing down the adjustment data, e.g. in this op- erating instructions manual, and archiving them afterwards. They are thus available for multiple use or service purposes. MINITRAC 31 • Four-wire 4 … 20 mA/HART...
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If the instrument is equipped with a display and adjustment module, In the display and adjust- ment module the parameter adjustment data can be saved therein. The procedure is described in menu item " Copy device settings". MINITRAC 31 • Four-wire 4 … 20 mA/HART...
Voltage supply Note: With power supply units with integrated HART resistance (internal resistance approx. 250 Ω), an additional external resistance is not necessary. This applies, e.g. to the VEGA instruments VEGATRENN 149A, VEGAMET 381 and VEGAMET 391). Commercially available Ex separators are also usually equipped with sufficient current limita- tion resistance. In such cases, VEGACONNECT 4 can be connected parallel to the 4 …...
The standard version is available as a download under www.vega.com/downloads and " Software". The full version is avail- able on CD from the agency serving you. Saving the parameterisation data We recommend documenting or saving the parameterisation data via PACTware.
This status message is inactive by default. Maintenance required: Due to external influences, the instrument function is limited. The measurement is affected, but the measured value is still valid. Plan in maintenance for the instrument because a failure is expected in the near future (e.g. due to buildup). MINITRAC 31 • Four-wire 4 … 20 mA/HART...
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Error in the measured value recording Restart instrument Photomultiplier error Exchanging the electronics F045 Error on the current output Check wiring of the current output Error on the current output Exchanging the electronics MINITRAC 31 • Four-wire 4 … 20 mA/HART...
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Ambient temperature on the housing Cool the instrument or protect it with iso- outside the specification lating material against radiation heat Ambient temperature too high F126 Instrument error Call our service Error in the trend recording MINITRAC 31 • Four-wire 4 … 20 mA/HART...
Treatment of measurement errors A smartphone/tablet with the adjustment app or a PC/notebook with the software PACTware and the suitable DTM offer you further com- prehensive diagnostic possibilities. In many cases, the causes can be determined in this way and the faults eliminated. MINITRAC 31 • Four-wire 4 … 20 mA/HART...
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24 hour service hotline Should these measures not be successful, please call in urgent cases the VEGA service hotline under the phone no. +49 1805 858550. The hotline is also available outside normal working hours, seven days a week around the clock.
9 Diagnostics and servicing Exchanging the electronics module If the electronics module is defective, it can be replaced by a VEGA service technician. With SIL qualified instrument, only a respective electronics module with SIL qualification must be used. In Ex applications, only instruments and electronics modules with ap- propriate Ex approval may be used.
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9 Diagnostics and servicing • Please contact the agency serving you to get the address for the return shipment. You can find the agency on our home page www.vega.com. MINITRAC 31 • Four-wire 4 … 20 mA/HART...
Pass the instrument directly on to a specialised recycling company and do not use the municipal collecting points. If you have no way to dispose of the old instrument properly, please contact us concerning return and disposal. MINITRAC 31 • Four-wire 4 … 20 mA/HART...
The measured variable is the intensity of the gamma ra- diation of an isotope. If the radiation intensity decreases, e.g. due to increasing product density, the measured value of MINITRAC 31 changes in proportion to the density. Analogue input Ʋ Input type 4 …...
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±0.03 %/10 K relating to the 16 mA span or max. ±0.3 % Deviation in the current output due to <±15 µA analogue/digital conversion Deviation on the current output due to <±150 µA strong, high frequency electromagnetic interference acc. to EN 61326 MINITRAC 31 • Four-wire 4 … 20 mA/HART...
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Time span after a sudden measuring distance change by max. 0.5 m in liquid applications, max 2 m with bulk solids applications, until the output signal has taken for the first time 90 % of the final value (IEC 61298-2). Tested according to the guidelines of German Lloyd, GL directive 2. MINITRAC 31 • Four-wire 4 … 20 mA/HART...
11.2 Dimensions The following dimensional drawings represent only an extract of all possible versions. Detailed dimensional drawings can be downloaded at www.vega.com/downloads under "Drawings". A suitable cable is required for maintaining the protection rating. MINITRAC 31 • Four-wire 4 … 20 mA/HART...
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119 mm ½ NPT (4.69") 169 mm (6.65") 116,5 mm 175 mm (4.59") (6.89") 90 mm 100 mm (3.54") (3.94") 143,5 mm (5.65") Fig. 22: Aluminium housing or stainless steel housing (precision casting) MINITRAC 31 • Four-wire 4 … 20 mA/HART...
Les lignes de produits VEGA sont globalement protégées par des droits de propriété intellec- tuelle. Pour plus d'informations, on pourra se référer au site www.vega.com. VEGA lineas de productos están protegidas por los derechos en el campo de la propiedad indus- trial. Para mayor información revise la pagina web www.vega.com.
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