Related Manuals for MREL MicroTrap
Summary of Contents for MREL MicroTrap
- Page 1 Operations Manual Edition 4.4 MREL GROUP OF COMPANIES LIMITED 5-779 Sir John A MacDonald Blvd. Kingston, Ontario K7L 1H3 Canada T: +1-613-545-0466 E: contact@mrel.com www.mrel.com...
- Page 2 Copyright Information MREL Group of Companies Limited (MREL) warrants that the product is free from Manufacturer’s defects for a period of one (1) year from the date of shipment to the Customer. This Warranty covers all parts and labour. MREL does not warrant that the product will meet the Customer’s requirements, or that it will operate in the combinations which may be selected by the Customer.
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Page 3: Table Of Contents
Chapter 2: Introduction Background Safety Considerations VOD Applications 2.3.1 Testing of Explosive Samples 2.3.2 Testing of Explosives in Blastholes Applications of the MicroTrap™ with Scope Upgrade Installed Chapter 3: Hardware Hardware Components 3.1.1 MicroTrap™ VOD/Data Recorder 3.1.2 Carrying Case 3.1.3 Battery Charger 3.1.4... - Page 4 Memory 4.9.2 Triggering Chapter 5: Recording Voltage Signals From Gauges Introduction to Recording DC Voltage Signals Connecting Gauges to the MicroTrap™ VOD/Data Recorder Signal Cable Protection 5.3.1 Detonation Cord MicroTrap™ Setup Procedure for Recording Voltage Signals Utilizing the External Trigger Additional Information on Memory Chapter 6: MicroTrap™...
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Page 5: Chapter 1 Getting Started
Chapter 1 Getting Started T: +1-613-545-0466 www.mrel.com contact@mrel.com... -
Page 6: Microtrap™ Hardware Included
2. Ensure that the DAS™ Data Acquisition Suite is installed and operational according to the DAS™ Data Acquisition Suite Software manual. 3. Ensure that the Operator’s computer and MicroTrap™ are able to communicate with each other. 4. Program the MicroTrap’s internal recording parameters using the MicroTrap™ Software. -
Page 7: Definitions Of Vod Settings
For more details on the External Trigger feature, refer to Section 5.5. To use External Trigger, ensure that the switch on the panel has been set to External prior to pressing the Start button. T: +1-613-545-0466 www.mrel.com contact@mrel.com... - Page 8 M i c r o T r a p ™ O p e r a t i o n s M a n u a l - E d i t i o n 4 . 4...
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Page 9: Chapter 2 Introduction
Chapter 2 Introduction T: +1-613-545-0466 www.mrel.com contact@mrel.com... -
Page 10: Background
Over view This Chapter provides an introduction to the MicroTrap™ VOD/Data Recorder. 2.1 Background MicroTrap™ VOD/Data Recorder is a portable, 1 channel, high resolution, explosives continuous Velocity of Detonation (VOD) recorder. It can be upgraded easily to provide an additional 4 channels of DC voltage (VDC) recording (Scope) capability. The operator can use DAS™... -
Page 11: Safety Considerations
2.2 Safety Considerations S T O P Persons not trained and/or authorized to handle explosives should not attempt to utilize the MicroTrap™ VOD/Data Recorder for monitoring explosive properties. MicroTrap™ VOD/Data Recorder is an easy and safe instrument to operate. However, one should be aware of the inherent risk associated with explosives handling and familiar with working in blasting environments. -
Page 12: Testing Of Explosives In Blastholes
• Determine the correct length and type of stemming material to be used between decks of explosives to prevent sympathetic detonation or explosive desensitization from occurring. 2.4 Applications Of MicroTrap™ with Scope Upgrade Installed As previously mentioned, with the Scope Upgrade, the MicroTrap™... -
Page 13: Chapter 3 Hardware
Chapter 3 Hardware T: +1-613-545-0466 www.mrel.com contact@mrel.com... -
Page 14: Hardware Components
Over view This Chapter describes all of the hardware components provided with the MicroTrap™ VOD/Data Recorder. 3.1 Hardware Components The hardware components of the MicroTrap™ VOD/Data Recorder System include the MicroTrap™ VOD/Data Recorder, a Carrying Case, Battery Charger, a USB Communications Cable and two (2) Adapters. - Page 15 ON/OFF Switch STOP Button STATUS Indictator OUT OF RANGE Lights MICROTRAP USB COM TRIG EXT/INT Switch TOTAL TESTS Button START Button and Indictator NEXT TEST Button BATTERY STATUS Button REMAINING TESTS Button LED Screen LED Display: screen is a two-digit display designed to report the status of the internal battery, the total number of tests programmed by the , and the number of tests remaining to be filled.
- Page 16 MREL recommends the above procedure for times in which the MicroTrap™ VOD/Data Recorder triggers prematurely when the Operator is setting up the MicroTrap™ VOD/Data Recorder to record a VOD test. Premature triggering can be caused by situations such as: loose connections in the signal wires; excessive moving of or driving over the signal wires;...
- Page 17 C A U T I O N MREL recommends the above procedure for times in which the Operator is already in the field and has forgotten to Clear All Tests using the MREL DAS™ Data Acquisition Suite.
- Page 18 Recorder from an external 12 VDC battery using the current limiting adapter that is supplied by MREL. It can also be used to supply 10 VDC as an excitation source for other types of gauges. All details and restrictions on use of the...
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Page 19: Carrying Case
TRIG’D: TRIG’D indicator light on the front of the MicroTrap™ VOD/Data Recorder will illuminate when the trigger conditions are met. It will remain illuminated during collection of the data, which depends on the recording rate selected for the test. The TRIG’D... -
Page 20: Battery Charger
MicroTrap™ VOD/Data Recorder from AC mains. S T O P Contact MREL if the Battery Charger that has been supplied is incorrect for the mains voltage in your country. 3.1.4 USB Communications Cable Communications Cable is provided to connect the MicroTrap™... -
Page 21: Recharging
C A U T I O N The MicroTrap™ VOD/Data Recorder will operate appropriately at low power levels as indicated by 0 on the LED. The MicroTrap™ VOD/Data Recorder will emit a beeping sound continuously for up to 30 minutes before it shuts itself OFF. -
Page 22: Long Term Storage Considerations
The MicroTrap™ VOD/Data Recorder internal battery should not be overcharged. According to the battery Manufacturer’s specifications, full battery pack recharging will take up to 10 hours. The Manufacturer also recommends recharging the MicroTrap™ VOD/Data Recorder at temperatures from 10 to 30 °C (50 to 86 °F). 3.6 Long Term Storage Considerations No special procedures, other than those pertaining to the internal battery, should be taken for long term storage of the MicroTrap™... -
Page 23: Vod Probecable
3.7.2 VOD PROBECABLE Two types of flexible resistance wire are available from MREL: VOD PROBECABLE “GREEN” VOD PROBECABLE-LR “BLUE”. These cables have been specially developed and refined by MREL with extensive feedback and assistance from MREL’s Blasting Instrumentation Customers since 1987. They are ideally suited to all explosive types loaded into all blasthole conditions, including wet holes. -
Page 24: Technical Specifications
Fully operational at -40 to +60 °C (-40 to +140 °F). Snow, rain, dust and sand proof. Drop proof from a height of at least 1 m (3 ft.). PC Connection After conducting the test(s), the MicroTrap™ VOD/Data Recorder is connected to a computer’s USB port using the Communications Cable to allow fast downloading of the data to the computer. -
Page 25: Chapter 4: Recording Vod And Hole/Deck Delay Times
Chapter 4 Recording VOD And Hole/Deck Delay Times T: +1-613-545-0466 www.mrel.com contact@mrel.com... -
Page 26: Safety Considerations For Selecting An Explosive Testing Site
A pit surrounded by an earth wall is typically sufficient for smaller detonations. Additionally, a protected shelter for the MicroTrap™ VOD/Data Recorder and personnel can be constructed at an appropriate distance from the explosive. The distance will depend on the amount of explosive being detonated at one time, and how the explosives are confined (be aware of steel shrapnel from confined shots). -
Page 27: Using Proberods For Testing Samples Of Explosives
• MicroTrap™ VOD/Data Recorder System. • VOD PROBEROD (available from MREL) - one (1) per explosive sample. • Coaxial cable (type RG-58 is recommended) - sufficient length to run between the MicroTrap™ VOD/Data Recorder location and the explosives. - Page 28 BNC Connector (Male) RG-58 Coaxial Cable 100 m (328 ft.) MREL Product # 1-06-01 Sample of Packaged Explosive VOD PROBEROD or VOD PROBEROD-HS MREL Product # 1-05-01 or 1-05-11 Detonator Blasting Machine Figure 1 Place the RG-58 Coaxial Cable Place the RG-58 Coaxial Cable...
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Page 29: Using Probecable For Testing Explosives In Blastholes
The User can now place the detonator and connect it to the shot exploder as per standard procedures. The MicroTrap™ VOD/Data Recorder is now ready to be prepared to record the test as... - Page 30 See Figure 2 RG-58 Coaxial Cable 100 m (328 ft.) MREL Product # 1-06-01 BNC Connector(Male) Blasting Machine Stemming Bulk Explosive MicroTrap™ Detonator & Booster VOD/Data Recorder MREL Product # 1-03-01 Blasthole VOD PROBECABLE MREL Product # 1-05- Rock Weight (See Figure 3)
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Page 31: Preparation Of Probecable For Multiple Blasthole Recording
Probe Resistance should compare closely with the calculated resistance of the PROBECABLE (Unit Resistance multiplied by its length). If this is not the case then remove the length of PROBECABLE and reload another length into the hole. T: +1-613-545-0466 www.mrel.com contact@mrel.com... -
Page 32: Probecable And Coaxial Cable Protection
4 seconds with the MicroTrap™ VOD/Data Recorders Memory Upgrade installed. Memory Allocation = 1 test fills the MicroTrap™ VOD/Data Recorders internal memory. Pre-trigger Time = 25% of Total Recording Time = 0.5 seconds. Trigger Level = 95%. These settings recommendations are based on MREL’s extensive worldwide experience in VOD recording. - Page 33 Delay between RG-58 Coaxial each hole Cable 100 m (328 ft.) MREL Product # 1-06-01 BNC Connector(Male) Borehole 1 Borehole 2 Borehole 3 Blasting Machine MicroTrap™ VOD/Data Recorder Stemming MREL Product # 1-03-01 Bulk Explosive VOD PROBECABLE MREL Product # 1-05- Detonator &...
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Page 34: Microtrap™ Setup Procedure For Vod Measurements
This reduces the quantity of data collected per test and conserves the computer’s disk space. At a 2 MHz recording rate, a MicroTrap™ VOD/Data Recorder with standard memory will record for a total of 131 ms per test if the Number of Tests = 16. - Page 35 I M P O R T A N T If the MicroTrap™ VOD/Data Recorder has triggered prematurely, or the data that you have collected is not of use to you, then you may erase only the last test by performing the following sequence: a.
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Page 36: Probe Resistance Out Of Range Lights
DAS™ Data Acquisition Suite Software. If data transfer is to be conducted later, then the MicroTrap™ VOD/Data Recorder can be switched and the data will remain in the MicroTrap™ VOD/Data Recorders non-volatile memory. -
Page 37: Utilizing The External Trigger
4.8 Utilizing the External Trigger In some and data recording applications, it may be desirable to have the MicroTrap™ VOD/Data Recorder begin to record exactly when a specific external event occurs. For the specific event to trigger the MicroTrap™ VOD/Data... -
Page 38: Triggering
1.048 seconds per test. If these recording times are insufficient for your testing applications, then contact MREL and ask about the MicroTrap™ VOD/Data Recorder Memory Upgrade, which doubles the MicroTrap™’s internal memory and thus doubles the Total Recording Time. - Page 39 This is particularly important if several delayed holes must be detonated in order for sufficient PROBECABLE be consumed. The MicroTrap™ VOD/Data Recorder has a very large memory and a very long Total Recording Time. At a...
- Page 40 M i c r o T r a p ™ O p e r a t i o n s M a n u a l - E d i t i o n 4 . 4...
- Page 41 T: +1-613-545-0466 www.mrel.com contact@mrel.com...
- Page 42 M i c r o T r a p ™ O p e r a t i o n s M a n u a l - E d i t i o n 4 . 4...
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Page 43: Chapter 5: Recording Voltage Signals From Gauges
Chapter 5 Recording Voltage Signals From Gauges T: +1-613-545-0466 www.mrel.com contact@mrel.com... -
Page 44: Introduction To Recording Dc Voltage Signals
When simultaneously recording voltage and data the triggering of the MicroTrap, when set on INTernal triggering, is controlled by channel. MicroTrap™ VOD/Data Recorder is specifically designed to be used with gauges, power supplies and signal conditioning equipment producing DC voltage signals in the range of -10 to +10 VDC. -
Page 45: Signal Cable Protection
MicroTrap™ VOD/Data Recorder is as follows: Place the MicroTrap™ VOD/Data Recorder in a protective shelter and/or a safe distance away from the detonation area. This distance may be closer than what is considered safe for the User. Once the setup is completed, the MicroTrap™... -
Page 46: Microtrap™ Setup Procedure For Recording Voltage Signals
I M P O R T A N T If you do not wish to keep the existing data in memory, then you can either clear the MicroTrap™ VOD/Data Recorders internal memory using the DAS™ Data Acquisition Suite Software or by following this procedure: a. - Page 47 I M P O R T A N T If the MicroTrap™ VOD/Data Recorder has triggered prematurely, or the data that you have collected is not of use to you, then you may erase only the last test by performing the following sequence: a.
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Page 48: Utilizing The External Trigger
This pulse is 6 seconds in duration, and has a rise time of 2 microseconds. Some Users may wish to trigger other instrumentation from the MicroTrap™ VOD/Data Recorders TRIG OUT port. 10. Once data collection ends, the TRIG’D... -
Page 49: Additional Information On Memory
Pre-Trigger Time. Notice that the graphic shown is for a MicroTrap™ VOD/Data Recorder with the optional MicroTrap™ VOD/Data Recorder Memory Upgrade installed. For those Operators with additional interest in recording times: A general equation to calculate the Total Recording Time (Pre-Trigger Time... - Page 50 M i c r o T r a p ™ O p e r a t i o n s M a n u a l - E d i t i o n 4 . 4...
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Page 51: Chapter 6: Microtrap™ Vod/Data Recorder Software
Chapter 6 MicroTrap™ VOD/Data Recorder Software T: +1-613-545-0466 www.mrel.com contact@mrel.com... -
Page 52: Retrieving Data
Over view This Chapter provides an over view on how to retrieve data from the MicroTrap™ VOD/Data Recorder and how to analyze the data obtained. 6.1 Retreiving Data From The MicroTrap™ VOD/Data Recorder The procedure to retrieve data from the MicroTrap™... -
Page 53: Chapter 7: Contacting Mrel For Technical Support
Chapter 7 Contacting MREL for Technical Support T: +1-613-545-0466 www.mrel.com contact@mrel.com... -
Page 54: Contacting Mrel
MREL looks forward to providing you with assistance. M i c r o T r a p ™ O p e r a t i o n s M a n u a l - E d i t i o n 4 . 4... - Page 55 T: +1-613-545-0466 www.mrel.com contact@mrel.com...
- Page 56 MREL is committed to product innovation; accordingly product may undergo specification improvements without notice. Copyright © 2022 MREL Group of Companies Limited. MicroTrap™ VOD/Data Recorder, MicroTrap™ VOD/Data Recorder Logo, and MREL Logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of MREL Group of Companies Limited.
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