| The HygroClip Alarm (HCA) is a programmable logic alarm and control card designed for use with other ROTRONIC products that have a RS-485 serial port. The HCA makes it possible to implement alarm functions that would not be available otherwise. For example, the HCA makes it possible to trigger an alarm based on the values measured by one or several devices and subject to the status of an external contact such as a switch or a push button. |
- Operates as a stand alone device or can be integrated in a network monitored by a PC with the ROTRONIC HW4 software installed
- Monitors one or several devices connected to its RS-485 port (RS-485 multi-drop network)
- Monitors the status of up to two external contacts (door contact, push button, etc.), 4 virtual push buttons and 4 virtual switches
- Easily programmed with the ROTRONIC HW4 software
- Large choice of software logical functions such as comparators, gates, flip flops, time delays and real time functions
- Four single pole double throw (SPDT) independently programmable relay contacts
- Internal real time clock
- Internal memory retains the most recent 680 events, each with a date and time stamp
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Configuration and programming of the HCA requires a PC running the ROTRONIC HW4 software (version 1.2.2 or higher) as well as one ROTRONIC instrument equipped with both a PC interface and a RS-485 port. Up to 4 virtual push buttons and 4 virtual switches can be programmed into the HCA. These are typically used to remotely cancel or enable an alarm from the PC.
The HCA can be programmed to monitor a variety of input variables and events:
- Values measured or calculated by instruments and probes that are on the same RS-485 multi-drop network as the HCA
- Alarms directly generated by the devices connected to the RS-485 multi-drop (out-of-limit values, no communication with a probe, data logger memory card or power supply problem)
- State of the HCA two logical inputs (external contacts)
- No communication with a device being monitored
- Alarms generated by the PC running the ROTRONIC HW4 software
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During operation, the logical state of the HCA inputs and relays, as well as any alarm condition detected by the HCA, can be monitored from a PC running the HW4 software. The HCA internal clock 1 provides a date and time stamp to the 680 most recent events retained in the HCA internal memory. Events retained by the HCA can be reviewed and printed from the PC.
The HCA features an auto-polling mode that makes it possible to operate the HCA on a RS-485 network without a PC. This mode is automatically activated whenever the HCA itself is not regularly polled by a PC. In the auto-polling mode, the HCA takes over the task of sending data requests to the instruments and probes that it is programmed to monitor. The ability of the HCA to operate independently of a PC provides an additional layer of protection in the event of a PC failure.
1 The clock can be automatically synchronized with the PC date and time. |
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