SPECIFICATIONS
Part No.: IS200VTCCH1BBB
Manufacturer: General Electric
Country of Manufacture: United States of America (USA)
Number of channels: 24 channels
Thermocouple types: E, J, K, S, T
Span: -8 mV to +45 mV
A/D converter Sampling type: 16-bit A/D
Product Type: Thermocouple Processor Board
Availability: In Stock
Series: Mark VI
Functional Description
IS200VTCCH1BBB is a thermocouple processor board developed by GE. It is a part of Mark VI control system. The thermocouple processor board VTCC is a crucial component designed to handle diverse thermocouple inputs, offering compatibility with various types, J, K, S, or T. Understanding its functionalities and integration is essential for seamless operation within the VME rack system. The thermocouple processor board interconnected with the terminal board TBTC and integrated into the VME rack, plays a pivotal role in managing diverse thermocouple inputs. Its compatibility with different thermocouple types, flexible control options, and efficient data transmission mechanisms make it essential in maintaining accurate sensor readings and enabling effective control within the overall system architecture.
Thermocouple Input Compatibility
The VTCC thermocouple processor board is designed to handle 24 thermocouple inputs, providing a high degree of flexibility in sensor selection. It supports multiple thermocouple types, including E, J, K, S, and T, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of industrial applications. Each input is precisely routed and connected to two terminal blocks located on the TBTC (Thermocouple Terminal Board), which acts as the interface between the thermocouples and the processor board.
Terminal Board TBTC
The terminal board plays a critical role in facilitating secure and organized thermocouple connections. It serves as the intermediary component, ensuring proper transmission of thermocouple signals to the VTCC board. Cables with molded plugs provide a reliable connection between the TBTC and the VME rack, where the VTCC board is housed. This structured setup enhances the efficiency and accuracy of thermocouple data transmission while maintaining a clean and organized wiring system.
Control Options: Simplex and TMR
The VTCC and TBTC support two operational configurations, catering to different system redundancy requirements:
- Simplex Mode: A single control path is used, suitable for applications where redundancy is not a primary concern.
- Triple Modular Redundancy (TMR) Mode: This setup ensures higher reliability by implementing a three-channel voting system, which minimizes errors and enhances fault tolerance. TMR is typically used in mission-critical applications where system uptime and accuracy are paramount.
- This flexibility in control configurations allows for seamless integration into diverse system architectures, adapting to varying levels of operational complexity and reliability demands.
Data Transfer Mechanism
To ensure precise monitoring and control, the board follows an efficient data transmission process within the VME rack system.
VME Backplane Communication
- The thermocouple input data is transmitted across the VME backplane from the VTCC board to the VCMI (VME Control Module Interface). The VCMI then forwards the processed data to the controller, where it is utilized for real-time monitoring, diagnostics, and system adjustments. This structured communication pathway ensures high-speed, reliable data transmission, enabling precise temperature control within the Mark VI control system.
- By integrating high-performance thermocouple processing, flexible control options, and an efficient data transfer mechanism, the thermocouple processor board plays a crucial role in maintaining accurate sensor readings, system stability, and operational efficiency.
Installation
- Prepare for Installation: Ensure the VME processor rack is completely powered down to prevent any electrical mishaps during the installation process.
- Positioning the Board: Carefully slide the board into its designated slot within the VME processor rack. Align the board accurately to prevent any damage and ensure a smooth fit.
- Seating the Edge Connectors: Apply gentle pressure to the top and bottom levers of the board by hand to seat its edge connectors firmly into the corresponding slots within the rack. This step is crucial for establishing secure connections.
- Securing with Captive Screws: Use the provided captive screws located at the top and bottom of the VTCC board's front panel to securely fasten the board within the rack. Tighten these screws carefully to ensure a snug fit without over-tightening.
- Cable Connections to TBTC Terminal Boards: Connect the cables to the TBTC terminal boards using the J3 and J4 connectors situated on the lower portion of the VME rack. These connectors are of the latching type, specifically designed to securely hold the cables in place.
- Power Up and Diagnostic Checks: Once the installation is completed, power up the VME rack. Verify the proper functionality of the VTCC board by checking the diagnostic lights located at the top of its front panel. These lights provide crucial indicators regarding the board's operational status.
Features
- VTCC boards manufactured post-software version VTCC-100100C introduce significant enhancements and added functionalities to the thermocouple processing capabilities. These improvements expand the range of compatible thermocouple types and offer a novel cold junction compensation feature, providing users with greater flexibility and precision in temperature measurements.
- The upgraded boards now support S-type thermocouples, in addition to accommodating all previously compatible thermocouple types. This expanded compatibility broadens the range of sensors that can be utilized with these boards, offering more options for temperature monitoring and measurement.
- One notable addition to the newer board design is the incorporation of remote cold junction compensation functionality for thermocouple inputs. This feature grants users the choice to opt for cold junction compensation based on temperature readings taken at a remote location. Alternatively, compensation can still be executed at the terminal board, as was the norm with earlier iterations.
- The user has the liberty to select the source of cold junction readings for compensation purposes. This selection choice determines whether the compensation calculations are based on temperature data obtained from a remote location or if the readings are derived from the terminal board itself. Despite the change in the source of the cold junction reading, the calculation methodology remains consistent with previous iterations of boards.
- Despite the introduction of these advanced features in newer boards, the fundamental calculations for cold junction compensation remain unchanged. The methodologies and algorithms employed for these calculations are consistent with those used in previous board versions. The primary difference lies in the option to modify the source of the cold junction reading, affording users enhanced flexibility without altering the established calculation protocols.
The WOC team is always available to help you with your Mark VI requirements. For more information, please contact WOC.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is IS200VTCCH1BBB?
It is a thermocouple processor board developed by GE under the Mark VI series.
What additional thermocouple types do the upgraded VTCC boards support?
Post-upgrade, the boards now support S-type thermocouples, expanding the range of compatible thermocouple types beyond previous versions.
What is the key addition regarding cold junction compensation in the updated boards?
The newer boards offer remote cold junction compensation for thermocouple inputs, allowing users to choose between compensating based on remote temperature readings or at the terminal board, enhancing precision in temperature measurements.
How does the user select the source for cold junction readings in these boards?
Users have the flexibility to choose the source of cold junction readings for compensation purposes, deciding between remote temperature data or readings obtained directly from the terminal board.
