BEKA BR323AL Flameproof Loop Powered Field Mounting Indicators Instruction Manual

BEKA BR323AL Flameproof Loop Powered Field Mounting Indicators

Product Information

The BR323AL and BR323SS are flameproof, field-mounting, loop-powered indicators. They are CE marked to show compliance with the European Explosive Atmospheres Directive 2014/34/EU and the European EMC Directive 2014/30/EU. The instruments display the current flowing in a 4/20mA loop in engineering units and have a 5-digit display. They introduce a 2.3V drop and can be installed into almost any 4/20mA loop. The BR323AL is housed in a flameproof aluminium enclosure, while the BR323SS is housed in a flameproof stainless steel enclosure. Both enclosures provide IP66 & NEMA Type 4X protection. The instruments have been certified flameproof and comply with the European ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU.

Product Usage Instructions

Installation

1. Location: Choose a suitable location for installation.
2. Installation procedure: Follow the installation procedure provided in the user manual.
3. EMC: Ensure electromagnetic compatibility during installation.

Programming and Calibration

1. Loading BEKA software onto a PC: Install the BEKA software onto your PC.
2. Connecting BR323 to PC: Connect the BR323 indicator to your PC using the appropriate cable.
3. Calibration screen: Access the calibration screen on your PC.
4. Linear calibration: Perform linear calibration if required.
5. Non-linear calibration: Perform non-linear calibration if required.
6. Square root extraction: Perform square root extraction if required.

Maintenance

1. Fault finding during commissioning: Troubleshoot any faults that occur during commissioning.
2. Fault finding after commissioning: Troubleshoot any faults that occur after commissioning.
3. Servicing: Follow the servicing instructions provided in the user manual.
4. Routine maintenance: Perform routine maintenance as recommended in the user manual.
5. Guarantee: Refer to the guarantee terms and conditions provided with the product.
6. Customer comments: Provide any feedback or comments to the manufacturer.

Accessories

1. Pipe mounting kit: Use the pipe mounting kit for installation on pipes.
2. Tag strip: Use the tag strip for labeling purposes.
3. Tag plate: Use the tag plate for additional labeling options.

DESCRIPTION

The BR323AL and BR323SS are flameproof, field mounting, loop powered 5 digit indicators which display the current flowing in a 4/20mA loop in engineering units. The instruments only introduce a 2.3V drop allowing them to be installed into almost any 4/20mA loop.
The main application of these loop powered indicators is to display a measured variable or control signal in a hazardous process area. The zero and span of the digital display are configurable via a temporary serial data link using the free Windows® compatible BEKA software.
This software also enables linear, square root or custom linearisation to be selected and the units of measurement legend, which appears below the main display, to be entered.
The two models are functionally identical. The BR323AL is housed in a polyester powder coated flameproof aluminium enclosure and the BR323SS is in a 316 stainless steel flameproof enclosure.
Both enclosures provide IP66 & NEMA Type 4X protection. In this instruction manual BR323 refers to the removable electronic assembly which is common to both the BR323AL and the BR323SS.
Both instruments have been certified flameproof and comply with the European ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU.
The BR323 removable electronic assembly, which is common to both models may only be installed in a hazardous area when mounted within a flameproof BR323AL aluminium or BR323SS stainless steel enclosure.

CONTROLS

Both the BR323AL and BR323SS 4/20mA indicators are configured and calibrated by BEKA software running on a PC connected via a temporary serial data link, the indicators therefore do not have conventional calibration controls.
Calibration can be rapidly checked, but not changed, using the ‘view’ push button which is located on the right hand side of the instrument terminals. Successive operation of this button steps the instrument display through the calibration parameters as shown in Fig 2.

FLAMEPROOF CERTIFICATION

CAUTION
The BR323 removable electronic assembly, which is common to both models, may only be installed in a hazardous area when mounted within a flameproof BR323AL aluminium or BR323SS stainless steel enclosure.

ATEX certificate
Notified Body ISSeP has issued the instruments with an EC-Type Examination Certificate ISSeP08ATEX035X that confirms compliance with the European ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU for Group II surface industries, Category 2GD flammable gas and combustible dust atmospheres, Ex d IIC T6. Copies of the certificate may be downloaded from www.beka.co.uk. The instruments bear the Community Mark and, subject to local codes of practice, may be installed in any of the European Economic Area (EEA) member countries. ATEX certificates are also acceptable for installations in the UK until 1st January 2025.

Flammable Gases
Zones, gas groups and T rating
Group II, Category 2G, Ex d IIC T6 certification allows the BR323AL and BR323SS indicators to be installed in:

• Zone 1 explosive gas-air mixture likely to occur in normal operation.
• Zone 2 explosive gas-air mixture not likely to occur, and if it does will only exist for a short time.

Be used with gases in groups:

• Group A propane
• Group B ethylene
• Group C hydrogen

Having a temperature classification of:

• T1 450oC
• T2 300oC
• T3 200oC
• T4 135oC
• T5 100oC
• T6 85oC

At ambient temperatures between –20 and +60oC.

This allows both models to be installed in most hazardous areas and to be used with most common industrial gases.
This manual describes installations in flammable gas atmospheres which conform with EN60079:Part14 Electrical Installation in Hazardous Areas. When designing systems for installation outside the UK, the local Code of Practice should be consulted.

Combustible Dusts
Both the BR323AL and BR323SS enclosures have been ATEX certified as Group II, Category 2D apparatus with a Maximum Surface Temperature of 85oC. When installed as specified by EN 61241-14 ‘Selection and installation of electrical apparatus for use in the presence of combustible dust’, the indicator may be installed in:

• Zone 21 where explosive atmosphere in the form of a cloud of combustible dust in air is likely to occur occasionally in normal operation.
• Zone 22 where explosive atmosphere in the form of a cloud of combustible dust in air is not likely to occur in normal operation, but if it does occur, will only persist for a short period.

Be used with dusts having a Minimum Ignition Temperature of:

• Dust cloud 127oC
• Dust layer on BR323AL 160oC or BR323SS up to 5mm thick.
• Dust layer on BR323AL Refer to or BR323SS overEN61241-14 5mm thick.
  At an ambient temperature between -20 and +60oC

NOTE
Special Conditions for Safe Use
The ATEX certificate specifies that any accumulation of dust on the enclosure shall be avoided.

Certification label information
The certification information label is fitted in a recess on the top outer surface of the flameproof enclosure. It shows details of the ATEX certification, BEKA associates name and location,plus the year of manufacture.

BR323AL which has an aluminium enclosure

SYSTEM DESIGN FOR USE IN HAZARDOUS AREAS

BR323AL and BR323SS indicators may be connected in series with any 4/20mA current loop having a maximum supply voltage of 30V dc and a maximum current of less than 110mA. It is only necessary to ensure that the loop can support the additional 2.3V drop introduced by the indicator.

Fig 4 illustrates a typical application in which a BR323AL or BR323SS indicator is connected in series with a 2-wire transmitter and calibrated to display the measured variable or control signal in engineering units.

INSTALLATION

Location
The appropriate model BR323AL or BR323SS should be chosen depending on the severity of the environment. The BR323AL is housed in a polyester powder coated aluminium enclosure and the BR323SS in a 316 stainless steel enclosure suitable for marine applications. Both provide IP66 and NEMA Type 4X protection.

Installation procedure

WARNING
Installation of a BR323AL or BR323SS loop powered indicator should only be performed in a potentially hazardous area when an explosive atmosphere is NOT present.
Ensure that glands, blanking plugs or conduit connected to the indicator have the same thread as the indicator enclosure, which is shown on the instrument certification label.

Recommended installation procedure:

• Remove the flameproof enclosure cover that contains the viewing window by rotating anticlockwise.

• Remove the BR323 electronic assembly from the enclosure by gently squeezing the retaining clip and pulling – see Fig 1. If necessary remove the screw securing the earthing wire connecting the electronic assmebly to the enclosure.

• Install the flameproof enclosure in the required position and secure using the two M10 mounting slots. The flameproof enclosure should be earthed as specified by the local code of practice.

• Fit the required flameproof certified glands or blanking plugs with the correct thread into the two entries in the enclosure. Instruments can have M20 x 1.5 threads (M suffix on product number) or ½ inch NPT entries (N suffix on product number). The instrument enclosure thread is shown on the instrument certification label. The installation must be as specified by the manufacturer of the certified gland or blanking plug and comply with the local code of practice. Alternatively,correctly threaded metal conduit may be used with a flameproof certified compound filled stopping box at each of the two entries.
  Installation must be as specified by the manufacturer of the stopping box and comply with the local code of practice.

• Position the electronic assembly in the flameproof enclosure and connect the two input terminals as shown in Figs 1 and 4. If removed, the earthing cable should be reconnected between the electronic assembly and the flameproof enclosure.

• Replace the flameproof enclosure cover by rotating clockwise and tighten until the sealing gasket is compressed.

EMC
The BR323AL and BR323SS comply with the requirements of the European EMC Directive Directive 2014/30/EU. For specified immunity all wiring should be in screened twisted pairs, with the screens earthed at one point in the safe area.

PROGRAMMING & CALIBRATION

The BR323AL and BR323SS 4/20mA indicators are configured and calibrated using BEKA configuration software running on a personal computer connected via a temporary serial data link.

WARNING
The temporary serial data link must NOT be connected to a BR323AL or BR323SS indicator when an explosive atmosphere is present.

The BR323 electronic assembly may be removed from its enclosure for conditioning and calibration, or calibration may be performed in situ providing that an explosive atmosphere is not present.

Loading BEKA software onto a PC
The free BEKA configuration software may be downloaded from the BEKA associates web site at www.beka.co.uk/indicate_flameproof.html or it is available on a CD. If required, please request a copy when ordering the instrument or contact the BEKA associates sales office.
A lead to connect a BR323 indicator to a serial communications port on a personal computer is available from BEKA associates.

The personal computer should have a Microsoft Windows 98, NT, 2000, XP or 7 operating system and the following hardware:

Pentium processor or equivalent CD drive 8Mb of RAM minimum 20Mb hard disc space minimum RS232 or USB port – or see below

The BEKA configuration software should be downloaded from the BEKA web site or loaded from a CD onto the hard disc of a personal computer. To install the software, access the BEKAsetup.exe file and follow the screen prompts.
If an RS232 serial communications port is not available, a USB to RS232 converter with a male DB9 connector should be used. BEKA recommends the Chip-x10-Cable manufactured by Future Technology Devices International Ltd which can be purchased directly from http://www.ftdichip.com/Products/Cables/USBRS232.htm or is available from BEKA associates. Drivers for most operating systems are available free of charge from http://www.ftdichip.com

NOTE
The USB communications port must be configured as COM 1, 2, 3 or 4.

Connecting the BR323 indicator to a PC Connect the supplied interconnecting cable between the programming plug on the front of the BR323 indicator and the COM port on the personal computer as shown in Fig 6. The BR323AL or BR323SS indicator must be connected to an adjustable 4/20mA signal during conditioning and calibration, this may be a 4/20mA calibrator or the indicator may remain in the measurement loop.The supplied serial connection cable does not provide isolation, we therefore recommend that either the 4/20mA loop or the personal computer is unearthed. Using a battery-powered 4/20mA calibrator or a battery- powered laptop computer will avoid earth loop problems.

Calibration screen
To run the configuration software click Program in the PC Start menu and select BEKA Associates; BR323 Configuration Program followed by BR323 Configuration Program. The BEKA configuration software has an easy to use calibration screen that shows the status of the BR323 indicator and enables the required calibration parameters to be entered, as shown in Fig 7.
The left hand side of the screen shows the indicator serial number and its current conditioning and calibration. The right hand side of the screen is for entering new conditioning and calibration information and has two alternative tabs; Input/Output for linear calibration and Custom Curve for non-linear calibration such as a square root extracting curve. With the BR323 indicator connected as shown in Fig 6 the Connection panel at the lower left hand side of the screen will show when the PC has established communication with the BR323 indicator.

Linear calibration
With the indicator connected to the PC as shown in Fig 6 and communication established, proceed as follows:

1. Right hand side tab
   Click the Input / Output tab which will produce the screen shown in Fig 7.

2. Linearisation Mode
   Set to Normal for linear calibration

3. Filter
   Select frequency of local mains supply to obtain the maximum interference rejection.

4. Tag
   Up to 16 upper and lower case alphanumeric characters may be entered to identify the instrument. This identification only appears on the Configuration Programme screen not on the instrument display.

5. Display Resolution
   Defines the number of digits displayed by the indicator after the decimal point. None,
   One, Two or Three digits may be selected, alternatively selecting Auto instructs the indicator to display the maximum number of digits possible after the decimal point which will vary as the indicator display changes.
   Note: Display Resolution does not affect the Configuration Programme Screen that always shows a fixed number of digits after the decimal point.

6. Input Settings panel
   Defines the input current at which the zero value display and the full value display are defined which is normally 4 and 20mA. These figures may be typed into the relevant boxes or clicking the Capture Zero or Capture Full buttons will automatically enter the current actually flowing into the indicator input terminals. This feature is useful when a complete loop is being calibrated.

7. Display Settings panel
   Defines the indicator display at zero value and full value input current, which is normally 4 and 20mA.
   Note: Irrespective of the selected Display Resolution, this panel always shows two digits after the decimal point.

8. Damping Time
   A damping time between 0 and 30 seconds may be typed into this box. A long damping time will help to provide a steady display from a noisy input current.

9. Units of measurement
   The Units of Measurement panel enables a five digit upper case alphanumeric legend to be entered which appears below the main indicator display. This may be used to show the instrument’s units of measurement or application.

10. Downloading calibration to indicator
    Ensure that the connection panel shows that the BR323 indicator is connected to the personal computer, then click the download arrow on the toolbar.
    After downloading is complete the left hand side of the Configuration Programme screen should show the new calibration information and the BR323 should have the required display. The calibration information may be stored or printed from the PC in the normal way.

Non-linear calibration
The BEKA configuration software enables non-linear functions to be downloaded to a BR323 indicator. Any curve that continuously increases or decreases with between 2 and 128 breakpoints may be used.

Square root extraction
Probably the most common non-linear function is a square root curve that enables a BR323 indicator to display flow in linear engineering units. A square root table is included with the BEKA configuration software. To import the square root table proceed as follows:

1. Linearisation mode
   Open the BEKA configuration programme and set the Linearisation Mode to Custom which will produce the screen shown in Fig 8.

2. Import file
   Click File on the toolbar followed by Import Custom Curve. In the C\My BEKA Associates Data\Custom Curves folder select SquareRoot 0-100PCT.csv Click the Open button and the BEKA configuration software will import the square root file. The table of 128 x and y values will be displayed and the graph will show the square root curve.

3. Enter the required indicator display
   Type the required BR323 indicator Zero and Full scale displays into the appropriate panels. Clicking the Upload button will enter these figures and they will appear on the graph.

4. Entering other parameters
   Clicking the Input / Output tab will enable the Filter, Tag, Display Resolution, Damping Time and Units of Measurement to be entered – see 6.4 steps 3, 4, 5, 6 & 9 and Fig 7.

5. Downloading calibration to indicator Ensure that the Connection panel shows that the BR323 indicator is connected to the personal computer then click the download arrow on the toolbar.
   After downloading is complete the left hand side of the Configuration Programme Screen should show the new calibration information and the BR323 should have the required display. The calibration information may be stored or printed from the PC in the normal way.

Other non-linear curves
Other non-linear curves may be generated by entering the number of breakpoints required and manually keying the required x and y values into the table. Alternatively, a comma delimited csv file containing the custom curve data may be imported using the procedure described in section 6.6.

MAINTENANCE

Fault finding during commissioning
If a BR323AL or BR323SS fails to function during commissioning the following procedure should be followed:

Fault finding after commissioning

ENSURE PLANT SAFETY BEFORE STARTING MAINTENANCE
Live maintenance is NOT permitted on flameproof equipment. BR323AL and BR323SS indicator maintenance should only be performed in a potentially hazardous area when an explosive atmosphere is not present.

If a BR323AL or BR323SS fails after it has been functioning correctly,the following procedure should be followed:

If this procedure does not reveal the cause of the fault, it is recommended that the BR323 electronic assembly is replaced.

Note: while the BR323 electronic assembly is disconnected the 4/20mA loop will be open circuit.

Servicing
All standard BR323 electronic assemblies are interchangeable, and a single spare may be used to replace any instrument that fails.
We recommend that faulty BR323 electronic assemblies are returned to BEKA associates or to our local agent for repair.

Routine maintenance
The mechanical condition of the instrument and the electrical calibration should be regularly checked. The interval between inspections depends upon environmental conditions. We recommend that initially instrument calibration should be checked annually.

Guarantee
Indicators which fail within the guarantee period should be returned to BEKA associates or our local agent. It is helpful if a brief description of the fault symptoms is provided.

Customer comments
BEKA associates is always pleased to receive comments from customers about our products and services. All communications are acknowledged and whenever possible, suggestions are implemented.

ACCESSORIES

Pipe mounting kit
The pipe mounting kit comprises a stainless steel ‘U’ bolt that enables the BR323AL and BR323SS indicators to be mounted onto any pipe with an outside diameter up to 50mm.

Tag strip
The BR323AL and BR323SS can be supplied with tag or applicational information thermally printed onto a polyester strip secured to the instrument mounting bracket.

The following can be accommodated:

• 1 row of 36 alphanumeric characters 1.8mm high.
  and

• 1 row of 18 alphanumeric characters 2.6mm high.

Tag plate
The BR323AL and BR323SS can be supplied with a tie-on stainless steel plate etched with customer specified tag number or application information.

The following can be typically accommodated:

• 1 row of 7 alphanumeric characters 11mm high.
  or

• 1 row of 11 alphanumeric characters 7mm high.
  or

• 2 rows of 15 alphanumeric characters 5mm high.

References

• BR323AL & BR323SS 4/20mA Loop powered indicators
• Home - FTDI
• Home - FTDI
• USB RS232 Cable Series - FTDI

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