senseca PRO 131.2 Thermocouple Thermometers Instruction Manual

Senseca PRO 131.2 Thermocouple Thermometers

INSTRUCTION MANUAL

MODEL: PRO 131.2; PRO 135.2
Thermocouple thermometers

1. General information

Read this document carefully and familiarize yourself with the operation of the device before using it. Keep this document ready to hand and in the immediate vicinity of the device so that it is always avail-able to the personnel/user in case of doubt.

Only technically qualified persons are permitted to carry out commissioning, operation, maintenance and decommissioning. The personnel must have carefully read and understood the operating manual before starting any activity.

Legal notices

• For your safety, use only the manufacturer’s original spare parts and accessories. We assume no responsibility for the use of other products and any resulting damage.
• The user must have adequate knowledge of the measuring process and use of the measurements. The user is liable in case of damage/danger due to misinterpretation of the measurements as a re-sult of inadequate knowledge.
• The liability and warranty of the manufacturer for product damages and consequential damages are voided in the event of misuse, failure to comply with these operating instructions, failure to observe safety warnings, assignment to inadequately qualified technical personnel and arbitrary modifica-tions of the device.
• No part of this document may be reproduced, modified or translated without prior written permis-sion of the product manufacturer. In case of ambiguity between different language versions of this document, the English version applies.
• This document does not create any legally binding obligations for the product manufacturer. All le-gally binding obligations are included only in the General Terms and Conditions of Sale.

Correctness of content

• This document was checked for corrected contents and is subject to a continuous updating process. This does not rule out potential errors. In the event that errors are discovered or in case of sugges-tions to make this document more user-friendly, please inform us via the contact information given in this document.
• We reserve the right to change the product specifications and the contents of this document with-out prior notice.

Explanation of symbols used

Danger!
Warning of danger that could result in death, serious bodily injury, or serious property damage if not observed.

Caution!
Warning of potential danger or harmful situation that may cause damage to the device or the environment if not observed.

Attention!
Action that may have a direct effect on operation or may cause an unexpected behavior.

1.1 Safety information

Fault-free operation and operational safety of the device can only be guaranteed if the general safety requirements and the specific safety requirements in this document are observed.
Do not use the device in climatic conditions other than those specified in this document.

Do not use the device in places with:

• Rapid ambient temperature variations that may cause condensation.
• Direct vibrations / shocks to the device.
• High-intensity electromagnetic fields or static electricity.

Intended use

The device is a thermometer for interchangeable thermocouple probes, designed for temperature measurements with the appropriate probe, in liquid, gases, soft plastic materials and bulk materials.

Foreseeable misuse
If the following notices are disregarded, personal injury or death, as well as property damage can occur.

Danger!

• Do not use in safety / emergency stop devices!
• Not suitable for use in hazardous areas (Ex-environments)!
• Not suitable for diagnostic or other medical purposes on patients!
• Not suitable for SIL (Safety Integrity Level)!
• The device is not suitable for contact with food (use only appropriate probes)!
• Not suitable for children!
• Do not use as PPE (Personal Protection Equipment).

Caution!

Do not use if:

• There is visible damage to the device.
• The device is not working as expected.
• The device has been stored under unsuitable conditions for an extended period.

On suspicion that the device can no longer be operated without danger, it must be decommissioned and prevented from recommissioning with appropriate labelling.
In case of doubt, send the device to the manufacturer for repair or maintenance.

Caution!
Penetration probes entail the risk of stab injuries due to the pointed probe. Handle penetration probes with care and fit a protective cap on the probe tip when not in use!

Caution!
Risk of burns when measuring high or very low temperatures: use gloves if necessary!

Attention!
Remove batteries to prevent leakage if the device is stored at a temperature above 50 °C or not used for an extended period of time.

2. Overview

PRO 131.2 and PRO 135.2 are dual channel professional handheld temperature meters for thermocouple probes. PRO 135.2 also has data logging capabilities.

Any K, J, T, N, R, S, B and E standard thermocouple probe can be connected.

Configurable surface correction factors can be set for use in combination with Senseca con-tact probes, for the best measuring accuracy.

For each channel, minimum, average and maximum values can be detected. The user can reset the statistical info to start a new statistical calculation.

Alarm thresholds can be set, to warn the user when the set values are exceeded.

The HOLD feature allows freezing the measurements on display, while the REL feature allows showing the measurement against a value determined by the user.
When two probes are connected, the temperature difference between the two channels is au-tomatically calculated. The internal cold junction temperature can be displayed as an option.
The meter can be connected to a PC via the USB-C port, for data acquisition in COM interface mode. The logger version PRO 135.2 can operate in mass storage mode, for viewing or down-loading the files stored in the internal memory or connecting to the ProXware application software.

Powered by 4 standard AA size alkaline batteries. For permanent operation, the instruments can also be powered via the USB-C port by a standard 5 Vdc standard power adapter or suit-able power bank.

The configurable auto-off feature and LCD backlight level allows for more energy saving op-tions.

2.1 Scope of delivery

PRO 131.2 is supplied with:

• Quick start guide
• 4 alkaline batteries, AA size
• Test report

PRO 135.2 is additionally supplied with a USB cable.
The ProXware application software is downloadable from Senseca website.

3. Description

1. Inputs with miniature female flat-pin TC connector.
2. Left function key: runs the command shown at the bottom left on display.
3. OK key: confirms the selection.
4.  key: in measurement display cycles through the various available visualization modes; in the menu goes up one level, cancelling any unconfirmed changes.
5. F key: reserved.
6. Status LED.
7. USB-C port for connecting the PC or the external power supply.
8. ON/OFF key: turns the instrument on/off.
9. Down arrow key: scrolls down in a list or decreases the value of a parameter.
10. MENU key: enters the configuration menu.
11. Up arrow key: scrolls up in a list or increases the value of a parameter.

12. Right function key: runs the command shown at the bottom right on display.
13. Foldable stand: pull to open the stand.
14. Magnet, for attachment to metal surfaces.
15. Battery compartment fixing screw.

DISPLAY

16. Status bar.
17. Measured parameter and unit of measurement.
18. Function corresponding to the left function key.
19. Function corresponding to the right function key.
20. Measured value.

4. Preparing the instrument

Power supply
The instrument is powered by 4 AA size alkaline batteries, already assembled in the device as standard.
If for some reason (e.g., shipping rules) the batteries are not already assembled, unscrew the battery cover fixing screw and remove the cover, then insert the batteries as shown below.

The instrument can also be powered via the USB-C port by a 5 Vdc standard power adapter or power bank. If a power bank is used, make sure it is of appropriate capacity and does not have the auto-shutdown function when the current draw is very low (for example, suitable power banks are those in the Varta Power Bank Energy series).

Probes connection

Connect the probes to the inputs at the top of the instrument. In multi- channel models, the input number is indicated next to the connector.

5. Measurement mode

To switch on the instrument, press the ON/OFF key. After a few seconds, the instrument dis-plays the measured values.

Note: when the instrument is turned on for the first time, it automatically enters the menu displaying some factory settings (language, date/time, etc.); press repeatedly OK to accept the proposed settings or change them as indicated in the Configuration chapter [ p.12].

Each measured value is identified by the number of the input to which the probe is connected, the parameter type, and the unit of measurement.
Use the down/up arrow keys to scroll through the measured parameters. By repeatedly pressing the  key, measurements can be displayed in different formats:

One parameter displayed numerically and graphically.
Up to 3 parameters can be displayed graphically, selectable in the Chart setup → Channel select menu. The left function key Settings is a shortcut to the Chart setup menu.
A graph for each of the chosen parameters is displayed. Use the down/up arrow keys to scroll through the various graphs.

To enable/disable the display of a parameter, change the units of measurement or the order in which parameters are displayed, see the Configuration chapter [ p.12].

5.1 Hold function
The Hold function, which can be activated/deactivated by pressing the right function key, freezes the current measurement values on the display. The function activation is highlighted by the hld symbol in the status bar of the display.

5.2 Rel function
The Rel function displays the relative measurement against a reference value, consisting of the measurement value at the time the function is activated.

To activate the relative measurement, press the left function key (Rel Δ), select with the down/up arrow keys the measurement for which the function should be activated (the selected measurement is highlighted in negative), then press the left function key (Δ on). The symbol Δ and the reference value appear on display.

To disable the relative measurement, press the left function key (Δ off) again.
By pressing the right function key (Exit Δ), the instrument exits the relative measurement en-able/disable (Δ on/off) mode.

The Rel Δ command is not available:

• in the screen with the statistical values;
• in the screen with the graph;
• while logging.

5.3 Reset of the statistical values
To reset the statistical values, press the left function key (Select) in the measurement screen with the maximum/medium/minimum values, select with the down/up arrow keys the meas-urement whose statistical values should be reset (the selected measurement is highlighted in negative), then press the left function key (Clear).
To exit the statistical values reset mode, press the right function key (Exit).

5.3 Reset of the statistical values

To reset the statistical values, press the left function key (Select) in the measurement screen with the maximum/medium/minimum values, select with the down/up arrow keys the meas-urement whose statistical values should be reset (the selected measurement is highlighted in negative), then press the left function key (Clear).

To exit the statistical values reset mode, press the right function key (Exit).

6. Configuration

Press the MENU key to enter the configuration menu.
The menu is structured in levels. The current level is indicated by the number of overlapping bars in the menu header:

Use the down/up arrow keys to select an item, press OK to confirm.
The presence of the scroll bar indicates that there are additional items available beyond those displayed.
The left function key (Help) provides a description of the selected item. If the help function is entered, press the left function key (Help off) again to exit.

Attention!

It is not possible to access the menu if the instrument is logging.

6.1 Menu structure
The menu structure is shown below; each item is preceded by the level according to the bar symbology shown on the display.

(*) The item does not appear if “Alerting” is set to “Off”; to display the item, first select a meas-ure/channel to associate the alarm with.

To go back up one level within the menu, press the  key. The MENU key allows exiting the menu directly and return to measurement mode from any level (except from parameter set-ting screens, from which you can exit only with ).

6.2 Configuring a parameter

Configuring a parameter may require choosing an option from those proposed, or setting a numerical value.
Configuring a parameter by choosing an option from those proposed:
The current setting is marked by the check mark. To change it, choose an option with the down/up arrow keys, then press OK to confirm.
Pressing the  key it is possible to exit by canceling changes not yet confirmed.

Configuring a parameter by setting a numerical value:
Select the various digits using the function keys (< >). To change a digit, use the down/up ar-row keys. When finished, press OK to confirm the value.
Pressing the  key it is possible to exit by canceling changes not yet confirmed.

6.3 Selecting and sorting the quantities to be displayed

The Measures list menu item allows choosing which quantities to display and in which order.

Enabled quantities are marked by the check mark. To enable or disable a quantity, select it with the down/up arrow keys, then press the right function key (Select or Unselect depending on whether the quantity is disabled or enabled).
The quantities are displayed in the measurement screens in the order in which they appear in this menu. To change the position of a quantity, select it with the down/up arrow keys, press the left function key (Move), move the quantity with the down/up arrow keys, and press the left function key (Stop).

“T.int” indicates the cold junction temperature.
“Δt:1-2” indicates the difference between the temperature measured by the probe connected to input 1 and the temperature measured by the probe connected to input 2.

7. Measurement basics

The sensor is located at the end of the probe.
Immersion or penetration measurement: immerse the probe stem for at least 60 mm; when measuring in liquids, stir the liquid if possible.

Attention!
The measurement may be inaccurate if the probe stem is not sufficiently immersed, due to heat loss from the metal stem.
Measurement in air/gases: immerse the stem as much as possible in the fluid to be measured. The response time is shorter in the presence of flow; in the absence of flow, you can speed up the measurement by moving the probe, if possible.

Attention!
The probe stem must be dry, otherwise a temperature lower than the actual temperature will be detected.
Measurement of solid materials by contact: the measuring surface should be flat and smooth; the probe should be perpendicular to the measuring plane. Probes with tip specially designed for contact measurements must be used. The ambient temperature and heat dissipation of the probe metal stem can affect the accuracy of the measurement.

Attention!
For a more accurate and faster contact measurement, interpose thermally conductive paste between the measuring surface and the probe tip.
Measurement on non-metallic surfaces takes longer because of the poor thermal conductivity. 7.1 General warnings on probes usage
Wait for thermal equilibrium between the sensitive part of the probe and the area to be meas-ured before taking the measurement.
Thoroughly clean the probe after use.

Danger!
If the probe has a metal stem or other metal parts, be careful not to come into contact with live parts.

Caution!

• Do not expose the probe to corrosive gases or liquids!
• Do not expose the probe to temperatures exceeding the operating limit specified for the probe, the measuring sensor may be damaged.
• Avoid performing measurements in the presence of high-frequency sources, microwaves or strong magnetic fields.
• Connect the probe to the instrument without forcing or bending the connectors or contacts!
• Do not deform or drop the probe!
• Bending within moderate radius is only allowed for mineral insulated probes.

7.2 Warning on USB port isolation

The instrument USB port is not galvanically isolated, and its connection, either to the PC or to an external power supply that is not isolated from ground, may affect the measurement when using a probe that is in contact with the measured medium. Under such conditions, always check the measurement with and without USB connected: if a difference in the detected value is noticed, disconnect USB, or use an external suitable USB isolator (for example, DFRobot FIT0860) to detect reliable measurements.

8. Measurement adjustment

The measurement can be adjusted by setting the following parameters, available in the Ther-mocouple → Correction 1 (for channel 1) or Correction 2 (for channel 2) menu:

• Zero point: adds an offset (toffs) to the measurement.
  Displayed value = Measured value + toffs

• Gradient: applies a percentage correction (Cslope%) to the measurement. Zero indicates no correction.
  Displayed value = (Measured value + toffs) * (1 + Cslope% / 100)

• Surface: correction used for contact measurements. Applies a correction factor (CΔt) to take into account the difference between the measured value and the ambient temperature (tCJ, instrument cold junction). The value 1 indicates no correction.

Displayed value = TCJ + (Measured value – TCJ) * CΔt
The “Surface” factor can be used to correct the contact measurement of high temperature bodies, so as to compensate for the heat loss due to the lower ambient temperature.

If a measurement correction is applied by setting a value other than zero for the “Zero point” and/or “Gradient” parameters, the cor symbol appears on the display.

9. Logging (PRO 135.2 only)

The logging function stores in the memory of the instrument the detected measurement, along with the date and time of each sample. The data are stored in CSV format.
Logging is automatic according to the set interval. To start logging, select the Start recording item from the Recording menu.

Attention!

• To use the logging function, the USB mode menu item must be set to COM interface.
• The Logging function records only the quantities enabled in the measurement screens. Before starting logging, make sure that all quantities of interest are enabled.
  By selecting “Start recording,” the instrument automatically exits the menu. It is not possible to access the menu during logging. The logging activation is highlighted by the rec symbol in the status bar of the display. During logging, the status

LED briefly flashes green every 5 seconds.
With logging active, in the measurement screens the left function key assumes the function of Stop logging.
During logging, the instrument auto-off is disabled.

9.1 Viewing the logged data
The instrument can be connected to the PC via a standard USB-C cable. The instrument is viewed by the PC as a mass storage device containing the various log files in CSV format.

Attention!
For viewing files from PC, logging must be off and the USB mode menu item must be set to Mass storage.
The files can be opened with any standard software capable of reading CSV files, or, the ProXware application software can be used.

9.2 Deleting the logged data
The log files can be erased from the PC using a file manager.

10. Serial communication

Serial commands can be sent to the instrument, to read the instrument information and the measurements.
To send serial commands to the instrument, the USB mode menu item must be set to COM interface.
In the serial communication software used, the PC COM port number to which the instrument is connected and the following parameters should be set:

• Baud rate = 115200
• Data bits = 8
• Stop bits = 1
• Parity = None

The full list of commands supported by the model, with their description, is obtained by send-ing the following command:
GetCommandList: 0