Monroe Electronics 288B User manual
Operators’ Manual
Monroe Electronics, Inc.
Model 288B
Charge Plate Monitor
P/N 0340174
288-1/100
V2.01
060109
100 Housel Ave
PO Box 535 Lyndonville NY 14098 1-800-821-6001
585-765-2254
fax: 585-765-9330
monroe-electronics.com
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CONTENTS
Specifications Section 1
Specifications Page 4
Accessories included Page 5
What this instrument does Page 6
Physical description Page 6
General Information Section 2
CAUTION – SHOCK HAZARD Page 7
Setup – Section 3
First things first Page 8
SETUP SYSTEM Menu Page 9
SETUP for Manual Test Menu Page 9
SETUP for Auto Sequence Menu Page 9
SETUP OPTION Menu Page 10
Operation Section 4
Manual operation Page 11
Programming features for manual test Page 13
Automatic operation Page 14
Programming features for auto sequence Page 15
Additional features Page 17
Group and location Page 17
Test parameter setups Page 17
Data storage and review Page 17
Peak reset Page 18
Plate voltage bar graph Page 18
Power Page 18
Charge plate Page 18
Grounds Page 18
Analog output Page 18
Maintenance Section 5
Precautions Page 19
Cleaning Page 19
Battery Page 19
Charge state indicator Page 19
Calibration Page 19
References Section 6
References Page 20
Warranty Information
Repair Information
Page 21
Page 22
Copyright© 2008
Monroe Electronics, Inc.
Printed in USA
Specifications and procedures subject to change without notice
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Section 1
Specifications
All specifications are referred to plate voltage unless otherwise specified.
Display 240 x 64 character/graphic
Voltage - 3½ digit display (Decay and Peak reading)
Accuracy ±0.1% of reading ± 1 lsd
Resolution 1 volt for readings > 99 volts
0.1 volt for reading < 100 volts
Time - 4 digit display
Accuracy 0.1% of reading ± 1 lsd
Resolution 0.1 second for readings < 1000 seconds
1 second for reading > 999 seconds
Electrometer
Dynamic range ±1200 volts
Follower error < 10 mV
Speed of
Response < 10 msec for 1 kV to 0 volts (90% - 10%)
Bandwidth -3db @ 1Khz 20Vp-p
-3db @ 10Hz 2000Vp-p
Noise <12 mVrms
Monitor output Divide by 200
Accuracy 0.1% of reading ± 12 mV
Output
Impedance 1 kΩ
Start Voltages 1000 volts ±0.3% Standard
Range ±10 to ±1000 volts.
Resolution settable to 1 volt
Accuracy 0.3% of setting ± 2.5 volts
Stop Voltages 100 volts ±3% Standard
Range 0 - ±995 volts
Resolution settable to 1 volt
Accuracy 0.3% of setting ± 2.5 volts
Charge voltage
Range 10 to 100 volts above the start voltage
Resolution settable to 1 volt increments
Accuracy 0.3% of setting ± 2.5 volts
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Charge Plate
Capacitance 20 pF ±10%
Zero Drift < 100 mV /sec (no incident ion flow)
Self Discharge < 200 mV/sec
Peak Detector
Balance Test
Bandwidth <10HZ
Temperature Sensor
Range 0 - 50˚C
Accuracy ±2˚C typ
Humidity Sensor
Range 10% - 80% RH @ 25˚C
Accuracy ±5% typ
Operating
Temperature 5˚C to 35˚C
Humidity to 80%, non condensing
Battery life 6 hours
Charge time < 8 hrs to > 90% capacity
Power
Voltage 90 – 250 VAC 50/60 Hz
Wattage < 12 watts operating
CPM
Size 11” x 9” x 6” (280 x 229 x 152 mm)
Weight 12 ½ lb (5.7 kg)
Accessories Included:
CD containing: 288B Operator’s Manual
288B Data Sheet
288COM Software
288COM Software Operator’s Guide
288B Graph Data Sheet
110V Line Cord
220V Line Cord
DB9 M/F Straight-Thru Cable
Ground Cable w/snap
5ft Plate Ext Cable
Patch cord w/alligator clip & boot
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What this instrument does —
This instrument is a charged-plate monitor for evaluating the performance of ionization
systems. As such, it performs positive and negative decay tests, and balance (offset voltage)
tests to determine if an ionization system is operating effectively. It can be used to test all
types of ionization systems as described in ESD Association Standard ANSI/ESD STM3.1
Ionization.
Over the years new technologies have placed new demands on both ionization systems and
on the capabilities and features of the charged-plate monitors used to evaluate them. Monroe
Electronics has responded to these needs by incorporating many additional and improved
features in the Model 288 Charged-Plate Monitor. The original Model 288 provided the
following important capabilities for people evaluating ionization systems:
Replacement of the fieldmeter normally used to monitor the plate voltage with a high-
voltage follower amplifier to increase accuracy and reduce zero drift
Wider bandwidth to evaluate AC ionization systems
The ability to automate commonly-repeated sequences of tests and store their test
results for future review
Adjustable start and stop voltages for decay tests
A serial interface and applications software to control ionization tests from a computer
The Model 288B has been improved to provide the following capabilities:
The ability to resolve the plate voltage with 100 mV resolution
Applications software to graphically display decay and balance waveforms in real
time
The ability to measure the performance of the latest high-frequency AC ionization
systems
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Section 2
GENERAL INFORMATION
Model 288 performs manual or automatic decay and balance tests for qualification and
periodic verification of ionization equipment. It then stores the results and balance averages
for manual tests and complete automatic test sequences up to a maximum of 1500 tests.
Temperature and relative humidity are displayed real-time and recorded with the test data.
All instrument functions are controlled by five key pushbuttons.
In DECAY mode a built-in high voltage generator charges the plate to a voltage specified by
the user – up to 1100 volts. During the test the plate will discharge toward zero in the
presence of ionization. The elapsed time of decay between a selected start voltage and a
selected stop voltage is displayed.
In the BALANCE mode, the plate is first grounded then released from ground and allowed to
float to any voltage in response to air ion imbalances. It displays the plate voltage, test
duration, and minimum and maximum peak voltages. (Nearby charge sources will also
induce a voltage on the floating plate.)
Self-tests include battery check and tests for functional errors.
Memory is non-volatile. Setup and data are retained during storage.
CAUTION
When charged, the plate voltage can be in excess of 1100 volts with respect to ground.
Although the charges and potentials are below those that are normally detected by
human senses, A SHOCK HAZARD EXISTS.
If you are handling the plate assembly or conducting a test, which involves
touching the plate, expect a shock.
Do not charge large capacitors with this device.
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Section 3
SETUP
First things first
Upon power up, you are presented momentarily with an identification screen, which includes the
software revision level and serial number of your unit.
Within a few seconds, the MAIN screen (Figure 1) is presented. This screen should show
current date and time, ambient factors, power source information and current test number and
prompt the operator to “Select Operation”. The test-numbering scheme begins with 1500 and
displays the number of remaining tests.
Figure 1. Main Screen
One of the menu options is SETUP.
Once significant programming has been
done and data taken the SETUP mode
should not be tinkered with! There is
no BACK button. Thus, SETUP is
probably the first thing the user should
become familiar with. Press the
“SETUP” key.
Figure 2. Setup Screen
The present menu is identified in the
upper left corner of the screen as
“SETUP”.
Menu items are: SYSTEM, MANUAL,
AUTO, OPTION and (back to) MAIN.
Select SYSTEM to go to the SETUP
SYSTEM menu.
Press the “SYSTEM” key.
SETUP SYSTEM Menu:
Figure 3. Setup – System:
CLOCK – Sets the system’s real time
clock. This should be set to the present
local date and time in order for all future
tests to be properly stamped. Once
new data (if any) has been entered,
press EXIT and elect to SET the clock
to the time shown on the SETUP
SYSTEM CLOCK screen or EDIT to change the settings or CANCEL to change nothing
and return to the MAIN menu.
HUMI/TEMP – Simply displays the present temperature and relative humidity. These can
only be changed via connection to a PC.
MAIN 288B 2.00 06/18/08 11:23:02A
S/N 012345 AC Power 28C 36%RH
Select Operation Test Avail. 1500
MANUAL AUTO DATA SETUP
SETUP 06/18/08 11:23:02A
AC Power 28C 36%RH
SYSTEM MANUAL AUTO OPTION MAIN
SETUP 06/18/08 11:23:02A
AC Power 28C 36%RH
CLOCK HUMI/TEMP RAM/EE S/N RETURN
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RAM/EE – The first screen under this option asks, “Clear all test data – Y/N?” A “Y(es)” response
will permanently erase all accumulated test data from memory. The next two windows prompt a
similar decision for whether to restore defaults to Group/Location names and test setups. These
decisions should not be taken lightly as deletions are irreversible.
S/N – Displays software revision number and instrument serial number. These cannot be modified.
RETURN – Returns to SETUP Menu
SETUP for Manual Test Menu:
Figure 4. Setup – Manual Screen: In the Setup screen (Figure 2), press “MANUAL” key.
This screen displays a list
of five user selectable
manual test options.
Three of them; M.Setup
1, M.Setup 2 and M.
Setup 3 may be modified.
The “Factory” option uses
“standard” settings and
the “Test” option has
settings used during factory testing of each unit. These two may not be changed.
The parameters of any of the manual tests may be viewed or those of the first three edited to meet user
requirements by highlighting the test and pressing the DISPLAY key. To change these parameters, see
Programming Features for Manual Tests.
A symbol “D>” indicates which one is selected as the default test. To change the default, scroll to
highlight one of the options using the NEXT key and press the DEFAULT key. The selected test will
remain the default test until re-selected. Previously stored test results are not affected by a new default
setting but all subsequent tests will be made with the new default until changed by this method.
SETUP for Auto Sequence Menu:
The Auto Sequence Setup screen works the same. It displays a list of five user selectable manual test
options. Three of them; A.Setup 1, A.Setup 2 and A. Setup 3 may be modified. The “Factory” option
uses “standard” settings and the “Test” option has settings used during factory testing of each unit.
These two may not be changed.
Figure 5. Setup – Auto screen: In the Setup screen (Figure 2), press the “AUTO” key.
The parameters of any of the manual tests
may be viewed or those of the first three
edited to meet user requirements by
highlighting the test and pressing the
DISPLAY key. See Programming
Features for Auto Sequence Tests later in
this manual.
A symbol “D>” indicates which one is
selected as the default test. To change the
default, scroll to highlight one of the options using the NEXT key and press the DEFAULT key. The
selected test will remain the default test until re-selected. Previously stored test results are not affected
by a new default setting but all subsequent tests will be made with the new default until changed by this
method.
SETUP A.TEST
D> A.Setup 1
A.Setup 2
A.Setup 3
Factory
Test
NEXT DISPLAY DEFAULT SETUP MAIN
SETUP M.TEST
D> M.Setup 1
M.Setup 2
M.Setup 3
Factory
Test
NEXT DISPLAY DEFAULT SETUP MAIN
The first three
setups can be
modified.
M.Setup 1 is
current
selected as
default setup
for use.
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SETUP - OPTION Menu:
Options are for display backlighting, power off, and beep settings. The first two options will apply
when the 288 unit is running on battery.
Figure 6. Setup – Option
The first two options apply to when the
288 unit is using battery power.
Highlight and press EDIT to view further
options.
Figure 7. Setup – Option - Backlight
The (A>) symbol indicates the current
choice. Highlight desired choice and
press ACTIVE. Then press EXIT change.
The backlight of the display can be set to
continuous lighting or shut off in 5
minutes when it is using battery.
Figure 7b. Setup – Option – Auto DC Power Off
When the 288 unit is running on battery, it
can be set to run Continuously or auto shut
off in 15 minutes.
Highlight the option by pressing the NEXT
key, then press ACTIVE.
In Figure 6, highlight the option, then press the EDIT key.
The Beep has three options:
Beep On Test & Key ___ Beep when a key is pressed and mode change during the test.
Beep On Test Only. ___ Beep only during the test when the mode changed.
Beep Off.
SETUP OPTION
Backlight .
Auto DC Power Off
Beep On Test & Key
NEXT EDIT EXIT
Backlight DC
Continuous
A> Auto Shut Off (5 minutes)
Off
NEXT ACTIVE EXIT
Auto DC Power Off
Continuous
A> Auto Shut Off (15 minutes)
NEXT ACTIVE EXIT
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