Sensor Synchronization: A Step-by-Step Guide

1. Determine which sensor will be the master. Connect this sensor to SensorView.


2. Determine the network address it will have. All new sensors are at “Address 1.”


3. Under the menu item “Sensor,” choose “Communications." Here, you can assign a new address in the range of 1-247 inclusive.


4. SensorView will disconnect and reconnect at the new address.


5. Navigate to the “Measure” tool screen.


6. Under “Measurement Activation,” choose the SYNC Master that matches the number of phases you intend to use. For example:
   1. If you want all sensors firing at one time, choose “SYNC Master 1-Phase.”
   2. If you want your sensors grouped to measure in 4 groups, choose “SYNC Master 4-Phases.”
   3. If you want your sensors to measure in a repeating sequence, such as 123-123-123, choose “SYNC Master 3-phase.”
   4. DO NOT choose a SYNC Master phase less than the number of phases you intend to have.


7. Close the “Measurements” tool dialog. You will see a warning screen advising you that if you are connected to an RS-232 sensor, it is about to become RS-485, and you will lose the ability to communicate unless you switch to RS-485 style interface equipment.
   1. This is why it is better to begin with all RS-485 sensors.


8. Disconnect the master sensor from SensorView.

1. Connect the sensor that will become a SYNC slave using the proper equipment (RS-232 or RS-485 according to its label). The sensor should be the ONLY sensor on the network at this point.


2. Set its network address as above.


3. Choose its SYNC slave phase.


4. Choose a DIFFERENT network address for each sensor. No duplicates are allowed.


5. On the “Measurements” tool dialog, pull down “Measurement Activation” and choose the slave phase.


6. Choose 1 if you want it to measure in phase 1 with the master.


7. Choose 2—5 if you want it to measure at one of the alternate phases.


8. Don’t choose a phase number higher than the master phase number or it will NOT measure.


9. Close the “Measurements” tool dialog. Observe the warning screen for RS-232 sensors.


10. Disconnect the slave from SensorView. Remove sensor from the network.


11. Repeat steps F—I for each slave. Remember: DO NOT DUPLICATE a network address.

NOTE: Every sensor must have a unique network ID at this point and be set for the same Baud rate.

1. Wire all network sensors together. This can be done by wiring between terminal boards with shielded twisted pair cable.


2. Connect the slave sensors’ gray wires together


3. Connect the slave sensors’ yellow wires together


4. The blue reference (GND) must also be extended to every sensor


5. Connect the master’s gray, yellow, and blue wires to the network


6. Connect the PC to the network using RS-485 interface equipment


7. Make any regular analog output connections to external equipment as needed

NOTE: No serial data communication is possible using SensorView, since the Master controls the bus.

1. Supply 15-30VDC to every sensor


2. All sensors will start measuring once powered


3. Slave sensors are triggered by the master only


4. Analog and switch outputs are active while in SYNC mode


5. The SYNCed sensor group will operate in SYNC mode


6. While in SYNC mode, individual communication is not possible unless the “Master SYNC OFF” button is clicked. See the following section for more details

1. Open SensorView > Sensor > Group Control


2. In Group Control, click “Master SYNC OFF”


3. In the “Connect” dialog box, enter the network address of any sensor in the group


4. Click “Connect.” Import the sensor setup to the workspace when prompted


5. Make any changes to the sensor while in the workspace.


6. Upload the workspace to the sensor by right-clicking the workspace icon and dragging it over to the sensor icon

NOTE: Only RS-485 sensors will be displayed. A slave sensor blinking red/green is not in communication with a master.

1. Open SensorView > Sensor > Group Control


2. Using RS-485 communication equipment, do a “Scan for Sensors” to display every sensor on the network and its address. Every sensor in the group should be displayed in the “Sensor List” area by address and configuration.


3. If not, check wiring and review network addresses, as no duplicates are allowed


4. Click “Master SYNC ON” to restart the synchronized mode operation led by the SYNC Master

1. In Group Control, click “Master SYNC OFF”

1. Stop SYNC operation, as above


2. Connect to the selected sensor using RS-485 communication equipment


3. Navigate to the Measurements dialog and choose “Continuous” from the Measurement Activation


4. Close the Measurements dialog and upload the Workspace to the sensor.

NOTE: Any RS-232 sensor that had been automatically changed to RS-485 while in SYNC mode pull down menu will automatically revert to RS-232 at this time. It will communicate using RS-232 communication equipment.

1. On a push button model, use a TEACH-15 command


2. Unlock the TEACH mode by holding the button for THREE flashes and releasing


3. LED will flash slowly, indicating TEACH mode is invoked


4. Hold the button for 15 flashes, then release to cancel SYNC master or slave mode


5. Hold button for THREE flashes and release to stop TEACH mode. You can also cycle power, or simply wait 15 minutes

Any RS-232 sensor that had been automatically changed to RS-485 while in SYNC mode will automatically revert to RS-232 after leaving SYNC mode. It will communicate using RS-232 communication equipment.

Remove any RS-232 sensor from the network. RS-232 only supports one sensor at a time.