Rice Lake Transducer Simulator 4 - Manual (Page 2)

What kind of cables should I use? - Load cell simulators should be wired like load cells. Use shielded
load cell wire with the shield connected at the indicator and unconnected at the simulator. Important: If the
indicator has any kind of remote sensing capability, use it! Make your standard cables six-wire cables. Use
#22 A.W.G. or #20 A.W.G. cable if possible. Connect the +Excitation and the +Sense to the +EXC terminal
on the simulator. Connect the -Excitation and the -Sense to the -EXC terminal on the simulator. The simula-
tor can then simulate a six-wire system and verify that the sense amplifiers are working on the meter.
What kind of accuracy can I expect from the simulator? - The simulator has characteristics equal to
or better than a strain gauge load cell. The background noise of the simulator is approximately 250 nV. The
temperature coefficient of the simulator is less than 5 ppm/
°
C with bridge tracking of < 1 ppm/
°
C. The
linearity of the simulator is always <
±
0.05% of full scale and <
±
0.02% in most cases. The repeatability is
<
±
0.01% of full scale. The absolute accuracy of each step is
±
0.05% of full scale. A detailed calibration
report for the individual simulator is available for a nominal charge.
A stable, repeatable simulator can be invaluable in many situations. No scale inspection or test should be
complete without a detailed simulator test. The data should be recorded at the customer's site and in the
service agency's permanent record about this scale and installation. The information must include the serial
number of the simulator used to make the test. If the indicator should fail, or be damaged by lightning, the
system can be returned to operation with the same simulator until a test truck can arrive.
What are all the knobs and buttons about? - Every control and function has been carefully designed to be
useful for technicians who work with strain gauge and pressure transducer instrumentation. The value of
calibrated steps cover the ranges used with almost any scale installation.
• Carefully calibrated 1.75, 2.00 and 3.00 mV/V outputs duplicate the most common outputs of cells.
• The full range from 0-3.00 mV/V with 0.25 mV/V steps allows testing meter linearity at several
steps along the calibration curve. The calibrated +0.25 mV/V deadload offset is required for many
newer meter designs which require a significant deadload at zero for proper digital calibration.
• The multirange vernier allows easy, stable adjustment between steps. This helps the technician test
multiple setpoints in even the most complex batching routines. The six-way binding posts accept
cables or connectors. All metal parts are stainless steel and the entire simulator is constructed so
that the enclosure can be easily replaced if damaged.
Can I use the simulator in wet or dirty environments? - The construction materials of the Simulator
4 were carefully selected to make the simulator accurate and rugged. The rotary switches are all environ-
mentally sealed. If the simulator is used outdoors in rain or snow, excessive moisture can build up around
components and cause leakage. This doesn't damage the simulator; just dry it out. Use a desiccant inside
the simulator if the unit is left outdoors for extended periods of time. Clean the simulator by wiping off the
face with a soft cloth or use isopropyl alcohol wipes. If you fear contamination has gotten under the front
face, remove the four stainless steel screws on the corners and remove the simulator assembly. Clean the
inside of the enclosure and reassemble.