GBS Elektronik MCA 166 - Manual (Page 7)

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7
2.0 Hardware
2.1 Users safety information
Read all these instructions first.
Save these instructions for later use.
Do Not Remove Connectors
To avoid personal injury or damage of equipment, do not remove the connectors
for the High Voltage supply, preamplifier supply, and the input connector until the High
Voltage is shut down and the device is switched off at least for 1 minute.
Do Not Remove Covers
Do not open the device before the power is switched off.
2.1.1 Power Source
This device is intended to operate from an internal accumulator set (high
performance Li-Ion battery) or together with the external charger from a power
source.
Do not apply more than 240 volts rms between the supply conductors of the charger.
The power cord and the connector must be in a good condition.
Do not allow anything to rest on the power cord.
2.1.2 High Voltage Supply
Make sure that the High Voltage connector and the High Voltage supply cable
of the detector are in a good condition before connecting them to the MCA 166
or before switching the High Voltage on.
Do not allow anything to rest on the HV cable.
Never insert objects of any kind into the High Voltage connector as they may touch the
dangerous voltage point. This might cause an electric shock or a damage of the device.
2.2 General Description
The MCA 166 is an autonomous module. The device has its own battery and provides
power supply to radiation detectors. Together with a computer the MCA 166 forms a multi
channel analyzer. The spectra are collected in the memory of the MCA 166 and are
transferred via a serial interface periodically to the computer. The computer is used to
setup the MCA 166, to display and process the measurement results, and to store the
data. The design concept of the MCA 166 also supports a Multi-Channel Scaler mode.
For operation the MCA 166 itself has only a power switch and a green LED indicator.
2.2.1 Power management
The MCA 166 works with a built in re-chargeable Li-Ion battery, which has no memory
effect and is deep discharge and short circuit protected. If the device is working, the
remaining battery life time is permanently checked. When the battery voltage has dropped
down to 6.8 Volts, while a data collection is in progress, the MCA 166 gives out a warning
to the user (the lamp will flash irregularly and the software will show an error message).
The running measurement is automatically stopped and the detector high voltage
together with the preamplifier power supply will be switched off.
The user can now transfer the measured spectrum to the computer, but should switch the
device off afterwards or connect the charger. If the user does not respond, and the
battery life time is nearly used up (battery voltage 6.5 Volts) , the device switches off