INFICON VGC094 (01) PDF DOCUMENT

Depending on the options chosen, the INFICON VGC094 can measure total pressure from atmosphere to 10⁻¹¹ mbar. It can trigger a number of pressure-dependent functions to control and monitor vacuum devices and processes. The instructions contained in this document must be strictly followed.

The scope of delivery consists of the following parts:

• 1 Control Unit

• 1 Power cord

• 1 Accessories kit containing:

– 4 collar screws and synthetic nipple

– 1 rubber strip

– 2 self-adhesive rubber feet

– 4 banana plugs, 2 mm, red

– 4 banana plugs, 2 mm, black

– 1 screwdriver, 2 mm

• 1 Supplement with QR code

All work described in the manual may only be carried out by skilled personnel who have suitable technical training and the necessary experience or who have been instructed by the end-user of the product.

The unit is designed for installation into a 19″ rack chassis adapter according to DIN 41 494. To reduce mechanical strain on the front panel, it is preferable to equip the rack chassis adapter with a guide rail.

Step 1. Secure the rack adapter in the rack frame. Ensure the maximum admissible ambient temperature is not exceeded and air circulation is not obstructed.

Step 2. Slide the INFICON VGC094 into the rack chassis adapter.

Step 3. Fasten the adapter panel to the rack chassis adapter using the screws supplied with the VGC094.

For mounting the INFICON VGC094 into a control panel, a cut-out of 139 mm x 127 mm is required. To reduce mechanical strain, it is preferable to support the unit.

Step 1. Slide the VGC094 into the cut-out of the control panel.

Step 2. Secure it with four M3 or equivalent screws.

Ensure the maximum admissible ambient temperature is not exceeded and air circulation is not obstructed.

The INFICON VGC094 may also be used as a desk-top unit. For this purpose, two self-adhesive rubber feet and a slip-on rubber bar are supplied with it.

Step 1. Stick the two supplied rubber feet to the rear part of the bottom plate.

Step 2. Slip the supplied rubber bar onto the bottom edge of the front panel.

Select a location where the admissible maximum ambient temperature is not exceeded (e.g. due to sun irradiation).

Use only a 3-conductor power cable with protective ground. The mains power connector may only be plugged into a socket with a protective ground. The protection must not be nullified by an extension cable without protective ground. The socket must be fuse-protected with 10 A(max).

If the unit is installed in a switching cabinet, the mains voltage should be supplied and turned on via a central distributor.

For ground connection, a screw is available on the rear of the unit to connect a ground conductor, for example, with the protective ground of the pump stand.

Mains specifications

Ambience

Measurement values

Relay contacts

Analog outputs

Dimensions and Weight

CONTROL Connector (D-sub, 25-pin female)

RS485 Connector (Binder M12, 5-pin female)

USB Type A Connector (Front panel)

USB Type B Connector (Rear panel)

Ethernet Connector (RJ45, 8-pin)

Switching On:

The power switch is on the rear of the unit. Switch on the VGC094 at the power switch. If the unit is incorporated in a rack, switch it on centrally via a switched power distributor. After power on, the VGC094 automatically performs a self-test, activates the parameters that were in effect before the last power off, switches on all measuring circuits with activated hot start and all operational Pirani gauges, and displays the identification of the measuring point.

Switching Off:

Turn the VGC094 off with the power switch (or centrally, if in a rack). Wait at least 10 seconds before turning the VGC094 on again in order for it to correctly initialize itself.

Measurement mode is the standard operating mode, displaying the measurement value, status messages, and an optional bar graph for each channel.

• Changing measurement channel: Press the left/right arrow keys. The unit alternates between the measurement channels, and the number of the selected channel flashes.

• Switching the gauge on/off manually: Press and hold the up or down key for >1 second. When switching on, a measurement value or status message is displayed. When switching off, the identification of the measuring board is displayed. Note: Switch on cold cathode gauges at pressures <10⁻³ hPa only to prevent excessive contamination.

• Displaying board identification and gauge type: Press the up and down keys together for >0.5 to 1 second. The measurement plug-in board identification (row 1) and the gauge type (row 2) are displayed for 10 seconds.

The Parameter mode is used for displaying, editing, and entering parameter values.

1. Enter Parameter Mode: From Measurement Mode, press the up and down arrow keys together. The unit switches to parameter mode, and the respective parameter group is displayed.

2. Select a Parameter Group: Use the up and down arrow keys to cycle through the available parameter groups (e.g., SETPOINT, SENSOR, GENERAL). Press the right arrow key to confirm your selection and enter the group.

3. Read a Parameter: Once in a group, use the up and down arrow keys to scroll through the parameters in that group.

4. Edit and Save a Parameter:

a. Navigate to the parameter you wish to edit.

b. Press the right arrow key to confirm. The value flashes, indicating it can be edited.

c. Use the up and down arrow keys to change the value.

d. Press the right arrow key again to save the change and return to the parameter list.

e. To exit the group, navigate to the `<` symbol and press the right arrow key.

In the `SETPOINT` parameter group, you can assign switching functions to channels and set their thresholds. There are four switching functions available.

1. Assign a switching function to a channel:

– Select the `SETPOINT x CH` parameter (where x is 1-4).

– Set the value to `ENABLED` and assign it to a sensor channel (e.g., `SENSOR A1`).

2. Set the lower switching threshold:

– Select the `SETPOINT x LOW` parameter.

– Edit the value. This defines the pressure at which the switching function activates when the pressure is dropping. The range is 1.0E-11 to 9.9E+3 mbar.

3. Set the upper switching threshold:

– Select the `SETPOINT x HIGH` parameter.

– Edit the value. This defines the pressure at which the switching function deactivates when the pressure is rising. The minimum hysteresis between the upper and lower threshold is at least 10% of the lower threshold.

4. Set the ON-Timer:

– Select the `SETPOINT x ON-T` parameter.

– Set a value from 0 to 100 seconds. This delays the switch-off of the relay after the upper threshold has been exceeded.

In the `SENSOR` parameter group, you can configure settings for the connected gauges.

• Measurement value filter (`FILTER`): Set the filter to OFF, 100 Hz, 10 Hz (default), 1 Hz, or 0.1 Hz to smooth out unstable or disturbed measuring signals.

• Gas type correction (`GAS TYPE`): Calibrate the measurement value to predefined gas types (e.g., Helium, Argon) or select `CORR-FACTOR` for manual input.

• Correction factor (`CORR-FACTOR`): If `GAS TYPE` is set to `CORR-FACTOR`, you can manually enter a correction factor between 0.20 and 8.00.

• Sensor type (`TYPE`): Select the correct sensor type for the recognized plug-in board. This adjusts the measuring characteristic.

• Measuring point name (`DESIGNATION`): Assign a name of up to 8 characters to the measuring point.

• Leakage current compensation (`COMPENSATION`): For cold cathode gauges, you can disable compensation (`OFF`), manually enter a compensation value, or start an automatic measurement to determine and apply a compensation value for leakage currents caused by long cables.

Firmware update with a USB memory stick (type A)

1. Download two files with the ending “.S19” and “.CNF” to a USB memory stick.

2. Switch off the unit.

3. Plug in the memory stick and then turn on the unit.

4. The update occurs automatically. The display will show messages like `BOOTING`, `ERASING FW…`, `UPDATING FW…`, and finally `UPDATE COMPLETE`.

5. Remove the memory stick, and the unit will restart automatically.

6. If necessary, re-load any customer-specific settings that were saved before the update.

Firmware update with USB Update Tool (USB type B)

Precondition: Windows XP, 7, 8, 10 or 11 operating system. If a virtual serial interface (COM) is not automatically established, you may need to download and install the driver from “ftdichip.com/drivers/vcp-drivers/”.

1. Download the USB UpdateTool software.

2. Connect the unit to the PC using a type A/B USB cable.

3. Start the USB UpdateTool, select the correct COM interface from the menu, and click “Connect”.

4. It is recommended that you first go to the “Manage Parameters” tab and download the current parameters from the device as a backup.

5. Click the “Manage Firmware” tab. You can either load a firmware file from your disk or load it from the update server.

6. Click “Update”. A progress bar will show the update status.

7. If the update was successful, upload your saved parameters back to the device using the “Manage Parameters” tab.

The INFICON VGC094 can be connected to a network via its Ethernet port, allowing communication through a virtual COM interface or via Winsock/Telnet.

Connecting to a Network (with registration)

1. Read out the MAC address of the VGC094 from the Test Parameters menu.

2. Provide the MAC address to your network administrator to register the device on the network. Obtain the necessary Ethernet parameters (IP ADDRESS, GATEWAY, NETMASK, and DHCP setting) from the administrator.

3. Configure the VGC094 with the provided Ethernet parameters via the front panel in the Communication Parameters menu.

4. Connect the VGC094 to the network with an Ethernet patch cable.

5. Use the Ethernet Configuration Tool on a PC to find the VGC094 on the network and assign it to a virtual COM interface.

6. Start your communication program (e.g., terminal, LabView) and connect it to the assigned COM interface.

Connecting directly to a Computer (without DHCP server)

1. Save all VGC094 parameters to a USB memory stick (“SAVE SETUP”).

2. On a PC, edit the saved CSV file to set the following Ethernet parameters:

• IP ADDRESS: 192.168.0.1 (or similar, ensure it’s on the same subnet as your computer)

• NETMASK: 255.255.0.0

• DHCP: OFF

3. Load the modified parameters back onto the VGC094 (“RESTORE SETUP”).

4. Connect the VGC094 to the computer using a crossover Ethernet cable or a standard patch cable if the interface is auto MDI-X capable.

5. Follow steps 5 and 6 from the network connection guide above.

Cleaning the VGC094

For cleaning the outside of the unit, a slightly moist cloth will usually suffice. Do not use any aggressive or scouring cleaning agents. Ensure no liquids penetrate the equipment, as contact with live parts is extremely hazardous.

Battery replacement

The product contains a battery (type CR2032, service life >10 years) to maintain the data integrity of the real-time clock. Battery replacement is necessary if the real-time clock repeatedly shows an incorrect date. This must be done by an authorized service center.

The error is shown in the dot matrix and the error relay opens. To acknowledge an error, press the right arrow key.

If the problem persists after the message has been acknowledged several times and/or the gauge has been exchanged, please contact your nearest INFICON service center.

The data logger group is used for recording measurement data on a USB memory stick (FAT32 formatted, max 32 GB). This group is only available when a suitable USB stick is plugged in.

1. Navigate to the `DATA LOGGER` parameter group.

2. Set the recording mode (`MODUS`):

• `MANUAL`: Start and stop recording using the `START / STOP` parameter.

• `AUTOMATIC`: Recording starts automatically when a USB stick is inserted and stops when it is removed.

3. Set date (`DATE`) and time (`TIME`).

4. Set the recording interval (`INTERVAL`): Can be set to a fixed time (1s, 10s, etc.) or based on a percentage deviation of the measurement value.

5. Set the decimal separator (`DEC-SEPARATOR`): Choose between comma or dot for the data file.

6. Set the file name (`FILENAME`): Enter a name up to 7 characters. The file will be saved with a .CSV extension.

7. Start/Stop Logging (in Manual mode):

• Navigate to the `START / STOP` parameter.

• The display will show ` TO START`. Press the up key to begin recording. The symbol on the screen will blink.

• The display will change to ` TO STOP`. Press the down key to stop recording.

8. Delete data files (`CLEAR`): This option allows you to delete all measurement data files (.CSV) from the USB memory stick.