Measurement Computing PointScan Road Map rev.2.0 - Manual (Page 8)

Step 1) Hook up the PointScan Hardware
Follow the hardware instructions in the PointScan User Guides to set up the module bases and to
connect sensors to PointScan units. If you do not have a copy of those documents, you can find PDF
versions at our website: http://www.iotech.com/manuals.html. Simply scroll down the tech manuals
page until you see PointScan manuals.
Two very important hardware configuration steps are located in the PointScan/100 Series User’s
Manual, p/n 1085-0901. The steps can be found on pages 1-2 and 2-1 of that manual, respectively.
(a) Connecting the operating power to the modules.
(b) Connecting RS485 communications wiring between multiple modules.
If you are connecting your computer directly to a single PointScan/100 module,
you need to use an Ethernet crossover cable (instead of a standard one). If you
have more than one /100 series PointScan module in your system, you will need
to use an Ethernet hub or switch to connect the computer and PointScan
hardware to the network.
If you have any PointScan/200 series modules in your system, you must have a
PointScan/440 module to configure them. If this is the case, connect the 440
module to your computer’s serial port.
Never add PointScan modules to an active system, which is communicating with
KEPServer. Prior to adding modules, power-down the on-line modules and stop
the KEPServer communications.
Up to 7 PointScan modules can be powered by one PointScan/443 power supply module. Each
PointScan module requires approximately 140ma of current from the power source. You will need to
budget your available supply power accordingly, especially if you plan on using the same power supply
for external transducers and/or current loops.
Whenever an un-powered PointScan/443 module is plugged-in, it will only
power up to 4 connected modules. Attempting to startup more than 4 modules
will result in a power-stall condition, in which the /443 module cannot produce a
high enough output voltage. However, there are two methods for powering up
more than 4 modules. Both are discussed in step 2, below.
Avoid unnecessary power cycling of PointScan systems, as these systems are
designed to receive a continuous, uninterrupted supply of power. Returning
power to a system of 5, 6, or 7 modules will likely result in a power-stall
condition. Refer to the following step in regard to power start up.
Up to 32 modules using RS485 communications can be daisy chained from the RS485 port of one /100
series module. The /100 series modules provide the connection to Ethernet.
4 878395 PointScan Road Map