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LT2 Series

Trimmer Mount Leak Detectors

1. Introduction

Improvements in electronic and pneumatic technology over the past 10 years have enabled a new leak tester to be designed which takes advantage of the latest technology.

Features which have been added include:

1.1. New Microprocessor Control System

	Reliability - Hardened against very high levels of mains spikes and static discharges.
	Flexibility - can quickly be re-programmed for special needs.
	Improved Accuracy - A 12 bit A/D converter is 32 times as accurate as other designs.
	Future-proof - Large number of spare inputs and outputs to allow future expansion provided at no extra cost.
	Easy to Set - Two line alpha-numeric display allows quick, accurate setting and display of test parameters.
	Easy to Fault Find - Diagnostics are provided from the front panel, allowing engineers to quickly verify every part of the system.
	International - Since all information is presented on the front panel display, it is easy to change the program to use another language (where the system is to be used in a non - English speaking country).

1.2. Extra Functions

Spare inputs and outputs are available to connect sensors for Handle Flash Detection, Jam detection, vision systems, alarms.

1.3. Improved Safety

Since all adjustments are from the front panel, it is no longer necessary for setters to have access to the inside of the control cabinet.

1.4. Self-Diagnostics

The cost of program memory is now very low, so it is easy to incorporate features that were not previously practical. Alarms can be displayed for:

Incorrect threshold setting

Test head misalignment

Bottle crushing during test

High reject rate.

1.5. Flexible Design

The design is highly flexible with respect to software, electronics and pneumatics.

1.6. Cost Effective

The circuit card design is specifically for this application, and does not incorporate unnecessary components for another machine. At the same time great care has been taken to ensure that the system is flexible, re-programmable and reliable. Spare inputs and outputs have been incorporated so that extra functions can be added whenever required.

1.7. Detail

1.7.1. Higher Reliability

This is possible due to technology improvement, reduced component count, integration of all electrical functions onto the PCB, and a better understanding of the failure mechanisms.

1.7.2. Interference Immunity

The voltage spikes produced by electromechanical switching and static discharges can cause electronics to fail. This failure can be temporary (spurious operation) or permanent (component damage). To try to prevent spurious operation of the leak tester, it was common to wire all machine connections through various interference filter cards. This had varying degrees of success. It is now possible and preferable to suppress spikes and static discharges at the leak tester PCB terminals. This results in a much neater and easier to build system. The level of immunity of new designs is extremely high, far better than most bought-in industrial PLC's.

1.7.3. Improved Operator Interface

It is now cost effective to use a full alphanumeric display rather than a simple digital readout. This allows descriptive text to appear identifying all settings , results and warnings. The system is also much more flexible as a result. All settings are from the front panel. Setting changes can be locked out if required.

1.8. New Features Summary

Improved Reliability

Interference Immunity

Improved Accuracy

Improved Safety

Adjustable Test Pressure

Spare Inputs For Extra Functions

Alarm Output Option

Correct Number Failed count for all trimmer configurations

Push Button, Front Panel Settings

Alphanumeric Display Of Settings And Results

International Language Displays

Self-Diagnostics

Data Logging Options

Spare I/Os brought out to standard plug

Reduced Internal Wiring Complexity

Panel Mounted Pneumatic Controls

2. Specification

Electrical Power Supply	110/120 single phase
Electrical Connection	10 pin HA-10 standard plug
Electrical Power consumption	50 VA maximum
Air Supply	4-10 bar
Air Consumption	1 litre / minute typical
Minimum bottle volume	500ml - 1 pint
Maximum bottle volume	25 litres - 5 gallon (unit will still work with any volume, but cycle time would be improved using another model).
Test Pressure	Adjustable, 5 - 50 mB.
Cycle Time	1.0 - 20.0 seconds, adjustable.
Hole Size Detected	Dependent on cycle time and container size. For a 500ml bottle and a 2 second test time, the hole detected would be 0.1mm.