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Digital Connection

Up to 16 Hydro-Probe II sensors may be daisy-chained to connect directly to a control system via the serial communications link.
 

Analogue Connection

Using linear analogue output directly to control system
 

Hydro-View Connection

Provides compatibility with the original Hydro-Probe for replacement, or connection to Hydro-View.
     
 

USING THE HYDROPROBE II ANALOGUE OUTPUT

The Hydro-Probe II provides a 0-20mA or 4-20mA current loop analogue output for connection to a batch control system.

A 4m cable terminated in a 10-way MIL-SPEC connector is used to connect to the sensor. The other end of this cable should be stripped back and joined to an appropriate extension cable for routing to the batch control system.

If a voltage signal is required instead of a current, then a suitable value load resistor (500R for 0-10V) should be connected across terminals 4 and 5. This resistor should be mounted AT THE BATCH COMPUTER to avoid cable resistance effects - not in the terminal box.

 

USING THE HYDROPROBE 485 INTERFACE

The Hydro-Probe II provides an RS485 serial interface which allows up to 16 sensors (Hydro-Probe II & Hydro-Mix V) to be connected together on a twin-twisted pair cable.

A 4m cable terminated in a 10-way MIL-SPEC connector is used to connect to the sensor. The other end of this cable should be stripped back and joined to an appropriate extension cable for routing to the batch control system and other sensors.

The twin-twisted pair network cable should be routed directly from one terminal box to the next as shown opposite. The batch controller would normally be connected to the nearest terminal box.

 

CONNECTING THE HYDROPROBE II TO A PC USING USB INTERFACE MODULE

The Sensor Interface Module (SIM01) provides a simple method of interfacing Hydronix sensors to a PC or laptop without the necessity of using a serial port.  The supplied driver allows the Sensor Interface Module to appear as a virtual com (serial) port which can then be selected in any Hydronix software application.

The SIM01 does not require power as it is powered by the USB port.  If sensor power is required, for example when testing the sensors in the laboratory or on the bench, then the plug-in DC power supply in the SIM01 kit can be used.  If however the sensor is already powered, then only the RS485 serial communication wires A and B need to be connected.  In this case the spare terminal block can be used.

For further information on the USB Sensor Interface Module, please click here

 

CONNECTING THE HYDROPROBE II TO A PC USING RS485

Connecting one or more sensors to a PC for use with the Hydro-Com software requires a suitable RS232-RS485 connector. Hydronix supply a convenient unit (part number 0049) which will mount directly onto a 9-pin COM port connector.

The twisted pair RS485 cable can then be terminated in a 9-pin male D-type connector as shown opposite.
 

USING THE HYDROPROBE II IN 'COMPATIBILITY MODE'

Compatibility mode' can be used when replacing a HydroProbe in an existing application with a HydroProbe II .

The existing probe will already be connected in place using an extension cable terminated in a 6-pin Bulgin connector at one end and a screw terminal block at the other (for connection to a HydroView or HydroControl IV system).

It is possible to make use of the existing field wiring and HydroView unit by fitting the HydroProbe II with a 4m 'Compatibility cable'.

The required connections are shown opposite for reference. Note that these are generally as given for the HydroView to HydroProbe connection details with the following exceptions:

1. -15V is no longer required, but may be left in place.

2. The cable screen should be connected to ground at the HydroView end of the cable.

N.B. The HydroProbe II sensor may be purchased in 'Compatibility mode' or can be configured for use in 'Compatibility mode' using the Hydro-Com Diagnostics software.