MicroTrap™ Operations Manual - Edition 4.4
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5.1 Introduction to Recording DC Voltage Signals
The MicroTrap™ VOD/Data Recorder with optional Scope Upgrade is capable of recording DC voltage signals on up to 4 channels.
Additionally, the VOD channel can be used to record VOD data simultaneously with the recording of voltage signals. When
simultaneously recording voltage and VOD data the triggering of the MicroTrap, when set on INTernal triggering, is controlled by
the VOD channel.
The MicroTrap™ VOD/Data Recorder is specifically designed to be used with gauges, power supplies and signal conditioning equipment
producing DC voltage signals in the range of -10 to +10 VDC. Each of the Scope channels can be individually programmed to accept
a variety of uni-polar or bi-polar voltage ranges. The 0-2.5, 0-5 and 0-10 volt ranges refer to the uni-polar setting commonly used to
measure slowly changing events such as temperature recordings. The -2.5 to 2.5, -5 to 5 and -10 to 10 volt input ranges refer to the
bipolar mode which is frequently used to record faster events such as explosion & detonation pressures, blast vibrations, over-pressures,
air blast, strains, etc.
The MREL MicroTrap™ VOD/Data Recorder is commonly used to record voltage signal inputs from commercially available sensors such as
include (external power sources may be required):
• Tri-axial Geophones and Uni-axial Velocimeters for recording vibration data.
• Tourmaline gauges for recording high pressures associated with shock, such as underwater blasts.
• Carbon Resistors for recording very high pressure signals in harsh environments, such as cross-borehole propagation.
• PVDF transducers to measure detonation pressures.
• Thermocouples to measure temperatures.
• Various PCB sensors to measure blast overpressures or accelerations.
Some types of sensors require an excitation signal to operate. In this case, the appropriate amplifier or signal conditioner must be used in
conjunction with the sensor.
The DAS™ Data Acquisition Suite Software automatically displays the recorded data in graphs of voltage versus time. The DAS™ Data
Acquisition Suite Software includes menu functions that allow the User to apply equations to the voltage data in order to convert it into
a graph of proper engineering units (versus time). The User has the freedom to choose any engineering unit that corresponds to the
sensor data. Also, if desired, the data can be exported to be used in other software programs that the User has access to. The user can
purchase an upgrade to the Advanced Edition of the DAS™ Data Acquisition Suite Software to enable the application of filters for the
data. Refer to the Advanced Edition section in the DAS™ Data Acquisition Suite Software Manual for more information.
5.2 Connecting Gauges to the MicroTrap™ VOD/Data Recorder
The equipment and supplies that are required to record voltage signals from gauges are:
1. The MREL MicroTrap™ VOD/Data Recorder.
2. Up to 4 Sensors and 1 VOD Probe (optional).
3. Coaxial Cable (type RG-58 is recommended) of sufficient length to run between the MicroTrap™ VOD/Data Recorder and the sensors.
4. Wire Cutters and Electrical Tape.
This Chapter provides the Operator with detailed instructions on connecting the gauges to the
MicroTrap™ VOD/Data Recorder and setting the MicroTrap™ VOD/Data Recorder hardware to
record the voltage signals produced by the gauges.
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