RP-Class Portable Instrument

Training
Field Service & Customer Service

v1.02 October 11, 2016

Introduction
The latest iteration of the Lite instrument is collectively
called the “RP” class. There are 7 different variations:
• TGA-BRP
• PDA-IVRP
• TGA-SRP
• TGA-BPRP
• TGA-SBRP
• TGA-SPRP
• TGA-FSRP
As in previous Lite instruments, the BUS (B), PDA (P) and
SSC (S) represent the different PD technologies that have
been traditionally available.
Introduction

Most current employees are familiar with the variations of

the new Lite, as they have been in existence in one form or
another nearly since the companies’ inception.

The TGA-FS (for Field Service) is (almost) a new variation,

containing all PD Technologies (BUS, PDA, SSC and LF).
While the G5-class Lite instruments could be built as a
triple technology instrument, it was never officially
supported; the TGA-FSRP is now part of the product line,
although it is intended for internal use only (not for sale to
customers).
RP-Class Similarities

Functionally, the RP-class Lites are nearly the same as

previous generations; the main differences are in form
factor, and some new features.
Most measurement-related functions have not changed.
• BUS and SSC are still the same in features and
functionality
• PDA features are nearly the same; however the 24-input
PDA-IV variation has been deprecated due to lack of
sales.
• LF measurements are functionally the same, although all
LF Coupler detection is now automated.
RP-Class Similarities

• Overall, the software suite has not changed; PDLitePro

is still used for data acquisition and PDView is still used
for data analysis. However, updated versions are
required.
• General use of the instrument is also essentially the
same.
RP-Class Overview
The RP-class Lites represent a complete hardware re-
design. They are built into a Pelican case, instead of using
the traditional steel enclosure.
RP-Class Overview
The basic internal layout of every RP-class Lite variation is
the same; the left-hand side of the instrument contains the
electronics, and the right-hand side of the instrument
contains a storage bay for instrument accessories (cables,
power supply, etc).
RP-Class PD Inputs

Generally, the PD inputs and Tester outputs are self

explanatory; the different types of inputs and outputs are
clearly labelled.
There are only two things that need to be specifically called
out.
• For instruments that contain both BUS and PDA
Technologies, the Tester outputs and some of the PD
inputs are shared between the PDA and BUS.
• When running a Low Frequency measurement, the PD
input that should be used is marked with a green circle;
the same green circle is shown around the Low
Frequency Coupler Control connector.
RP-Class PD Inputs
RP-Class Operating Mode Indicators

There are 5 different parts to the common interfaces on the

RP-class Lites.
• The Operating Mode indicators show what kind of
measurement is being run. They are not visible unless
they are turned on, and are not turned on unless a
measurement is in progress.
RP-Class Power Input
• The power input is connected to an external 12Vdc
power supply. There is a pushbutton and indicator in the
same area as the power input connector.

• The LED is one of three states:

– Solid Green = Idle
– Blinking Green = Busy
– Solid Red = Hardware Error detected
RP-Class Power Input

Since the instrument requires a 12Vdc power source, not

an ac power source, it can be run from a battery pack or
from a different power supply than the one that we provide.
The company’s official stand on the use of alternative
power supplies is:
• Iris only provides the standard supply; purchasing of an
alternative supply such as a battery pack is the
customer’s business; the manual provides direction on
selecting an appropriate battery pack.
• Damage to an instrument that is caused by a non-
standard power supply is not covered under warranty.
RP-Class External AC Sync
The external sync input is now split into two physical
connections:
• One is for 100 mVac-20 Vac and uses a standard BNC
cable
• The other is for 20 Vac-250 Vac and uses a custom
cable

The indicator lights up when a measurement that uses the

External Reference is in progress. It is not visible unless it
is turned on.
RP-Class Low-Frequency Control
The Low Frequency Control connector is for interfacing to
the Low Frequency Coupler.
When the Low Frequency Coupler is in use, the Low
Frequency indicator lights up. Note that the unlike other
indicators, this one does not have to be turned on to be
visible.

Note that the LF Control cable has a different connector for

the RP-class instruments than previous designs.
RP-Class Communications
RP-class instruments use USB and Ethernet for
communications.
Each has a physical connection and an indicator that
shows when a link is detected. These indicators are visible
when they are not lit up.
RP-Class Communications

Ethernet specs:
• Supports 10Base-T, 100Base-TX and 1000Base-T
• Auto-negotiates the speed
• Works with either a straight-through or crossover cable
• Static IP only

USB specs
• USB2.0 and USB3.0 compatible
• Uses a generic digitally signed driver for Windows 8 and
10 compatibility
Hardware Details
Some points about the new hardware design:
• Hardware is now a shared platform with the upcoming
TracII/GuardII instruments
• Sync filters have been redesigned for better noise
filtering
• Acceptable sync frequency is from 20 Hz to 120 Hz; the
instrument automatically detects the sync frequency
• The sync must be stable during the measurement or the
data could be compromised.
• As with previous designs, additional hardware is required
for VFD operation (VFD reference filter and PD filters)
• Tester outputs have been redesigned for more stable
operation than the current GuardII BITE
Tester Details
The new Tester produces pulses for 3 sensitivities; 20-
340mV, 50-850mV and 200-3400mV
The Tester produces a ‘twin peak’ pattern similar to what
the G5 Tester did, but only on these sensitivities.
When running measurements on other sensitivities, the
instrument uses the following Tester sensitivities:
Measurement Tester Measurement Tester
Sensitivity Sensitivity Sensitivity Sensitivity
2-34mV 20-340mV 100-1700mV 50-850mV
5-85mV 20-340mV 200-3400mV 200-3400mV
10-170mV 20-340mV 500-8500mV 200-3400mV
20-340mV 20-340mV 1000-17000mV 200-3400mV
50-850mV 50-850mV 2000-34000mV 200-3400mV
Tester Details

Sample Tester Results: 20-340mV

Tester Details

Sample Tester Results: 50-850mV

Tester Details

Sample Tester Results: 200-3400mV

Quality Flag Changes

HNM, HNPR, POVRL and UNDER Quality Flags have

been deprecated.

The definition of the OVR Quality Flag has been redefined

to:
“IF (the number of OVR pps over the entire phase of the
last amplitude window > OVR_Threshold) THEN (OVR flag
= TRUE)”
OVR represents any pulse activity (PD or system activity)
that is over the selected amplitude range.
The OVR flag applies to all PD Technologies
Quality Flag Changes

The MOVR (Machine Over) Quality Flag has been added to

RP-class BUS data
MOVR is defined as:
“IF (the number of OVR pps within the PD zones of the last
amplitude window > MOVR_Threshold) THEN (MOVR flag
= TRUE)”
MOVR represents pulse activity from the asset that is over
the selected amplitude range.
MOVR only applies to BUS data; PDA and SSC data will
not report MOVR
Note that if MOVR occurs, then OVR will also occur; but
OVR can occur without MOVR.
Quality Flag Changes

A new Quality Flag has been added called “UACF”, which

stands for “Unstable AC Frequency”.
UACF is set when the cycle-to-cycle ac period changes by
3%. It only takes one cycle-to-cycle variation of 3% or
higher to trigger the UACF flag.
This new flag is intended as a warning that excessive AC
jitter may have compromised the measurement results.
PDLitePro Details

Some points about the new PDLitePro:

• Fully compatible with G5 instruments
• IrisBus instruments are no longer fully supported
– Serial port comms have been removed
– As with previous versions, IrisBus USB only works on
32-bit Operating Systems
– Basically, if you happen to be able to communicate
with it (i.e., you know the IP address or you are using
32-bit USB) then an IrisBus instrument will work
• Ethernet communications via host name is no longer
supported
PDLitePro Details
• The sync frequency of the Tester in the RP-class
instruments is set by PDLitePro. This is in the Tools >
Preferences and Settings… > Instrument Settings
dialogue

• Once this is set, the Tester will be reconfigured to the

selected frequency for all RP instruments that connect to
this app
PDView Details

Some points about the new PDView:

• There are no longer “Trac” and “Guard” report templates;
the templates are compatible with all instrument classes
• The term “Noise” is no longer used in PD counters to
refer to system pulses; it is now referred to as “Activity”
to conform to current IEC standards
• In the measurement list, the “Measurement Type” has
been replaced with “Class”, which now shows the
instrument that was used to take the measurement; i.e.,
it now shows “TGA-B” instead of “Bus (Directional)”
PDView Details
• Graphing issues (occasional missing pulses on the PPA
graphs) have been fixed; what appears in the raw data is
now exactly what appears on the graphs. As a side
effect, 3D Trac data will have a more regular appearance
as each phase window is represented by 4 consecutive
data points.
Calibration and Maintenance
Occasionally, PDLitePro may report that an instrument has
not been calibrated in some time or that it requires
maintenance; both of these are based on expiry of a
programmed date.
Calibration and Maintenance

The Calibration message essentially means ‘its been a

while since Iris calibrated the instrument’. This does not
mean that the instrument is out of calibration, or that any
self-test has failed.
The instrument will continue to function normally, but this
message will appear once during each new PDLitePro
session until action is taken.

The Maintenance message is different; it essentially means

‘the instrument will not work until this is resolved’.
Calibration and Maintenance Policies

Every RP-class Lite instrument that Manufacturing builds is

programmed with a Calibration date 3 years after the build
date.

At the request of Iris management, some customer

instruments may be programmed with a Maintenance date
instead. This is done on a per-case basis.

All rental and all Field Service instruments that are shipped
out are to be programmed with a Maintenance date; the
exact procedure is yet to be determined.
Maintenance File Generator
Calibration dates are configured using a program called Iris
Maintenance File Generator.
Maintenance File Generator
Using the program is fairly easy.
• Enter the serial number of the instrument; each file
generated is locked to a particular serial number.
• Select the directory where the file is to be generated.
• Select the options for the configuration:
– The date that the message will appear
– Select “Disable” to turn off the feature; when this is
selected, the instrument will never produce a
Calibration or Maintenance message
– Select “Registration” to set the date to a Maintenance
mode
• Press “Generate” to create the file.
Updating the Calibration Date
Now the file is sent to the User, who can then upload it into
the instrument using the “Maintenance” button in the
Instrument Details window in PDLitePro.
Updating the Calibration Date
Updating the Calibration Date
Questions?