VPSuite users manual

Version 1.3
 c 2004-2005 by Van Putten Instruments B.V. VPSuite
Copyright
TM
is a trademark of Van Putten Instruments B.V.

No part of this publication is to be reproduced and/or made public using any medium whatsoever, for any purpose
other than strictly personal use and study, without prior written permission from Van Putten Instruments B.V.

Van Putten Instruments BV, Buitenwatersloot 335, 2614 GS, Delft

http://www.vpinstruments.com, info@vpinstruments.com, +31 (0)15 2131580

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Contents
1 Introduction 3
1.1 Conventions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
1.2 Miscellaneous . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

2 Installation 4

3 Program Overview 6
3.1 Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

4 VPFConfig module (Tab 1) 8

4.1 Manual Configuration of an insertion flow meter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
4.2 Configuration Wizard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
4.3 Advanced Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

5 VPFlowDAQ module (Tab 2) 10

5.1 Functional Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

6 VPDatalog Module(Tab 3) 12
6.1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
6.2 Configuring a New Measurement Session . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
6.3 Updating Data Logger Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
6.4 Activating the Data Logger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
6.5 Ending the Measurement Session or Changing the Card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
6.6 Exporting and Processing Data from the Card. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
6.7 Data export . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

7 Appendix: System Overview 20

List of Figures
1 The login/registration screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
2 Settings ⇒ Options dialog. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
3 VPFSuite main screen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
4 VPFlowDAQ main screen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
5 VPDatalog main screen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
6 VPDatalog Wizard step 1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
7 VPDatalog Wizard file browser. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
8 VPDatalog Wizard step 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
9 VPDatalog Wizard step 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
10 VPDatalog Wizard finish . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
11 Configuration switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
12 Select the DATA folder on the compact flash card. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
13 Dialog for manually entering the diameter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
14 Version VPT03-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

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1 Introduction
This is the user manual for VPsuite R
, the product of choice for configuration, real time moni-
toring and data logging using the VPFlowMate. You will soon see that learning to work with
VPSuite R
is not a long, time-consuming business and that it has been developed with simplic-
ity and clarity in mind. Once you have learned a few basic rules, you will quickly find your
way around this product. This manual will guide you on the first step towards successfully
using VPSuite R
.
VPFlowsuite replaces the following programs:

• VPFConfig: for configuring your VPFlowMate

• VPFlowDAQ: for measurements via the RS232 port of your computer

• VPDatalog: for use of the VPT03 compact flash data logger

One, two or three modules will be available to you, depending on your licence code.

1.1 Conventions
Various informative sections can be found throughout this user manual. These fall into two
categories and are indicated as follows:

Handy tips are preceded by the blue information icon.

Warnings or points for special attention are preceded by the yellow ex-
clamation mark.

1.2 Miscellaneous
This manual was last revised on 14 July 2005.

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2 Installation
Installation requirements:
Hardware: Pentium 500 MHz or higher recommended
Operating system: Windows 98 SE or higher.

Make sure you follow all the steps precisely! If installation has not been
successful (e.g. because you entered the wrong licence code), you will
have to uninstall the program using the Settings ⇒ Uninstall command.
This command deletes the settings relating to VPSuite in the Windows
register

Figure 1: The login/registration screen

1. In your PC, create a folder with the title ”VPInstruments”. Copy all the files from the
”Software” directory of the CD-ROM to this folder.

2. Start VPSuite.exe. The login screen (figure 1) will appear.

3. Select your own user password and enter it (to prevent unauthorised use of the program)

4. Enter the serial number and click [OK]. See the License.txt file for details of the serial num-
ber. There are two default numbers, one for the free basic version and one for the compact
flash data logger version. A third possibility is that a code will have been sent to you by
email

• Version with VPFConfig: 04090-0122001239-00

• Version with VPFConfig+VPDatalog: 04090-0122001261-00

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 • If you have purchased the VPFlowDAQ option, a code will be sent to you by email.

5. Click [OK]. The main screen will now appear (figure 3). At the top of the main screen,
select Settings ⇒ Options. The configuration window will now appear as in Figure 2. You
can now change your password if you wish. The administrator password is intended for
service personnel and cannot be changed.

6. Enter the number of the (serial) COM port or the IP address and the port.

7. Enter the pressure equation (if you have the relevant sensor). Virtually any 4 - 20 mA
sensor can be used. The sensor must be loop powered. In the data logger, a resistor
converts the current into voltage: 4 mA = 0.4 volt en 20 mA = 2 Volt. For a 0 - 16 bar
sensor, the equation is therefore: Y = 10 ∗ X − 4.

8. Click [OK].

9. Exit the program. The settings will now be updated.

You must always exit the program after changing the communication
settings, otherwise the COM port or TCP/IP port will not be initialised.

10. Re-start the program. The program is now ready for use.

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 Figure 2: Settings ⇒ Options dialog.

3 Program Overview
Figure 3 shows the main screen. The first thing you see in the main screen is the VPFConfig
module. In addition (depending on your licence), you will see the VPFlowDAQ and VPDatalog
modules. All three modules are descrbed in the sections below. At bottom right in the screen
you will see a connection status indicator. If you are connected to the VPFlowMate, a green
tick will be shown. At the top of the screen you will see the main menu. Via the main menu,
you can access (among other things) the Settings menu (Menu ⇒ Settings ⇒ Options ). You
can also activate the Help function. (Menu⇒Help).

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 Figure 3: VPFSuite main screen.

If no tabs are displayed, you have probably entered an incorrect licence

code. Uninstall the program (Menu⇒Settings⇒Uninstall) and reinstall
it.

3.1 Settings
VPSuite has a variety of settings. You already had to enter some settings during the installation
process. The full list of settings is shown below:
• User password: you can change your password here.
• VPFlowMAte Communication: VPFlowMate port settings (serial or TCP/IP).
• VPFlowDAQ: Autosave per day: Make automatic backups every 24 hours during long-
term measurements.
• VPDatalog: pressure equation: equation for an optional analogue pressure sensor.
• Export options: Custom interval: Save average values to CSV file instead of raw data.
Split files per day: Export files are split by day for easier importing into spreadsheet
program.

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4 VPFConfig module (Tab 1)
This module is supplied as standard with every flow meter. The main screen can contain up
to three modules, depending on your licence. The VPFConfig module consists of a manual
input section and a configuration wizard. You can use the manual input section for quick
configuration. Use the wizard if you want step-by-step guidance.

4.1 Manual Configuration of an insertion flow meter

First, the VPFlowMate has to be connected. The presence of a green tick at bottom right of
the screen indicates that it is connected. If this permanently changes to a red cross, there is no
connection. Now wait until the device has warmed up (dots will appear in the display; if you
do not have a display, wait for 10 seconds). The flow meter is now ready for configuration.

If there is no connection, check the options in the Settings menu and, if

necessary check the cable.

Now perform the following steps:

1. Click ”Read”. The flow meter will now be read and the serial number will appear in the
information section.

Make sure that you always read the flow meter first, otherwise, the
program may not know which flow meter you are working with and
incorrect values may be assigned.

2. Enter the pipe diameter. Enter the desired unit as well. NB: you must always enter a unit
when entering a pipe diameter. This will usually be m3/hour unless the diameter is less
than 40 mm.

You will notice that the pulse counter is modified according to the pipe
diameter. This is because the VPFlowMate operates with a number of
fixed pulse frequencies. Each time a specified, rounded-off quantity
has flowed past the sensor, the reading on the total counter is increased
by this quantity. At that point, the pulse output generates a switching
pulse.

3. Reset the total counter. If desired, you can use this function to set the total counter to zero
4. Configure the display filter. If you are dealing with a turbulent flow, you can use this to
temper the display.
5. Now click Program and the flow meter will be configured. The flow meter will be reset
after configuration.

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4.2 Configuration Wizard
The wizard will lead you through the installation process step-by-step. Start the wizard by
clicking the button with the magic wand on it. The wizard will now read the flow meter auto-
matically. Continue by following the wizard’s instructions.

4.3 Advanced Options

The Load and Save buttons allow you to load and save configurations. This is convenient
when performing multiple measurements using the same VPFlowMate(s). This data is used by
the VPFlowDAQ module and the datalog module. You can use the Delete button to delete a
particular configuration.

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5 VPFlowDAQ module (Tab 2)
VPFlowDAQ is used to perform real time measurements with the VPFlowMate. The main
screen for this module is shown in Figure 4. VPFlowDAQ is an optional module requiring
purchase of a separate licence. In the main screen, the operating elements are shown on the left
and the real time chart is shown on the right.

Figure 4: VPFlowDAQ main screen.

VPFlowDAQ is ideal for carrying out real time measurements. If you do not have your
laptop or PC with you at the measurement site, VPDatalog is more suitable. This makes use of
compact flash cards. For further information on this, see Section 6.

5.1 Functional Description

VPFlowDAQ creates a real time link via RS232 or TCP IP. The connection status can be checked
at any time from the tick at bottom right of the screen. After commencing a measurement, the
chart will be plotted. After performing measurements for a day, you can use the scroll bar to
browse through the chart.
VPDatalog automatically creates backups of the data in CSV format. These backups are use-
ful if you have to perform measurements over an extended period and may encounter power
cuts. You can import data into a spreadsheet application afterwards.
The control facilities are listed below:

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• General setup: This section contains the unit converter and the interval setting. By as-
signing a higher value to the interval, you can display an update (for example) every 5 or
10 seconds. This restricts the amount of data.

If you have to perform a lot of consumption measurements, once every

30 seconds is more than enough. If you are temporarily inspecting a
specific machine, it is a good idea to measure once per second so that
all the peaks and troughs in consumption become visible.

• Actions: Start and stop measurements. You start a measurement by clicking [start]. Click
this button again when you want to stop measuring. You can subsequently recommence
measurement; the chart will jump to the next measurement point.
The [save] button can be used to save data in .CSV format. You can also save data auto-
matically every 24 hours. See the Options menu under Settings.
The Print button allows you to print charts directly, without having recourse to a spread-
sheet application. Click [clear] to delete all data. This will clear the chart completely.

• Chart layout: The chart layout controls are virtually the same for both VPFlowDAQ and
VPDatalog. You can use this facility to change the scale of the axes manually. The scroll
bar under the chart allows you to browse through the chart day by day. This function
only works when you have taken measurements for a full day.

• Information: Additional information. In this section you can read off the current flow
and the total reading directly. You can also read the time when measurement started.

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6 VPDatalog Module(Tab 3)
6.1 Introduction
The datalog module can process data from the VPL01, VPT03 and VPT03-P data loggers. These
data loggers use a compact flash card. The datalog module reads in data, displays charts and
edits measurement data to make it suitable for further processing in a spreadsheet application.
At bottom left in the main screen (Figure 5) you will see the control buttons. The method of
operation is explained in the paragraphs below.

Figure 5: VPDatalog main screen.

The control panel is described below:

• Display: Display functions. In this section you can set the unit converter for the flow
values and switch the pressure signal on and off (if this has been measured as well).
• Chart layout: Chart controls. The chart layout controls are virtually the same for both
VPFlowDAQ and VPDatalog. You can use this facility to change the scale of the axes
manually. The [scroll bar] under the chart allows you to browse through the chart day
by day. This function only works when you have taken measurements for a full day.
• Chart layout: Chart controls. The chart layout controls are virtually the same for both
VPFlowDAQ and VPDatalog. You can use this facility to change the scale of the axes
manually. The scroll bar under the chart allows you to browse through the chart day by
day. This function only works when you have taken measurements for a full day.

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 • Actions: Main control panel. In this section, you can import and export data, print charts
and configure a new datalog session.

6.2 Configuring a New Measurement Session

Before you start: if there is still data from a previous measurement on

the card, it is best to make a backup of this. You then clear the entire
data folder by deleting it. This allows you to use the full capacity of the
card.

1. Click the [Start New VPDatalog session] button. You will now see the wizard’s dialog,
as in Figure 6 .

Figure 6: VPDatalog Wizard step 1.

2. Now select the compact flash by clicking the ... button. A file browser will now appear
(Figure 7) with which you can easily select the compact flash card reader.
The available disk space is displayed. When the card is full, you should clear it com-
pletely.

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 Figure 7: VPDatalog Wizard file browser.

3. Now click [Next]. You can further configure the data log session in the next screen (Figure
8). Select an interval and then the starting time (e.g. 12.00 noon). The software automat-
ically calculates the maximum stop time, based on the interval. If you want to continue
logging beyond the indicated stop time, you should increase the interval.

The software also calculates the logging interval in seconds, based on

the sample time of the VPFlowMAte and the specified ”log every ..
point”. You can adapt the sample time if you are sure that the flow
meter is set to (e.g.) 1 x per 0.5 seconds. (This is a special factory setting
that is not supplied by default.)

Figure 8: VPDatalog Wizard step 2

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 You can use either the supplied card or a new, formatted card of up
to 256 Megabytes. The required folder structure will always be gener-
ated afresh. The flash logger cannot write to cards of more than 256
Megabytes.

4. Click [Next] again. You have now arrived at the penultimate step of the wizard (Figure
9).

Figure 9: VPDatalog Wizard step 3

5. In the penultimate screen, you can indicate whether you want to synchronise the clock
of the data logger with your computer’s clock. You must always do this if the logger
has been switched off for over three days, because the clock’s supercap will then be ex-
hausted. Also, the clock can build up small discrepancies over several months, making
synchronisation necessary.

6. Click ”Next”. The final screen (Figure 10) appears. On the left, you can see a summary of
the data settings. Click [Finish] to close the wizard.

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 Figure 10: VPDatalog Wizard finish

6.3 Updating Data Logger Software

The data logger uses firmware. This firmware is programmed into the data logger at the factory.
It can sometimes be necessary to update this firmware when installing certain upgrades of
VPSuite. You do this in the last part of the wizard (Figure 9). Click the ... button and select the
desired file. This file will be copied to the compact flash card. When you insert the card in the
data logger, the firmware will be loaded into the logger’s permanent memory.

Always use the correct firmware in combination with a specific version

of VPSuite. If you do not, it can give rise to compatibility problems.
The firmware is supplied as standard with the VPSuite software.

6.4 Activating the Data Logger

1. Set the switch of the Data Logger panel to the ”Config” position (Figure 11). The Data
Logger is now deactivated.

Figure 11: Configuration switch

2. Insert the compact flash card in the data logger. To do this, the card must be correctly
aligned: the top of the card (with the brand name on it) must be to the side of the LCD

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 screen.
3. Gently press the card into place. Now set the switch to ”run”. The small red light will
blink a few times (indicating that the measuring session is being initialised or that soft-
ware is being updated). The light will subsequently flash constantly until the set starting
time. From that point, the light (LED) will flash in time with the set interval, e.g. once
every ten seconds if you set a 10-second interval.

If the light does not flash in time with the set interval, or does not flash
at all, it is possible that the compact flash card is damaged. This can
happen if the card is not disconnected properly or if it is inserted when
the switch is not in the ”Config” position. In this case, configure the
data log session again.

The LED of the data logger gives three types of indications:

• The LED flashes in time with the measuring rhythm of the

VPFlowMate. This is typically 1 second on and 1 second off,
unless your flow meter has a different measuring frequency: the
data logger will wait until measurement commences.

• The LED flashes briefly with each time interval: measurement has
begun.

• The LED is off: end of the measurement session, or the data logger
is switched off.

6.5 Ending the Measurement Session or Changing the Card

1. Set the switch to the ”Config” position (Figure 11). The data logger is now switched off
2. Remove the compact flash card from the data logger.
3. If necessary, insert a new card in the logger as described in subsection 6.4, or set the
switch to the ”run” position until you re-insert the card. The data logger’s clock now has
a power supply and will continue to run.

6.6 Exporting and Processing Data from the Card.

NEVER import datalog files initially using Excel, because there is a

chance that the program will irrecoverably alter the file. You will then
be unable to import the file with VPDatalog. You must therefore first
import the file using VPDatalog, save it with a different name and only
then import it into Excel.

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1. Take your card to your PC and read off the data using your compact flash reader. With
some versions of Windows, it may be necessary to re-insert the USB plug in the port in
order to re-activate the compact flash reader.

2. Click the [load] button at bottom left on the VPDatalog tab. A file browser will appear.
Find the compact flash drive and select the ”DATA” folder.
Now select the desired file. The files are marked in the following format: mm-dd-hh-mm
(month-day-hour-minute)

Figure 12: Select the DATA folder on the compact flash card.

The folder may sometimes contain a number of files. This can happen if there has been
a power cut or if the card was not cleared prior to the measuring session. If necessary,
click the icon circled in red and then click D ETAILS to view the date. Then you can simply
select the most recent file. Now select the desired file. The data will be imported.

3. After importing, a dialog will appear and you will be asked to select a stored configura-
tion. If you have not previously saved a configuration, click [cancel]. A second dialog will
appear in which you can enter the pipe diameter. This data is used for the unit converter.
You then click ”OK”. The chart will be plotted.

Figure 13: Dialog for manually entering the diameter.

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 If you have also measured a pressure signal, you can select the [Pres-
sure] check box. The pressure sensor signal will then appear in the
chart and a second axis will be plotted. NB: you must first enter the
equation for the 4-20 mA pressure sensor in the Settings¿¿ Options
menu under Pressure equation. Please refer also to the program’s Help
menu and Section ??

6.7 Data export

You can save data in .csv format for processing using a spreadsheet application. To do so, click
[export]. Be sure to append .csv to the file name! Excel will then immediately import the file
correctly. If you do not do this, you must use the ”Import Text” wizard in Excel. You must then
select the colon option in the second dialog and click Finish.
In the Settings⇒ Options menu you can modify the EXPORT interval by selecting the [cus-
tom interval] check box and entering the desired interval.

It can be convenient to save the files on a day-by-day basis. You can

do this by selecting the [split files per day] check box in the Settings →
Options menu. You can then simply copy and paste data into Excel and
(for example) create a default template for charts, into which you paste
the measurement data.

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7 Appendix: System Overview

Figure 14: Version VPT03-3

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Notes

21
Notes

22
Notes

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