Excitation (Hi-RepII Source and MBS201 Stand) Chapter 3

3.1.3.5.1 Board with Diode Programmable Matrix

Schematic: S315558

This board contains a condition programmable matrix, an adjustment circuit for the voltage ranges and two
safety circuits.

The matrix is driven by condition bits A, B and C coming from the instrument. Condition bits A and B are
decoded by the Logic Control board (see 3.1.3.6 Logic Control Board section below) which supplies the four
signals whilst the condition bit C is only memorised on the logic board and arrives on Conditions Select
board under the name where it drives relays RY10 and RY11 which permit to switch between the ABCD and
EFGH lines of the matrix.

Note: This hybrid way of decoding the analysis conditions was chosen so as to ensure this circuit's
compatibility with the different types of Hi-Rep sources.

One column of the matrix is activated if a diode is plugged at the intersection of a line and this is at zero. The
outputs of the matrix are the columns 1 to 9 and they control the relays:
♦ RY1 to RY4, which select one of the four discharge voltages,
♦ RY5 controls the choice of the discharge capacity
♦ RY6 controls the value of the serial resistor
♦ RY7 and RY8 control the inductance value of the serial coil.

The 5th column allows the selection of the sparking frequency by activating TR7 on the Synchro Pulse Gen-
erator board (TR7 controlling the relay RY1 of that board).

The voltage adjustment circuit consists of a comparator that switches when the potential on the analysis ca-
pacitors (C4, C5, and C6 on S214030) reaches the value pre-adjusted by potentiometers P2 and P5. The
charge voltage arrives by point 11 on the two dividers, one of which is used for the external voltage meas-
urement (R17, R19) output 12. The other divider, composed of R16 and R12 + P1 goes to the input of IC1.
Potentiometer P1 is used to fix the maximum voltage (450 V). When crossing zero the comparator output
discharges the capacitor C2 that delivers a pulse on optocoupler IC5 of S316800 thus stopping the charging
of the analysis capacitor. Resistors R14 and R18 give an hysteresis to the comparator so that its output only
falls to 15 V if the analysis capacitor's voltage falls below 150 V. This prevents the capacitors from re-
charging with the circuit composed of R1, R2, TR1 and D1 which inhibits transistor TR5 on Synchro Pulse
Generator board (S315294), in case the previous discharge did not occur.

The safety circuits consist of two comparators.

♦ The first safety circuit uses IC3. It detects a failed spark by supervising the voltage on the analysis ca-
pacitors. If this voltage remains at 400 V during more than 3 ms, the comparator indicates an over-voltage
and the source will be stopped. This is achieved by the divider by 100 constituted by R17 and R19 and
also by the time constant created on the + input (pin 2) of IC3 by resistors R11+R3 and capacitor C6.

♦ The second safety, which uses IC2, measures the voltage available on capacitors C1 and C2 (S214030)
stocking the energy necessary to charge the analysis capacitors. The voltage on C1, C2 is divided by 100
on S314702 (R1, R2, R3, and R4) and sent to point J3/8. This voltage is compared with the 5 V, divided
by R8, R5 (3 V). In case of short circuit of the stand, for example, the voltage at the flanks of C1 and C2
(S214030) will fall to about 300 V. This under-voltage will switch the comparator IC2 which will send a
stop to the logic board S213390.

On this board, as well as on the power supply board S316800, tracks are connected to the
230 V mains as well as to the hot point of the analysis capacitors. Great care is therefore
needed when measurements are done on these circuits.

AA83346 Technical Description - ARL 3460 3-11