MD76/1

COURSE MONITOR

Typical system application

• Introduction

An independent Course Monitor is an important aid to safety and is now a requirement by IMO when
an autopilot is installed. The Marine Data MD76/1 has in addition several advantageous facilities.
The course to be monitored is automatically set by a push button when on the required heading. It is not
necessary to set a dial. Hence the system is relative and avoids the possibility of an error as regards true
or magnetic heading.
An audible and visual alarm at the steering position is activated after a course exceeds a pre-set
bandwidth in degrees.
The MD76/1 is designed to be the main element in a TMC and is particularly suitable for
workboats, tugs and fishing boats.
The MD76/1 is operated from an electromagnetic sensor which is mounted to a magnetic compass. It
can be used in conjunction with a primary steering display such as a MD75 or a repeater (/3 variation).
The MD76/1 generates all of its signals and retransmits a reference signal and buffered phase
information or clock, heading & reset pulses to its repeater. A 24VDC power supply is required to
drive the Course Monitor. This type of off course alarm is particularly suitable for workboats, tugs
and fishing boats. A volt free DC contact is provided so that an external alarm circuit can be activated
when the Course Monitor is activated

Man_76_1 Iss 2.01 Page 1/4

• Installation.
Tools required : basic hand tools; D.V.M; megger
Step Description Remarks
1 Inspect the packing for contents. Note any damage or exclusions.
2 Inspect the mounting position for suitable clearance and cable access. Bulkhead or panel mounting option. (see specification
for detail.)
3 Mechanically install the MD76/1
4 Remove the four fixing screws that hold the back panel to the unit. The Barrier strips “A” and “B” will now be exposed see
table below for Power and Data connections.
5 Locate all incoming cables and terminate them . Ensure all incoming supply and signal cables are either
suitably isolated and connected or bonded to ships earth
as per connection table below.
6 Installation is complete. Do not apply power.

MD76/1 Connection tables Incoming systems ident* Description Terminal

Table 1 Connections power Reference sensor coil input R1 A1
and signal .
Reference sensor coil input R2 A2
Magnetic sensor coil input S3 A3
Magnetic sensor coil input S1 A4
Magnetic sensor coil input S2 A5
+24VDC main power supply (input) A7
DC main supply return (input). A9
+24VDC standby power supply (input) A8
DC standby supply return (input). A9
SCN B12
Table 2 Connections Alarm & Incoming systems ident* Description Terminal
Autopilot ON/OFF switch Autopilot ** B1
ON/OFF switch Autopilot. ** B2
Alarm relay output (DC contact normally open) B4
Alarm relay output (DC contact common) B5
Alarm relay output (DC contact normally closed) B6
Table 3 Connections MD75 Incoming systems ident* Description Terminal
(if fitted) Clock output. B7
Heading output. B8
Reset output. B9
+24V DC (output). B10
Table 4 Connections Repeater DC supply return (output) B11
/3 variant (if fitted) Incoming systems ident* Description Terminal
Reference output A6
S3+100Ω A10
S1+100Ω A11
S2+100Ω A12
• Barrier Strip Identification Diagram.

There are two 12 way Barrier strips located immediately inside the
back cover of the MD76/1 the strips are used to connect the power
and data from the ships system to the MD76/1. They are marked “A”
and “B”. For connection details see tables above.

• Manual Alarm Override Notes

If you do not wish for the course monitor alarm to sound when
steering a course manually see **

Fig. 1 Barrier Strip Identification.

* left intentionally blank to be filled out by installer.

** A link MUST be fitted between B1 and B2 to activate the course monitor alarm system. A remote manual override switch can be
fitted to de-activate the alarm facility of the MD76/1 if a helmsman wishes to steer a course manually. If this feature is not desired
the switch must be replaced with a link fitted between B1 and B2. Any repeater connected to the system should still operate as
normal

Man_76_1 Iss 2.00 Page 2/4

• System Commissioning
Step Description
1 Ensure the installation is satisfactory & set the Course
width at minimum
2 Apply system power(24VDC) to the complete TMC
3 Cancel the alarm by depressing the alarm cancel button.
4 Cancel the alarm as step 3 and depress the course ALIGN
button.
5 Slew the compass card and verify the Course Monitor
operation for all course bandwidths
6 Verify the Course Monitor Test facility operates.
7 Fill out and return commissioning form.
Remarks
Ensure that the repeater device is operating correctly (see its
commissioning instructions). An audible and visual alarm will be emitted
from the Course Monitor.
The audible alarm will cease and the alarm light will continue to flash.
After ten seconds the audible alarm will sound again.
The audible and visual alarm will cease and the Course Monitor will be set
to the current heading.
When stationary this can be achieved physically rotating the ships compass
bowl.
Send copy to MDL failure to do so may affect warranty conditions.

Fig 2. Operators controls

• Operator Controls.
The MD76/1 has four operator controls as detailed in fig 2.
Alarm acknowledge/cancel This is pressed to cancel the audible alarm and acknowledge that the ship has wandered from
the allowable course bandwidth. The visual alarm will continue to flash at regular intervals until the ship returns to the set
heading regardless of how many times the alarm is acknowledged.
Set Course by simply depressing the alignment control button. The current heading that the ship is currently following
is now the set course for the MD76/1 to follow. The on course light will now be illuminated. The on course light will
switch off when the ship deviates more than 4O from the set heading and both audio and visual alarms will activate
when the pre-set course bandwidth is exceeded.
The Course bandwidth control allows the helmsman to set the maximum allowable heading deviation that the ship can
wander from the set course before the visual and audio alarms activate.
The illumination level can be set by turning the dimmer control knob until the desired illumination level is achieved.
Upon main power supply loss the MD76/1’s main supply lamp will no longer be lit. The unit will automatically
switch to the backup power supply. The audio and visual alarms will activate. When the loss of main power is
acknowledged by depressing the alarm cancel button, the audio and visual alarms will deactivate.The MD76/1 will then
continue to work as a course monitor.

• Maintenance and fault finding.

No maintenance is required beyond wiping dust from the MD76/1 periodically.
Test the alarm facility when it is deemed necessary to do so in the interests of safety.
Symptom Probable fault Remedy
MD76/1 does not operate No power. Check incoming power supply.
correctly. wiring problem. Check incoming signal wire connections for miswiring or intermittent faults.

• Available Finished Items and Spare Parts

In the Event that spare parts are needed please contact your dealer or MDL direct.

Man_76_1 Iss 2.00 Page 3/4

• SPECIFICATION FOR MD76/1

• Physical
• Weight 2.0 Kg
• Mounting Panel or Trunnion
• Finish Black/Grey
• Connections 2 X Internal Barrier Strip
• Construction Aluminium Enclosure
• Electrical
• Power Supply 24v DC Main and
24v DC Standby.
• Data Input Phase and signal
information from a
MD52A sensor
• Data Outputs Audible and visual
alarm.
DC Volt free contact
(Rated at 24v 1/2A)

• Operational
• Performance ±1O Accuracy
• Follow up rate Limited by compass
follow up rate.
• Display Visual alarm.
• Course User selectable to 4O, 6O
Bandwidth ,8O, 12O, 16O and 20O.
Switch
• Environmental
• Rating IP54
• Temperature -10O C to + 70O C

• Additional Information
• Built in test function provided.
• An independent course monitor is required
by IMO when an Autopilot is installed.
• The MD76 generates an audible and visual
alarm when course deviation exceeds a pre-
set amount.
• Main power failure is detected by the
MD76/1 which generates an alarm condition
and switches the unit to the ships backup
supply automatically.

MARINE DATA RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MAKES CHANGES TO ITS PRODUCTS AND SPECIFICATIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Man_76_1 Iss 2.00 Page 4/4