Tracker 280 Series

Digital Panel Indicator for Frequency, Timing, Counting, Batching, Rate, Measurement and Display

The Tracker 280 series are designed for demanding industrial applications for use with sensors that give AC or pulse outputs. The Tracker 280 series can be used for measurement and display only applications or can act as a transmitter using the analogue output. The alarm option allows the Tracker 280 to be used as an alarm trip or batch controller. The unit is fitted with a serial communication interface as standard allowing it to be used as a front-end device for PC-based systems. The combination of the dual universal inputs together with the power and flexibility of the software allows customers and distributors to reduce stock and spares inventory to a minimum. The Tracker 280 series are styled to match other Indicators in the Tracker 200 range.

The Tracker 280 can be directly connected to most popular process sensors including AC magnetic pickups and pulse output devices. All input types can be scaled to display values in the user's preferred engineering units. The user can select to use the internal crystal controlled clock or calibrate to a known external standard. Transducer excitation is provided as standard giving 5 or 12V DC. An 8-point user linearisation can be used to compensate for non-linear sensor outputs for frequency and timing applications. Encoder measurement offers bi-directional pulse counting. A further 4 times resolution is available when used in Quadrature Mode.

For most types of pulse and AC output sensors

5V and 12V DC supplies are fitted as standard to power most sensor types

All Tracker 280 series Indicators are supplied with RS422/485 serial communications as standard. This interface allows computer-based systems to read values (e.g. the measured value) and write values (e.g. alarm setpoints) to and from the instrument. The Tracker 280 has 3 protocols including the widely used MODBUS-RTU (J-BUS)

The Tracker 284 is fitted with two relay outputs and the Tracker 285 has four TTL outputs. Setpoints can be adjusted at the time of configuration and can be password protected or adjusted using the buttons on the front panel. Each alarm can be used in High, Low or Deviation mode. Outputs can be configured to give a pulse for a user selectable time period, and can be latching with independent delay times for both on and off conditions. In addition they can be set to be energised or de-energised when in the alarm condition or when a batch (count) value is reached.

The measured value can be transmitted as a 0 to 10 volt, 0 to 20mA or 4 to 20mA signal to other devices such as chart recorders or data loggers. The fully isolated output can be scaled for any portion of the display range e.g. 4 to 20 mA = 500.00 to 800.00 (Litres/m). The analogue output can be configured to re-transmit rate, time or totalised (6 LSD) values

De-bounce is normally turned off for all sensor types except contact closure. This feature inhibits multiple counts which can be caused by contact bounce, and is selectable between 1 and 255 milliseconds in 1 millisecond steps. Allows the input signal to be inverted.
Allows the input count, frequency or time to be converted into engineering units. Scale and
Linearise also allows an eight-point user linearisation to be applied to compensate for non-linear sensor output signal rates, e.g. turbine flow meters.
Pre-Scaler for totalising values. This allows the totalled values to be in different engineering units, or at a different resolution, from the real-time measured value.
Low frequency cut off. This allows low input frequencies to be regarded as zero (user adjustable).

Wide ranging 90-265V AC input allows world-wide installation. A low voltage 24V AC/DC input option is available.

The enclosure uses flame retardant (VO) materials and the front panel conforms to IP65. The plug in sleeve type construction facilitates simple exchange for routine servicing / calibration

The flat recessed 6-digit display, together with high brightness red or green LEDs ensure maximum visibility even in difficult lighting conditions