TCIC User’s Manual
17
Output Mode: SP-Auto / SP-Latch / Manual
This is actually ‘output x’ setting rather than ‘channel x’
setting. This setting defines the nature of output x
(x=1,2,...,8):
Roughly speaking, output x may be either a ‘setpoint
indicator’ of channel x, or a manual output with no
relation to channel x (nor any other channel).
‘Manual output’ simply means that the output can be turned
on or off directly by the host PC by simple software commands.
The ‘setpoint indicator’ definition, however, is more
complicated:
The main idea is that when output x is defined as a ‘setpoint
indicator’ (SP-Auto or SP-Latch), it will go high (on) when
input x crosses the ‘Set Points Switch / On’ limit. Now, there
are still some points to clarify:
The user may define two characteristics of the setpoint
indication:
* How will the indication stop (i.e., output goes ‘off’)?
Automatically or manually?
٠ Selecting ‘SP-Auto’ means automatic stop of the
indication. The ‘turn off’ operation will occur when input x
crosses the ‘Set Points Switch/Off’ limit. That mechanism
enables the user to define a
hysteresis
eliminating
undesirable fluctuations in the status of the output.
٠ Selecting ‘SP-Latch’ means that once there is ‘setpoint
indication’ (output is on), the output will stay on until
manually turned off by the TCIC-Monitor.
* The direction of temperature change that will trigger the
indication: Will the indication be supplied upon crossing
the ‘On’ limit upwards or downwards? This
characteristic is controlled by the ‘Set Points Switch/Off’
limit, as described below.