Descriptively, there are several significant improvements of the SC-200 module over its predecessor:
1. The SC-200 now uses plug-in screw terminals, so the I/O connections can be hooked up without being attached to the module.
2. The SC-200 has a fully differential input, which common modes out most ground-loop developed noise signals. The SC-100 has a single-ended input, which is easier to work with, but can be more susceptible to certain types of extraneous noise, usually from shield grounding issues.
3. The SC-200 offers two user-selectable shield grounding points versus the SC-100’s single user-selectable shield grounding point.
4. SC-200 incorporates a user-invoked lockout cybersecurity feature to prevent tampering and to notify a user of a tamper attempt.
5. The SC-200 has improved filtering of the sine wave excitation signal to produce less harmonic distortion than the SC-100’s excitation, which reduces capacitively coupled noise issues arising from long cables.
6. An SC-200 permits changing the module’s excitation frequency and the analog output via ASCII commands over the RS-485 bus, which obviates any need to open the module’s case for this purpose and offers a user complete remote setup for operation with an LVDT. For half-bridge sensors, 2 internal jumpers must be set by the user. An SC-100 does not offer this completely remote setup feature. Note that for either unit, the case must be opened to set the specific digital address.
7. The SC-200 has more system diagnostic capabilities than the SC-100, which can assist in fault detection for high reliability applications. At least 16 fault conditions can be detected by the SC-200’s diagnostics, including shorted, disconnected, or open primary; shorted, grounded, disconnected, or open secondaries; analog voltage output shorts or current loop opens; and the most common hook-up errors made during initial setup and installation.
8. SC-200 has a real-time recalibration feature to tweak the analog output after the mechanical system has warmed up. Recalibration can be performed either over the module’s RS-485 bus or from its front panel.
9. The SC-200 has an SC-100 emulation mode to make it operate essentially the same as an SC-100 for retrofit requirements, although operation as an SC-200 is the preferred mode.
New Features and Diagnostics Comparisons
|
Features |
SC-200 |
SC-100 |
Competitor |
|
|
Differential Input Connection of Sensor’s Output |
X |
|
X |
|
|
Two User-Selectable Shield Grounds |
X |
|
|
|
|
Remote Setup of Module via RS-485 bus |
X |
|
|
|
|
Remote Calibration via RS-485 bus |
X |
X |
X |
|
|
Module Hot Swappable |
X |
X |
X |
|
|
SC-100 Emulation Mode for Backward Compatibility |
X |
|
|
|
|
In-Process Recalibration for Zero and/or Full Scale |
X |
X |
|
|
|
Error Output Polarity Configurability as N.O. or N.C. |
X |
X |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diagnostics |
|
|
|
|
|
Primary Connection Open |
X |
X |
X |
|
|
Primary Connection Shorted across leads |
X |
|
|
|
|
Primary Connection Shorted to ground |
X |
X |
|
|
|
Secondary Connection Open |
X |
X |
X |
|
|
Secondary Connection Shorted across Leads |
X |
|
|
|
|
Secondary Connection Shorted to ground |
X |
X |
|
|
|
Voltage Output Short |
X |
|
|
|
|
Current Loop Output Open |
X |
|
|
|
|
Sensor Wiring Errors |
X |
|
|
|
|
Shorted Master / Slave Bus |
X |
X |
|
|
|
Module Wiring Errors |
X |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Cyber Security |
|
|
||
|
Anti-Tampering Lockout |
X |
|
|
|
|
Tampering Warning Flag Output |
X |
|
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