- Piezometers (10)
- Inclinometers and Tiltmeters (33)
- RDS Railway Deformation System (8)
- Pendulums (2)
- Settlement Gauges (14)
- Pressure cells (7)
- Load Cells (6)
- Extensometers (6)
- Crackmeters and Jointmeters (3)
- Strain Gauges and Thermometers (4)
- Readout units and dataloggers (60)
- Cables, Accessories and Software (3)
RDS Railway Deformation System
FAQ#115 - What is the best power supply for the OMNIAlog logger used to manage the FLX-Rail system?
The OMNIAlog logger for FLX-Rail has a fairly high power consumption due to the router.
If OMNIAlog is set to send data through the router after each acquisition (so every 5 minutes) it needs to be powered from the network (e.g. 220Vac)
If OMNIAlog is set to send data through the router once a day, it can be powered by solar or grid power.
FAQ#110 - What's the purpose of the linear and polynomial factors written in the Calibration Reports?
Utilize the Linear Sensitivity Factors (A, B) and Ploynomial Sensitivity Factors (A, B, C, D) of the Calibration Reports permit to obtain readings in engineerig units with a maximum error as for the Calibration Report.
In the case of analogue gauges, the factors shall be applied on the electrical readings (i.e. mA, mV, digit, etc...)
In the case of digital gauges in "Legacy mode" (digital gauges with FW version 0.X, 1.X, 2.X or 3.X), the factors shall be applied on the output in engineering units (i.e. sin angle, kPa, etc...)
In the case of digital gauges in "Normal Mode" (digital gauges with FW version 3 or higher), the factors are already applied inside the gauge, so the Sensitivity Factors shall not be utilized with these instruments.
NOTE: all the new digital gauges are in "Normal mode".
For more information regarding SISGEO Calibration Report, refer to the following video https://youtu.be/BF8e3ZRcaYU
For more information on "how to use" the Sensitivity Factors with analogue gauges and with digital gauges in Legacy Mode, refer to the instruments manuals or to the following document: https://www.sisgeo.com/uploads/manuali/Addendum_data_processing/ADDENDUM_-_DATA_PROCESSING_-_EN_00.pdf
FAQ#094 - Which are the available powering modes for SISGEO digital sensors?
All SISGEO digital gauges can be settled in two different powering mode:
- ALWAYS ON: all digital sensors switched on together. Faster solution, but high power consumption. The system will take about 1 second to read each gauge.
- TIMED: the sensors are powered and switched-on one by one. Reading of the chain take more time than "always on", but the power consumption is lower. In this case the system will take about 3 seconds to read each gauge.
The STANDARD powering mode is ALWAYS ON, so unless otherwise requested by the Customer, the sensors are settled as default in ALWAYS ON.
FAQ#077 - Which are the maximum cable lengths from instrument to datalogger?
The cable lengths depend from many factors, first of all installation and cable protections (screen, earth, etc...). Assuming that instruments are installed in a workmanlike, for the maximum cable lengths should be followed the next suggestions:
DIGITAL INSTRUMENTS: see FAQ#073
ANALOGUE INSTRUMENTS: see both documents:
Cable length guide line with internal multiplexers
Cable length guide line with external multiplexers
FAQ#076 - Why it is necessary add a termination resistor to the last digitized sensor of each RS-485 chain?
All SISGEO digitized instruments (IPIs, Tiltmeters, H-Level…) use the RS-485 serial communication protocol
The RS485 protocol contemplate a termination resistor.
The recommended chain connection is point-to-point (multidropped) nodes as a bus mode (line). Star, ring or multiply network connection are not recommended.
SISGEO dataloggers has already a termination resistor assembled (typically 120Ω). On the opposite side (sensors side) is necessary to mount a resistor on the last device of each chain.
Without termination resistors, reflections of fast driver edges can cause multiple data edges and consequently data corruption. Termination resistors also reduce electrical noise sensitivity. The value of each termination resistor should be equal to the cable characteristic impedance (typically, 120 Ω for twisted pairs and for only one chain).
SISGEO supply the correct termination resistor (120 Ω, 240 Ω, etc.), considering the number of the chains connected to the same master unit (logger):
- N.1 digital chain connected to one logger (OMNIAlog, digital node, ecc..): N.1 resistance, value 120 Ω
- N.2 digital chains connected to one logger (OMNIAlog, digital node, ecc..): N.2 resistances, value 240 Ω (one for each chain)
- N.3 digital chains connected to one logger (OMNIAlog, digital node, ecc..): N.3 resistances, value 360 Ω (one for each chain)
- N.4 digital chains connected to one logger (OMNIAlog, digital node, ecc..): N.4 resistances, value 480 Ω (one for each chain)
The termination resistor must be connected on the appropriate sensor connector.
At the following link an example scheme:
FAQ#075 - Which parameters are save into SISGEO digitized sensors?
All SISGEO digital sensors (IPIs, Tilt-meters, RDSs, H-Level etc..) use the serial RS-485 communication protocol.
The SISGEO digital sensors are joined through an electrical cable, so only one cable is used to take reading.
In agreement with Customer, they are configured in factory for:
- Calibration parameters
- Serial number
- RS-485 andress. Each digitized sensor has a univocal address also reported in a label on the cable.
- Powering type:
- always on (all digitized sensor switched on together). Faster solution, but high power consumption.
- timed (the sensors are powered and switched on one by one). Reading of the chain take a little bit more time than "always on", but the power consumpion is lower - Measuring units
FAQ#074 - Which kind of datalogger is necessary to read a SISGEO digital sensors?
The sensors are read connecting the end cable to a Modbus Master unit (i.e. OMNIAlog or miniOMNIAlog) with RS-485 interface (DCE, Half duplex, no Echo) able to manage communication with SISGEO Modbus RTU communication protocol.
SISGEO’s communication protocol is available for the release upon request.
The power [W] of power supply must be chosen according to the sensor quantity and power supply mode.
SISGEO suggests not to change the parameters set in factory (serial number, calibration, factors etc..)
The Modbus master unit (readout unit) must be set according to the IPI’s factory sensor configuration.
FAQ#073 - Which is the maximum number of digitized sensors (RS-485, Modbus), the maximum number of chains and the maximum length of cable in a RS-485 network?
Last update: October 2021
All the SISGEO digitized sensors utilize a RS485 interface with Modbus protocol.
1.The maximum number of digitized sensors in a RS-485 network are 247 (theoretical)
2.The maximum number of digitized sensors chains that is possible to connect to Modbus master unit (as OMNIAlog or miniOMNIAlog) are 4.
3. About the maximum number of sensors in a chain and lengths, please follow the next tables:
NOTE: The sum of “A” and “C” lengths can’t exceed 1000m. The compliance of points A and B, avoids the excessive voltage drop on the RS-485 line and guarantees the correct RS-485 network operation.