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OP8624 System Description and Connections

The OP8624 is designed for use with the BERTA test bench.

Emergency Shutoff

The Control Unit provides an emergency shutoff button in case of any malfunction during the simulation. Pressing the emergency button will immediately stop the simulation and return the system to normal, grid operation.
 
The signals sent to the Unit Under Test (UUT) normally come from another part of the same unit. These signals are also known as loop or loopback signals. When the unit being tested is in normal operating mode, the signals are connected to the grid. However, when we need to simulate, test or modify the behavior of the unit under test, these input signals (LOOP) will come from the simulator (SIM) instead of the grid.

  • The Control Unit lets you switch these signals from grid to simulator.

  • The Control Unit houses a bank of 6 relays (2 contacts per signal) to switch between the grid signals and the simulator signals. The unit is factory configured in grid mode by default (relays closed).

The emergency switch can be activated in three ways:

  • Automatic: if the simulator controls the relays, it can choose when to switch to minimize signal discontinuity. Simulator relay control is achieved by sending command signals using the  BERTA model.
    When the digital output signal from the simulator is low, the relay will be activated to route the simulator signals to the LOOP input of the UUT. Emergency Switches (remote and local) must be closed to execute this operation. Conversely, when the signal from the simulator is high, the relay will be deactivated.

  • Manual: using the emergency button on the front of the Control Unit

  • Manual: using an emergency button that is connected to the Remote Emergency connector,

Activation of the emergency button for any reason (whether simulator power failure or program malfunction) will deactivate the relays and immediately re-establish the connection between the LOOP and GRID signals.

Status Monitoring

Opal-RT Control Unit, front view

LEDs allow the user to see the Control Unit status at all times. Each LED represents a specific status.

POWER IN

When ON, the unit is powered up (+12v)

SIM MODE

When ON, the simulator amplifier (SIM_A, SIM_B, SIM_C) is connected to LOOP_A, LOOP_B, LOOP_C. If this LED is off, the unit is in GRID mode. (indicates that the LOOP signals are
connected to the SIM signals)

GRID MODE

When ON, unit Outputs (GRID_A, GRID_B, GRID_C) are connected to unit inputs (LOOP_A, LOOP_B, LOOP_C). If this LED is off, the unit is in SIM mode (indicates that the LOOP signals are
connected to the GRID signals)

SIM SEL-1

When ON, Coil Relay for Signal is activated

SIM SEL-2

When ON, Coil Relay for Signal-RTN is activated

EMERG ARMED

When ON, Emergency Switch is armed (means, the Emergency Switch may be manually activated any time, if needed, for protection or emergency purpose)

Operation

Control Unit cable connections (rear)

Refer to your BERTA system documentation for connection instructions.

Once all cable connections have been made and the simulator is fully functional, the Control Unit is ready for use.
The only action required is a simple press of the large, red Emergency button of the Front Interface, in the event of any type of malfunction.

OPAL-RT TECHNOLOGIES, Inc. | 1751, rue Richardson, bureau 1060 | Montréal, Québec Canada H3K 1G6 | opal-rt.com | +1 514-935-2323
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