Counter/Timer/Tach (CTT) - Timer Demo from AutomationDirect

This is a live video feed of a Counter Timer Tach module sitting on my desk. Check out the other videos to learn how to configure the timer – this video is just a live demo. The signals on this module are connected to a USB I/O board connected to this computer . That I/O board is controlled by these buttons right here ... and the Timer output signals are being monitored by these traces right here. There are two output 1 signals and an output 2 signal. Looks like we have a set-point of 3, and since this timer is setup as a repeat cycle timer, we should see an output pulse every 3 seconds. Let’s try it: According to the chart for this “Repeat Cycle Timer”, a rising edge on the Start signal will start the timer and when the timer reaches its set value – in our case 3 seconds – it will reset and start counting again and it will issue a pulse on the outputs. The duration of that pulse is programmable – on this example we have it set to a quarter second. So let’s hit the start signal and see what happens … we toggle the start, the counter starts counting and every three seconds we get a pulse that is a quarter second wide. Let’s see … According to the diagram, the pause signal – right here - will pause the timer – let’s try that – we activate the pause signal, the timer pauses, and when we release it, the timer resumes right where we left off. It also looks like the RESET signal will clear the timer and the only thing that will start it back up is a start signal. Let’s try that – We’ll issue a reset and the timer stops. Hit START and the timer starts right back up. Suppose we want a longer output pulse. Just hold down the MODE key for 3 seconds to get us into the configuration mode, press MODE several times until we get to the “T out1” setting, and change it to 1 second. Press the YELLOW which puts a cursor on this- you can’t see that on the webcam but this 5 is blinking rapidly right now – I’m going to change him down to a zero, move over to the 2, change him down to a zero, and go over here and bump him up to a 1 second. We lock it in my pressing the node key. Then hold MODE for 3 seconds which puts us right back in timer mode with our new extended pulse widths. Check out the video on how to setup the timer for more on configuring the different parameters. There are 12 different timer modes to choose from, so take a look at the manual to see which one fits your needs. That’s all there is to using a Timer. Be sure to check out the other videos in this series to get the most out of your Counter Timer Tach. And as always, please send us any topics you would like to see covered – or - any other comments for that matter – we appreciate the feedback!