6.

d Configuring the optical fiber amplifiers

When taking the system in use for the first time, the optical fiber amplifiers will have to be configured. Also,
differences in light throughput - e.g. by discoloration of the thermostatic oil in the bath - can cause the need
for reconfiguration of the optical amplifiers inside the system over time. If inj ected oil is no longer detected
by the system, i.e. no time measurement is started, reconfigure the optical fiber amplifiers.
The optical detection of the system consists of two components : the fibers and the amplifiers. The fibers are
the black strands that run from the sensor housings inside the thermostatic bath to the inside of the system.
They can be separated into the emitter (which emits the light) and the receiver (which receives the light).
The amplifiers, to which the fibers are connected, are located in the right section of the system. The
switching setpoint of these amplifiers determines at which point the time measurements are started.

6.d.l Description
Figure 6 shows you a detailed look of the upper part of the
detection indicator
fiber optic amplifier. At the top you see the fiber clamp with
(orange) light stability indicator
which the optical fibers are secured. We will deal with the (green)
various components from top to bottom :
Detection indicator (orange)
This indicator is on when a sample is detected.
Light stability indicator (green)
m
~ sensitivity scale

0 ""'
This indicates the stability of the light that is received by the
• sensitivity adjustment
amplifier. It should be a steady green. When the light output
is less than optimal, the LED will start t o burn less brightly, or
even turn off.
Sensitivity scale and adjustment
The sensitivity of the amplifier can be changed by turning the
... .Bl
•~ I
•• I
sensitivity adjustment screw, using a small electrical
screwdriver. Turning clockwise increases the sensitivity, while
turning counter-clockwise decreases sensitivity.
Timer, mode, operation Agure 6: Optical amplifier
These settings are not relevant for the operation of the S-flow
system and should be left at the default setting: Timer=lO
ms, Mode=STD, Operation=D
Principle
Each 5-flow tube has two detection points : one for starting the measurement and one for stopping it. Each
detection points has two fibers connected to it : one fiber through which the amplifier sends light, and one
which detects light and sends it back to the amplifier. The amplifier detects the sample by detecting the
change in the light it receives from the receiving fiber. When the sample passes the first detection point, the
corresponding amplifier detects the sample and starts the time measurement. Similarly, when the sample
passes the second detection point, the corresponding amplifier detects it and stops the measurement.
For each detection point, one amplifier is needed. The amplifiers have been mounted in two sections of
eight, as shown in Figure 7. The left section corresponds with the left bath, the right section with the right
bath. The amplifiers are accessible by removing the blue cover plate which is on top of the central control
column. They have the following function:

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Amplifier 1 (utter left) : Upper detection tube nr. 1 (start measurement)
Amplifier 2 : Lower detection tube nr. 1 (stop measurement) 123.46678
Amplifier 3 : Upper detection tube nr. 2 (start measurement)
Amplifier 4 : Lower detection tube nr. 2 (stop measurement) J I
Amplifier 5 : Upper detection tube nr. 3 (start measurement)
Amplifier 6 : Lower detection tube nr. 3 (stop measurement)
Amplifier 7 : Upper detection tube nr. 4 (start measurement)
Amplifier 8 (utter right) : Lower detection tube nr. 4 (stop measurement)

The right section corresponds similarly with the tubes in the right bath :
amplifier 1 is the upper detection of tube nr. 5, amplifier 2 the lower
detection of tube nr. 5 and so on.
A'gure 7: Amplifiers
6.d.2 Procedure
Before the amplifiers can be calibrated, the bath will have to be filled with the thermostatic medium to be
used. To allow any air inside this medium to escape, turn on the thermostat until no bubbles are visible.
To reach the amplifiers you will need to open the right sideplate of the system. At the inner backside of the
system you will find the amplifiers.
The procedure is very straightforward :
1. Using a small screwdriver adjust the sensivity until the sensitity scale is exactly halfway at 6.
2. Release the fiber clamp at the top by pushing it backward. This releases the optical fibers. Now, adjust
the position of the front fiber by slightly moving it up and down. Do this until both the detection indicator
LED and the light stability indicator are turned off. Note that usually this can be achieved by only
adjusting the front fiber, but when you are unable to get both LED's turned off, also adjust the back fiber.
3. Secure the fiber clamp again and pull the fibers slightly up to make sure that they are fitted securely into
the clamp. Note that it is possible that the Detection indicator and/or the Light stability indicator will turn
on when you secure the clamp, but this is not a problem for the calibration.
4. Now, turn the sensitivity adjustment screw counter-clockwise (decrease sensivity) until both the Detection
indicator and the Light stability indicator turn on. Then increase sensitivity again by turning clockwise.
First, the Light stability indicator will turn off, and then also the Detection indicator will turn off.
5. Continue turning clockwise slowly until the Light stability indicator turns on again. When this has
happened, continue turning the adjustment screw for only half a turn (180°).
The amplifier is now ready for use.

NOTE
steps 1-3 have been already performed by Omnirek during the factory
testing stage and should normally not be required. Only perform these
. steps when you are unable to get a detection using steps 4-6.

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