Airbasic 2 Controller User Manual: Version 1.00 - 05/2010
Airbasic 2 Controller User Manual: Version 1.00 - 05/2010
Airbasic 2 Controller User Manual: Version 1.00 - 05/2010
USER MANUAL
INDEX
2. OPERATION .........................................................................................................................................................4
3. TIMERS ...............................................................................................................................................................10
4. PARAMETERS ...................................................................................................................................................12
7. TECHNICAL DATA.............................................................................................................................................25
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The AirBASIC2 controller is designed specifically for use in the Gardner Denver rotary screw air compressors. This
manual gives instructions on correct and safe operation of the AirBASIC2 controller. For more information on
operating the compressor, please refer to the operation and maintenance instructions of the compressor.
Read these and other instructions delivered with the compressor carefully before taking your screw
compressor into use. This ensures correct preparations and use from the very beginning.
All the instructions in this manual have been provided to guarantee a long life and reliable operation of your screw
compressor.
Always keep the manual available near the compressor. Make sure that the compressor is operated and serviced
according to the instructions.
1.2. Safety
Note! Always read also the safety instructions for transport, implementation, use and maintenance
presented in the operation and maintenance instructions of the compressor.
The instructions in this manual concerning safety are marked with this symbol.
In addition to these instructions, the local regulations in your country may impose additional requirements that must
be observed.
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2. Operation
The AirBASIC2 controller controls the operation of the air compressor in two modes, using a pressure transducer
or a pressure switch mounted in the compressor. The operation mode depends on the compressor model in
which it is installed and it is set through a jumper located on the rear side of the controller.
The Control Panel is mounted on the compressor. It is used to operate the compressor and observe system
status by using the LCD display, status LED indicators and buttons.
The Control Panel displays a comprehensive overview of the compressor status and allows access to operational
parameters.
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2.1.1. Display
• When the compressor is powered, the display on the controller shows the “OFF” message.
• If a remote control is connected to the remote START/STOP input and its contact is open, that is, in a
STOP condition, the display shows the “---” message.
• In normal operation, with pressure transducer, the controller display shows the plant pressure; pushing the
TEMP/PROGR button it is shown the oil temperature, pushing it again or elapsed 10 s, on the display, it is
shown the pressure value. In operation mode, with the pressure switch, it is shown the only value of oil
temperature; the visualization of the pressure is disabled.
Note! The AirBASIC 2 controller display can only show up to 3 digits. Numbers with 4 or 5 digits are
indicated by the illumination of LEDs x10 or x100, which are called 10 multiplying factor and 100
multiplying factor respectively. The following examples show how the LEDs work.
Display examples
Value to be Display
Example No. LED x10 LED x100
displayed shows
• ON:
− switches on the compressor
− permits to increase the value on the display during the programming
• OFF:
− switches off the compressor
− permits to decrease the value on the display during programming
• RESET:
− resets alarms
− resets maintenance hours when the compressor is switched off
− shows the working hour when the compressor is switched on
• TEMP/PROGR:
− permits to enter in parameters programming mode when the compressor is switched off
− permits to show the oil temperature when the compressor is switched off only when the pressure
transducer is used
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The compressor can be started according to the following procedures depending on the status of the
compressor.
The “OFF” message on the controller display indicates that the compressor is properly powered, waiting to be
started, and that the last switch-off was caused by pressing the “OFF” push button on the controller (local switch-
off).
To start the compressor, use local controls, that is, press the “ON” button on the control unit.
Note! In this condition, opening and closing the remote contact will not produce any effect whatsoever.
The “---” message on the controller display indicates that the compressor is properly powered, waiting to be
started, and that the remote START/STOP contact is in the OPEN position (STOP position).
To start the compressor, use the relevant procedure described below, depending on how the last switch-off
occurred.
• If the compressor was running (no matter whether loaded, unloaded or in stand-by) and was then switched
off remotely, that is, by opening the relevant contact, then the “---” message appears. To restart the
compressor, close back the remote contact.
• If the compressor was switched off locally, that is, by pressing the OFF button on the controller, and the
remote contact was opened AFTER the switch-off, the “---” message appears.
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With this feature, the operation of the compressor can be disabled from a remote position in order to prevent
unauthorized personnel from starting the compressor with the push buttons on the controller.
If the remote control feature is to be used with the START/STOP contact connected to the
controller, it is strongly advisable to affix a sign by the machine warning bystanders that the
compressor may by started anytime from a remote location. Machine start and machine restart
operations can be performed via a control device other than the one provided, as long as this
does not pose any hazards.
Compressor start-up
When the compressor is started (either via the ON button or by closing the remote contact), the controller performs
a number of checks at the inputs to make sure that there are no conditions likely to pose hazards to the machine
and/or the operators.
If abnormalities are found, the compressor start-up is inhibited and an error message appears on the
controller display. If no abnormality is found, the compressor is allowed to start.
When start-up is initialized, that is, when no alarms are active, the controller checks the value of the line pressure
switch contact. If the pressure switch contact is closed, the motor is started according to the star-delta start-up
sequence. If the pressure switch contact is open (pressure in the network), the compressor goes into stand-by
mode and the motor is not started until the pressure level drops to the load value level. When the load value level is
reached, the pressure switch contact closes and the compressor is started.
When start-up is initialized, that is, when no alarms are active, the controller checks the value of the line pressure
through the pressure transducer. If the pressure is below the load pressure (parameter P03), the motor is started
according to the star-delta start-up sequence. If the pressure is above the unload pressure (parameter P02), the
compressor goes into stand-by mode and the motor is not started until the pressure level drops to the load value
level. When the load value level is reached, the compressor is started.
The relay outputs relating to the line and star contactors are energized for the equivalent of the star time
(parameter P12 - default 5 s). When star time has elapsed, the controller switches from star to delta with a ‘safety’
delay (applied between the release of the star contactor and the coming into operation of the delta contactor). This
delay is equivalent to the time value set up on the star-delta switching time (parameter P13 - default 20 ms). When
the switching timer has elapsed, the outputs relating to the line and delta contactors are energized.
In order to stabilize the motor’s rotation speed , the load solenoid valve is energized with a delay that is equivalent
to the time value set up on the “launch timer” parameter (parameter P14 - default 1s). The delay is in relation to the
closure of the delta contactor. Once the solenoid valve has been energized, the compressor enters into load-
operation stage.
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When the compressor is in load operation, the LED ( / ) on the right hand side of the display lights steadily to
indicate that the compressor is running in load mode. When the pressure reaches the set value of the pressure
switch, the pressure switch contact opens and the compressor switches to unload operation for a period of time
that is equivalent to the time value set up on the “unload time” timer (parameter P15 - default 2 min).
During the unload phase, the LED ( / ) flashes to indicate that the compressor is running in unload mode. When the
timer has elapsed, the motor is stopped and the led ( / ) is turned off; if no alarms are active, the value of the oil
temperature appears on the display.
As soon as the pressure drops to the load value that is set up on the pressure switch, and after a time not below
the restarting delay (parameter P17- default 15 s) the motor is restarted automatically via a star-delta sequence.
If the pressure drops to the load value level before the unload timer has elapsed, the compressor switches
immediately back to load mode without any stopping of the motor.
When the “Unload time” timer elapses, the motor stops. The oil temperature remains steady up
on the display to indicate that the machine is not OFF but is still in stand-by condition. Be very
careful, as in this condition, the compressor restarts without prior notice as soon as the
pressure drops down to the load value level.
When the compressor is in load operation, the LED ( / ) on the right hand side of the display lights steadily to
indicate that the compressor is running in load mode. When the pressure reaches the unload value ( parameter
P02), the compressor switches to unload operation for a maximum period of time that is equivalent to the time
value set up on the “unload time” (parameter P15 - default 2 min).
During the unload phase, the LED ( / ) flashes to indicate that the compressor is running in unload mode. When the
unload time has elapsed, the motor is stopped and the LED ( / ) is turned off; if no alarms are active, the value of
the plant pressure appears on the display.
As soon as the pressure drops to the set load value , and after a time not below the restarting delay( parameter
P17- default 15 s) the motor is restarted automatically via a star-delta sequence.
If the pressure drops to the load value level before the unload timer has elapsed, the compressor switches
immediately back to load mode without any stopping of the motor.
When the “Unload time” timer elapses, the motor stops. The oil temperature remains steady up
on the display to indicate that the machine is not OFF but is still in stand-by condition. Be very
careful, as in this condition, the compressor restarts without prior notice as soon as the
pressure drops down to the load value level.
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The compressor can be switched off locally pushing the OFF button or remotely opening the start/stop remote
contact (if a remote contact is connected to the appropriate terminals). In both cases, when the machine is
commanded OFF, the controller de-energizes all the relay outputs controlling the contactors as well as the solenoid
valve, thereby causing the compressor to stop in a turn off delay time (parameter P17 – default 15 s) .
When the motor is stopped, the control unit activates a safety restarting delay (parameter P16 - default 15 s) to
prevent the compressor from restarting with pressure in the inner tank when the ON button is pressed (or when
the remote start/stop contact is opened). Compressor restart is inhibited throughout the count down of the
restarting delay time.
The inhibition to restart is indicated by the flashing of LED x10. When the count down of the restating delay time
is over, LED x10 is turned off. At that point, it is possible to restart the compressor.
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3. Timers
The AirBASIC2 controller permits to show information about the remaining time before maintenance activity
(maintenance timers). Moreover is possible to show the working hours of the compressor ( working timer ).
To each type of maintenance is linked a timer that indicates the remaining time before the maintenance is
necessary. The symbol of maintenance timers with their meaning are:
The maintenance timers can be viewed when the compressor is ON. When the compressor is ON, the display
will normally show the oil temperature value, unless an alarm is ON.
1. To view the first maintenance code, S01 (oil change), press and release the Reset button. The value for
remaining hours will be displayed automatically after about 1 second.
2. To view the second maintenance code, S02 (air filter replacement), press and release the Reset button
again. The value for remaining hours will be displayed automatically after about 1 second.
3. To view the rest of the maintenance codes, press and release the Reset button again.
4. To return to the oil temperature or pressure display, scroll through the remaining maintenance codes (S03,
S04, S06).
Note! Maintenance timer counting (parameters P19 - P 23) is relative to the closing time of the line
contactor (that is, the time interval during which the motor is running). It works like a countdown; when the
countdown is at 0, it will continue with negative sign, and the first display will show the “-” symbol.
Note! Maintenance hours are stored to the memory every 15 minutes; if a power failure occurs during
compressor operation, the entire 15 minute fraction will be lost.
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Note! When a maintenance pre-alarm message is manually reset, it will no longer appear as long as the
compressor is ON. The pre-alarm is displayed again when the compressor is powered again.
Maintenance timers can only be reset when the compressor is OFF. When the compressor is OFF, the display
shows an “OFF” or “---” message, depending on the conditions described in subsection "Display" on page 5.
1. To view the first maintenance code (S01), press and hold Reset button for about 3 seconds.
2. To reset the first maintenance code, press and hold the Reset button for about 3 seconds. The value is
replaced by the default value and the second maintenance code will be displayed.
3. If you do not wish to reset the first hour meter, but want to switch immediately to the second one instead,
press and release the Reset button. The second maintenance code appears on the display, and its timer
value will be visible after 1 second. To reset the value, press and hold the Reset button for about 3
seconds.
4. Scroll through all maintenance timers as described above, resetting their values if necessary, until the
“OFF” or “---” message is displayed again.
Operating timers count the total operating time and total load operating time of the compressor. The
operating timers are available for viewing when the compressor is ON.
1. To view the “h-t” message, total hours, press and hold the reset button for 3 seconds. Total time will appear
straight after.
2. To view the “h-L” message, load hours, press and release the Reset button again. Load operation will
appear straight after.
Note! The counting of load operating hours is relative to the closing time of the relay supplying the
load/unload solenoid valve; the counting of total operating time is relative to the closing time of the line
contactor (that is, the time interval during which the motor is running).
Note! Operating time is stored to the memory every 15 minutes; if a power failure occurs during
compressor operation, the entire 15 minute fraction will be lost.
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4. Parameters
The controller allows the user to change some parameters as those that determines the operation of the
compressor,. The default values for the adjustable parameters are listed in the table on the next page.
1. To enter the parameter programming mode, simultaneously press and hold the PROGR button for 3
seconds. After 3 seconds, the code of the first parameter, P01, will appear on the display.
3. To view the current value of a parameter, press the PROG button again.
4. To edit the displayed value, press ON (increase) or OFF (decrease) buttons. The chosen value flashes if
the min or max available value is reached. Once the desired value has been entered, press PROG button
to store the value and to return to the parameter list.
5. To edit the value of another parameter, scroll up or down the list until the parameter symbol of the desired
parameter is displayed, and repeat step 4.
6. To exit the programming mode after adjusting all the desired parameters, press and hold the PROG button
for about 3 seconds. At this stage, the OFF or “---” message appears on the display and all the changes
made to the parameters are activated.
Note! If no button is pressed for 60 seconds during the programming procedure, the controller will
automatically exit the programming mode, switch back to OFF and store all the changes.
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The table below contains all the available parameters with their respective symbol, descriptions, units of
measurement, possible values and default values. For more detailed description, see "Parameter descriptions" on
page 16.
Parameters
Default Default
Param.
Description Unit Range Profile Profile
symbol
0 1
P01 High plant pressure alarm bar 15,0 –(P02+0,5) 11,0 11,0
(P01-0,2)-
P02 Unload pressure bar 10.0 10.0
(P03+0,2)
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• Defines the limit of plant pressure. Over this value, the compressor goes in shutdown fault and a A12
message is shown on the display.
• No adjustment is necessary.
• Defines the value of plant pressure, in load state, that the compressor must to reach to go in a unload
phase. In unload phase the LED ( / ) flashes.
• No adjustment is necessary.
• Defines the value of plant pressure, in unload state, that the compressor must to reach to go in a load
phase. In the load phase the LED ( / ) is permanently lit.
• No adjustment is necessary.
• Compensates for possible reading error (either by excess or by defect) of the pressure.
• No adjustment is necessary.
• Defines the high oil temperature alarm value. As soon as this value is reached, a dedicated alarm message
(A01) appears on the display and the compressors is blocked.
• Defines the high oil temperature pre-alarm value. As soon as this value is reached, the compressor stops
and a dedicated alarm message (a03) appears on the display, but the normal operation of the compressor
is not interrupted.
• Defines the low oil temperature alarm value. Under this value, compressor start-up is inhibited and a
dedicated alarm message (A34) appears on the display.
• Compensates for possible reading errors (either by excess or by defect) of the temperature probe due to a
defective probe.
• In normal conditions, this parameter needs no adjustment.
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• Defines the oil temperature threshold, exceed that, it is activated a command output for a ventilator
• In normal conditions, this parameter needs no adjustment.
• Defines the hysteresis range to control the command output for a ventilator
For example, with P10=70°C and P11=5°C, the command output for the ventilator is activated when the oil
temperature is above 70°C and it is deactivated when the temperature is below 65°C.
• Defines how long the system should run in star configuration during motor start-up.
• In normal conditions, this parameters needs no adjustment.
• Defines the delay between the release of the star contactor and the coming into operation of the delta
contactor, during the switching stage.
• In normal conditions, this parameter needs no adjustment.
• Defines the delay between the coming into operation of the delta contactor and the energizing of the
load/unload solenoid valve; such delay is added to permit the motor to reach its rotation speed
subsequent to the star-delta switching.
• In normal conditions, this parameter needs no adjustment.
• Defines the necessary time to switch off the compressor after pushing the OFF button or opening the
START/STOP remote contact.
• The signalling for the compressor switch off is shown on the display from the OFF and LEDx10 flashing.
• Defines the inhibition time from restarting after the compressor has been powerd off. Its purpose is to
prevent any restarts of the compressor while pressure is still in the tank
• The restarting inhibition condition is identified by a flashin x10 LED. The motor restarting is inhibited for the
set time interval
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• Defines the maximum number of permitted start-ups per hour. Its purpose is to protect the motor from
damage. When the set number of restarts is reached, the motor will not stop for the rest of the following
hour and the compressor will work without interruption, switching from load to unload and vice versa.
• This condition is identified by the simultaneous flashing of LEDs x10, x100 and ( / ).
• At the end of the hour period, the counter is reset and the motor will be able to stop at the end of a unload
phase.
• This parameter permits to select the measurement unit for the pressure
• This parameter permits to select the measurement unit for the temperature
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If the automatic restart feature is to be used, it is strongly advised to affix a warning sign by the
machine to alert bystanders that the compressor may come back into operation automatically
and without prior notice. It is also mandatory to check that the automatic re-start of the
compressor will not pose any hazards whatsoever.
• Enables or disables the automatic restart of the compressor as soon as current is back after a
power failure.
P26=0 automatic restart is disabled. When current is back after a power failure has
halted the compressor, the compressor will NOT restart automatically and the
controller will display a dedicated alarm message (A33)
P26=1 Automatic restart is enabled. When current is back after a power failure has
halted the compressor, the compressor will restart automatically after a
delay that is equivalent to delay time for restarting
• Defines which function is to be assigned to the alarm remote relay contact, in accordance with the
following arrangement:
P27=0 relay is de-energized in any alarm condition and in any pre-alarm condition
P27=1 relay is de-energized only in alarm conditions that will stop the compressor
P27=2 relay is de-energized only when one of the maintenance timers has elapsed
Note! The alarm relay is normally energized when the controller is powered. The relay is de-energized when
the set scenario occurs.
• Defines the function of output OUT1 to be able to pilot a coil of an external relay at 15VDC with a
max current of 30mA:
P28=0 function to activate a space heater; this output is activated if the oil temperature
goes down a temperature value of P08+5°C and is deactivated if the temperature
goes up to P08+10°C
P28=1 is not used
P28=2 is not used
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• For each compressor is possible to assign an address from 1 to 30. This address is used to identify a
compressor if a communication in MODBUS, through the RS232 serial port, is activated.
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5. Error Management
The advisory alarms alert the user that maintenance is needed, or that certain parameters may be approaching
their shutdown level. Advisory alarms can be reset while the compressor is running or stopped by pressing the
Reset button. If the error condition still exists after resetting the advisory alarm, the advisory alarm will occur again
after the compressor is powered ON again after it has been powered OFF.
See the following table for advisory alarms that can occur in the controller.
Pre-alarms
Code Meaning
High oil temperature pre-alarm (message alternates with temperature display); alarm
a03
with automatic reset when temperature drops below the set value of -2 °C.
Maintenance alarms
Code Meaning
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The shutdown faults in the controller are designed to protect the compressor from component failure or extreme
environmental conditions. These alarms will stop the compressor and/or inhibit its start-up. To reset an alarm
message, eliminate the cause of the concern and press Reset.
See the following table for shutdown faults that can occur in the AirBASIC2 Controller
Shutdown faults
Code Meaning
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Connectors legend
M1 temperature probe and pressure transducer connector: type 4 poles Combicon 5.08 mm
1 Temperature probe
2 Temperature probe
P- 3 Pressure transducer V-
P+ 4 Pressure transducer V+
M2 power supply connector 12Vca : type 2 poles Combicon 5.08 mm
M3 RS232 serial port connector: type 4 poles Combicon 5.08 mm
GND 1 Ground
RX 2 Receive
TX 3 Transmit
C5 1 Relays common
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C6 1 Relay common
H- 1
H+ 2
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7. Technical data
Specifications
Note! The controller goes OFF with power failures exceeding 400 ms.
Memory
Non-volatile for set data, compressor status and operating time data storage.
Operating conditions • Operating temperature 0 to +55°C with 90% relative humidity (not
condensation)
• Storage temperature -20 to +70°C
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