DS200CVMAG3 | GE Speedtronic Vibration | In Stock

Description

Product Introduction

The GE DS200CVMAG3 is a legacy vibration monitoring module for the Mark V Speedtronic turbine control system. It accepts ±10 V inputs from external signal conditioners (e.g., Bentley Nevada monitors, IEPE conditioner outputs). This board is for replacement of older CVMA modules in existing installations.

Core advantage: The G3 revision is a drop-in replacement for failed CVMA (no suffix) and CVMAG1 boards where the newer CVMAG1A cannot be used due to firmware limitations. It has the same 16-bit resolution, 4-channel count, and ±10 V input range as the original CVMA. If your Mark V controller runs firmware older than v5.0 (pre-2004), the CVMAG3 is the only compatible vibration board. Field data shows these boards have a 0.5% annual failure rate – very reliable for legacy systems.

Key Technical Specifications

Key Selling Points & Differentiators

• Drop-in replacement for legacy CVMA boards – Same pinout, same firmware interface, same ±10 V range. No configuration changes required.
• Compatible with all Mark V firmware versions – Works with R1 through R4 racks, firmware v3.x through v7.x. Newer CVMAG1A requires v5.0+.
• External conditioner required (IEPE/proximity) – Board accepts conditioned ±10 V signals from Bentley Nevada 3300, 3500, or any 4-20 mA to ±10 V converter.
• Simultaneous sampling (no channel skew) – Unlike AEB (multiplexed), all 4 channels sampled at exactly the same time. Critical for orbit analysis.
• Proven reliability – 0.5% annual failure rate in field data. Simpler design than CVMAG1A (no onboard IEPE, no FFT, no order tracking).
• Live tested with ±10 V DC and AC signals – Each channel tested for offset, gain, and linearity from -10 V to +10 V.
• 30-day warranty with cross-ship – Channel failure or drift? We send replacement same day.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is the difference between DS200CVMAG3 and DS200CVMAG1A?
A: Features and firmware requirements. CVMAG3: 16-bit, ±10 V inputs only, no IEPE, no order tracking, no FFT, works with all firmware. CVMAG1A: 24-bit, onboard IEPE, order tracking, FFT, requires firmware v5.0+. CVMAG3 is for legacy systems that cannot upgrade firmware. For new installations, use CVMAG1A.

Q: Can I replace a failed CVMAG1A with a CVMAG3?
A: Yes – physically compatible. However, you lose 24-bit resolution, IEPE support, order tracking, and FFT. The controller will still read vibration data (raw ±10 V). If your application relies on onboard FFT or order tracking, the CVMAG3 cannot provide those. For basic vibration monitoring (overall amplitude), it works fine.

Q: What external conditioner do I need for IEPE accelerometers?
A: Any IEPE conditioner that outputs ±10 V (e.g., PCB 482C, Wilcoxon P31). The conditioner provides 4 mA constant current and AC coupling. Set the conditioner gain so that accelerometer output (mV/g) scaled to ±10 V matches your expected max g-level. The CVMAG3 then reads the conditioned voltage.

Q: How do you test the 16-bit resolution on refurbished CVMAG3 boards?
A: We apply 0.0000 V, 0.5000 V, 1.0000 V, 2.5000 V, 5.0000 V, 7.5000 V, and 10.0000 V from a precision calibrator. The board must read within ±0.01 V (0.1% of 10 V). We also test negative voltages (-10 V to 0 V). About 5% of incoming CVMAG3 boards fail – usually due to drifted input op-amps. Those are repaired (replace op-amp).

Q: I see a CVMAG3 board with a yellow sticker near the terminal block. What does that mean?
A: The yellow sticker indicates the board received an additional “phase accuracy” test from 10 Hz to 1 kHz (standard is spot-check at 100 Hz only). The board must maintain ±5° phase accuracy across the range. Yellow-sticker boards are for orbit analysis (requires phase-matched channels). We charge an extra $20 for yellow-sticker boards.

Q: Can I use the CVMAG3 with proximity probes (eddy current) directly?
A: No – the CVMAG3 expects ±10 V. Proximity probes output -24 V to 0 V (for 24 V supply) or -2 V to -18 V (for -24 V supply). You need a signal conditioner (e.g., Bentley Nevada 3300 XL) that converts probe voltage to ±10 V. The CVMAG3 reads the conditioned output.

Q: How do I identify a counterfeit DS200CVMAG3?
A: Genuine boards have “CVMAG3” printed on the edge connector label. The ADC chip is Analog Devices AD7660 (16-bit, 100 kSPS). Counterfeits often use AD7661 (14-bit) or unmarked chips. Also check for the GE logo on the PCB. The CVMAG3 is less commonly counterfeited than CVMAG1A because it is legacy. Still, inspect the ADC.

Q: What is the maximum input voltage before damage?
A: ±15 V continuous, ±25 V transient (1 ms). The input op-amps have internal protection. Applying 24 V (common in industrial panels) will not damage the board but will saturate the ADC (reading 10 V or -10 V). For prolonged over-voltage (days), the input resistors may overheat. Use external over-voltage protection for field wiring.

Q: Does the CVMAG3 support AC coupling?
A: Yes – software-selectable per channel. AC coupling (0.5 Hz high-pass) removes DC offset from conditioned signals. Useful for accelerometers (no DC component). For proximity probes (DC gap voltage), use DC coupling. The AC coupling is implemented in analog hardware (not digital) – no phase shift below 1 Hz.

Q: What is the expected life of the input op-amps?
A: The op-amps (OPA4277) have a rated life of 10+ years. In field data, drift is more common than failure. Input offset may drift from 0 mV to ±5 mV after 8-10 years, causing 0.05% error. For critical applications, calibrate annually. We offer calibration for $45 per board.

Q: Can I use the CVMAG3 for DC measurements (e.g., shaft position)?
A: Yes – in DC coupling mode, the board reads 0-10 V with 16-bit resolution (0.15 mV per count). For slow-changing signals (0-10 Hz), the CVMAG3 works. For higher sample rates, the 10 kHz sample rate is unnecessary. For DC only, you can reduce sample rate in software to reduce VME bus load.

Q: Do you offer a version with conformal coating for offshore use?
A: Yes – special order DS200CVMAG3ABB (acrylic coated). Lead time is 14-21 days. Cost adds 65. Coated version is recommended for offshore and coastal sites. The CVMAG3 has no sensitive IEPE circuits – coating is straightforward. For offshore, also specify gold-plated terminal block (25 extra) to prevent screw corrosion. The CVMAG3 is often used on older offshore platforms where firmware cannot be upgraded.

TB511-ARCNET
TB521-ETH
TB521-ARCNET
TB541-ETH