Satellite Controlled Timing

Un-Packing your Quasar Current Interrupter

The Quasar Current Interrupter comes in a plastic bag that serves as a dust cover and protector of the Quasar and its electronic components during shipment.

Remove this bag and discard appropriately. This plastic bag can be harmful or deadly to children if not handled and discarded properly.
Quasar

The Quasar Current Interrupter is encased in a weather-resistant, heavy-duty case that can be locked and left on the job site. This case can handle much more abuse and damage than the internal contents of the Quasar, so it is important to remember this is a sensitive electronic instrument, and should be handled with care.

The Quasar Current Interrupter is designed with an internal battery for use where 110v AC power is not available. The instrument comes with a battery charger that can be plugged into a vehicle powerpoint (cigar lighter). The instrument should not be left plugged in with this type of charger for longer than 4 hours. For more information on the charger, see Understanding the Panel of the Quasar, letter I, below. The battery supplied with the Quasar Current Interrupter will give the instrument approximately 10 hours of normal operation.

As 110v AC power is commonly available at rectifiers, the Quasar Current Interrupter can also be powered using the included AC power cable. Using an AC power source will allow the instrument to operate indefinitely.

Definition of Current Interrupter

Current Interrupter
A device that will open and close a circuit for a predetermined amount of time; a general term used for all types of fuses and breakers.

Quasar Current Interrupter

A device designed to interrupt a circuit for a programmed length of time. Programming allows for independent times to be set for the Open and Closed cycles. Timing of the Open and Closed cycles is programmed and then controlled by the timing responses from GPS satellites. Multiple Quasar Current Interrupters with the same program settings will interrupt simultaneously, allowing for simultaneous rectifier interruptions along short or great distances of pipelines.

The Quasar is a solid-state current interrupter capable of switching up to 100 amps of current. The Quasar uses a GPS receiver to achieve a timing accuracy of +/- 200 nanoseconds. The Quasar will operate for 10 hours on its internal battery, or indefinitely on external 120vAC or 12vDC power sources. Interrupt cycles can be set from .005 seconds to 999.999 seconds. The Quasar will interrupt up to 2,000 watts.

Physical Connection of the Quasar Current Interrupter

The Model Quasar is a programmable current interrupter to be used in interrupting a rectifier supply to a pipe or anode bed or other structure under cathodic protection.

The Quasar can be placed inline with either the AC source to the rectifier or the DC source to the structure. There is a toggle switch on the panel face of the Quasar marked Power Selector (upper right hand corner). This toggle switch should point to the type of current you are interrupting; AC or DC.

NOTE: If the rectifier has a power conditioner feature installed, only the DC side can be interrupted using the Quasar.

The Quasar has a maximum capacity of 100Amps. The maximum wattage that can be interrupted using the Quasar is 2,000 Watts (higher values available as custom orders). However, it is recommended that you not exceed 1,800 watts.

The formula for figuring out watts is:                               

Watts = (Amps) x (Volts)

                               Using the supplied cables, make the connections as desired between the source and the structure, the source and the rectifier.

Understanding the Panel of the Quasar Current Interrupter

Commands, Using the Keypad

                E for “Exit”

The “E” key is used mainly as an “Exit” key. When “E” on the keypad is pushed, it will exit you from the screen you are viewing. Most often taking you back to the Menu screen. Pushing “E” or any other key during interrupting operation will End the operation.

E can also be used for “Enter”. Be sure to pay attention to the display screen, as it will lead you through the steps of each function or program.

NOTE: Depending on the display screen and the menu being displayed, it may be necessary to push and hold the “E” button for one (1) second to Exit from that menu.

                 Backwards / Forwards

The menu system will automatically forward you to the next screen when the user inputs the necessary information. However, if you are in edit mode, and do not wish to change the screen you are on (you want to keep the information as it is), you can use the Forward button to move to the next input screen.

If you make a mistake or change your mind, you can use the Backwards key to move to previous screens to make changes.

               “Quasar done. Push a key”

This is the message that is displayed when the operation is finished, meaning the Stop Time has been reached. Press a key to return to the menu screen.

Using the Quasar

The Model Quasar Current Interrupter is turned on by moving the toggle switch in the upper left corner of the panel from OFF to ON. The green POWER LED will light. The display will show “Looking for GPS. Press “E” to Exit.”

 NOTE: The Quasar must be on and have GPS LOCK prior to the scheduled Start Time, in order to run a program. If the unit is turned on, or gets GPS LOCK after the Start Time, the program will not run. In this case, use the Manual Cycle Mode to start the program, and it will run until the Stop Time is reached.

 When the Model Quasar Current Interrupter obtains a lock with the GPS satellites, the green GPS LOCK LED will light, and the display should change to “Quasar done. Press a key.”

Pressing any key on the keypad will display the Main Menu. The Main Menu is a listing of the four (4) main choices for programming and using the Model Quasar.

             1à Prgrm (Program Mode)                2à Edit (Edit Mode)

             3à Cycle (Manual Cycle Mode)       4à View (Program, time and LAT/LON position viewer)

 Press 1 for Program Mode

                Program Mode allows you to setup multiple programs. See Program Mode below, for instructions.

 Press 2 for Edit Mode

                Edit Mode allows you to setup or edit one program at a time. See Edit Mode below, for instructions.

 Press 3 for Cycle Mode

                Cycle Mode, also referred to as Manual Cycle Mode, allows you to Quick Start using a pre-configured program. See Manual Cycle Mode below, for instructions.

 Press 4 for View

                The View Menu will allow you to choose to view the settings of any program in memory, view the current time and date (when Quasar has GPS lock) or view your GPS position (when Quasar has GPS lock). 

                The current GPS time and date is not always accurate, depending upon where you are in the world. Because GPS satellites all operate under UT (Universal Time), what was previously referred to as Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), the Model Quasar Current Interrupter uses the LAT/LON (Latitude / Longitude) information to adjust the clock to an approximation of local time. The time may not be exactly what local time is, as daylight savings time and local time zone differ. There is an option for making a daylight savings time adjustment. Please see Other Commands & Features, for more information on this.

 Program Mode

                The Quasar can hold up to seven (7) programs in memory. The Program Mode feature allows you to program multiple programs at once. After moving through the display screens of each program, you will be prompted to move on to the next Program. When all programs have been entered, you can press “E” to exit. When finished with programming, if less than seven programs have been entered, the Quasar will prompt you to delete the remaining programs.

For example, if you program the Quasar Program 1 for a Start Time of 08:00:00 and a Stop Time of 12:00:00, then set Program 2 with a Start Time of 13:00:00 and Stop Time of 17:00:00, and then Press “E” to Exit, the Quasar will prompt you to delete Programs 3 through 7. You can decide not to delete the other program slots, however, the option is given so that any previous programs that are not meant to be used will be deleted and not possibly conflict with new programs.

 NOTE: When the Quasar displays “Any Key”, use only the number keys.

 To change a program, or add a single program, use the Edit feature.

 Edit Mode

The Quasar Edit feature allows you to Change, Add or Delete a single program. At the end of each program, the Edit feature will return you to the main menu. The Edit program feature operates the same as the Program feature, but instead of continuing on to the next program, it exits to the main menu.

 For example, if you wish to use a the program settings on Tuesday, that you used on Monday, you can use the Edit feature to change the program setting date, and leave the rest of the settings the same. You will use the Forward button to move past the display screens containing the information you wish to keep, and change the date only.

 Manual Cycle Mode

Cycle Mode, also referred to as Manual Cycle Mode, is a feature meant to give the Quasar Quick Start ability. Use this when you want to manually start a program in memory, or if the Quasar was not turned on at the scheduled Start Time.

 When entering into Cycle Mode, the Quasar will prompt you to enter the Program number (#) that you wish to cycle. This means the Quasar will use the On/Off settings of the program selected, and immediately start the interrupting cycle. The Cycle Mode will only operate during the Start Time and Stop Time of the program. Cycle Mode does not pay attention to the Start Date and Stop Date of the program being cycled.

 For example, the use of this feature is that a user programs a start time of 8am and an end time of 5pm, and uses this program on Monday. When the user returns to the job site on Tuesday, instead of entering a new program into the instrument with the new date, the user can enter manual cycle mode and immediately start using the Open/Close On/Off settings. Also, because Manual Cycle mode uses the same start and stop times, the instrument can be left to run on its own, and will stop at 5pm.

 NOTE: It is important to know that because Manual Cycle Mode is setup in this manner, the user could not begin a Manual Cycle Mode operation before 8am nor after 5pm.

 NOTE: Older software versions (prior to 3.01) cycle the program indefinitely.

Other Commands and Features

Setting initial interrupt state (Open/Close)

The Initial Interrupt State of the Model Quasar can be set by the user to be either OPEN or CLOSED. The Initial Interrupt State is factory set to the CLOSED position.

To make a change to this feature, from the Main Menu, press “A” “FWD” “C” to display the Set First Cycle menu. Choose 1àOPEN (circuit is open, or OFF) or 0àCLOSE (circuit is closed, or on)

Setting for daylight savings time

Because of differing time zones and time conventions around the world, the Model Quasar Current Interrupter GPS time may be slightly different than local time. Daylight Savings Time can be manually set on the Model Quasar Current Interrupter. To change this feature, from the Main Menu, press “A” “D” “C”. This will display the Daylight Savings Time menu. Choose 1à On to turn on Daylight Savings Time and change the time backwards one (1) hour, or choose 0 à Off to turn off Daylight Savings Time, and change the time forwards one (1) hour. The Model Quasar Current Interrupter is factory set for Daylight Savings Time to be Off.

Finding the software version information

When troubleshooting the Model Quasar Current Interrupter with factory technicians, you may be asked to find which version of the Quasar software your Model Quasar Current Interrupter is running. To find this information, from the Main Menu, press “C” “A” “C”. The software version will be briefly displayed.

How Do I …

I always use the same open and close on and off settings, so I want to use the Manual Cycle Mode. But, sometimes I work earlier or later than other times. How can I do this?

Try entering a program with the on/off cycle you want, but with a start time of 12am and a stop time of 23:59:00. This will allow you to use Manual Cycle mode at any time of the day, with the exception of the minute before midnight.

How do I program time with AM or PM?

You cannot program the Quasar Start Time or Stop Time using the twelve (12) hour clock. (AM & PM) The Quasar uses a twenty-four (24) hour clock, so that it does not get confused about AM and PM times. This is because the GPS satellites also use a twenty-four (24) hour clock. Please see the chart below for the twenty-four (24) hour clock.

When I setup the Quasar to interrupt the rectifier, do I interrupt the positive of negative?

The answer to this question is decided by preference or application. It depends on whether you wish to interrupt the current flow on the pipe or anodes. Typically, the pipe is the structure that is interrupted. However, this instrument may be used in many different applications and with different structures, so the instrument can interrupt either the positive (+) or negative (-).

 Do I interrupt the DC or the AC side of the rectifier?

The Quasar is capable of interrupting either the AC or DC side of the rectifier. Whichever is chosen, AC or DC, be sure to move the Power Selector Switch to the correct current type – AC or DC.

How do I figure out wattage?

Watts = (Volts) x (Amps)

For example, a 5-amp, 110 Volt connection would equal 550 Watts.

 The Quasar has GPS lock, but didn’t start the programmed interruption cycle on time. What happened?

It is possible that the Quasar was turned on and received the time/date from the GPS satellites, after the programmed start time. Enter Edit Mode, and change the Start Time to a time in the future, or enter Manual Cycle and start the program manually. It will then run until the scheduled Stop Time.

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