Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

If your question isn't answered here then please contact support@pecon.biz. Please give us the IRC version number you are using, a detailed description of the problem and how it can be reproduced. We would also need information about your operation system and .NET-Framework version that is installed. Please check also www.pecon.biz for improved versions of IRC.

 

Q: When I start the program I always have to add the devices before I can start. How can I make this easier?

A: If your system setup is always the same it is very annoying to always add the devices. Set up the program with your devices and enter channel names, if needed. You can also change the diagram colors of the recorded parameters and the values that should be displayed in the device boxes. Add also some general project notes. Then save this project for example as "Default.irc" in your project folder.
After starting the program simply open this file, then you have all your favorite settings and you can start recording. If you already have your favorite settings in a project file with recorded data then open the file, erase all data by "Clear" and save the project under a different name (e.g. "Default.irc").

 

Q: How can I save the scripts?

A: The scripts are also saved in the IRC-project file. So simply add your script to a project file without data and save it. To use the script open the respective project file and record your data. The program always asks for a file name before saving, therefore the risk of overwriting the script-project file is low. However if this has happened you should simply rename the file with the recorded data, then open it again with IRC and erase the data by pressing "Clear". Finally you can now save the script-project file fur further use.

 

Q: I cannot get a connection to the devices. The headline in the device box is always red. What can be the reason for this?

A: A red headline means that the device didn't sent an answer to the IRC request for data. This could have several reasons:

  1. The device is not in remote control mode (see manual how to set up this mode)
  2. The COM port and/or address for the device is not correct
  3. The serial cable is not or badly connected, try also another cable
  4. The COM ports are not correctly installed (hardware/software/operating system) - ask your local administrator for help
  5. The firmware/software of your device is too old. Please ask for an upgrade.
  6. The serial port of the computer or the device is damaged

 

Q: I am seeing strange drops during CO2-recording. The diagram suddenly drops down to 0.0%, while the CTI-Controller 3700 digital or the CO2-Controller shows "HI". What does that mean?

A: If the CO2-concentration inside the CTI-Controller 3700 digital or the CO2-Controller is greater than 10,1% then the device shows "HI" at it's display. However, through the serial port the device tells the IRC program a value of 0.0%. This behavior might be changed in the future. In the meantime just ignore these drops

 

Q: When I record values from the CTI-Controller 3700 digital or the CO2-Controller there are frequently "dropouts". The line in the diagram is not drawn continuously and the heading in the device box is sometimes red. Where is the problem?

A: Currently the CPU power inside both controllers is limiting the serial communication. We had to give the internal PID loop control a higher priority than the serial communication to be sure that CO2 is controlled properly. Therefore sometimes the controllers don't answer the IRC requests for data. This results in a "n/a" in the data fields, a red heading in the device box and a discontinuity in the diagram. This little restriction will be removed in the near future with new controller versions with more CPU power.

 

Q: The splash screen shown at the start of the program is displayed very long. Can I speed up this procedure?

A: The splash screen is shown up for max. 4sec. However if you press any key or a mouse button during display the splash screen gets away faster. (At least the program really needs some time to initialize everything!)

 

Q: How can I check/setup the device address (ID)?

A: This procedure depends on the device:

Tempcontrol 37-2 digital:
Switch-on the device with the "E" button pressed for at least 5sec. Then press the "+" button once (remote mode inactive!). Now the display should show the actual device address e.g. "Adr 003". Press "+" or "-" to change the address to the desired value (003 up to 999). Switch-off the device to save the changes.

CTI-Controller 3700 digital:
Switch-on the device with the "remote" button pressed for at least 5sec. Press the "display" button (remote mode inactive!) until the device shows the actual device address e.g. "A.02" at the CO2-value display. Press the CO2-setpoint buttons "up" or "down" to change the address (02 up to 99). Switch-off the device to save the changes.

CO2-Controller:
Switch-on the device with the "remote" button pressed for at least 5sec. Press the "display" button (remote mode inactive!) until the device shows the actual device address e.g. "A.04" at the CO2-value display. Press the CO2-setpoint buttons "up" or "down" to change the address (04 up to 99). Switch-off the device to save the changes.

 

Q: Can I access IRC from external programs?

A: IRC supports Inter-Process-Communication over DDE. For details, please see the DDE-Interface specification and the sample program located in the "DDE" subfolder of your IRC installation folder.

 

Q: My computer has crashed during recording. How can I access the data that has been recorded before the crash?

A: If you have enabled the autosave feature in the settings dialog then your data has been saved to a file called "autosave.irc" in the program directory. Start IRC and open this file BEFORE you start another recording! Otherwise the file with your valuable data will be overwritten. Save your data then in the data directory.

 

Q: I think I have found a bug! Where should I report it?

A: Because of the wide variety of hardware and software combinations available today, it is impossible for us to be sure that IRC functions well in your environment. If you are having reproducible problems with IRC please contact support@pecon.biz for help. Please give us the IRC version number you are using, a detailed description of the problem and how it can be reproduced. We would also need information about your operation system and .NET-Framework version that is installed. Please check also www.pecon.biz for improved versions of IRC.