OMC-160 Anemometer

Meteorological Applications

Installation & technical user manual

Version 2.04
TDC 28-11-2013
 OMC-160 Anemometer User manual

Version history

2.04 28-11-2013 Corrected part number of Wind vane (page 11)

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 OMC-160 Anemometer User manual

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.  GENERAL............................................................................................................................... 5 
1.1 DATA SUMMARY ................................................................................................................ 6 
2.  INSTALLATION ...................................................................................................................... 7 
2.1 MECHANICAL ..................................................................................................................... 7 
2.2 ELECTRICAL ...................................................................................................................... 7 
3.  COMMISSIONING .................................................................................................................. 8 
3.1 ALIGN PROCEDURE ............................................................................................................ 8 
4.  SENSOR BODY ..................................................................................................................... 9 
4.1 MAINTENANCE ................................................................................................................. 10 
4.2 SPARE PARTS .................................................................................................................. 11 
5.  THE OUTPUT OF THE OMC-160 ........................................................................................ 12 
5.1 OMC-160 FORMAT .......................................................................................................... 12 
5.2 NMEA ............................................................................................................................ 12 
6.  INTERNAL WIRING ............................................................................................................. 13 
7.  CONNECTIONS ................................................................................................................... 14 
7.1 JUMPER FUNCTION CONNECTION 13 & 14 ......................................................................... 14 
8.  DIMENSIONS ....................................................................................................................... 15 
9.  DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY .................................................................................... 16 

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 OMC-160 Anemometer User manual

1. General
The wind sensor combination OMC-160 consists of the wind
speed sensor and wind direction sensor. The system is robust,
lightweight, corrosion resistive and easy to install.

The wind sensor is a rotary-cup type unit made from stainless

steel. The 3 cups are helicoid shaped, 80 mm in diameter, with
an outer spin diameter of 130 mm. Rotation of the cup-unit generates
8 pulses/rotation in an optical encoder. The encoder is directly
connected to the micro processor which converts the pulses to wind
speed in M/S.

The wind direction sensor is a wind vane type unit, made from
stainless steel. The wind vane drives a resolver, from which the
reference coils are connected to the microprocessor. The micro
processor translates the sine and cosine output from the resolver
into a direction signal.

The microprocessor transmitter is completely encapsulated to

withstand extreme environmental conditions. It converts both the
optical pulses from the wind speed and the resolver position from the
wind direction, into a combined digital signal (serial current loop,
300 bps, ASCII code). This signal can be transmitted over cable
lengths up to 1200 meters, but it can also be transmitted via VHF
or other data-communication systems. The transmitter unit requires
a 8- 30 volts dc supply, which is usually supplied by the indicator
coupled to the wind sensor (typically 15Vdc).

De-icing heaters
As an option, the wind sensors may be equipped with de-icing
heaters. These heaters are located in the top part of the sensors.
By heating the bearing-housing, it prevents the rotating parts
freezing to the housing in case of precipitation at low
temperatures. The heaters (24 Volts ac or dc, 35 Watt) are controlled
by a thermostat in the sensor housing.

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1.1 Data summary

Power supply: 8 TO 30 VDC 60 mA

Output: Currentloop ASCII coded output 20 mA

NMEA-0183 version 2.30
Weight: 6.5 kg
Dimensions: 865x248x465mm (DxWxH) see sketch chapter 8

Mounting pole: max. 65 mm dia

Operating temperature: –25 to 70°C

Moisture protection: IP65
Humidity: 10 to 95%

Accuracy: Wind speed: better than 2% FRO

Wind direction: better than 3 degrees
Speed range: 0,3…75 m/s

Class: EMC EN 50081-1 class B, EN 50082-2

Conform RoHS directive 2002/95/EC en 2005/18/EC

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2. Installation
2.1 Mechanical
The wind sensor OMC-160 is supplied with the mounting bracket and junction box. This
can be mounted on a vertical pipe with external diameters between 35-60 mm using the U-
bolt clamps supplied.

Before starting the installation, make sure that all components are complete, and that the
mast is properly fixed to withstand rugged wind forces. The wind-sensors are usually shipped
with the wind vane and cups disconnected from their appropriate units. On the common
unit, the upper spindle is for the wind direction sensor, and the lower spindle for the wind
speed sensor. To prevent damaging the wind vane and cups, properly mount the
sensor/bracket combination on the mast before fitting the wind vane and cup-unit. (this may
not always possible)

Ensure that the sensors are mounted high enough to avoid any turbulence from
obstacles. For guidance refer to the WMO publication ’Guide to Meteorological
Instruments and Methods of Observation’ (latest issue).

On completion of the above installation carry out the setting-up procedure as contained in
the commissioning paragraph 3.1.

2.2 Electrical
The mounting bracket is provided with
a junction box for connection of the field
cabling. The combined wind sensor only
requires a 4-core cable (2 twisted pairs, 0.75
mm2, common screen). In case that the
sensors are equipped with de-icing heater, a
6-core cable is required with 2 extra cores
for the heather.

Because the current drawn by the heater

is ±2 amp the cable from the sensor to the
junction box should be as short as possible
to prevent loss of power. For the cable from
the junction box to the heater transformer the
cable size depends on the length of that
cable.

The field cable should be properly

supported, and fastened to prevent exerting
force on the terminals. The common screen
of the cable must be grounded to earth on
one end only, inside the junction box of the
wind sensor.

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3. Commissioning
Before commissioning the wind sensor, check that the display is properly connected and
the power is switched on. The display normally provides the 15 volts dc power supply
to the wind sensor, which can be measured between terminals (1) and (2) at the rear of the
display. The wind speed sensor needs no further commissioning, it will automatically
transmit the measured speed.

3.1 Align procedure

Land-based:
The wind direction sensor needs alignment. In land based systems the OMC-160 should
be aligned to North. After alignment the OMC-160 wind sensor will report "absolute" wind
direction. This way of alignment is also used on most fixed offshore rigs.

Ship-based:
On ship based systems the OMC-160 should be aligned to the bow of the vessel. After
alignment the OMC-160 will report "relative" wind direction. This way of alignment is also
used on small buoys and on some offshore objects as F(P)SO’s.

For the purpose of alignment the sensor is provided with an LED located in the
junction box mounted on the mounting bracket which will light-up when the sensor
transmits a direction signal around zero degrees (between 350 and 010 degrees):

1. Open the cover of the junction box that is located on the mounting bracket to
observe the LED.
2. When the color of the LED is green the sensor transmits a direction between
002 to 010 degrees.
3. When the color of the LED is red the sensor transmits a direction between the
350 an the 358.
4. When the color of the LED turns yellow the transmitted signal is "North" or 0
degrees, within a band width of 2 degrees.
5. For land based alignment locate North by using a hand held compass or similar.
6. Unscrew the locknut of the wind vane
7. Put a screwdriver in the groove of the vane-shaft and set the counterweight of
the wind vane pointing to North or the ships bow, and keeping it in this
position, slowly turn the shaft with the screwdriver until the LED lights up.
8. Fine adjust the shaft until the LED lits yellow (i.e. North or 0 degrees within 2
degrees)
9. Tighten the lock-nut of the wind vane, taking care that the vane does not move on
the shaft.
10. Check the "North" transmitting signal with LED after tightening the vane locknut.
11. Close the junction box cover.

Remark:
Depending on local circumstances, it may be more practical to align the wind
vane with the sensor mounting bracket and adjust the wind vane shaft until the LED
light. The mounting bracket can then be aligned to the north by rotating the complete
mast, thus aligning the wind vane to the North.

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4. Sensor body

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4.1 Maintenance
The OMC-series wind sensors are designed
for low maintenance and all components are
conservatively rated. The only components
that are likely to require replacement due to
normal wear are the precision ball bearings.
Replacement of these components should only
be attempted by a qualified technician. It
should be carried out in a workshop free from
dirt and impurities.

Refer to assembly drawings of wind speed

and, wind direction sensor for part names and
locations. First remove the cup-unit or vane-
unit from the body by unscrewing the locknut
and lifting the unit. To gain access to the
bearings remove the bearing housing by
unscrewing the 3 screws on the side of the
body. When lifting the bearing housing, the
attached transmitter block in the speed sensor,
or the resolver in the direction sensor will also
be pulled out with the attached wiring. Before
disconnecting this wiring mark the original
connections.

In the wind speed sensor the transmitter block

must be removed after which the columns can be
screwed off to free the bearing lock plate. The
bearings can now be taken out complete with the
shaft. In the wind direction sensor this is done in a
similar way after removing the resolver.

When the bearings are renewed, care should be

taken not to apply excessive force on the new
bearings.

The bearing housings of wind speed and wind

direction units are not identical on the OMC-160.

When re-installing the complete bearing housing

with the transmitter block or resolver, care should
be taken that the internal wiring is properly
connected, and not touching any moving part.

The cable-gland in the bottom part of the body

should be tightened to support the field cable.

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Parts with positioning numbers as used in the drawings on the previous pages.

Pos Nr. Description Pos Nr. Description

18 2 Ball bearing 38 3 Distance column

19 2 Ball bearing 39 6 Hexagonal screw
20 2 Axis 40 2 Lockingscrew
21 1 Bearing wind direction 41 2 Circlip washer
22 1 Center bus 42 1 Circlip washer
23 1 Carrier fork 43 6 Countersunk head screw
24 1 Carrier pin plate 44 1 O-ring
25 1 Mounting plate resolver 45 2 Circlip washer
26 1 Distance tube resolver 46 2 Spring washer
27 3 Bolt 47 2 Cap nut
28 1 Resolver
29 2 Screw 14 1 Cable gland
30 1 Transmitter block 15 1
31 1 Bearinghouse wind speed 16
32 1 Locking plate
33 1 Pulse code cap

4.2 Spare parts

Part : Part No.

Cup assembly : OMC-9166

Fin assembly : OMC-9165
Transmitter block : OMC-9161
Ball bearing set : OMC-9169

Retaining ring Diameter. 10 x 1 mm and 8 x 1 mm included in bearing set.

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5. The output of the OMC-160

5.1 OMC-160 format

Jumper on terminal 13 & 14 sets the sensor to OMC-160 ouput:

The output of a OMC-160 wind sensor is a current loop signal with ASCII information.

The format of this message is:

The checksum is all information in the string added, the least significant byte is divided into
high and low nibble and both nibbles are incremented by hexadecimal 30. This information is
sent out as a checksum.

Data protocol,

Baud rate = 300 Parity = none

Word length = 8 Stop bit = 1

5.2 NMEA

Jumper removed from terminal 13 & 14 will set the output to NMEA 4800 baud (On request
this can be set to 9600 Baud).

$IIMWV,xxx.x,R,xxx.x,M,A*xx(CR)(LF)

$IIMWV, ID : II, MWV message type

xxx.x, Wind direction
R, Relative
xxx.x, Wind speed
M, m/s
A, A=valid value, V= invalid value
* Check sum identifier
xx Check sum (high byte first)
CR Carriage Return
LF Line Feed

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6. Internal wiring
Should for some reason the sensor not be electrically connected to the mounting bracket
junction box, access must be gained to the interior of the sensor to enable connection of the
field cabling. Remove the bearing-assembly from the sensor body by unscrewing the three
screws on the side of the body, and lift the bearing-assembly. In the wind speed sensor the
transmitter block is fitted to the bearing housing, and in the wind direction sensor the resolver
is fitted to the bearing housing. From the wind direction resolver six signal cores are
connected to the transmitter block in the wind speed sensor. The combined output signal is
available on 14 screw terminals on the transmitter block. Field cabling can be connected
either directly to the transmitter block terminals inside the speed sensor, or via a junction box
on the mounting bracket. (see internal wiring diagram)

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7. Connections

7.1 Jumper function connection 13 & 14

In the junction box of the OMC-160 a jumper can be found on terminal 13 & 14. It is possible
to set different output types with this jumper. The available settings are:

Jumper in place:
 Baud rate 300 baud
 OMC-160 format on terminal 3 & 4 Currentloop
 OMC-160 format on terminal 1 & 9 RS232

Jumper removed:
 Baud rate 4800 baud
 NMEA format on terminal 3 & 4 Currentloop
 NMEA format on terminal 9 & 10 RS422

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8. Dimensions

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9. Declaration of Conformity

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