Testing Switches with Cirris Cable Testers

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Testing Assemblies with Switches?

Often Cirris customers have the need to test assemblies with switches in them. From simple devices such as an A-B switchboxes, to complex assemblies with many switches, buttons, relays, etc. whenever you have a device with switches it has the effect of creating many different 'from / to' wiring patterns that must be tested. Some models of Cirris testers have methods to help you more effectively handle testing assemblies with switches in them.

Two Methods for Switch Testing are:

OPEN and CLOSE instructions: (available on easy-wire CR, CH+ and CH2)
PARENT/CHILD wirelists: (available on easy-wire CR, CH+, CH2 and Touch 1)

OPEN and CLOSE Instructions:

easy-wire software, version 7.1 and higher, includes OPEN and CLOSE instructions that allow you to check switch status in assemblies you are testing. These instructions are generally used together to:

A. Verify that a switch is in the expected position and the resulting from/to wirelist is correct
B. Prompt the operator to open/close switches (when manual manipulation is required)
C. Verify when a switch changes state that the resulting from/to wirelist is correct

The OPEN and CLOSE commands can be used if you have a few simple switches to check, all the way to a myriad of complex combinations of switches, however it is important that the test be set up with the proper "logic" to assure that all combinations of resulting from/to wirelists are checked for all combinations of switch opens and closures.

PARENT/CHILD Wirelists:

The Parent/Child testing method allows you to test any number of different from/to wirelists (CHILD) tied together in one single, overall test program (PARENT).

This capability is similar to using the OPEN/CLOSE instructions, but can provide more thorough coverage in the event of complex assemblies because you are literally stringing together the wirelists from each possible switch state and testing them one by one. The Parent/Child feature makes this task easier by automating the process of switching between each different test program. It also allows you to give on-screen operator prompts to direct the operator which button to push, switch to flip, etc, in the proper order.

Easy-Wire CR, CH+ and CH2

How to set up OPEN/CLOSE instructions in easy-wire software

The OPEN and CLOSE instructions are found in the "add new instruction" drop-down menu box in the "Define Instructions" tab, (tab 4) of the easy-wire software.

OPEN Instruction:

Like other instructions (wire, resistor, diode, etc) you give the OPEN instruction a FROM and a TO point. You can also give it a COLOR and a LABEL.
When the tester processes an OPEN instruction during a test;
If no connection is sensed between the defined from/to points, the OPEN truly is "open" and the tester proceeds to the next instruction. If a connection is sensed between the defined from/to points, the OPEN is "not truly open" and the tester prompts "Not Open" and lists the from/to points.

CLOSE Instruction

Like other instructions (wire, resistor, diode, etc) you give the CLOSE instruction a FROM and a TO point. You can also give it a COLOR and a LABEL.
When the tester processes a CLOSE instruction during a test;
If a connection is sensed between the defined from/to points, the CLOSE truly is "closed" and the tester proceeds to the next instruction. If no connection is sensed between the defined from/to points, the CLOSE is "not truly closed" and the tester prompts "Not Closed" and lists the from/to points.

OPEN and CLOSE instructions are generally used in conjunction with one another to properly check both conditions of a switch or relay, however they don't have to be. You may also choose to add an additional OPEN or CLOSE instruction to properly "set" the final state you would like the switch to end up in.

CAUTION: Open and Close only monitor the points specified in the instruction so other points that go open or closed as the switch changes state will not be checked. For best test coverage you should consider using the Parent/Child wire lists which will perform a more thorough test of the full pattern of connections for each switch state.

Testing Switches and Relays with OPEN and CLOSE Instructions:

"Detailed instructions on Testing Switches and Relays with OPEN and CLOSE Instructions."

Easy-Wire CR, CH+ and CH2

How to set up PARENT/CHILD test programs in easy-wire software

In the easy-wire software, a 'PARENT' test program encompasses any number of regular test programs. These test programs are executed in the order that they appear in the Parent Test Editor.

"Right click" anywhere in the white field under "Test Program List" in the MAIN MENU then click on "Create a new Parent Test" to bring up the Parent Test Editor. (see screen shots to the right --> )

Here you can:

create new CHILD wirelists,
add existing wirelists as CHILDREN to a PARENT,
edit CHILD wirelists,
set up reports and more.

Signature Touch 1

How to set up PARENT/CHILD test programs on the Touch 1

On the Touch 1, a PARENT/CHILD test program is actually one test program (the Parent) with any number of CHILD programs added to it as components. The PARENT test program usually has no from/to connections, or any other values, only the CHILD wirelists include the connections and test values.

There are two ways to create a PARENT/CHILD test program on the Touch 1:
#1. by "Learning", or
#2. by adding existing test programs into a PARENT program.

1. Using the "Learning" Method:

In the TEST SETUP screen, press LEARN SAMPLE
In the LEARN SETUP screen, press CHANGE
In the VIEW/CHANGE LEARN SETTINGS screen, press MORE
In the drop-down menu, press COMP (for components)
In the VIEW/CHANGE LEARN SETTINGS, press CHANGE COMP
In the CHANGE LEARN COMPONENTS screen, press Child Wirelists, then press OK
In the VIEW/CHANGE LEARN SETTINGS, press OK
In the LEARN SETUP screen, press LEARN
In the CHILD WIRELIST LEARN screen, press LEARN Child 1

You will then be guided through the process of entering the PARENT filename and description, then Learning each Child wirelist. For each Child wirelist you will be prompted to give it a filename (or accept the default name) and enter a user prompt message to be displayed upon execution of that Child wirelist. You continue to LEARN Child wirelists until you are finished, then press DONE.

NOTES:

MAKE SURE, before Learning each additional Child wirelist, to set the proper LEARN condition for that Child. In other words put the switch in the position you want BEFORE learning the Child wirelist for that switch position.
Do NOT add Child Wirelists to Child Wirelists, only to a Parent.
Do NOT add a Parent Wirelist file as a Child to any test file. Tester lockup will result.

2. Using the "Add an existing wirelist as a component" method to create a PARENT/CHILD test program.

In the TEST SETUP screen, press RETRIEVE WIRELIST then select the wirelist you want to make the PARENT
In the TEST SETUP screen, press VIEW & CHANGE WIRELIST
In the VIEW/CHANGE LEARN WIRELIST screen, press MORE
In the drop-down menu, press COMP (for components)
In the VIEW/CHANGE LEARN SETTINGS screen, press CHANGE COMP
In the CHANGE COMPONENTS screen, press ADD
In the ADD COMPONENTS screen, press CHILD WIRELIST
Select the test program you want to add as a CHILD and enter the Test Message
Continue adding CHILD Wirelists and Test Messages as desired, then press Save Wirelist in the TEST SETUP screen when finished.

NOTES:

Do NOT add Child Wirelists to Child Wirelists, only to a Parent.
Do NOT add a Parent Wirelist file as a Child to any test file. Tester lockup will result.

Some things to keep in mind.

In easy-wire software a test program can only be used in ONE PARENT program. In Touch 1 there is no such limit.

Parent/Child wirelists work in SINGLE TEST MODE only.

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