GE DS3800DVRC

Technical Specifications

• Product Type: Digital Voltage Reference & Calibration Board

• Part Number: DS3800DVRC

• Manufacturer: General Electric (GE)

• System Compatibility: GE Speedtronic Mark IV Turbine Control Systems

• Reference Outputs: 4 precision voltage references (±1V, ±5V, ±10V, and 0-10V)

• Accuracy: ±0.01% of full scale at 25°C; ±0.005% per °C drift

• Temperature Stability: < 5ppm/°C (typical)

• Long-Term Stability: < 50ppm/year

• Load Regulation: < 0.005% for 0 to 10mA load

• Line Regulation: < 0.001% for ±10% input variation

• Protection: Short-circuit protected outputs

• Isolation: 1500Vrms isolation from backplane

• Temperature Range: 0°C to +60°C

• MTBF: > 250,000 hours (MIL-HDBK-217F)

Key Features & Advantages

• High-Precision References: The GE DS3800DVRC provides extremely stable reference voltages with ±0.01% accuracy, essential for calibrating the Mark IV’s 12-bit analog-to-digital converters.

• Multiple Reference Values: Offers four commonly used reference voltages (±1V, ±5V, ±10V, 0-10V), covering the full input range of most Mark IV analog boards.

• Low Temperature Drift: < 5ppm/°C ensures calibration remains valid across the operating temperature range of the turbine control cabinet.

• Long-Term Stability: < 50ppm/year minimizes the need for frequent recalibration.

• Short-Circuit Protection: Protected outputs prevent damage during calibration setup or accidental shorts.

• Diagnostic LEDs: Front-panel LEDs indicate reference output status and fault conditions.

• External Access: The GE DS3800DVRC provides test points for external voltmeters, enabling verification of reference accuracy during routine maintenance.

Typical Application Cases

• Analog Input Calibration: The GE DS3800DVRC provides reference voltages for calibrating the DS3800DVIA voltage input boards, ensuring accurate field signal readings.

• Analog Output Verification: Used to verify the accuracy of analog output boards (e.g., servo driver boards) by comparing output against the reference.

• System Diagnostics: During troubleshooting, the GE DS3800DVRC helps isolate faulty boards by providing a known-good signal source.

• Preventive Maintenance: Used during annual maintenance to check and adjust the calibration of all analog boards in the Mark IV rack.

• Commissioning: The GE DS3800DVRC is essential during initial startup to verify all analog channels meet specifications before turbine operation.

Competitive Comparison

The GE DS3800DVRC is less accurate than high-end laboratory calibrators but offers the convenience of being permanently installed and immediately available for routine calibration and troubleshooting.

Selection Guidelines & Precautions

1. Reference Verification: Before using the GE DS3800DVRC, verify its outputs with a calibrated external voltmeter to ensure accuracy. If drift is observed, the board may require factory recalibration.

2. Load Conditions: The GE DS3800DVRC provides accurate references only when the load current is below 10mA. For higher loads, use an external buffer amplifier.

3. Temperature: Allow the GE DS3800DVRC to stabilize for at least 30 minutes after power-up before performing critical calibrations, as initial warm-up drift may affect accuracy.

4. Short-Circuit: While the GE DS3800DVRC outputs are short-circuit protected, prolonged shorting may degrade accuracy over time.

5. Calibration Interval: GE recommended recalibration of the GE DS3800DVRC every 2 years. For sites without internal calibration capability, send to a qualified calibration lab.

6. ESD Handling: Use ESD-safe practices; contains precision reference components sensitive to static discharge.

7. Sourcing: Obsolete. Request functional test report including:

   • All 4 reference outputs verified for accuracy (±0.01%)

   • Temperature drift test (5ppm/°C max)

   • Load regulation test (0.005% max)

   • Output isolation verification

   • Short-circuit protection test

8. Spare Strategy: Keep one spare GE DS3800DVRC on-site if you perform regular analog board calibrations. For sites without a calibration lab, the board is essential for maintaining system accuracy.

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