_ TILTMETERS

AND TILT BEAMS

USER MANUAL

INCLINOMETERS
& TILTMETERS
INDEX INTRODUCTION Page 4

DESCRIPTION Page 5

PRELIMINARY CHECKS Page 8

INSTALLATION Page 10

TAKING MEASUREMENTS Page 16

DATA MANAGEMENT Page 17

TROUBLESHOOTING Page 18

MAINTENANCE SERVICE Page 20

APPENDIX 1 Page 21

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Notes on the use of product For safe and efficient use of the product, please read carefully the following
instructions before starting any operation.
Any use of the product other than the one described in this manual shall be considered the
user’s full responsibility.
The same applies for any unauthorized modifications.
In addition to the hereby listed standards, the user must comply with the provisions of the
current legislation regarding personal safety and health together with all other persons in the
workplace.
SISGEO is not responsible for any accident, breakdown or other problems due to lack
of knowledge and / or non-compliance with the requirements contained in this manual.
Check that the product has not been damaged during the transport.
Verify that the package includes all items as well as any requested optional accessories;
if anything is missing, please promptly contact SISGEO.
The user must strictly follow all the operations described in this manual.
Maintenance or repair of the device is permitted only by authorized operators.
These operators must be physically and intellectually suitable.
For information about instrument or to order spare parts, always specify the product
information which can be found on the identification label.
When replacing parts, always use ORIGINAL SPARE PARTS.

Symbols

Pay particular attention to the following instruction.

Identification Instruments can be clearly identified by

• the batch number (written on the Compliance Certificate)
• the serial number (s/n) engraved on the instrument
• the label on the instrument
• the label on the cable

Note The present Manual is issued by SISGEO in English Language and translated in other
different languages.
In order to avoid discrepancies and disagreements on the interpretation of the meanings,
Sisgeo Srl declares that English Language prevails.
All the information in this document is the property of Sisgeo S.r.l. and should not be used or
reproduced without permission from Sisgeo S.r.l.
We reserve the right to change our product without prior notice.

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INTRODUCTION Tiltmeters and tilt beams are used to measure inclination changes of the structures where
they are installed.
They can be applied on several structures: towers, monuments, decks, bridges and viaducts
piers, retaining walls and concrete dams.
Moreover they can be used to measure blocks rotating movement or unstable rocks.
Tiltmeters can use MEMS technology or servo-accelerometer sensor (available only under
request), both available in uniaxial or biaxial model. Biaxial gauge measures the tilt on 2
perpendicular directions.
Tilt beams can be connected in a chain, in order to monitor profile variation of the structure
where they are installed.

MEMS tiltmeters are available with two different output:

• Analog (4-20mA current loop)
• Digital (RS485, Modbus RTU protocol)

The Digital tiltmeters main feature is that they can be connected in chain by means of one
simple signal cable.
Following Customer requirements, SISGEO can customize digital tiltmeters in RS485
address, output measuring unit and powering mode (see page 7)

Example of analog tiltmeters installation

MONITORING STATION

Example of digital tiltmeters chain

MONITORING STATION

Last connector including

termination resistance

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DESCRIPTION The tiltmeter consists in:

1. a sensor and an electronic board housed in a box. The MEMS models also have a
temperature sensor;
2. an adjustable support plate (optional);
3. screws for precise positioning;
4. screws and anchors for the fastening;
5. connector for the measure cable connection

MEMS tiltmeter
1
(model S540)

3 2

1 Level

Servo accelerometer tiltmeter

(model S530SV) DISCONTINUED

3
5

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 The S520MA MEMS waterproof tiltmeter consists in:

1. a sensor and electronic board housed in a stainless steel cylindrical body;

2. an adjustable support plate (optional);
3. a support for a precise positioning;
4. a spirit level useful for correct positioning;
5. screws and anchors for the installation;
6. electric cable for the connection to the readout/logger.

6 2

The tilt beam consists in:

1. a digital or analog MEMS tiltmeter and its connector;

2. an aluminium bar available in different lengths;
3. an optical target;
4. fixing plate for tiltmeter;
5. threaded bars for anchoring (plugs not included)

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 Notes for digital MEMS tiltmeters and digital tilt beams (to be requested at order)

Principal parameters configured at factory:

• Serial number;
• Calibration parameters;
• RS485 address. Each D-Tiltmeter has an univocal address also reported in a label on
the cable.
• Powering type :
A) always-on (all D-Tiltmeters are switched on together)
B) timed (only one D-Tiltmeter is switched on at time)
• Unit of measurement: the standard output is sinα. Upon request it is possible to
configure D-Tiltmeter with sinα multiplied by a constant factor K≠1 or another unit of
measurement ( °, mm/m, inch/feet).

In “always-on” the consumption is higher (and the voltage drops could be heavy) but the
reading times are lower.
In “timed” the incremental delay [sec] and the warm-up time [sec] are set. Every
D-Tiltmeter is turned on, read and then turned off from the Modbus master.

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PRELIMINARY Before the installation, we recommend to check the instrument connecting it to a readout

CHECKS (see chapter “Taking measurements”). Verify the conformity of the signal according to the
following pictures (letters A and B refers to the instrument’s channels) :

MEMS and servo accelerometer tiltmeters (vertical installation)

ANALOGUE B channel A channel B channel A channel

B<0 B>0 A<0 A>0 B<0 B>0 A<0 A>0

(4 mA) (20 mA) (4 mA) (20 mA) (- mV) (+ mV) (- mV) (+ mV)

DIGITAL B channel A channel

B<0 B>0 A<0 A>0

-senα +senα - senα +senα

Waterproof MEMS tiltmeters (vertical installation)

B channel A channel

B<0 B>0 A<0 A>0

(4 mA) (20 mA) (4 mA) (20 mA)

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 Analogue and digital tilt beams (vertical wall application)
Note: For application on horizontal surface (i.e. on the floor), SISGEO supplies on request
the “L” mounting support plate (code 0S7BM80SUP0); sign convention remain the same

B channel
A channel

ANALOGUE
4mA 20mA 4mA 20mA

B channel A channel
DIGITAL

-senα +senα -senα +senα

ANALOGUE DIGITAL
B channel A channel B channel A channel

4mA 20mA 4mA 20mA -senα +senα -senα +senα

Useful tools, not supplied, depending on the model:

• SW3 and SW5 allen keys
• Spanner n°10 and n°13
• Drill and drill bits Ø6mm, Ø8mm, Ø10mm, Ø12mm, Ø14mm

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INSTALLATION The main installation’s steps are described below:

• mark holes position considering the expected movement;

• use a suitable drill and drill bit for drilling the holes;
• clean the holes;
• mount the tiltmeter or the plate;
• if needed, cement the threaded bars (tilt beams);
• adjust the tiltmeter in order to obtain a value close to the zero value written on the
Calibration Report (using a readout);
• tighten the screws to block everything. Avoid to tighten heavily.

For every model we recommend:

• handle with care;
• protect the tiltmeter from the atmospheric agents, especially from direct sunlight;
• protect the cables end from water;
• protect the cable from damages i.e. using corrugate protective tube (not supplied);
• provide a good ground system.

Here following some examples of tiltmeters installation, including support plates:

MEMS tiltmeter without adjusting plate MEMS tiltmeter with optional

fine-adjusting plate (code 0S540AP3D00)

Ø 12mm anchor
Ø 8mm anchor

Slotted hole
for horizontal
Slotted hole
adjustement
for horizontal
adjustement

Screw for fine

adjustement

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 MEMS waterproof tiltmeter with optional Servo-accelerometer tiltmeter
L-shaped installation plate for sloped
surface (code 0S500AP3600)
Spanner nr.13
Spanner nr.13 for horizontal
for horizontal adjustement
adjustement

Ø 12mm Ø 14mm
anchor anchor

MEMS waterproof tiltmeter with optional

wall-mounting plate (code 0S500PF1000)

Ø 12mm
anchor

Spanner nr.13
for horizontal
adjustement

Examples of positioning:

Support plate
not supplied

Sisgeo doesn’t supply L shaped support plates for S5MA and S5HD tiltmeters (red body).
If they should be used, we recommend a minimum thickess of >10mm.

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 Tilt beam
Metal beams and tiltmeter sensors are supplied not assembled in order to better protect
the tiltmeter during shipment and handling. Here below a simple scheme on how to
assemble the tiltmeter on a metal beam.

M5 screw

M6 screw

Tiltmeter
adjustable fixing plate

Tiltmeter adjustable fixing plate permits to rotate the tiltmeter on the beam in order to
install the tilt beam horizontally, vertically or sloped:

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 How to connect tilt beams in chain

Hollow
washer

Ø 8mm
threaded bar

Teflon washer

nut

How to install tilt beams on a horizontal surface

Tilt beams are designed to be installed on vertical walls. For application on horizontal
surface (i.e. on the floor), SISGEO supply on request the “L” mounting support plate (code
0S7BM80SUP0). Here below a simple schetch on how to assembly the support plate with
the tilt beam:

M10
threaded bar
screws

M10
Nut

M10
threaded bar

Installation example

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 Connectors and wiring for digital tiltmeter

Female connector
Male connector with
(connection to
possible terminal
chain’s penultimate
resistance ( last
clinometer)
clinometer of the
chain)

FEMALE CONNECTOR MALE CONNECTOR

FRONT VIEW: FRONT VIEW:

2 3 3 2

5 5

1 4 4 1

Male/Female connector Function Typical cable colour

1 +V Red

4 GND Black

3 Data + (RS485 A) Green

2 Data - (RS485 B) White

5 Grounding Shield

The last D-Tiltmeter of a chain must have a termination resistance with value as for the
following table. A spare kit of ending resistance is available (product code 0ERESIKIT00) that
includes one 120 Ohm, two 240 Ohm, three 360 Ohm and four 480 Ohm resistances).

N° of chains Value

1 120Ω

2 240Ω

3 360Ω

4 480Ω

For the measure chains with digital sensors longer than 50 m, we suggest to double power
conductors’ section (+Vdc; GND) using the remaining wires.

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 Connector and wiring for analogue tiltmeter

Female connector

FEMALE CONNECTOR:
8
2 1

3 7

4 6

Male/Female connector Function Typical cable colour

1 +V (A) Red

2 Thermistor Yellow

3 Thermistor Blue

4 GND (A) Black

5 +V (B) White

6 GND (B) Green

7 Not used Not used

8 Grounding Shield

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TAKING To obtain reliable measures, with 4-20mA, we recommend a warm up time not less than

MEASUREMENTS 8/10 seconds.

With digital tiltmeters we suggest to program the Modbus master (if not supplied by
SISGEO) to wait the third reading before to consider it valid.

It’s possible to carry out automatic measures connecting the instrument to a datalogger,
for example SISGEO’s OMNIAlog.
Digital tiltmeters are read connecting the end cable to a portable readout with RS485
interface (DCE, Half duplex, no Echo) able to manage SISGEO Modbus RTU communication
protocol. For further information regarding our Modbus communication protocol, refer to
the relevan document pubblished on SISGEO web site.

The power [W] of power supply must be chosen according to the tiltmeters quantity and
power supply mode (“always on” or “timed”).

The Modbus master (readout unit) must be set according to the factory’s tiltmeters
configuration.

In oder to read servo-accelerometer tiltmeters (discontinued), proceed connecting the

instrument cable wires to the readout according the following scheme:

Red +Vdc

Black -Vdc

White GND power

Servo-accelerometer tiltmeter
Yellow +Out A
(A/B channels)
Blue +Out B (if biaxial)

Green GND measure

Shield Grounding

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DATA PROCESSING The following formulas allow to convert the electrical measurements of 4-20mA gauges into
engineering value:

Linear factor Leng = (A x Lel) + B

Polynomial factor Leng = (Lel3 x A) + (Lel2 x B) + (Lel x C) + D

Leng = Reading in engineering unit

Lel = Reading in electric unit (output of the gauge)

S, A, B, C, D are stated on Calibration Report.

The D-TILTMETERS give reading directly in engineering units. No conversion is needed.

The relative reading refer to the initial reference reading (zero reading):

∆L = Li - L0

∆L = relative reading
L0 = Reference reading
Li = Follow up reading

Reference reading shall be taken carefully once the installation is performed and the system
is stable (no vibrations etc...)

Example
Uniaxial tiltmeter; measuring range ±10°; Readings mA
S= 46.29078 mA/sinα
A= -1.483E-06, B=5.232E-05, C=2.108E-02, D=-2.789E-01
L0=12.965mA, L1=17.006mA
Using:
Linear factor (L1-L0) / S : (17.006-12.965) / 46.29078 = 0.0873 [sinα]
Polynomial factor [(L13xA) + (L12xB) + (L1xC) + D] - [(L03xA) + (L02xB) + (L0xC) + D]=
0.08742-(-0.0000352)=0.08746[sinα]
The result value is the inclination variation (or tilt) in the tiltmeter installation point.

The tilt azimuthal direction of the biaxial tiltmeters can be found comparing the following
drawing and table:

A ; sinα

A- / B+ θr A- / B-
sinα sinβ k
B ; sinβ
- - 0

+ - ½

+ + ½
A+ / B+ A+ / B- - + 1

View from the top

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 As far as uniaxial TILT BEAMS are concerned, it can be useful to consider the result as the
displacement in [mm], between the threaded bar fixing points:

Di [mm] = Pi [mm] x Δsinαi

Di = displacement
Δsinαi = difference in sin alpha between follow-up reading and reference reading
Pi= distance between fixing points (gauge length, usually 1000, 2000 or 3000 mm)

Temperature measure

Using readout units, temperature will be displayed directly in °C ; if the resistance value is
read, the conversion formula or the table in Appendix 1 can be used.

TROUBLESHOOTING Problem Possible cause Solution

The tiltmeter isn’t
fixed correctly Fix the tiltmeter correctly or
or warm up not respect warm up time
4-20mA current loop signal

respected
Unstable measure
High power cables
Tiltmeters with

installed near Shut down the high power

tiltmeters and/or signal device and check the signal
cable

Wiring not connect Make proper wiring

0 mA measure
Repair the cable. SISGEO can
Cable cut or damaged
supply the cable splicing kit

Tiltmeter out of Bring back the tiltmeterwithin

Overrange measure
measure range its measure range

The tiltmeter isn’t

fixed correctly Fix the tiltmeter correctly or
Tiltmeters with voltage signal

Unstable measure or warm up not respect warm up time

respected
Wiring not connect Make proper wiring

Wiring not connect Make proper wiring

0 V measure
Repair the cable. SISGEO can
Cable cut or damaged
supply the cable splicing kit

Tiltmeter out of Bring back the tiltmeter within

Overrange measure
measure range its measure range

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 Problem Possible cause Solution
Verify the right Modbus master
Modbus Master
configuration (RS485 interface
configuration
included)

Verify the correct power supply

Wrong tiltmeter power
Modbus Master according to the tiltmeter’s
supply
reads no tiltmeters number

High power cables

installed near Shut down the high power
tiltmeters and/or signal device and check the signal
Digital Tiltmeters

cable
Verify the right Modbus master
Modbus Master
configuration (RS485 interface
configuration
Modbus Master included)
doesn’r read only
Check the tiltmeter with a
one tiltmeter
Electronic board SISGEO portable datalogger. If
problems the problem remains, contact
SISGEO assistance for a check.

Modbus Master Check the fuse on the wiring

doesn’t read a Short circuit clamps. If it is burned, check the
whole chain cause.

Sensor powering not Check that the voltage value is

Unstable measure
correct >10 V (*)

(*) Normal voltage value is between 12 Volt < voltage <24 Volt

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MAINTENANCE Tiltmeter is a precision instrument and has to be handled carefully, avoiding accidental
shocks both during the transport and installation. It is strongly suggested to use the original
packaging during shipment and transport of the gauges. If possible, protect the instrument
after the installation from direct sun light, rain and possible vandalism.

After-sales assistance for calibrations, maintenance and repairs, is performed by SISGEO’s

Customer Care Department.
The authorization for shipment shall be activated by requesting an RMA ticket (Return
Manufacturer Authorization).
Please create your account and then fill in the RMA form clicking on:

https://support.sisgeo.com/

Please read carefully the instruction published on Sisgeo’s web site.

Send back the instrument/equipment with the complete accessories, using suitable
packaging, or, even better, the original ones.
The shipping costs shall be covered by the sender.

Please return to the following address with correct delivery documentation reporting the
RMA code received:

SISGEO S.r.l.
Via F.Serpero, 4/F1
20060 MASATE (MI)

Customer Care Department e-mail: [email protected]

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APPENDIX 1 THERMISTOR TEMPERATURE CONVERSION (FOR ANALOG GAUGES ONLY)

Resistance to temperature equation:

1
T= -273.2
A + B ( LnR ) + C ( LnR )3

Where:
T= temperature in °C
LnR= natural Log of the thermistor resistance
A= 1.4051x10-3 (coefficents calculated over the -50°C to +70°C span)
B= 2.369x10-4
C=1.019x10-7

Ohms Temp Ohms Temp Ohms Temp Ohms Temp

16.60 k -10 5971 10 2417 30 1081 50

15.72 k -9 5692 11 2317 31 1040 51

14.90 k -8 5427 12 2221 32 1002 52

14.12 k -7 5177 13 2130 33 965.0 53

13.39 k -6 4939 14 2042 34 929.6 54

12.70 k -5 4714 15 1959 35 895.8 55

12.05 k -4 4500 16 1880 36 863.3 56

11.44 k -3 4297 17 1805 37 832.2 57

10.86 k -2 4105 18 1733 38 802.3 58

10.31 k -1 3922 19 1664 39 773.7 59

9796 0 3784 20 1598 40 746.3 60

9310 -1 3583 21 1535 41 719.9 61

8851 2 3426 22 1475 42 694.7 62

8417 3 3277 23 1418 43 670.4 63

8006 4 3135 24 1363 44 647.1 64

7618 5 3000 25 1310 45 624.7 65

7252 6 2872 26 1260 46 603.3 66

6905 7 2750 27 1212 47 582.6 67

6576 8 2633 28 1167 48 562.8 68

6265 9 2523 29 1123 49 543.7 69

525.4 70

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