The AMC8 200‑550‑003‑112 is a high‑performance analog monitoring card from Meggitt’s renowned Vibro‑Meter® product line, specifically designed for use in VM600 rack‑based machinery monitoring and protection systems. This versatile card is capable of simultaneously measuring and monitoring up to eight analog signal inputs, making it an ideal solution for temperature monitoring (thermocouple and RTD) as well as process signal acquisition (current and voltage) in a wide range of industrial applications. The AMC8 200‑550‑003‑112 is always deployed as a card pair with an appropriate IOC8T input/output card, which is installed in the rear of the VM600 rack, while the AMC8 card itself occupies the front slot. Together, they provide a comprehensive, software‑configurable monitoring channel that can be tailored to the specific needs of each measurement point.
The AMC8 200‑550‑003‑112 is part of the VM600 series, which is trusted by original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and end users globally for its reliability, flexibility, and adherence to stringent safety and performance standards. This card supports a wide variety of sensor types, including thermocouples (Types E, J, K, T, and user‑defined), resistance temperature detectors (Pt100, Pt100 with alpha 0.00392, Ni120, Cu10, and user‑defined), and process inputs (0–25 mA current and 0–10 V voltage). Each of the eight channels can be independently configured via the VM600 MPSx software, allowing users to select the appropriate input type, scaling, alarm thresholds, and processing functions without any hardware modifications.
The AMC8 200‑550‑003‑112 features cold‑junction compensation (CJC) processing on two selectable channels, ensuring accurate thermocouple measurements even in varying ambient temperatures. It also provides advanced alarm capabilities, including Alert and Danger set points with programmable hysteresis, time delays, and logical combinations. The card can drive up to four local relays on the IOC8T card, as well as additional relays on RLC16 or IRC4 relay cards via the VM600 rack’s raw bus or open collector bus, enabling extensive output expansion for protection and control systems.
With its built‑in self‑test and diagnostic capabilities, live insertion and removal (hot‑swappable) functionality, and compliance with international standards (CE, EAC, RoHS, and IEC/EN 61000), the AMC8 200‑550‑003‑112 ensures dependable operation in harsh industrial environments. Its front‑panel LEDs provide clear status indication for each channel and the overall card health, simplifying maintenance and troubleshooting. The card communicates via a VME bus (for integration with a CPUx rack controller) or a dedicated RS‑232 port for standalone configuration, offering flexibility in system architecture.
This product introduction provides a comprehensive description of the AMC8 200‑550‑003‑112, including its key features, applications, detailed technical specifications (presented in tabular form), ordering information, and related accessories. All information is derived from the official Meggitt data sheet and reflects the company’s commitment to engineering excellence and customer support.
Key Features and Benefits
Eight Software‑Configurable Analog Input Channels – Each channel can be independently configured for thermocouple, RTD, current (0–25 mA), or voltage (0–10 V) inputs, providing exceptional versatility for temperature and process monitoring applications.
Wide Sensor Support – Accepts standard thermocouple types (E, J, K, T), platinum RTDs (Pt100 with alpha 0.00385 or 0.00392), nickel RTDs (Ni120), copper RTDs (Cu10), and user‑defined linearization polynomials, ensuring compatibility with most industrial sensors.
Cold‑Junction Compensation (CJC) – Two selectable channels provide external CJC processing for thermocouple measurements, improving accuracy without relying on an on‑board temperature sensor. CJC results can be shared with other AMC8/IOC8T pairs in the same rack.
High Accuracy and Resolution – Thermocouple and RTD measurements achieve an accuracy of 0.3 °C or 0.3 % of measuring range, with a resolution of 0.1 °C. Current and voltage inputs offer 0.5 % accuracy over the full range, ensuring reliable data for critical machinery protection.
Programmable Alarm and Logic Functions – Each channel can be assigned Alert and Danger set points (over‑level and under‑level) with configurable hysteresis, delay times, and latching behavior. Advanced logical operators (AND, OR, NOT) and majority voting enable complex alarm schemes, including average, difference, minimum, and maximum calculations across multiple channels.
Flexible Output Capabilities – The card can drive four local relays on the IOC8T card (rated at 250 VAC, 5 A) and also control relays on RLC16 or IRC4 cards via the VM600 rack’s raw bus or open collector bus. Additionally, it provides eight analog outputs (4–25 mA current, optionally voltage) for retransmission of measurement values.
Hot‑Swappable Design – The AMC8 200‑550‑003‑112 supports live insertion and removal without powering down the rack, allowing for maintenance and upgrades without disrupting other cards in the system.
Robust Diagnostics and Status Indication – Front‑panel multicolour LEDs (green/yellow/red) indicate channel status (normal, alarm, or fault) and overall card health (DIAG/STATUS). Built‑in‑test capabilities detect sensor line failures, abnormal operating modes, and board faults.
Versatile Communication and Configuration – Configuration is performed via the VM600 MPSx software using an RS‑232 port (front‑panel) or via Ethernet when a CPUx card is present. The card also supports VME bus communication for integration with rack controllers and higher‑level systems.
Wide Operating Temperature and Environmental Robustness – Rated for operation from –25 °C to 65 °C and storage from –40 °C to 85 °C, with humidity tolerance up to 90 % non‑condensing. The card complies with IEC/EN 61000‑6‑2 and IEC/EN 61000‑6‑4 for EMC, and IEC/EN 61010‑1 for electrical safety.
Separate Circuits Version Available – The AMC8 200‑550‑003‑112 corresponds to a specific hardware and firmware version (as indicated by the ordering number). It is offered in both “standard” and “separate circuits” versions, with the latter providing galvanic isolation according to IEC 60255‑5 for enhanced safety in measurement and relay circuits.
Applications
The AMC8 200‑550‑003‑112 is highly suitable for a wide range of industrial applications where reliable temperature and process monitoring is essential for machinery protection and condition monitoring. Typical applications include:
Turbine Monitoring – Measuring bearing temperatures, exhaust gas temperatures, and coolant temperatures in gas, steam, and hydro turbines.
Compressor and Pump Protection – Monitoring winding temperatures, discharge temperatures, and process parameters to prevent overheating and cavitation.
Generator Monitoring – Tracking stator and bearing temperatures, as well as cooling water inlet/outlet temperatures.
Thermal Process Control – Monitoring temperatures in chemical reactors, heat exchangers, and furnaces.
Condition Monitoring Systems – Integrating temperature and process data into predictive maintenance strategies.
General Machinery Protection – Using temperature and process inputs to trigger alarms and shutdowns for overspeed, over‑temperature, or loss of flow.
Detailed Description of the AMC8 200‑550‑003‑112
The AMC8 200‑550‑003‑112 is a sophisticated analog monitoring card that forms the heart of temperature and process measurement in VM600 systems. It is always used in conjunction with an IOC8T input/output card, which provides the physical connectors for all field wiring. The AMC8 card itself contains the processing electronics, firmware, and communication interfaces, while the IOC8T handles the ruggedized screw‑terminal connections for sensors, analog outputs, relay contacts, and discrete control signals.
The card’s eight input channels are entirely software‑configurable, meaning that the user can define the sensor type, measurement range, scaling, and alarm parameters through the VM600 MPSx software. This eliminates the need for hardware jumpers or component changes, simplifying setup and reducing inventory. Each channel can be independently set to accept thermocouple, RTD, current, or voltage signals, making the AMC8/IOC8T pair a universal input module suitable for nearly any temperature or process variable encountered in industrial machinery monitoring.
For thermocouple inputs, the AMC8 200‑550‑003‑112 supports the most common types (E, J, K, T) and also allows user‑defined polynomial linearization to accommodate special or non‑standard thermocouples. The built‑in cold‑junction compensation (CJC) is performed externally using any temperature sensor, and the compensation values can be applied to the two CJC‑enabled channels. This external approach ensures high accuracy and flexibility, as the CJC reference can be placed at the actual junction point for best results. The card’s accuracy of 0.3 °C or 0.3 % of range, combined with 0.1 °C resolution, ensures that even small temperature changes are reliably detected.
RTD inputs are supported in 2‑, 3‑, or 4‑wire configurations, with automatic lead‑resistance compensation for 3‑ and 4‑wire connections. The card accepts platinum, nickel, and copper RTDs with standard alpha values, and again offers user‑defined linearization. This makes it suitable for a wide range of RTD types commonly used in industrial temperature sensing.
For process inputs, the card can measure current loops up to 25 mA and voltage signals up to 10 V DC. The inputs are protected by self‑resetting fuses against overcurrent, and the measuring resistor ensures accurate conversion. The accuracy of 0.5 % of full scale is adequate for most industrial process monitoring applications.
The AMC8 200‑550‑003‑112 excels in alarm handling. Each channel can be configured with up to two danger (D) and two alert (A) thresholds, both for over‑level and under‑level conditions. The alarm response can be delayed, hysteresis can be applied, and latching behaviour can be selected. Moreover, the card supports complex logical combinations of alarms using AND, OR, NOT, and majority voting, enabling sophisticated protection schemes such as “two out of three” voting. Multi‑channel processing functions allow calculation of average, maximum, minimum, or difference across groups of channels, providing derived parameters that can trigger alarms based on overall temperature trends or differential temperatures.
The AMC8 200‑550‑003‑112 can drive up to four relays directly on the IOC8T card, which are rated for 250 VAC at 5 A, sufficient for most actuator or warning circuits. For larger systems, the card can also control relays on RLC16 or IRC4 cards via the VM600 rack’s raw bus or open collector bus, allowing up to 32 additional outputs. The relay response time is guaranteed to be within 100 ms, ensuring rapid shutdown actions in critical situations.
Analog outputs are provided for each channel, delivering a 4–25 mA current signal (optionally voltage) that can be used for retransmission to PLCs, DCS, or recorders. The output units can be different from the input units, providing scaling flexibility.
The card’s diagnostic features include sensor line‑fault detection (open circuit detection for TC and RTD, though note that TC does not support line‑fault detection as per the specification), built‑in‑test routines, and slot coding to prevent incorrect card installation. The front‑panel LEDs give immediate visual indication of channel status (normal, alert, danger, or fault) and overall card health, facilitating quick field diagnostics.
Configuration is performed using the VM600 MPSx software, which runs on a standard PC connected either via the RS‑232 port on the AMC8 front panel or via Ethernet when a CPUx card is present in the rack. The software allows full setup of all channels, alarms, outputs, and processing functions, and also enables firmware updates.
The AMC8 200‑550‑003‑112 is designed for harsh industrial environments, with a wide operating temperature range and robust EMC immunity. It meets international standards for safety and electromagnetic compatibility, and is CE and EAC marked.
Installation and Configuration
The AMC8 200‑550‑003‑112 is installed in a VM600 rack (ABE04x or ABE056) by inserting it into a front slot, while the IOC8T card is installed in the corresponding rear slot. The two cards connect via the rack’s backplane. The card pair is hot‑swappable, allowing replacement without powering down the rack. Proper slot coding ensures that the AMC8 does not start processing unless the correct IOC8T is present.
Wiring is accomplished using plug‑in screw‑terminal connectors on the IOC8T card. The J1 and J2 connectors handle the eight analog inputs (channels 1–4 and 5–8), J3 provides the analog outputs and DSI control signals (AR and DB), and J4 provides the relay contacts. Field wiring should be shielded and routed according to best practices to minimize noise.
Configuration is performed via the MPSx software. The user selects the input type for each channel, sets scaling, defines alarm thresholds and logic, assigns outputs to relays, and configures analog output scaling. The software also allows setting up multi‑channel functions and CJC parameters. Once configured, the settings are stored in the card’s non‑volatile memory.
The AMC8 200‑550‑003‑112 is ordered using the following designation:
TYPE | DESCRIPTION | ORDERING NUMBER (PNR) |
AMC8 | Analog monitoring card, standard version, with specific firmware and hardware revision (as indicated) | 200‑550‑003‑112 |
Note: The ordering number includes the firmware version (003) and hardware version (112). Other versions may be available (e.g., separate circuits). The IOC8T card must be ordered separately; for the standard version, the ordering number is typically 200‑580‑000‑1Hh. For separate circuits, use 200‑580‑000‑2Hh. Refer to the data sheet for exact options.
The AMC8 200‑550‑003‑112 is part of the VM600 series and is commonly used with:
ABE04x / ABE056 Racks – The 19‑inch or slimline racks that house the cards.
IOC8T – The input/output card that partners with the AMC8.
CPUx, IOCN, CPU and IOCR, CPU2 and IOCR2 – Rack controllers and communication interfaces.
RLC16 / IRC4 – Relay cards for expanding output capacity.
MPC4 / IOC4T, MPC4G2 / IOC4G2 – Machinery protection card pairs for vibration monitoring.
XMx16 / XIO16T – Condition monitoring card pairs.
Disposal and Environmental Compliance
At end of life, the AMC8 200‑550‑003‑112 must be disposed of in accordance with local regulations. The card contains electronic components and should be recycled through appropriate WEEE channels in the EU. Meggitt supports environmentally responsible disposal.
