# Recorder

This chapter explains how to use Recorder from the main window to acquire operating data, view curves, configure triggering, save recording files, and load historical curves. Recorder is intended only for observation and recording; it does not replace site safety verification.

## Before You Begin

Item | What to Check
--- | ---
Communication connection | Connect the device before opening Recorder and starting acquisition. Recorder cannot communicate if no connected device is selected.
Window status | Do not repeatedly click the entry while Recorder is already open, acquisition is in progress, or the device is running.
Motion safety | Before acquisition, check the mechanism, load, travel limits, and emergency-stop conditions. Recorder acquisition may accompany motion; do not attempt triggering under hazardous operating conditions.
File saving | Before saving curves, select a clear directory and file name to avoid overwriting site records. Archive the saved file according to the project process.

Do not repeatedly click Start during acquisition. If acquisition is started again while data is being acquired or the software is waiting for a trigger, the current acquisition stops before the sampling, observation, and trigger parameters are issued again.

## Access and Interface

After connecting the device, click Recorder in the main window to open the Recorder window.
After acquisition, the Recorder window displays statistics and curves for the recorded variables. It also provides sampling, triggering, record saving, and record loading functions.

Area | Description | Recommendations
--- | --- | ---
Main window → Recorder | Opens the Recorder window, whose main area is used for data recording. | If there is no response, check whether a Recorder window is already open, whether the device is running, and whether communication is connected.
Acquisition controls | Available controls include Start, Stop, Skip, and Continuous. | Configure the observed signals, sampling, and trigger settings before starting acquisition.
Save and load | Available controls include Save Record and Open Record. | Curve recording files use the `.csv` extension. Confirm format compatibility before using them in other software.
Chart area | Displays curves after acquisition. The context menu provides zoom, reset, markers, cursors, copy image, and save image functions. | Use zoom and markers when comparing details; do not diagnose an anomaly solely from the overall curve shape.

## Signals

Add at least one signal with Record Variables before starting acquisition. Select and add signals through the interface. Their values are acquired display data, not parameters written to the drive.

Observed Signal | Purpose | Recommendation
--- | --- | ---
Target position | Observes the commanded target position. | Compare it with actual position and position error to assess whether the target is reasonable.
Actual position | Observes position feedback. | Use it to locate following errors, travel-limit boundaries, and position-control problems.
Position error | Observes the difference between target and actual position. | Use it to assess position following and whether the protection threshold is appropriate.
Target speed | Observes the commanded target speed. | Compare it with actual speed and speed error to analyze acceleration and deceleration.
Actual speed | Observes speed feedback. | Use it to analyze speed fluctuation, overshoot, and load changes.
Speed error | Observes the difference between target and actual speed. | Use it to assess speed following and whether the speed-protection threshold is appropriate.
Target current | Observes the commanded target current. | Compare it with actual current to analyze current-loop response.
Actual current | Observes current feedback. | Use it to analyze load changes, stalls, and current saturation.
Three-phase current | Observes changes in the three-phase currents. | Use it to analyze power output, wiring, or current-sampling abnormalities.
Bus voltage | Observes the power bus voltage. | Use it to analyze supply fluctuations, braking conditions, and the circumstances surrounding protection trips.
Status word | Observes changes in device status. | Use it to correlate status changes with motion, current, and speed curves.
Control word | Observes changes in control-related status. | Use it to confirm that the current control path behaves as expected during commissioning.
Operating mode | Observes the current operating mode. | Use it to identify whether the curves correspond to position, speed, or torque control.
Actual torque | Observes torque-related feedback. | Use it to analyze load changes and abnormal torque output.
Digital input | Observes digital input status. | Use it to correlate site-signal changes with motion curves.
Analog input | Observes analog input status. | Use it to confirm that the external analog input is stable.

If acquisition is started without an observed signal, the software prompts you to select a parameter to observe and cancels the operation.

## Sampling Settings

Item | Description | Recommendation
--- | --- | ---
Record Time: | Sets the recording duration in seconds. | A short duration captures transient motion; a long duration reveals slow drift or periodic anomalies. Balance duration with the sampling interval and number of observed signals to control the data volume.
Interval: | Expressed as time per point, with available options from 50 μs/point to 1000 ms/point. | A shorter interval produces denser data and a higher recording load; a longer interval is better for long-term trends.
Sample count | The data volume for one acquisition depends on the duration, interval, and number of observed signals. No more than 8000 points is recommended. | If the sample count is reported as too large, remove observed signals, shorten the duration, or increase the interval before trying again.
Chart: | The interface supports 1 to 4 charts. | Place strongly related curves in the same or adjacent charts to make time-point comparisons easier.

## Trigger Settings

Triggering determines when recording begins or when key data is captured. Before configuring a trigger, confirm that the trigger source and observed signals relate to the same commissioning objective.

Item | Description
--- | ---
Signal: | Selects the data source used to evaluate the trigger condition.
Condition: | Options include None, Greater Than, Equal To, Not Equal To, Less Than, Rising Edge, Falling Edge, and Manual Force.
Value: | Works with the trigger condition to determine whether the trigger is satisfied.
Position: | Controls the trigger point's position in the recorded data, from 0% to 100%.
Skip | Forces an acquisition while waiting for a trigger. Before using it, confirm that the current data is meaningful to record.

If a trigger condition or sampling parameter is configured incorrectly, the software may report a data-acquisition command error. Do not repeatedly restart acquisition; first check the trigger source, trigger value, sampling duration, and sampling interval.

## Acquisition Procedure

1. Establish communication and confirm that the current connection ID identifies the target device.
2. Open Recorder from the main window.
3. Add the signals to observe and confirm that the number of curves does not exceed the current configuration limit.
4. Set the sampling duration, sampling interval, and number of charts.
5. Set the trigger source, condition, value, and position.
6. Click Start and wait for acquisition and data upload to finish.
7. After the curves appear, use zoom, markers, cursors, statistics, and save functions to analyze the data.

Click Stop to end early. While waiting for a trigger, click Skip to force a trigger if the current site conditions already provide the data needed for manual recording.

## Viewing Charts

Function | Description | Recommendation
--- | --- | ---
Curve display | Supports multiple curves and charts. Common curve colors are red, orange, blue, and black. | Before saving or taking a screenshot, verify each curve's color, unit, and meaning so the record remains traceable.
Zoom | The context menu supports XY, X-axis, and Y-axis zoom, as well as undo zoom and chart reset. | Keep the original recording file when analyzing an anomalous point, then take a screenshot of the locally zoomed view.
Markers and cursors | The context menu provides vertical and horizontal markers and cursor-based viewing functions. | Use them to align trigger points, peaks, speed transitions, or abrupt current changes.
Copy or save image | The context menu can copy the image or save it as a JPEG file. | Images are suitable for reports; use the curve recording file as the source for data analysis.

## Statistics and Saving

Item | Description | Notes
--- | --- | ---
Statistics display | Each curve can show maximum, minimum, and average values, for up to 4 groups. | Use the statistics shown in the interface and do not mix them with statistics calculated using other conventions.
Save Record | Uses Save Record to save a recording file with the `.csv` extension. | Before analyzing it with an external tool, reload it in eTuner to confirm that the recording is valid.
Open Record | Uses Open Record to read a recording file with the `.csv` extension and display its curves. | Prefer recordings exported by eTuner. Do not use manually edited files as formal evidence.
Graph file | `.agf` is the software's graph/data file, which the software can write and load after acquisition. | Use the save and load functions provided in the interface; no additional configuration is required.
Image | Use the context menu to save the chart as a JPEG or copy the image. | An image preserves only the displayed result, not the source data required for further analysis.

## Troubleshooting

Symptom | Recommended Action
--- | ---
Clicking Recorder does not open a window | Check whether the Recorder window is already open, whether the page is being released, and whether the device is running, then check the communication connection.
Starting acquisition prompts for a parameter | Add at least one observed signal, then start acquisition again.
Acquisition command error | Check the sampling duration, sampling interval, trigger source, trigger condition, trigger value, and current device status.
Curves do not appear for a long time | Check whether the software is still waiting for a trigger, communication is stable, and the device is in the expected operating state. If necessary, stop acquisition and reconfigure it.
An external tool cannot recognize the saved file | First reload the file in eTuner to confirm that the recording is valid. Confirm `.csv` format compatibility before using it in other software.