Sierra SL-800 manual

Instruction Manual Revision A.2 May 2007 Cal=T rak SL-800 Primary Gas Flow Calibrator Instruction Manual Revision A3 June 2008[...]

2 Worldwide Locations to Serve You CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS 5 Harris Court, Building L Monterey, CA, 93940 USA Phone (831) 373-0200 (800) 866-0200 Fax (831) 373-4402 www.sierrainstruments.com EUROPE HEADQUARTERS Bijlmansweid 2, 1934RE Egmond a/d Hoef, The Netherlands Phone +31 72 5071400 Fax +31 72 5071401 ASIA HEADQUARTERS Room A618, Tomson Centre 1[...]

3 Table of Contents Sierra Instruments Contact Information 2 Table of Contents 3 1.0 General Description 5 2.0 Theory of Operation 5 3.0 Cal=Trak Layout 7 4.0 Unpacking Checklist 7 5.0 Warnings 8 6.0 Installation 9 6.1 Attaching and Removing Flow Cells 9 6.2 Connecting the Cal=Trak to a Flow Source 9 6.3 The Cal=Trak Measurement Cycle 9 6.4 Applica[...]

4 12.0 Limited Warranty 27 Appendices A Cal=Trak Trouble Shooting Guide 28 B Cal=Trak Specifications 31 C Cal=Soft Communication Program 32[...]

5 1.0 General Description The Sierra Cal=Trak SL-800 is the most accurate commercially av ailable gas flow calibrator. Using near-frictionless piston tec hnology, it combines the accuracy of a primary standard with unequaled speed and convenience. The Cal=Trak consists of two primary sections. The base houses th e main computer, time base and barom[...]

6 Figure 1 Idealized Automatic Piston Prover In order to make an intrinsically volumetri c device useful for measurement of gases, it is generally necessary to adjust the re adings to a standardized temperature and pressure, yiel ding mass flow. For this reason, we include temperature and pressure transducers to allow computation of standard (mass)[...]

7 3.0 Cal=Trak Layout 4.0 Unpacking Checklist Your Sierra Cal=Trak has been packaged with care and includes all components necessary for complete operation. Please take a mo ment to check that you have received the following items. If you believe you have not received a full shipment or if you have any quest ions, please contact Sierra immediately.[...]

8 Each of Your Cal=Trak SL-800 Flow Cells Includes • Cal=Trak SL-800 Flow Cell • Leak Test Plug • Certificate of Calibration (behind top cover foam insert) • Warranty Card (behind top cover foam insert) If you purchased y our calibrator with the Cal=Trak case, it should look like this when y ou receive it: 5.0 Warnings The Sierra Cal=Trak i[...]

9 6.0 Cal=Trak Installation 6.1 Attaching & Removing Flow Cells The Sierra Cal=Trak accepts interchangeable cells for different flow ranges. If user tries to enter “Run Menu” prior to install ing a flow cell, the unit indicates “No Cell” and returns to the “Main Menu” after a 5 second delay. Attaching Flow Cells 1. Position the sele[...]

10 By pa ss Val v e Pi s t on In le t Out l et Figure 3 Basic Piston Prover In real-world applications, there are significant dynamics to consider. At the beginni ng of a cycle, pressure rises rapidly unt il the piston accelerates to the speed of the flow stream. Figure 4 is an illustration of a typical Cal=Trak’s in ternal pressure during a meas[...]

11 6.4 Application Precautions Although the Cal=Trak’s dynamic pressure effects are very small, in some circumstances they may affect the measurement or inter act with the device under test. For the above reasons, certain precautions should be observed when using a Cal=Trak. Initial Pressure Pulse The initial pressure pulse is small, about 1% of [...]

12 7.0 Installation Diagrams and Application Guide 7.1 Comparison of Cal=Trak with Piston or Bell Provers Piston or bell provers have a much longer measurement time than the Cal=Trak. For this reason, it is possible to compare them simultaneously, but certain precautions must be observed. When th e Cal=Trak begins its cycle, the piston’s weight c[...]

13 Fi x e d R e gula tor A djus ta ble R e gula tor S onic N o zzl e O R P orous P lug Dr y C al P is t on or B e ll P rove r Gas S upply St ab l e P r essu r e > 200 kP a Figure 6 Alternative Setup for Piston Provers 7.2 Vacuum Comparison of Cal=Trak with Piston or Bell Provers The Cal=Trak operates similarly in both pressure and suction app li[...]

14 7.3 Comparison of Cal=Trak with Laminar Flow Element Transfer Standards When the Cal=Trak begins its cycle, the piston’s acceleration causes the internal pre ssure to spike briefly by about 0.01 atmos phere (~1 kPa). The pressure then remains elevated by about 0.001 atmosphere (~0.1 kPa) due to the piston’s weight. If a simple pressure regul[...]

15 7.5 Vacuum Comparison of Cal=Trak with Sonic Nozz le Transfer Standards The Cal=Trak operates similarly in both pressure and suction app lications. Sometimes, however, users wish to compare the Cal=Tr ak under suction (vacuum) conditions. With a calibrated sonic nozzl e, a simple setup such as that shown in Figure 10 can be used with the inlet t[...]

16 A djus ta ble R e gula tor Dr y C al Gas S uppl y MF C Figure 11 Setup for Calibrating MFCs 7.7 Calibration of Mass Flow Meters (MFMs) Mass flow meters can be calibrated with the setup of Figure 12 , which is similar to that shown for LFE transfer standards. Again, the flow must not be affected significantly by the Ca l=Trak’s cyclic pressure [...]

17 Figure 13 Setup for Calibrating Rotameters (Variable Area Flow Meters) 8.0 Operating Instructions Charging the Cal=Trak Battery The Sierra Cal=Trak is powered by an internal lead-acid batte ry. The battery will power the in strument for 6–8 hours of continu ous use and has a typical service life of approximately 2–4 years, depending on use. [...]

18 Low Battery Indicator A low battery condition is indicated by a “B” appearing in the uppe r right hand corner of the LCD. The low battery indicator al lows the user to connect to an external power source prior to the unit poweri ng down. Time between low battery indication and loss of power v aries depending on the current application. 8.1 C[...]

19 Keypad Function The keypad is used for both numeric and alpha character entry. When pressed, each alphanumeric button will display its correspo nding number. If pressed again within two seconds the unit will display the first corresponding letter for that key. Repeat this proc ess for additional letters on the same key. A space may be inserted b[...]

20 • Press the Read button to initiate a single reading. • Press the Auto button to initiate multiple readings. • Press the Stop button to stop current flow reading and open valve. • Press the Reset button to clear the display of current data. 8.5 Setting User Preferences The Sierra Cal=Trak offers enhanced electronics options that allow th[...]

21 Option 3, “Cal. Type” This option changes the sample type being displayed. Toggles betw een “std.” (standardized or mass flow readings as used by MFM or MFC devices) and “vol.” (volumetric read ings as used on PD/rotameters) 8.7 Setup Menu 2, Reading Type, # in Average & Minutes/Reading Option 1, “Reading Type” Toggles betwee[...]

22 Within this menu, use the Fwd and Back arrows to change between different options and to move about within each option, use Up and Down arrows to alter settings. Da te and time formats are specified us ing Setup Menu 5, D ate and Time Formats. This guide is w ritten using the factory default settings. Option 1, Date This option allows you to set[...]

23 will alter the factory-specified low-end flow of that flow cylinde r. To calculate the low-end flow of a flow cylinder w hile usi ng a PTVM other than 1.000, multiply the PTVM by the factory-specified low- end flow of the cylinder in question. The resulting number is the new low-end flow of that cylinder at the manufacturer’s rated accuracy sp[...]

24 Cal=Trak calibrator. See Chapter 12-5 Accessories or contact Si erra Instruments for details. Wipe only with a damp cloth and do not spray with liquid solvents or use abrasive cleaners. Any service to the Sierra Cal=Trak must be performed by Sierra maintenance personnel. Current service or calibration information and pricing can be recei ved by [...]

25 8B If the unit fails the leak test, the display w ill appear similar to the following picture. Please make a note of the number tha t is displayed and contact Sierra customer service. - 9 Repeat the procedure with the leak test port cap over the opposite port fitting. 10. To stop the leak test at any time press the RESET button. Leak Test Illust[...]

26 Calibration Includes • Cleaning (if required) • Valve adjustment (if required) • Battery capacity test • Internal computer program upgrade as necessary • Mechanical upgrades as necessary • Run-in test • Dynamic performance test • NIST-traceable calibration certificate 11.3 Returning Your Unit for Calibration or Service Prior to r[...]

27 11.6 Additional Information Technical Specifications for your Cal=Trak calibrator can be found in Appendix C of this manual. Should you desire more inform ation on Sierra Instruments and our products, you ar e welcome to visit our website at: www.si errainistruments.com . Additional information on the Cal=Trak calibration systems are av ailable [...]

28 12.0 Limited Warranty The Sierra Cal=Trak SL-800 is warranted to the original end us er to be free from defects in materials and workmanship under nor mal use and service for a period of 1 year from the date of purchase as shown on the purchaser’s receipt. The Cal=Trak’s battery is war ranted for 6 months from the original purchase date. If [...]

29 Appendix A: Cal=Trak Troubleshooting Guide A-1.0 Unit does not turn on Battery may be deeply discharged or dead. 1 Plug charger into unit 2 Confirm that the Charge LED is lit 3 Wait 10 minutes and try turning unit on again. 4 If the unit still does not work, please contact Sierra. A-2.0 Unit suddenly turns off Battery may not be fully charged. 1[...]

30 1A The piston is not reaching the bottom in the time allotted by the program. • Push any key to return to the Read Screen. • If you want the Cal=Trak to star t taking readings again, press Read or Auto . 1B The piston does not return to the bottom of the cell at all. • The flow rate may be too high for the cell being used, make sure that t[...]

31 A-12.0 The Cal=Trak does not appear to be se nding data through the serial (RS-232) port 1 Review Appendix C: Cal=Soft Software Instructions beginning on page 33 of this Manual. 2 Is the serial cable plugged into the correct COM port and the Cal=Trak? 3 Is cable correct? The cable should be a 1 to 1 connection, not a null modem cable. A-13.0 Res[...]

32 Appendix B: Cal=Trak Specifications Configuration: Interchangeable modular flow cells, all calibrated elements except crystal time base are in cell Base Unit Size 6" W x 10.5" D x 4" H  15.2 cm W x 26.7 cm D x 10.2 cm H Weight 4.2 lbs  1.9 kg Flow Cells Size 13" H x 4” diameter  33 cm H x 10.2 cm diameter Weight 5.[...]

33 Appendix C: Cal=Soft v 2.0 Communication Program 1.0 Introduction This is the second version of the Sierra Cal=Soft concept. It was created to support the new Cal=Trak firmware version 2.03 wh ich began shipping in the first few months of 2008. Th is program enables the transfer of flow data from your Cal=Trak into an Excel spre adsheet for data[...]

34 Introduction This software in combination with a Sierra Cal=Trak can certify flow meters and flow controllers for gases and will generate a calibration certificate. Depending on the capability of your DUT (Device Unde r Test) this can be done semi or fully automatic. If you conne ct a Sierra 100 series mass flow controller (MFC) by RS232 and a C[...]

35 If you use a USB to RS 232 converter, this could be the problem. Sierra has tested the ASUS and CONRAD (Nr. 982417) and BELKIN converters which all worked OK, but we cannot c onfirm that all converters will function properly. If this does not solve the issues please write down the error. What do you see on the screen? Report what you have tried [...]

36 Step 1--Enter information about you and the Cal=Trak Company: Enter the name of your Company Reference: Enter your reference number that will be shown on the calibration certificate Project/file number: Enter your internal project number that will be shown on the calibration certificate Date of calibration: Will be automatically filled in here. [...]

37 Reference temperature: Will be selected automatically ba sed in the units selected (Normal= 0C, Standard=21.1C) Reference pressure: Will be selected automatically based in the units selected DUT inlet pressure: enter the inlet gas pressure to the DUT. (Used for certificate data only) DUT outlet pressure: enter the outlet gas pressure of the DUT.[...]

38 Begin your calibration by defining the flow poi nts that you will measure. These are pre-defined in the program under the headi ng “%FS” as 0,25,50,75,100. If you want to take data at these 5 points, continue to the next sec tion. If you wish to select alternate flo w points, click on the grey box “%FS” and change to another percent as d[...]

39 4.0 Software Troubleshooting Most software problems encountered will fall into one of two areas: Serial Port Selection Issue The Cal=Trak Communications program might be configured for a serial port that you are not connected to. Most modern computers have only one serial port, but many older comput ers have two 9-pin serial ports. If your co mp[...]