Atec PT878 User Manual

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GE Panametrics PT878 Product Page

GE

Measurement & Control

®

TransPort
PT878

Panametrics Portable
Liquid Ultrasonic
Flowmeter

Applications

The TransPort PT878 portable liquid owmeter is a
complete portable ultrasonic ow metering system
for measurement of:

• Potable water

• Wastewater

• Cooling and heating water

• Ultrapure water and liquids

• Water/glycol solutions

• Crude oil

• Rened hydrocarbons

• Diesel and fuel oils

Features

• Small, lightweight and easy-to-use

• Non-intrusive ow measurement

• Velocity, volumetric and energy ow rates

• Totalized ow and trend data

• Large, backlit LCD display

• Alphanumeric and graphic formats

• Multiple-language user interface

• Rechargeable battery pack

• Logs over 100,000 ow data points

• Submersible package

• Lubricating oils

• Chemicals

• Beverages

• Other liquids

• 32 site locations

• Optional thickness gauge

• Optional energy measurement

• Suitable for most pipe sizes and materials,
including lined pipe

Portable Flow Metering at Its Best

The TransPort PT878 owmeter is a highly versatile,
self-contained, portable transit-time system with
options and accessories to meet all your liquid
owmeasurement needs. Its compact size; lightweight,
rechargeable internal battery pack; and universal
power supply charger make it the ideal go-anywhere
owmeter.

Accurate with Two-Phase and
Perfectly Clean Liquids

The TransPort PT878’s patented Correlation Transit­Time™ digital signal processing (DSP) technique
greatly increases its signal-to-noise ratio for accurate,
drift-free ow measurement in liquids that contain
a second phase of entrained solids or gas bubbles.
The TransPort owmeter operates in these and other
dicult applications where conventional transit-time
owmeters fail.

The TransPort PT878 owmeter also accurately
measures ow rate in perfectly clean liquids containing
no “scatterers,” where Doppler-type owmeters cannot
work. The TransPort owmeter is suited for all standard
transit-time applications, plus many that would prevent
other transit-time owmeters from working.

To hold clamp-on transducers in contact with the
pipe, a variety of clamping xtures are available to
accommodate dierent pipe and transducer sizes.
These xtures use a variety of attachment methods
including chain, metal strap, Velcro® strap and
magnetic clamps.

Alphanumeric and Graphic Liquid
Crystal Display Completes the
Picture

Quick and Easy to Use

It’s possible to make your rst ow measurement within
minutes of opening the box—the TransPort owmeter
is that easy to use. Simply input the site parameters,
clamp the transducers onto the pipe, adjust the spacing,
and you’re under way. No ancillary equipment is
needed, and there’s no need to break into the pipeline.
An experienced user can make scores of dierent
measurements in a single day. The TransPort PT878
owmeter is ideal for all kinds of ow survey work.

Flow Transducers and Clamping
Fixtures

Using clamp-on transducers, the TransPort PT878
owmeter measures ow rate through metal, plastic
or even concrete-lined pipes, without penetrating the
pipewall. From ultra-pure water to corrosive and toxic
liquids, the TransPort PT878 owmeter ensures non­contaminating, leak-free measurement with drift-free
accuracy. The TransPort PT878 owmeter has no
moving parts to wear or orices to clog. It can’t be
fouled, and it requires no routine maintenance.

A wide variety of transducers are available with
dierent operating frequencies, materials of
construction, operating temperatures and sizes to meet
the requirements of rugged industrial environments.

A large, multifunction LCD presents measured data
in both alphanumeric and graphic forms. In addition,
it helps make programming easy by presenting a
software menu that walks you through data entry and
function selection.

Standard alphanumeric functions include ow
velocity, volumetric or energy ow rates, and totalized
ow in either English (U.S.) or metric units.

In graphic mode, the LCD shows both real time and
logged data. The result is a chart recording right on
the display, which is very useful for reviewing data
and observing trends while on the site.

Submersible, Rugged Electronics
Housing

Your investment in this owmeter is protected
from the day-to-day rigors of industrial usage. The
TransPort PT878 is equipped with a rubber boot that
provides protection against vibration and shock.
The completely sealed housing and ports meet IP67
requirements, so the unit will withstand submersion
in up to 3 ft (1 m) of water for limited periods of time.
It will continue to function safely even if it is dropped
in water. The complete TransPort PT878 owmeter
system ts in a compact carrying case.

Optional Energy Measurement

Built to Be Economical and Stay

The TransPort PT878 owmeter combines proven
ultrasonic ow measurement with precise RTD
temperature measurement to determine the energy
ow rate in liquid heating and cooling systems. With
this option, the TransPort owmeter comes equipped
with a built-in power supply for loop-powered
RTD temperature sensors, as well as all necessary
circuitry and software to make energy ow rate
measurements. The energy kit option includes two
matched Pt1000 surface mount RTDs with 30 feet of
cable to plug into the PT878,

Optional Pipe Wall Thickness Gauge
Transducer

Pipe wall thickness is a critical parameter used
by the TransPort owmeter for clamp-on ow
measurements. The thickness-gauge option allows
accurate wall thickness measurement from outside
the pipe.

Infrared Port

The TransPort PT878 contains an infrared port
for communication with your PC. If your laptop or
desktop PC does not have infrared capability, an
adapter is available that can be plugged into your
PC’s serial port.

Optional Infrared Thermal Printer

Economical

To be of real value, a portable owmeter must be as
economical to own and operate as it is capable in the
eld. The TransPort PT878 owmeter is built to stay
in service for many years. Completely solid state, the
device rarely wears out or needs servicing, resulting in
little downtime and low maintenance costs.

The TransPort PT878 Flowmeter Uses
the Transit-Time Flow Measurement
Technique

In this method, two transducers serve as both
ultrasonic-signal generators and receivers.
When mounted on a pipe, they are in acoustic
communication with each other, meaning that the
second transducer can receive ultrasonic signals
transmitted by the rst transducer and vice versa.

In operation, each transducer functions as a
transmitter, generating a certain number of acoustic
pulses, and then as a receiver for an identical number
of pulses.

The time interval between transmission and reception
of the ultrasonic signals is measured in both
directions. When the liquid in the pipe is not owing,
the transit-time downstream equals the transit-time
upstream. When the liquid is owing, the transit-time
downstream is less than the transit-time upstream.

and Accessories

When you need a permanent record of your work,
live measurements, logged data and site parameters
can be sent to a variety of printers by beaming data
directly from the TransPort PT878’s infrared port. A
compact, lightweight, hand-held, infrared thermal
printer is available. This printer is powered by a
lithium ion battery.

The dierence between the downstream and
upstream transit times is proportional to the velocity
of the owing liquid, and its sign indicates the
direction of ow.

Flowmeter Transducers

Fluid
Flow

Ultrasonic Signal Path

Transit-time ow measurement technique

The core of the kit includes the PT878 electronics, along with a power charger
with North American, European, or United Kingdom power cable.

A variety of transducer kits are available to handle a wide range of
applications. Selection is based on pipe size and temperature range. More
transducers can be added to the kit by ordering separately if the desired
combination is not available as part of a standard kit.

The PT878 comes standard with a soft sided carrying case. Made from
lightweight, durable nylon, this case is excellent for everyday use.

The PT878 oers an optional hard case when durability is more important. This
is ideal for traveling and shipping purposes, or in environments where nylon
bags are not suitable.

Knowing the wall thickness of your pipe is critical to ensuring your meter
provides the best possible accuracy. Wall thickness on standard pipe can vary
up to 13%. The PT878 comes standard with the ability to measure pipe wall
thickness. This requires the use of a thickness gage that plugs directly into the
transducer ports. There is no need for a separate device.

Select option code — TG.

Measuring energy usage in buildings is increasing in importance. The PT878
can measure energy by using the optional 4-wire, 1000 Ohm RTDs with
integrated transmitters to spot check applications and test existing meters
monitoring the line.

Select option code — E

A variety of clamping xtures are available to simplify attaching the
transducers to the pipe. Transducers are integrated into the small pipe
transducers up ot 2” lines. For larger pipes, the transducers ship with clamps
that range up to 24” pipes. For pipes up to 48”, a larger pipe clamp is available
with chains. If all the pipes are made from carbon steel, magnetic clamping
xtures may be the best option for fast setup.

Select option code — C48 for large clamping xtures.
Order MC style clamping xtures for magnetic xtures.

The PT878 uses an IR port to transfer data between the unit and a PC. If your
PC or laptop does not have an IR port, you need an IR adapter. We oer one
that will plug into a USB port.

Select option code — IR

.

The PT878 can output data to a data acquisition system to act as a temporary
replacement for a failed permanent meter or to provide a temporary
monitoring point. An input/output cable will be necessary to provide 4-20 mA
or pulse outputs from the PT878.

Select option code — IO

.

PT878 Specications

Electronics

Operation and Performance

Fluid Types

Acoustically conductive uids, including most clean
liquids, and many liquids with entrained solids or gas
bubbles. Maximum void fraction depends on transducer,
interrogation carrier frequency, path length and pipe
conguration.

Pipe Sizes

0.5 in to 300 in (12.7 mm to 7.6 m) and larger

Pipe Wall Thickness

Up to 3 in (76.2 mm)

Pipe Materials

All metals and most plastics. Consult GE for
concrete, composite materials, and highly
corroded or lined pipes.

Clamp-On Flow Accuracy (Velocity)

• Pipe ID>6 in (150 mm): ±1% to 2% of reading typical

• Pipe ID<6 in (150 mm): ±2% to 5% of reading typical

Flow Measurement

Patented Correlation Transit-Time mode

Enclosure

Submersible IP67

Dimensions

Weight 3 lb (1.36 kg),
Size (h x w x d) 9.4 in x 5.5 in x 1.5 in
(238 mm x 138 mm x 38 mm)

Display

240 x 200 pixel backlit LCD graphic display

Keypad

25-key rubberized tactile membrane keypad

Internal Battery

Rechargeable battery: 9 to 11 hr of continuous
operation

Battery Charger Input

100 to 250 VAC, 50/60 Hz, 0.38 A

Accuracy depends on pipe size and whether measurement
is one-path or two-path. Accuracy to ±0.5% of reading may
be achievable with process calibration.

Repeatability

±0.1% to 0.3% of reading

Range (Bidirectional)

–40 to 40 ft/s (–12.2 to 12.2 m/s)

Rangeability (Overall)

400:1

Specications assume a fully developed ow prole
(typically 10 diameters upstream and 5 diameters
downstream of straight pipe run) and ow velocity greater
than 1 ft/s (0.3 m/s).

Measurement Parameters

Volumetric ow, totalized ow and ow velocity

Memory

FLASH memory, eld-upgradable

Operating Temperature

–4°F to 131°F (–20°C to 55°C)

Storage Temperature

–40°F to 158°F (–40°C to 70°C)

To ensure maximum battery life, storage
temperature exceeding 35°C (95°F) is not
recommended for more than one month.

Standard Inputs/Outputs

• One 0/4 to 20 mA current output, 550 W
maximum load

• One user-selectable pulse (solid state, 5 V
maximum) or frequency (5 V square wave, 100 to
10,000 Hz)

• Two 4 to 20 mA analog inputs with switchable
power supply for loop-powered temperature
transmitters

Digital Interface

Infrared communication port for printer or PC interface

Thickness-Gauge Option

Site-Parameter Programming

• Menu-driven operator interface using keypad and “soft”
function keys

• Online help functions including pipe tables

• Storage for saving site parameters

Data Logging

• Memory capacity to log over 100,000 ow data points

• Keypad programmable for log units, update times, and
start and stop time

Display Functions

• Graphic display shows ow in numerical or graphic
format

• Displays logged data

• Extensive diagnostic parameters

• Supports multiple languages: Dutch, English, French,
German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish,
Swedish and others

European Compliance

Battery-powered system complies with EMC Directive
89/336/EEC and transducers comply with PED 97/23/EC for
DN<25

Transducer

Dual-element transducer

Pipe-Thickness Range

0.05 in to 3 in (1.3 mm to 76.2 mm)

Pipe Materials

Most standard metal and plastic pipe materials

Accuracy

±1% typical or ±0.002 in (±0.05 mm)

Thermal Exposure

Continuous operation to 100°F (37°C);
intermittent operation to 500°F (260°C) for 10
sec followed by 2 min air cooling

Clamp-On Ultrasonic Flow Transducers

Temperature Ranges

• Standard: -40°F to 302°F (-40°C to 150°C)

• Optional: -328°F to 752°F (-200°C to 400°C)

See specic transducer for exact temperature range.

Mountings

Stainless steel chain or strap, welded or magnetic
clamping xtures

Area Classications

• Standard: General purpose

• Optional: Weatherproof Type 4X/IP66

• Optional: Submersible IP67/68

PT878 electronics are designed for general purpose areas.

Transducer Cables

• Standard: One pair of LEMO® coaxial transducer

connectors with 25-ft (8-m) cables

• Optional: 1,000-ft (305-m) extension cables available

for most transducers

Energy Measurement

Additional Options

Energy Measurement

Calculates energy ow rate and totalized energy.
Requires optional energy kit.

Temperature Transducers

Loop-powered, 4-wire Pt1000 surface-mount RTDs

Accuracy

±0.12°C of temperature)

Range

32°F to 300°F (0°C to 150°C) standard

The accuracy of the energy measurement is a
combination of the accuracy of the associated ow
and temperature measurements. 1% to 2% of reading
is typical for calibrated systems. Not all extremes of
parameters can be achieved simultaneously.

PC-Interface Software

The TransPort PT878 communicates with a PC through
the infrared interface and Windows® operating
systems. Consult the manual for details on sites, logs
and other operations with a PC.

Printer

• Infrared, portable, thermal printer with rechargeable
battery and 120 to 240 VAC power supply/recharger

• Weight 13 oz (370 g), size 6.3 in x 6.5 in x 2.3 in
(160 mm x 164.2 mm x 59 mm), print width 4 in (104
mm)

RS232-to-Infrared

Infrared adapter plugs into any available serial port to
give desktop PCs infrared capability.

Ordering Information

PT-SYS X X X X X PT878 System

Language 1 English language only

2 German and English languages

3 French and English languages

4 Italian and English languages

5 Spanish (South American) and English languages

6 Spanish (Castilian) and English languages

7 Portuguese and English languages

8 Russian and English languages

9 Swedish and English languages

10 Dutch and English languages

11 Japanese and English languages

Power Cord 1 North American

2 European

3 United Kingdom

Carry Case SC Standard softshell case; Ideal for everyday users

H Optional hard shell case; Ideal for shipping and travel purposes.

Transducer Kit 0 No Transducers

A -40 to 150 °C applications, 2” to 24” pipes (C-RS-402)

B High temperature -40 to 230 °C applications, 1/2” to 2” pipes (CF-LP-2EM-40HM-6)

C -40 to 150 °C applications, 6” and larger pipes (C-RS-401). Requires extensions for up to 48”

D Combination kit of options A and B

E Combination kit of options A, B and C

F High temperature -20 to 210°C applications, 2” to 24” pipes (C-PT-10-HT)

G Combination kit of options B and F

Accessories TG Thickness Gage

lines or magnetic clamping xtures for pipes larger than 24”.

E Energy kit with matched pair Pt 1000, surface mount RTDs with transmitters and I/O cable

C48 Clamping xture for up to 48 inch lines

IO I/O cable

IR USB to IR Converter

FV 6 Point Flow Verication Test on traceable loop

PT- SYS — — — — —

www.ge-mcs.com

920-039E

© 2011 General Electric Company. All Rights Reserved. Specications are subject to change without notice. GE is a registered trademark of General Electric Company. Other company or product
names mentioned in this document may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies, which are not aliated with GE.