Signal Conditioner, Intelligent Frequency Converter
Page iv November 2013
User Manual
INTRODUCTION
The Intelligent Frequency Converter is a state-of-the-art digital signal processing device designed to provide exceptional
accuracy at a very affordable price. Designed for use with B220-954 turbine meters, the sensor measures and calculates the
flow rate to produce an analog current or voltage output representative of the meter’s flow rate.
The Intelligent Frequency Converter is offered in two versions:
• The F to I converter provides a 4…20 mA output in a two wire, loop powered setup.
• The F to V converter offers a 0…5V DC output for those applications where a voltage output is preferred.
SPECIFICATIONS
Frequency to Current (F to I)
B220-873
Power
Inputs
SourceMagnetic PickupMagnetic Pickup
Frequency0…3500 Hz0…3500 Hz
Trigger Sensitivity30 mV
Frequency Measurement Accuracy ±1%±1%
Analog Output
Type4…20 mA current loop0…5V DC
Resolution1:40001:4000
Temperature Drift50 ppm / ° C (maximum)50 ppm / ° C (maximum)
Environmental
Ambient Temperature–22…158° F (–30…70° C)–22…158° F (–30…70° C)
Humidity0…90% non-condensing0…90% non-condensing
Loop powered, 6 V insertion loss
maximum 10… 30V DC supply range
p-p
Frequency to Voltage (F to V)
B220-874
10…26V DC supply range
30 mV
p-p
Page 5 November 2013
Signal Conditioner, Intelligent Frequency Converter
CONNECTION
The 4…20 mA output can drive auxiliary devices (resistive loads) such as displays, recorders and computers, provided that the
voltage supplied by the power supply is adequate. Devices must be wired in series with the F to I converter and power supply.
The voltage drop across the load(s) and the 6V DC minimum needed to drive the F to I converter determine the minimum
voltage required from the power supply.
Determine the necessary voltage required to adequately drive the F to I converter and auxiliary device(s).
The F to I converter acts as a current controlling device. Thus, the current output remains the same even if the power supply
voltage fluctuates or the load resistance changes. The current varies only with respect to the flow rate from the turbine flow
meter, as long as the voltage drop across the F to I converter is at least 6V DC.
The load(s) in the circuit will generally have some electrical resistance, 100 ohms for this example. The 4…20 mA loop current
will produce a voltage drop across each load. The maximum voltage drop across a load(s) will exist when the loop current is
20 mA. The power supply must provide enough voltage for the load(s) plus the 6V DC minimum insertion loss of the
F to I converter.
OTE:NSee examples on Power Supply Calculations on page 7
Refer to the wiring diagram in Figure 1 or Figure 2 that corresponds to the converter that you have selected for your
application.
+
4-20 mA
Loop
Powe
132
132
4 5
r
4-20 mA (+)
4-20 mA (-)
No Connection
Figure 1: F to I wiring diagramFigure 2: F to V wiring diagram
Turbine
Pickup
B
A
0…5V DC
Output
10…26V DC
Input
132
Ground
0…5V DC Output
45
10…26V DC Input
132
Gnd.
4 5
Turbine
Pickup
B
A
45
Page 6 November 2013
Loop Resistance
User Manual
1400
1200
1000
800
600
400
Loop Load (Ohm's)
200
1012141618202224
Supply Voltage (VDC)
Figure 3: Loop resistance chart
Operate in the
Shaded Region
26
2830
p
Power Supply Calculations
Example 1
F to I
Converter
Figure 4: Power supply calculation example 1
Known values are:
Total Load Resistance = 300 Ω
Power Supply = 24V DC
At 20 mA loop current, the voltage drop across the load(s) is:
300 Ω x 20 mA = 6000 mV (6 Volts)
Subtract 6 volts from the 24 volt source to determine that 18 volts is available to power the F to I converter. The 18 volts is
within the specified 10…30 volt range and is sufficient to power the F to I converter.
Example 2
150
Ohms
4…20 mA
100
Ohms50Ohms
24V DC
Power
Supply
Page 7 November 2013
Signal Conditioner, Intelligent Frequency Converter
F to I
Converter
4…20 mA
24V DC
Power
Supply
1000
Ohms
Figure 5: Power supply calculation example 2
Known values are:
Total Load Resistance = 1000 Ω
Power Supply = 24V DC
At 20 mA loop current, the voltage drop across the load(s) is:
1000 Ω x 20 mA = 20,000 mV (20 Volts)
Subtract 20 volts from the 24 volt source to determine that 4 volts is available to power the F to I converter. The 4 volts is
below the specified 10…30 volt range and is not sufficient to power the F to I converter.
In this instance either the supply voltage must be increased of the load resistance decreased.
Page 8 November 2013
User Manual
CALIBRATION
OTE:NIf your Intelligent Frequency Converter was purchased with a B220-954 turbine meter, the two components ship
from the factory calibrated as a set. If the Intelligent Frequency Converter is a replacement, the turbine’s K factor has
changed, or the converter is being used with some other pulse-generating device, programming will be necessary.
• DC Power Supply
After installing the programming software and attaching the programming cable to the Intelligent Frequency Converter
through an available Com Port on your PC, you are now ready to power up your Intelligent Frequency Converter and continue
with the calibration procedure. Using a DC power supply, apply 10…26V DC to the Intelligent Frequency Converter. Run the
programming utility software shown in Figure 6.
IFC Programming Utility
IFC Programming Utility
FileOptionsTools
File Options Tools
Setup
Setup
4-20mA0-5V
Device:
Device:
Rate Units:
Rate Units:
Rate Interval:
Rate Interval:
K Factor Units:
K Factor Units:
K Factor:
K Factor:
Damping:
Damping:
Flow at 4mA:
Flow at 4mA
Flow at 20mA
Flow at 20mA
Linear Points:
Linear Points:
Status: Com19/23/20082:33 PM
Status: Com19/23/20082:33 PM
4-20mA0-5V
Gallons
Gallons
Minute
Minute
Pulses/Gallon
Pulses/Gallon
350.400
350.400
0.000
0.000
50.000
50.000
Linear Points
Linear Points
Read Setup
Read Setup
Download Setup
Download Setup
0
0
Frequency
Frequency
0000
0 0 00
0
0
Monitor
Monitor
On
On
O
O
Hz
Hz
Figure 6: IFC programming software
Pressing Read Setup will read the current configuration of your sensor. After entering your desired values for Device,
K factor, rate and flow span, press Download Setup to save your settings. Please consult the factory for any further
calibration requirements.
OTE:NIf communication fails, please check cabling and/or ComPort address and try again.
OTE:NFor complete programming instructions refer to the IFC Programming Kit manual.
Page 9 November 2013
Signal Conditioner, Intelligent Frequency Converter
MAINTENANCE
1. Frequent inspection should be made. A schedule for maintenance checks should be determined by the environment and
frequency of use. It is recommended that it should be inspected at least once a year.
2. Perform visual, electrical and mechanical checks on all components on a regular basis.
a. Visually check for undue heating evidenced by discoloration of wires or other components, damaged or worn parts, or
leakage evidenced by water or corrosion in the interior.
b. Electrically check to make sure that all connections are clean and tight, and that the device is operating correctly.
PART NUMBER INFORMATION
DescriptionPart Number
Aluminum “Y” enclosureB220239
Pickup cableB222-120
Complete programming packageB220-954
F to I device onlyB220803
F to V device onlyB220806
TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE
TroubleRemedy
No current output
Analog output reads a constant
reading
Analog output is not stable
• Check polarity of the current loop connections for proper orientation.
• Make sure receiving device is configured to provide loop current.
• Make sure there is flow in the system.
• Verify that the rotor inside the turbine meter turns freely.
• External noise is being picked up by the sensor. Keep all AC wires separate from
DC wires.
• Check for radio antenna in close proximity. This usually indicates a weak signal.