Gems Sensors & Controls RFI Operating Manual
RFI-2500
RotorFlow Sensors
Instruction Bulletin No. 157259
Installation and Maintenance
(For additional information, see Gems’ “Level, Flow & Pressure” Catalog)
RotorFlow units monitor dynamic fluid flow. The rotor reacts to
turbulence, pulsation, entrained air, and other flow anomalies
induced in the flow stream by other process hardware. For optimum performance, install RotorFlow units where nominal flow
conditions exist, with ports located at the top. Incoming flow may
be placed to either port. A minimum of 8” of straight pipe on the
inlet side is recommended.
8” Min.
Incoming
Flow
Low Flow Adapter
Low Flow Applications
A low flow adapter is supplied with all RotorFlow units. It is used to produce accurate response at low flow rates. Press-fit the
adapter as shown above, in the port selected for incoming flow. (See Flow Range chart below.)
Flow Range - GPM
Body
Material
Polypropylene
Brass
Stainless
Steel
Port Size
NPT
.25”
.50”
.25”
.50”
.75”
1.0”
9/16”
1/2”
3/4”
1.0”
Part
Number
155420
155480
142541
142542
180392
181681
174596
173138
181682
181683
Standard
Range
0.5 - 5.0
4.0 - 20.0
0.5 - 5.0
4.0 - 20.0
5.0 - 30.0
8.0 - 60.0
0.5 - 5.0
4.0 - 20.0
5.0 - 30.0
8.0 - 60.0
0.1 - 1.0
1.5 - 12.0
0.1 - 1.0
1.5 - 12.0
0.1 - 10.0
1.5 - 12.0
Range
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
Low Flow
Adapter
Part Number
152147
151832
152147
133743
152147
151832
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
Warning
When determining chemical compatibility
of materials of construction, the flow
media and application-associated
environmental conditions should be
carefully considered.
Installation
RotorFlow sensors connect to piping via NPT mating thread forms. The following guidelines are provided to assist with installation for a leak-free seal, without
damage to the unit:
1. Apply pipe thread sealant to male pipe threads
2. Thread RotorFlow unit onto male pipe thread
until hand-tight
3. Tighten pipe 1 to 1-1/1 additional turns
4. If improper seal results, continue turning pipe into
unit in 1/4 turn increments
Do not exceed one additional turn.
Recommended Pipe Sealants
a) Permatex
b) Teflon
®
“No More Leaks”
®
Thread Tape
Filtration and Cleaning
150 micron filtration is recommended.
However, should foreign particles enter the
RotorFlow sensor, accumulation is easily
cleared by removing the lens from the
body. The lens is removed by turning its
center rib 45° counter-clockwise and then
pulling it out. To reinstall the lens, simply
reverse the process. Pressure must be
relieved from the system prior to sensor
clean-out.
Specifications
Wetted Materials
Polypropylene Body
Body
Rotor Pin
Stainless Steel, Brass or Polypropylene
(Hydrolytically Stable, Glass-Reinforced*)
Ceramic
High Visibility Orange, Molded Nylon
Rotor
Lens
O-Ring
or Teflon/PPS
Polysulfone
Buna N or Viton
Operating Pressure, Max.
Brass/SS Body
Polypropylene Body
200 psig @ 70°F/80 psig @ 212°F
100 psig @ 70°F/40 psig @ 212°F
Operating Temperature, Max.
Brass/SS Body
Polypropylene Body
212°F (100.0°C)
212°F (100.0°C)
*Hydrolytically stable, glass-reinforced polypropylene is UL-
recognized to UL746B at a relative temperature index of 65°C.
Panel Mounting
Any RotorFlow sensor may be panel mounted using holes integrated into the
bodies:
Plastic Bodies
Two mounting ears areprovided at the body center line to receive #8
self-tapping screws. Note: ANSI Type 23 self-tapping screws are
recommended. They may be replaced with standard machine screws
if re-installation should be required.
Brass and Stainless Steel Bodies
Two mounting holes are provided on the body center line, as shown.
#8 32UNC-2B screws are required for mounting.
Brass or Stainless Steel Body
.25” or .50” Ports
Brass or Stainless Steel Body
.75” or 1.0” Ports
A RotorFlow Repair Kit is available,including the following replacement
parts: Lens, O-ring, Shaft, and Rotor. Consult Factory to order.
Product must be maintained and installed in strict accordance with
the National Electrical Code and GEMS product catalog and instruction bulletin. Failure to observe this warning could result in serious
injuries or damages.
An appropriate explosion-proof enclosure or intrinsically safe interface device must be used for hazardous area applications involving
such things as (but not limited to) ignitable mixtures, combustible
dust and flammable materials.
Pressure and temperature limitations shown on individual catalog
pages and drawings for the specified flow switches must not be exceeded. These pressures and temperatures take into consideration
possible system surge pressures/temperatures and their frequencies.
Selection of materials for compatibility with the media is critical to
the life and operation of GEMS flow switches. Take care in the proper
selection of materials of construction; particularly wetted materials.
P/N 157259
Rev. F
Important Points!
Life expectancy of switch contacts varies with applications. Contact GEMS if life cycle testing is required.
Ambient temperature changes do affect switch set points, since the
specific gravity of a liquid can vary with temperature.
Flow switches have been designed to resist shock and vibration;
however, shock and vibration should be minimized.
Liquid media containing particulate and/or debris should be filtered
to ensure proper operation of GEMS products.
Electrical entries and mounting points may require liquid/vapor sealing if located in an enclosed tank.
Flow switches must not be field repaired.
Physical damaged sustained by the product may render it unser-
viceable.
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