All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced in any form (print,
photocopy or by other means) or processed, duplicated or distributed using
electronic systems without the written consent of the publisher.
These documents have been created and inspected with the greatest care.
However, errors cannot be ruled out completely.
Technical specifications are subject to change without notice.
These operating instructions were made to the best of our knowledge.
Nevertheless and despite the greatest care, it cannot be excluded that
mistakes could have crept in. Therefore please understand that, in the
absence of any provisions to the contrary hereinafter, our warranty and
liability – for any legal reasons whatsoever – are excluded in respect of the
information in these operating instructions. In particular, we shall not be liable
for lost profit or other financial loss.
This exclusion of liability does not apply in cases of intent and gross
negligence. Moreover, it does not apply to defects which have been
deceitfully concealed or whose absence has been guaranteed, nor in cases
of culpable harm to life, physical injury and damage to health. If we
negligently breach any material contractual obligation, our liability shall be
limited to foreseeable damage. Claims due to Product Liability shall remain
unaffected.
Technical Support
If you have any questions, suggestions, or encounter any problems of a
technical nature, please don't hesitate to contact us. When contacting us,
please always include the model code, serial no. and part no. of the product:
Modifications to the Product
We would like to point out that changes to the product (e.g. purchasing
options, etc.) may result in the information in the operating instructions no
longer being completely accurate or sufficient.
After modification or repair work that affects the safety of the product has
been carried out on components, the product may not be returned to
operation until it has been checked and released by a HYDAC technician.
Please notify us immediately of any modifications made to the product
whether by you or a third party.
Warranty
For the warranty provided by us, please refer to the terms of delivery of
HYDAC FILTER SYSTEMS GMBH.
You will find these under www.hydac.com -> General Terms and Conditions.
Note that the method described for locating specific information
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HYDAC F
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Chapter description
Page number
Document language
Documentation no.
Using the documentation
does not release you from your responsibility of carefully reading
all these instructions prior to starting the unit up for the first time
and at regular intervals in the future.
What do I want to know?
I determine which topic I am looking for.
WHERE can I find the information I’m looking for?
The document has a table of contents at the beginning. I select the chapter
I'm looking for and the corresponding page number.
with index/
file name
The documentation number with its index enables you to order another copy
of the operating and maintenance instructions. The index is incremented
every time the manual is revised or changed.
The product was built according to the statutory provisions valid at the time of
delivery and satisfies current safety requirements.
Any residual hazards are indicated by safety information and instructions and
are described in the operating instructions.
Observe all safety and warning instructions attached to the product. They
must always be complete and legible.
Do not operate the product unless all the safety devices are present.
Secure the hazardous areas which may arise between the product and other
equipment.
Maintain the product inspection intervals prescribed by law.
Document the results in an inspection certificate and keep it until the next
inspection.
Hazard symbols
These symbols are listed for all safety information and instructions in these
operating instructions which indicate particular hazards to persons, property
or the environment.
Observe these instructions and act with particular caution in such cases.
Pass all safety information and instructions on to other users.
General hazard
Danger due to electrical voltage / current
Exposed electrical components
Danger of electrical shock
Structure of the safety information and instructions
All warning instructions in this manual are highlighted with pictograms and
signal words. The pictogram and the signal word indicate the severity of the
danger.
Warning instructions listed before an activity are laid out as follows:
HAZARD SYMBOL
SIGNAL WORD
Type and source of danger
Consequence of the danger
►Measures to avert danger
Observe regulatory information
Observe the following regulatory information and guidelines:
• Legal and local regulations for accident prevention
• Legal and local regulations for environmental protection
Claims for defects or liability, regardless of the legal foundation, do not apply
with incorrect or improper installation, commissioning, usage, handling,
storage, maintenance, repair, use of unsuitable components or other
circumstances for which HYDAC is not responsible.
HYDAC is not responsible for the installation, integration, selection of
interfaces to / into your system nor for the use or functionality of your system.
Use the product only for the application described below.
The FluidControl Unit FCU is a portable service unit for taking short-term
measurements of the solid particle contamination, temperature und %
saturation level in hydraulic systems.
Proper/designated use of the product extends to the following:
• Observing all the instructions contained in these operation and
maintenance instructions.
• Ensuring the execution of all inspection and maintenance work.
NOTICE
Impermissible operating conditions
The FCU will be destroyed
►Use the FCU with mineral oils or mineral oil-based raffinates whose
flash point is higher than 55°C / 131°F.
►Flush the FCU with low-viscosity mineral oils or mineral oil-based
raffinates (e.g. diesel) whose flash point is higher than 55°C / 131°F.
► Never flush the FCU with universal thinners or other degreasing fluids.
► Observe the permissible viscosity range (up to ISO VG 68):
10 - 350 mm²/s / 46 - 1622 SUS.
►Only operate the FCU in periodic intermittent duty (S3) with a relative
duty cycle of 40%
(S3 as per DIN EN 60034 / VDE 0530).
Hazard due to use of the product other than
that intended
Bodily injury and damage to property will result
when operated improperly.
►Never operate the product in potentially
explosive atmospheres.
►Only use the product with permissible media.
Any use extending beyond this or deviating therefrom shall not be considered
intended use. HYDAC FILTER SYSTEMS GmbH will assume no liability for
any damage resulting from such use. The user alone, shall assume any and
all associated risk.
Improper use may result in hazards and/or will damage the product.
Examples of improper use:
• Operation with fluid that has a flash point under 55°C / 131°F.
• Flush with universal thinners or other degreasing fluids
• Operation in potentially explosive atmospheres.
• Operation under non-approved operational conditions.
• Modifications to the product made by the user or purchaser.
• Continuous monitoring of the fluid cleanliness (continuous operation)
• Improper connection of the pressure and return flow hoses.
• Operation at a measurement point with impermissible pressure.
• Operation on 24 V DC on-board networks without central
Auxiliary, operational and specialist personnel must have read and
understood the operating instructions, in particular the safety information and
instructions, and applicable regulations before beginning work.
The operating instructions and applicable regulations are to kept so they are
accessible for operating and specialist personnel.
These operating instructions are intended for:
Auxiliary personnel: such persons have been instructed about the product
and informed about potential hazards that can result from improper use.
Operating personnel: such persons have been instructed in product
operation and are aware of potential dangers due to improper use.
Specialist personnel: such persons with corresponding specialist training
and several years' work experience. They are able to assess and perform the
work assigned to them, they are also able to recognize potential hazards.
Drain and rinse the FCU completely before putting it into storage. See page
88 in the "FCU flushing" chapter for details on rinsing the FCU.
Observe permissible conditions required for storage on page 108 in the
"Technical Data" chapter.
Store the FCU closed and in a horizontal position in a dry, clean place. If
stored in a vertical position, the FCU must not be exposed to any shaking or
vibration.
The FluidControl Unit FCU is a portable service unit for taking short-term
measurements of the solid particle contamination, temperature und %
saturation level in hydraulic systems.
Knowledge on the level and amount of contamination allows you to check
and document quality standards and introduce the required optimization
measures.
The integrated pump and the hoses supplied enable usage with:
• Control circuits
• Pressure circuits
• Depressurised containers
The internal data memory enables measurements to be recorded together
with a time-stamp.
The USB interface can be used to copy all measurements to a USB memory
stick or to send them to a mobile device via Bluetooth where they can be
analyzed using MS Excel or the Fluid Monitoring software FluMoS.
Additional features include:
• Optical measurement of the degree of solid particle contamination
• Capacitive recording of the water saturation in %
• Resistive measurement of the temperature
• Suitable for hydraulic fluids (up to ISO VG 68)
10 - 350 mm²/s / 16 - 1622 Sus
• Automatic measurement and display of cleanliness ratings in
accordance with:
• ISO 4406:1987; NAS 1638
• ISO 4406:1999; SAE AS 4059 (D)
• Measurement accuracy +/- ½ ISO code in the calibrated range
• Supply voltage of 24 V DC / 4 A for operation on mobile machine on-
board networks
• Network adapter 90 - 240 V AC / 24 V DC 5 A included in the scope of
delivery
• Operating pressure without high-pressure adapter max. 45 bar / max.
650 psi,
Operating pressure with high-pressure adapter max. 345 bar / max.
5000 psi
• Integrated pump for the automatic control of oil flow
The measuring principle of the light blockade procedure is shown in
simplified form in the following sketch.
The light source transmits monochromatic light through the flow of oil to a
photo detector, which produces a particular electrical signal. If a particle gets
between the light source and the photo detector, then a shadow will be cast
on the photo detector.
This shadow causes a change in the electrical signal generated by the photo
detector. This change makes it possible to determine the size of the shadow
cast by the particle and thus to gauge the size of the particle itself.
This procedure makes it possible to determine the cleanliness class
according to ISO 4406:1987, ISO 4406:1999, NAS 1638 and SAE AS 4059.
The disruption factors of this measurement principle are foreign fluids and
small gas bubbles that lead to refractions, thus causing them to be counted
as particles as well.
Each of the signal peaks corresponds to the shadow cast by one particle.
The signal height or amplitude reflects the particle size. Thresholds are used
to classify the particle sizes >2, >5, >15, >25 µm or >4, >6, >14, >21 µm
From the oil source (either a pressure port or a bottle sample), a continuous
oil flow is established through the port (1) INLET by an electrically controlled
gear pump (3).
A suction strainer (2) protects the pump from coarse contamination.
The oil current to be analyzed flows through an optical ContaminationSensor
(6). The contaminant particles contained in the oil current cause the light
beam to be darkened in a pulse-like manner. An electronic evaluation module
classifies and counts these measurement signals according to particle
diameter. The evaluation module continuously computes the cleanliness
classes for the reference volume of 100°ml based on the measurement
signals of the optical sensor.
A defined pressure is generated in the oil flow via a counter balance valve
(7). This serves to minimize air bubbles in the system, which could skew the
measurement results.
The pressure relief valve (5) protects the pump and the measuring cell from
excessive pressure.
The oil flow leaves the port (9) OUTLET and is routed by the return hose to a
pressurized tank.
The electronic evaluation module monitors:
• the function of the ContaminationSensors
• the oil flow
• the power supply voltage
• the function of the AquaSensors
When a malfunction occurs, an error message automatically appears in the
display and interrupts the measurement. The evaluation module will
recognize when the cause of error has been corrected, and the unit will reset
automatically and resume the measurement operation.
After the unit is plugged in, HYDAC FCU 1### appears in moving
2.
The internal sensors will then be checked.
3.
The self-test with countdown follows in the display
3.
The FCU is now ready.
4.
As long as the pump is not running and no fluid is being pumped, the
To insert the connector
To remove the connector
Insert the connector into the socket
Press the catch (1) on the connector
Preparing the FCU for measurement
Before operation, the FCU must first be hydraulically and electrically
connected, as described below.
Connecting/Disconnecting the FCU electrically
The FCU has a 3-way plug to connect to a 24 V DC supply. Insert the 3-pin
jack plugs of the adapter (included in the FCU delivery). Connect the power
plug of the adaptor into the power supply.
letters, followed by the firmware version, which appears for 2 seconds.
The display will show as well as the sensor firmware.
status LED will flash red, and the display will show .
This means that there is no oil flow.
► Never seal the OUTLET connection OUTLET.
► Put the free end of the OUTLET return hose into an unpressurized
container.
NOTICE
Fit the quick-action coupling on the return hose to the nipple. Make sure that
the coupling audibly snaps into place (). Make sure that the quick-action
coupling is firmly seated.
Put the other end of the return hose into a depressurized container or tank.
To guarantee valid and direct measurements, prime the FCU. To do
Measuring from unpressurized containers
Required hoses:
this, draw in ≈ 120 ml fluid via the inlet hose in order to completely
fill the hydraulic circuit and the inlet hose.
If the FCU is not primed, an air-oil mixture at the start of
measurement will flow through the FCU. The sensor will interpret
this air-oil mixture as particulate soiling and will thus falsify the
measurement result.
For an initial test without priming the FCU and hoses, you need at
least 300 ml of fluid.
The measurements provide you with information about the purity of the oil in
the system concerned. The measurement variables are calibrated. They
indicate a measured value with an accuracy of +/- 1/2 ISO codes.
"" measured variable
"" measured variable
independently of the set measuring time.
Display of the 3-digit ISO code.
Example: ISO code 20.18.15
"" measured variable
"" measured variable
independently of the set measuring time.
Display of a channel in the SAE class.
Example: SAE class, channel A = 6.1
independently of the set measuring time.
Display of a channel in the NAS class.
Example: NAS class, channel 15-25 =
13.2 µm
measures the saturation. The measured
value is shown on the display as the
Select to create a new file in the internal FCU memory under the
new measurement point. Press and the display will jump to .
Confirm again by pressing .
selection
change
- Display free memory
Under , you can check the current free internal memory capacity
of the FCU in %. If there is no more memory available, no measurement
records can be saved.
Copy the measurement records that you have already read out as described
on page 71 in chapter "Reading out USB interface measured values". Then
delete those records in the internal memory with as described
on page 58.
Under you can modify the designation of the measurement point
to meet your wishes. You have a maximum of 6 characters available for the
measurement point designation.
The following characters will appear, when the button is
pressed, wrapping around at the end.
The empty space is located between 9 and A and can be adjusted only from
the 6th position to the left. This means that you can enter a name with less
than 6 characters.
- Set temperature unit
Under you set the units for displaying the fluid temperature. You
have the choice between degrees Celsius °C and degrees Fahrenheit °F.
Compatibility with other USB memory sticks cannot be guaranteed as the
FCU communicates directly with the microprocessor. This means that
communication errors cannot be corrected in software, like, for example, on a
PC with an operating system.
memory stick, which we successfully tested
for many PC/operating system combinations.
functionality and compatibility of the USB
memory stick with your system. We do
not offer support or replacements in this
case
Saved measurements can be copied to the USB memory stick supplied with
the unit. After copying to the USB stick, the data still exists in the internal
memory.
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For HYDAC part no., see
page 105, chapter "Selecting
accessories"
During the download, no measurement data are stored in the internal
memory.
After another download, the measuring data for the duration of the download
are missing.
You have to explicitly delete the data in the internal memory of the FCU. See
the menu option on page 58.
Before using the USB stick for the first time, we recommend that you format
it. To do that, insert it into a free USB port on your PC. Then change to the
file manager (e.g. Explorer) and format the stick in FAT32 format. You will
find details of this in the documentation of your operating system.
There must be at least 10 MB of free memory available on the USB stick.
To save your measurements on the USB memory stick, proceed as follows:
connection by turning it
counterclockwise (1) and then lifting
it (2).
Reading out measured values via Bluetooth interface
The FCU Bluetooth interface is based on Bluetooth Version 1.2, Class 3.
This means that:
Bluetooth Version 1.2:
is less sensitive to static disturbances (e.g. WLAN), the maximum data
transfer rate is 732.2 kBit/s
Class 3:
a maximum performance of 1 mW or 0 dBm, reaches a maximum of 10 m
outdoors. This distance is strongly influenced by disturbances and obstacles
in the FCU's vicinity.
If the PC already has a Bluetooth interface, use only this to establish a
connection to the FCU.
Prior to the installation of new Bluetooth software, we strongly recommend
deinstalling all existing Bluetooth drivers. The parallel use of different
Bluetooth interfaces often leads to driver conflicts.
If problems should arise, consult the Bluetooth USB adaptor handbook or
consult the manufacturer of your PC hardware.
adaptor "Nano", which we successfully
tested for many PC/operating system
combinations.
and compatibility of the Bluetooth USB
adapter with your system. We do not offer
support or replacements in this case.
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For HYDAC part no., see
page 105, chapter "Selecting
accessories"
Guarantee and liability for the USB adapter
Warranty and liability - for whatever legal reason - for the delivered item shall
be excluded. Moreover, it does not apply to defects which have been
deceitfully concealed or in cases of culpable harm to life, physical injury and
damage to health. We shall not be liable for loss not incurred by the supplied
object itself, and he is not liable in particular for loss of profit or other financial
loss incurred by the Customer.
Connecting/Linking the FCU via Bluetooth
The FCU is registered in the Bluetooth environment as: FCU 1310.
If the connection to the FCU is established via Bluetooth, the measured
values can be read by FluMoS, for example. The FCU protocol is used to
communicate with the HSI.
The data transfer through the Bluetooth connection depends on your PC
hardware and on the installed software. There are a multitude of Bluetooth
modules and software drivers on the market that do not completely fulfill the
specifications of IEEEE 802.15.
The measurement records read out of the FCU and stored on the USB
memory stick are defined as follows:
Measurement record directories according to measurement point
If measurements are stored under a measurement point , the FCU
automatically produces a directory for this measurement point and puts the
measurement records there.
Measurement report file names
The file names of the measurement records consist of date YY -> year, MM > month, DD -> day, as well as a incremental number.
A new record is created:
• On request by
• After a restart of the FCU (see page 103)
• After the measured data is downloaded to the USB memory stick
For each new record, the incremental number is increased by one.
General information about the data collected, sensors and
2
After the word *Data,* the actual measurement data is shown, line
Opening measurement reports
The file containing the measurement reports has a file extension e.g. ".026".
This extension may not be recognized by your PC. This means that you must
tell your PC that, in future, you would like to open this file with MS Excel.
Open the file with MS excel by right-clicking on it and then selecting "Open".
A window will open where you will be asked to choose which program should
open the file.
In principle, you can do this for every extension from "000" to "999".
A measurement file consists of two parts:
equipment.
by line. The first line contains the column titles.
Faults are shown as negative values, e.g. –0.1 or –1.
At the latest, conduct the required configuration maintenance and inspection
work every six months, otherwise, whenever an error message or
malfunction makes it necessary.
The FCU is to be disconnected from the power supply and protected against
being inadvertently switched back on when performing any maintenance,
servicing, inspection or repair work.
WARNING
Hydraulic systems are under pressure
Danger of bodily injury
►Before working on the product, remove all
hydraulic and electrical connections.
Once maintenance work is complete, check that the safety devices of the
product are still working properly.
Any screwed fittings which have been undone/removed are to be checked to
see that they have been properly resecured.
FCUcleaning
Clean the control panel with a clean, moist cloth. Do not use any chemical
cleaning agent as these may damage the film attached to the surface of the
FCU.
Clean the outside of the closed FCU with a damp cloth.
►Flush the FCU with low-viscosity mineral oils or mineral oil-based
raffinates (e.g. diesel) whose flash point is higher than 55°C / 131°F.
►Never flush the FCU with universal thinners or other degreasing fluids.
Flush the FCU after each use, but at least daily, with cleaned mineral oil.
Rinse the FCU immediately if you measure unfiltered oil or oil with a viscosity
> 200 mm²/s or if the readings seem unusually high or low.
In the high pressure adapter there is a 400 µm strainer to protect the flow
control valve. Clean this strainer at least every six months, or more frequently
if heavy soiling makes it necessary.
The flow rate through the high-pressure adapter is limited to approx.
0.55 to 0.7 l/min.
If the necessary flow rate is not reached, you must check and clean the
Cleaning / changing the strainer in the high pressure adapter
NOTICE
Operation without a strainer
The FCU pump can be damaged
► Never use the high-pressure adapter without a strainer.
► Clean the suction strainer regularly
The strainer (B) in the high-pressure adapter must be cleaned regularly.
Remove the measurement coupling (A) from the threaded joint (D) with a 22
mm open-jaw wrench, anticlockwise. Then unscrew the strainer (B)
anticlockwise with a screwdriver or the special tool (see accessories list 105).
Clean strainer (B) and then blow it out with compressed air.
To fit the strainer (B), screw it in, clockwise, to union (D) using a screwdriver
or the special tool.
Then check the sealing ring on the coupling (A) for damage and replace if
necessary.
Turn the coupling (A) in a clockwise direction and tighten to 25 Nm.
Cleaning / changing the strainer in the high pressure adapter
NOTICE
Wrong installation of the flow control valve
Flow control valve is not working
►Pay attention to the direction of flow when installing the flow control
valve.
The flow control valve regulates the flow to approx. 0.55 - 0.7 l/min. If the
necessary flow rate is not achieved through the high-pressure adapter, then
the flow control valve will have to be cleaned or replaced.
Remove coupling (A) using a 22 mm open-jaw wrench turning it
anticlockwise out of the screw fitting (D).
Now unscrew the strainer (B) anticlockwise, with a screwdriver or the special
tool (see accessories list on page 105).
Clean strainer (B) and then blow it out with compressed air.
Also unscrew the flow control valve (C) anticlockwise with a screwdriver or
the special tool (see accessories list on page 105).
To install the new flow control valve (C), screw it firmly clockwise into the
union (D) with a screwdriver or the special tool.
Screw the strainer (B) clockwise into union (D) using a screwdriver or the
special tool.
Then check the sealing ring on the coupling (A) for damage. Replace it if
necessary.
Turn the coupling (A) in a clockwise direction and tighten to 25 Nm.