Super Systems 1500 VRSD User Manual

Model 1500 VRSD

Dew Point Analyzer,

9125 Temperature Control System,

and Video Recorder with

Dew Point Sensor

OPERATIONS MANUAL

Super Systems Inc.

7205 Edington Drive

Cincinnati, OH 45249

513-772-0060

Fax: [phone]

www.supersystems.com

Model 1500 VRSD Operations Manual

Contents

Introduction ........................................................................................................................................ 4

More About Dew Point Analysis ..................................................................................................... 4

Warnings ......................................................................................................................................... 5

Specifications ..................................................................................................................................... 5

Dew Point Sensor ............................................................................................................................... 6

Factory Calibration ......................................................................................................................... 6

Field Calibration ............................................................................................................................. 6

Controller and Touch Screen .......................................................................................................... 11

Startup .............................................................................................................................................. 11

Operation .......................................................................................................................................... 12

Returning the Unit to SSi ................................................................................................................. 12

Equipment Drawings – Part Number 13599 (Model 1500 VRSD for single-tube generator) ........ 14

Equipment Drawings – Part Number 13671 (Model 1500 VRSD for two-tube generator) ............ 18

Replacement Parts List ................................................................................................................... 22

Warranty ........................................................................................................................................... 23

Revision History ............................................................................................................................... 24

APPENDIX “A” – Determining the Dew Point in °F ......................................................................... 25

APPENDIX “B” – Determining the Dew Point in °C ........................................................................ 26

APPENDIX “C” – Determining the sensor temperature in °F ........................................................ 27

APPENDIX “D” – Determining the sensor temperature in °C ........................................................ 28

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Model 1500 VRSD Operations Manual

Super Systems Inc.

Super Systems Europe

Super Systems México

Super Systems China

USA Office

Corporate Headquarters

7205 Edington Drive

Cincinnati, OH 45249

Phone: [phone]

http://www.supersystems.com

Sistemas Superiores Integrales S de RL de CV

Calle 3 Int.: 11.

Zona Ind. Benito Juarez

Querétaro, Qro. Méx.

C.P.: 76120

Phone: [phone]

http://www.supersystems.com.mx

Units 3 & 4, 17 Reddicap Trading Estate,

Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands

B75 7BU

UNITED KINGDOM

Phone: [phone]

http://www.supersystemseurope.com

No. 335 XianXia Road

Room 308

Shanghai, CHINA

200336

Phone: [phone]

http://www.supersystems.com

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Model 1500 VRSD Operations Manual

Introduction

The 1500 VRSD (Part Number 13599 and 13671) is an SSi Standard System designed to maintain
a consistent atmospheric dew point by monitoring dew point measured by a dew point sensor
and using an SSi 9125 Controller to control the process. A 3.5” color touch screen provides a
control interface and data logging.

More About Dew Point Analysis

A dew point analyzer measures the amount of moisture present in a gas to determine the
theoretical temperature at which the moisture in the gas will condense (the saturation point).
Although dew point is related to the temperature and the pressure of the gas, the dew point of a
gas remains the same regardless of the actual temperature of the gas. Knowing the dew point
of a gas in a heat treating environment can be beneficial in either determining the carbon
potential of the gas, or determining the purity level of the incoming process gases.

The SSi dew point sensor in the 1500 VRSD is considered a high range (“standard”) sensor; it is
designed for gases with temperatures above 0°F (-17.8°C). The sensor uses the relative
humidity (%RH) and the gas temperature to perform a calculation to determine dew point.

On a more technical level, the dew point sensor is a “dielectric ceramic” that varies its electrical
capacitance with changes in relative humidity. The sensor is mounted in a short probe, which is
installed in a T-fitting that allows the sample gas to flow past the sensor. The tip of this probe
contains the dielectric ceramic relative humidity (RH) sensor, as well as a built in temperature
sensor to determine its dry bulb temperature. Information from both of these sensors is used
to compute the resultant dew point.

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Model 1500 VRSD Operations Manual

IMPORTANT!

Warnings

Although it is intended for use in an industrial environment, this is a sensitive piece of
analysis equipment. Care should be taken not to operate it in a manner inconsistent
with its intended use.

• Moisture (water) cannot be allowed to enter the unit. If water is present in the

sample gas, use an in-line dryer for sample conditioning. In the event that the
sensor becomes wet, use an inert gas (Nitrogen or Argon) to dry the inside of the
instrument. Under no circumstances should Methane (Natural Gas) be used to dry
the unit.

• The analyzer must be stored at ambient temperature (65-80°F) for at least four

hours prior to operation.

• An in-line dryer for sample conditioning should be used for exothermic and

combustion applications.

• This unit is not designed to measure the dew points in corrosive gasses, such as

Ammonia, S0

, Chlorine, and HCL.

3

Failure to comply with these conditions may cause damage to the unit that will not be
covered under the warranty. Super Systems, Inc. is not responsible for damage to this
unit caused by disregard of these warnings, neglect, or misuse.

Specifications

Measurement Range: 0 to +80°F (-17.8 to +27°C)
Temperature Range: 0 to +120°F (-18 to +49°C)
Accuracy: +/- 1°F (+/- 0.5°C)
Zero and Span Drift: +/- 1°F (+/- 0.5°C)
Power Supply: 115 VAC 60Hz (Optional 220VDC)
Display Type: 3.5” Color Touch Screen
Display Resolution: +/- 1°F (+/- 0.1°C)
Digital Communications: (2) RS485, RS232, Ethernet
Control / Retransmission Output: 4 – 20 mA (2 Outputs)
Alarms: Up to 3 Alarm Relays
Dimensions: 20” x 16” x 10” (508mm x 406mm x 254mm)
Weight: 34.4 lbs. (15.6 kg)

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Model 1500 VRSD Operations Manual

Dew Point Sensor

Factory Calibration

Factory calibration is recommended every six months if the unit is used regularly. SSi’s
calibration is NIST traceable and includes a numbered “Certificate of Calibration”. This
certificate also indicates the accuracy of the analyzer before and after calibration.
Please contact Super Systems at [phone] for more information regarding this
service.

Field Calibration

It is also possible to calibrate the VRSD in the field, which will require the optional
calibration kit (Part Number 31030) and a voltmeter that will allow you to measure
between 0 and 1 volt DC. Since there is no temperature display on the instrument itself,
the voltage from the sensor circuit board will have to be translated into a temperature
measurement for the purpose of verifying the calibration. The instructions for doing
this are contained in this document along with reference charts to aid in the
interpretation of the voltages.

The calibration kit consists of two bottles of saturated salt solution in which each bottle
generates a precise relative humidity percentage (R.H.%) value. One bottle is 11.3%
R.H., and the other is 75.3% R.H. These two specific calibration points are already pre­programmed into the microprocessor board.

1.0 Open the unit.

1.1 Undo the latches on the side of the enclosure.

2.0 Locate the key components within the unit.

2.1 The microprocessor board is located in the front right side of the unit. This
board contains three very small buttons that are used for calibration. Two
are next to one another, and they are marked “75.3%” and “11.3%”, while the
other has no label. The unmarked button is the “Calibrate” button. The
approximate locations of each button are shown on this diagram:

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Model 1500 VRSD Operations Manual

SPAN

BUTTON

(75.3)

ZERO
BUTTON
(11.3)

CAL

BUTTON

Dew Point Microprocessor Board

2.2 The sensor-sampling chamber is located in the bottom left of the unit. It is
the gray rectangular box with brass barb fittings on either side and a black
plastic gland protruding from the center.

2.3 The sensor probe is positioned in the sensor sampling chamber. It is held
in place by the nut on the black plastic gland.

3.0 Remove the sensor probe from the sensor-sampling chamber.

3.1 Loosen the black plastic gland nut and slowly slide the sensor probe out
through the airtight seal. Care must be taken when removing this sensor
probe, since the tip is very delicate and can be easily damaged if it is
mishandled. Note that the probe has white mark at the wire entry point,
which must be aligned with corresponding white mark in plastic gland when it
is re-inserted in the sampling chamber.

4.0 Install the sensor probe into the 75.3% salt solution.

4.1 Slip the black sensor gland (supplied in the calibration kit) over the sensor
probe with the sensor tip protruding from the threaded end of the gland and
the sensor wires being flush with the top of the rubber o-ring in the gland.
Tighten the gland around the sensor. This does not need to be done with a
wrench or other tools, but it does need to be tight enough to prevent ambient
air from contaminating the humidity level of the sampling chamber.

4.2 Remove the cap of the 75.3% salt solution and install the sensor gland
(with the sensor) into the salt solution. To increase the life of the calibration
salts, an effort should be made to minimize the amount of time that the salt
solution is exposed to the ambient air.

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Model 1500 VRSD Operations Manual

5.0 Allow the sensor to reach equilibrium with the calibration salt.

5.1 With the power to the unit still turned off, leave the sensor in the
calibration salt for a minimum of eighteen (18) hours. It is acceptable to leave
the sensor in the salt solution for a longer period of time, even a few days, if
desired.

6.0 Begin the 75.3% (Span) calibration process.

6.1 After leaving the sensor in the salt for at least eighteen (18) hours, turn the
unit on. The reading on the display is not important at this point.

6.2 Simultaneously press the “75.3%” and “Calibration” buttons on the
microprocessor board.

7.0 Verify the 75.3% (Span) calibration.

7.1 Leave the sensor in the 75.3%RH calibration salt.

7.2 Record the temperature and the dew point of the sensor. Since there is no
display on the instrument, you will need to measure the voltage from the
microprocessor board and translate that into the appropriate measurement.

7.2.1 To determine the sensor temperature, measure the DC voltage
between pins 5(+) and 9(-) on the microprocessor board. The
voltage will be between 0 and 1VDC. Use the chart in Appendix C to
determine the temperature in °F, or use Appendix D to determine
the temperature in °C.

7.2.2 Temporarily record the sensor temperature.

7.3 Look up this temperature in Appendix “A” (Determining the Dew Point in
°F) or Appendix “B” (Determining the Dew Point in °C). Appendix A will show
the temperature values in Fahrenheit, and Appendix B will show the
temperature values in Celsius.

7.4 Next to the appropriate sensor temperature, note the number in the
corresponding column titled “75.3%”. This will match the measured dew
point, which can be verified wherever the dew point is displayed.

8.0 Determine the acceptability of the reading.

8.1 The value printed on the chart in Appendix A is a theoretical value, and
some variation can be expected. When a calibration is performed at SSi, we
certify (in writing) that the unit displays within +/- 1 degree of the theoretical

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Model 1500 VRSD Operations Manual

value after it has been calibrated. We would not consider a calibration to be
successful unless it is within +/- 1 degree; however, in the case of a field
calibration, this degree of accuracy may or may not be required. The degree
of accuracy that is acceptable is determined by the policy of the person
performing the calibration.

NOTE: Keep in mind that the VRSD only displays whole numbers, and not
tenths of a degree. Therefore, a reading of 65°F could be as low as 64.50 or
as high as 65.49.

9.0 Allow the sensor to achieve equilibrium at ambient atmosphere.

9.1 After the 75.3% (Span) calibration has been completed, remove the sensor
from the calibration salt and replace the cap on the salt.

9.2 Leave the sensor probe in the gland and while the unit is still on, allow it to
achieve equilibrium at the ambient atmosphere in the room. This is
accomplished by simply leaving the sensor exposed to ambient air for
between two and three minutes. You will know when this has been
accomplished when the numbers on the display begin to stabilize.

10.0 Install the sensor probe into the 11.3% salt solution.

10.1 Remove the cap of the 11.3% salt solution and install the sensor gland
(with the sensor) into the salt solution. To increase the life of the calibration
salts, an effort should be made to minimize the amount of time that the salt
solution is exposed to the ambient air.

10.2 Turn the unit off.

11.0 Allow the sensor to reach equilibrium with the calibration salt.

11.1 With the power to the unit still turned off, leave the sensor in the
calibration salt for a minimum of twenty-four (24) hours. It is acceptable to
leave the sensor in the salt solution for a longer period of time, even a few
days, if desired.

12.0 Begin the 11.3% (Zero) calibration process

12.1 After leaving the sensor in the salt for at least twenty-four (24) hours, turn
the unit on. The reading on the display is not important at this point.

12.2 Simultaneously press the “11.3%” and “Calibration” buttons on the
microprocessor board.

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