System Sensor WFD20A, WFD30-2A, WFD25A, WFD60A, WFD80A Installation Instruction

INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE INSTRUCTIONS

CAUTION

CAUTION

CAUTION

WFDA Vane-type Waterflow Detectors

SPECIFICATIONS

Contact Ratings: 10 A @ 125/250 VAC ; 2.5 A @ 24 VDC
Cover Tamper Switch Ratings: 5 A @ 125/250 VAC; 2.5 A @ 24 VDC
Triggering Threshold Bandwidth (Flow Rate): 4 to 10 gpm
Static Pressure Rating: See models listed below
Dimensions, Installed: 3.5 in H × 3.0 in W × 6.7 in D
Operating Temperature Range: 0°C to 49°C (32°F to 120°F)
Compatible Pipe: Steel water pipe, schedule 10 through 40
Shipping Weight: 4 to 7 lbs, according to size
All WFDA waterflow detectors are ULC approved. U.S. Patent Numbers: 5,213,205

I56-2338-004R

3825 Ohio Avenue, St. Charles, Illinois 60174

1-800-SENSOR2, Fax: [phone]

www.systemsenor.com

IMPORTANT

Please Read Carefully And Save

This instruction manual contains important information about the installation
and operation of waterflow detectors. Purchasers who install waterflow detec­tors for use by others must leave this manual or a copy of it with the user.

Read all instructions carefully before beginning. Follow only those instruc­tions that apply to the model you are installing.

Use vane-type waterflow detectors in wet-pipe systems only. Do NOT use
them in dry pipe, deluge, or pre action systems. The sudden inrush of water in
such systems may break the vane or damage the mechanism.

Do not use in potentially explosive atmospheres. Do not allow unused wires
to remain exposed.

PRINCIPLES OF OPERATION

Vane-type waterflow detectors mount to water-filled pipes in sprinkler sys­tems. Waterflow in the pipe deflects a vane, which produces a switched output
–usually after a specified delay. All waterflow detectors have a pneumatically
controlled mechanical delay mechanism. Delays do NOT accumulate; they re­set if the flow of water stops before the entire delay has elapsed. All switches
actuate when the water flow rate is 10 gallons per minute or greater, but will
not actuate if the flow rate is less than 4 gallons per minute. This System Sen­sor installation manual covers the following waterflow detectors for sprinkler/
fire alarm applications.

Model

WFD20A 2 (50 mm) 10 thru 40 450

WFD25A 2.5 (65 mm) 10 thru 40 450

WFD30-2A 3 (80 mm) 10 thru 40 450

WFD40A 4 (100 mm) 10 thru 40 450

WFD50A 5 (130 mm) 10 thru 40 450

WFD60A 6 (150 mm) 10 thru 40 450*

WFD80A 8 (200 mm) 10 thru 40 450*

*Max Pressure Rating 400 psig as Approved by Factory Mutual Research.

Do NOT use any of the WFDA models on copper pipe. The clamping forces of
the mounting bolts may collapse the pipe sufficiently to prevent the detector
from functioning properly.

Do NOT install steel or iron pipe sections in copper piping for mounting a
waterflow detector. Incompatibility between the dissimilar metals causes bi­metallic corrosion.

D770-44-00 1 I56-2338-004R

Pipe Size

(inches)

Pipe

Schedule

Max. Pressure

Rating (psig)

INSTALLATION GUIDELINES

Before installing any waterflow alarm device, be thoroughly familiar with:

NFPA 72: National Fire Alarm Code
NFPA 13: Installation of Sprinkler Systems
NFPA 25: Inspection, Testing and Maintenance of Sprinkler Systems,

Section 5.3.3.2

CAN/ULC S524
Other applicable NFPA standards, local codes, and the requirements of the

authority having jurisdiction

NOTE: Installation methods other than those listed in this installation manual
may prevent the device from reporting the flow of water in the event the asso­ciated sprinkler system is activated by a fire. System Sensor is not responsible
for devices that have been improperly installed, tested or maintained.

1. Mount the detector where there is adequate clearance for installation and

removal and a clear view of it for inspections. See Figure 1 for mounting
dimensions.

2. Locate the detector 6 to 7 ft. above the floor to protect from acciden­tal damage.

3. On horizontal runs, position the detector on the top or side of the pipe.
Do not mount it upside down because condensation may collect in the
housing and impair the operation of the detector.

For vertical flow applications, mount the detector on pipe through which

water flows upward. Otherwise, the unit may not operate properly.

4. Mount the detector at least 6 inches from a fitting that changes the direc­tion of water flow and no less than 24 inches from a valve or drain.

5. Be sure the direction-of-flow arrow matches the direction of flow in the pipe.

MOUNTING INSTRUCTIONS

1. Drain the pipe.

2. Cut a hole at the desired location. Center the hole in the pipe, as shown
in Figure 2, and be sure the hole is perpendicular to the center of the
pipe. Before drilling, use a punch or scribe to mark the drill site to pre­vent the bit from slipping. If the hole is off center, the vane will bind
against the inside wall of the pipe. Use a drill or hole saw to cut a hole of
the proper diameter. See Table 1 for hole size.

When drilling the hole with a hole saw, make certain that the center of the cut
does not remain in the pipe.

3. Remove burrs and sharp edges from the hole. Clean and remove all scale
and foreign matter from the inside of the pipe for one diameter on each
side of the hole to ensure free movement of the vane. Clean the outside
of the pipe to remove dirt, metal chips, and cutting lubricant.

4. Seat the gasket against the saddle and mount the detector directly to the
pipe. Carefully roll the vane opposite the direction of flow and insert it
through the hole. Seat the saddle firmly against the pipe so that the locat­ing boss goes into the hole.

5. Install the U-bolt, tightening the nuts alternately to ensure a uniform
seal. See Table 1 for torque values.

COVER

WATERFLOW

PIPE

U-BOLT

TAMPER PROOF

WRENCH

(P/N WFDW)

DELAY

MECHANISM

(REPLACEMENT

(P/N A3008-00)

MOUNTING PLATE

PIPE SADDLE

PLASTIC VANE

ROLL PADDLE
OPPOSITE OF
FLOW ARROW

WHILE INSERTING

SADDLE GASKET

REFER TO

TABLE 1

ELECTRICAL

CONDUIT

ENTRANCE

U-BOLT

NUT

TERMINAL BLOCK

(REPLACEMENT

P/N A77-01-02)

COVER
TAMPER
SWITCH

WARNING

6. Remove the metal cover with the tamper-proof wrench provided. Move

CAUTION

U-BOLT

NUT

PIPE

SADDLE

U-BOLT

WIDTH: SEE TABLE

PLASTIC

VANE

PIPE

1.70˝

3˝

3.73˝
MODEL

WFD20A

WFD25A

WFD30-2A

WFD40A

WFD60A

WFD80A

WIDTH

4.60˝

4.60˝

5.20˝

6.77˝

9.06˝

10.75˝

WRONG

RIGHT

REMOVE BURRS FROM EDGE OF HOLE. CLEAN OUT SCALE

AND FOREIGN MATTER FROM INSIDE WALL OF PIPE.

the actuator lever back and forth to check for binding. If the vane binds,
remove the detector and correct the cause before proceeding.

Be sure the direction-of-flow arrow points in the right direction or else water
flow will go unreported, see Figure 3.

FIGURE 1. MOUNTING DIMENSIONS:

PRE OPERATION TESTING

1. Fill the sprinkler system and check for leaks around the waterflow detec­tor. If it leaks, first check for the proper torque on the U-bolt nuts. If the
leak persists, drain the system and remove the detector (refer to Mainte­nance). Check for dirt or foreign objects under the gasket, and make sure
that the pipe surface is not dented. Reinstall the detector and check again
for leaks. Do not proceed until all leaks have been stopped.

2. Connect an ohmmeter or continuity tester across the COM and B-NO
switch terminals. The ohmmeter should indicate an open circuit.

3. Deflect the actuator lever and hold it until the pneumatic delay shaft
releases the switch buttons. The ohmmeter or continuity tester should
show a short circuit after the delay has elapsed. If there is no delay,
check the setting of the delay adjustment dial.

FIGURE 3. ASSEMBLY DIAGRAM:

FIGURE 2. MOUNTING HOLE LOCATION:

TABLE 1:

30-2, 40, 50, 60, 80 2˝ 55-60 ft.-lb.

W0151-00

WFD MODEL HOLE SIZE TORQUE

20,25 1

1

/4˝ 30-35ft-lb.

W0106-00

W0373-00

WIRING

1. All models have two SPDT switches. Switch contacts COM and B-NO
are closed when water is flowing and open when it is not. Connect the
switches, as shown in Figure 4, depending on the application.

2. When connected to a listed sprinkler/fire alarm control panel, the initiat­ing circuit must be nonsilenceable.

3. A ground screw is provided with all waterflow detectors. When ground­ing is required, clamp wire with screw in hole located between conduit
entrance holes. See Figure 5A.

4. If a second conduit entry is required, remove the knockout plug using a
flat blade screwdriver as shown on Figure 5B. Strike sharply with a ham­mer to pierce the wall of the knockout plug. Move to an adjacent wall
section and repeat until the plug falls out. Make sure that the waterflow
detector is supported adequately during this operation to avoid injury.

High Voltage. Electrocution Hazard. Do not handle live AC wiring or work on a
device to which AC power is applied. Doing so may result in injury or death.

D770-44-00 2 I56-2338-004R