Instrumentation Northwes AquiStar PT2X Instruction Manual

Smart sensor/pressure/temperature sensor and datalogger including barometric/vacuum sensor

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Instrumentation
Northwest, Inc.
®
Protecting our water resources since 1982
AquiStar
Smart Sensor
Pressure/Temperature
Sensor and Datalogger
Including PT2X-BV
Barometric/Vacuum Sensor
INSTRUCTION
MANUAL
I
NSTRUMENTATION
    
PT2X
N
ORTHWEST
I
,
NC.

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Summary of Contents for Instrumentation Northwes AquiStar PT2X

  • Page 1 Instrumentation Northwest, Inc. ® Protecting our water resources since 1982      AquiStar PT2X Smart Sensor Pressure/Temperature Sensor and Datalogger Including PT2X-BV Barometric/Vacuum Sensor INSTRUCTION MANUAL NSTRUMENTATION ORTHWEST...
  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    Table of Contents Introduction ........................3 What is the PT2X? ....................3 Initial Inspection and Handling ................3 Do’s and Don’ts ....................... 3 How Pressure Sensors Work ................... 4 Installation ........................6 Installing the Sensor ....................6 Connecting External Power ..................7 Installing the Aqua4Plus Software ................
  • Page 3 Information in this document is subject to change without notice and does not represent a commitment on the part of the manufacturer. No part of this manual may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, for any purpose without the express written permission of the manufacturer.
  • Page 4: Introduction

    Introduction What is the PT2X? INW’s AquiStar PT2X Smart Sensor is a submersible pressure/temperature sensor and ® datalogger combined in one small diameter unit. This industry standard digital RS485 interface device records over 130,000 records of pressure, temperature and time data, operates with low power, and features easy-to-use software with powerful features.
  • Page 5: How Pressure Sensors Work

    How Pressure Sensors Work The following paragraphs outline the basics of how pressure is measured using submersible pressure sensors: Liquids and gasses do not retain a fixed shape. Both have the ability to flow and are often referred to as fluids. One fundamental law for a fluid is that the fluid exerts an equal pressure in all directions at a given level.
  • Page 6 To measure gauge pressure, atmospheric pressure is subjected to one side of the system and the pressure to be measured is subjected to the other. The result is that the differen- tial (gauge pressure) is measured. A tire pressure gauge is a common example of this type of device.
  • Page 7: Installation

    Installation Installing the Sensor The PT2X measures pressure. The most common application is measuring liquid levels in wells and tanks. In order to do this, the sensor must be installed below the water level at a fixed depth. The installation depth depends on the range of the sensor. One (1) PSI is equal to approximately 2.31 feet of water.
  • Page 8: Connecting External Power

    Other Installations The sensor can be installed in any position; however, when it leaves the factory it is tested in the vertical position. Strapping the sensor body with tie wraps or tape will not hurt it. INW can provide an optional 1/4" NPT input adapter which is interchangeable with the standard end cone for those applications where it is necessary to directly attach the sensor to a pipe, tank or other pipe port (see Figure 3).
  • Page 9: Connecting The Pt2X To A Computer

    Connecting the PT2X to a Computer In its cabled configuration, the Smart Sensor cable is terminated with a waterproof connector. In its free-suspension configuration, the PT2X is terminated with a screw- cap. Remove the screw-cap to access the waterproof connector. Connect the waterproof connector to your PC or laptop serial port via the interface cable and an RS485/RS232 adapter, as shown below.
  • Page 10 Replacing the Batteries Open the housing by removing the top-cap, as outlined below. The top-cap is the connector between the tube housing the PT2X and the cable. (See figure 7, page 14 for illustration.) 1. Remove the two set screws at the top of the housing tube, using a 1/16” allen wrench.
  • Page 11: Desiccant Tubes

    Desiccant Tubes On vented sensors, inspect the Desiccant Tube at least once every two months. The desiccant is a bright blue color when active and dry, as moisture is absorbed the color will begin to fade until becoming white indicating full saturation and time to replace. Replacement desiccant can be purchased from INW, please contact an INW sales engineer at 1-800-776-9355 for more information.
  • Page 12: Trouble Shooting

    Trouble Shooting Erratic Readings Erratic readings can be caused by a damaged transmitter, damaged cable, poor connec- tions or improper operation of readout equipment. In most cases, erratic readings are due to moisture getting into the system. Assuming that the readout equipment is working correctly, the first thing to check is the connection.
  • Page 13: Grounding Issues

    Grounding Issues It is commonly known that when using electronic equipment, both personnel and equipment need to be protected from high power spikes that may be caused by light- ning, power line surges, or faulty equipment. Without a proper grounding system, a power spike will find the path of least resistance to earth ground –...
  • Page 14: Appendix A: Technical Specifications

    Appendix A: Technical Specifications General Specification The AquiStar PT2X is a microprocessor based digital intelligent sensor designed to ® measure and record pressure, temperature and time, utilizing state-of-the-art low power, battery operated circuitry. Pressure measurement is accomplished utilizing an extremely rugged and stable piezo- electric media-isolated pressure element combined with a 16-bit delta/sigma analog-to- digital converter.
  • Page 15 Vented or Unvented Cable Screw Cap Patented Cable Harness (Top-Cap) Set Screws O-Rings Service Connector User-replaceable AA batteries PT2X Sensor/Datalogger Circuit Board, containing 1 MB non-volatile memory Pressure Element - available in 5, 15, 30, 50, 100, or 300 PSI Inlets End Cone - interchangeable with...
  • Page 16: Operating Specifications

    Operating Specifications Pressure Static Accuracy ±0.1% FSO (maximum) ±0.06% FSO (typical) 0.06% available on request (B.F.S.L. 25° C) Temperature Error ±0.5% FSO (maximum) ±0.25% FSO (typical) (reference 25° C) Max. Zero Offset at 25° C ±0.25% FSO Resolution 16 bit Over Range 2x (except 300 PSIA) Protection...
  • Page 17: Battery Life Calculation

    Battery Life Calculation The PT2X has been designed for very low power consumption. When not in active use, the unit goes into a “sleep” mode, waking only to take readings or communicate with the host computer. It is difficult to know how fresh particular batteries are. Just sitting on a shelf, especially in a warm environment, will cause the batteries to lose energy.
  • Page 18: Appendix B: Field Calibration (Pressure)

    Appendix B: Field Calibration (Pressure) Note: These instructions are for Gauge sensors, only. If you are using an Absolute sensor, check with INW for calibration details. Calibration can only be done when there are no sessions stored on the sensor. If there are any sessions stored on the sensor, upload any data you want and then erase the session before continuing.
  • Page 19 Running a Two-Point Calibration: 1. On the Sensor Map, click the sensor you want to calibrate. 2. From the Options Menu, select the units you want to use to measure pressure, i.e., psi, feet of water, inches of mercury, etc. 3.
  • Page 20: Appendix C: Measuring Elevation Or Depth-To-Water

    Appendix C: Measuring Elevation or Depth-to-Water In normal configuration, the PT2X returns a pressure measurement relative to the water above the sensor. This can be expressed in psi, feet of water, inches of mercury, or a number of other units - however, it is always relative to the water above the sensor. Often an engineer will need to know the depth-to-water or the elevation of the water.
  • Page 21: Measuring Groundwater Elevation

    Measuring Groundwater Elevation Et = Elevation at top of casing (given) Dw = Depth to water (measured with water level indicator) Ds = Depth of sensor submergence (from Aqua4Plus, Real Time Monitor) Off = Et - Dw - Ds = Offset (calculated) to be entered in Aqua4Plus Example: Et = 500’...
  • Page 22: Appendix D: Using Usb To Serial Cables

    Appendix D: Using USB to Serial Cables The standard communication cable/RS485-232 adapter that comes with the Smart Sensor plugs into a 9-pin serial port on the PC or laptop. Many new computers, especially laptops, do not come with 9-pin serial ports. If you have one of these computers, or if all of your serial ports are in use, you can connect to a Smart Sensor using a USB to Serial adapter, as shown in figure 12.
  • Page 23: Appendix E: Pt2X-Bv Barometric/Vacuum Sensor

    Appendix E: PT2X-BV Barometric/Vacuum Sensor What is the PT2X-BV? The AquiStar PT2X-BV is a special version of the PT2X designed to measure baromet- ® ric and vacuum pressure in reference to absolute pressure, along with temperature and time. Pressure measurement is accomplished utilizing an extremely rugged and stable 15 PSIA piezo-electric media-isolated pressure element combined with a 16-bit delta/sigma analog-to-digital converter.
  • Page 24: Connecting The Pt2X-Bv To A Computer

    Connecting the PT2X-BV to a Computer The PT2X-BV comes equipped with a waterproof micro-connector. This can be con- nected to your PC or laptop serial port using the interface cable and RS485/RS232 adapter, as shown in Figure 13. Interface RS485/RS232 Quick-Connect Cable Adapter...
  • Page 25: Operating And Mechanical Specifications

    Operating and Mechanical Specifications Pressure Static Accuracy ±0.1% FSO (maximum) ±0.06% FSO (typical) 0.06% available on request (B.F.S.L. 25° C) Temperature Error ±0.5% FSO (maximum) ±0.25% FSO (typical) (reference 25° C) Max. Zero Offset at 25° C ±0.25% FSO Resolution 16 bit Over Range 2 times...
  • Page 26: Reordering Information

    Reordering Information For sales & service offices, please contact: Instrumentation Northwest, Inc. www.inwusa.com 800-776-9355...
  • Page 27: Limited Warranty/Disclaimer-Aquistar® Pt2X

    LIMITED WARRANTY/DISCLAIMER - AquiStar PT2X ® SUBMERSIBLE PRESSURE /TEMPERATURE SENSOR A. Seller warrants that products manufactured by Seller when properly installed, used and maintained with a properly installed desiccant tube, shall be free from defects in material and workmanship. Seller’s obligation under this warranty shall be limited to replacing or repairing the part or parts or, at Seller’s option, the products which prove defective in material or workmanship within ONE (1) year from the date of delivery, provided that Buyer gives Seller prompt notice of any defect or failure and satisfactory...
  • Page 28 www.inwusa.com Please visit INW's Web site to learn more about our products and services. Copyright 1997 - 2004 by Instrumentation Northwest, Inc. All rights reserved. Instrumentation Northwest and INW are trademarks registered with the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office. Printed on recycled paper. Doc# 9B00730r6 4/2004 P/N 6D275 Instrumentation Northwest, Inc.

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Pt2x-bv

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