Unpacking The Apex And Apex Sentry Radar Gauges - Emerson Rosemount Apex Reference Manual

Reference Manual
00809-0100-4731, Rev FA
April 2003
Unpacking the APEX and
APEX Sentry Radar
Gauges
Figure 2-1. APEX Radar Gauge
Installation
Considerations
Process Characteristics
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APEX and APEX Sentry
1. Remove the gauge from the shipping container, taking care not to
damage the contents.
2. Place the gauge on its side on a flat surface as in Figure 2-1.
NOTE
Do not stand the radar gauge upright on its antenna. Be careful not to
damage any part of the antenna during bench inspection or installation.
3. Inspect the unit and report any shipping damage to the carrier.
Before you install an APEX or APEX Sentry Radar Gauge, be sure to
consider your specific mounting requirements, vessel characteristics, and
process characteristics. Review the following information to ensure a
trouble-free, safe, and accurate installation.
The gauge has an Installation Category II (Overvoltage Category) with
pollution degree 2 classification.
Dielectric Constant
Dielectric constant is a measure of a material's ability to reflect a radar signal.
Materials with dielectric constants below 3.0 reflect only a small fraction of the
radar signal. Therefore, special care must be taken when measuring low
dielectric fluids.
The gauge can measure fluids with a dielectric constant as low as 1.8 if
vessel conditions are favorable. For example, water-based compounds tend
to have high dielectrics (water has a dielectric of approximately 80), while
hydrocarbons are low. In cases with low dielectrics, it is important to verify
that the dielectric is high enough for radar to measure. For information on
dielectric constants when using an APEX Radar Gauge, refer to Table 2-1 on
page 2-6. If you are unable to determine the dielectric constant for your
process, or if you are measuring a process with a dielectric constant lower
than 3.0, contact Rosemount Customer Central at 1-800-999-9307 for
assistance.
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Radar Gauge
2-5