Panametrics PT878GC Quick Start Manual

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Programming Transducer, Pipe and Fluid Parameters

Before the PT878 can begin taking measurements the user needs to enter the transducer,
pipe and fluid parameters by following these steps:
1.
Press the [MENU] key and scroll across to the Program Menu tab using the arrow keys.
Press [ENTER] to enter the menu, and then [ENTER] again to enter the Transducer Menu
(see pic on right).
2.
Work through the transducer options selecting the appropriate options from the drop
down menus, or manually type in the correct selection (if a box is greyed out you do not
need to enter a selection for this parameter). Wedge temperature is typically half way
between the pipe and air temperatures.
3.
Once you have completed the transducer tab, scroll to the top of the page and press
the right arrow to highlight the Pipe Menu tab. Press [ENTER] to open the Pipe Menu. Work
through the options as in step 2.
4.
Repeat step 3 on the three remaining tabs, Fluid, Lining and Path.
5.
Once complete press [F3] to confirm your choices and return to the main screen.

Entering the Standard Volume / Mass Flow Parameters

The Standard Volume/Mass Flow option enables the user to correct standard volumetric
units for temperature and pressure. It also allows you to enable or disable mass flow.
1.
Scroll to the Program Menu and press [ENTER].
2.
Scroll down to the Std Vol / Mass Flow button and press [ENTER].
3.
The first parameter allows you to enable or disable the Standard Volume option.
4.
Use the arrow keys to scroll to correct radio button.
5.
Press [ENTER] to confirm your selection.
Note:
If you select "Disabled" you cannot select any other prompts in this window.
6.
The next option asks you to enter the base pressure. Press [ENTER] to open the text box
and use the numeric keys to type this. Press [ENTER] to confirm the entry.
7.
The next option asks for the atmospheric pressure. Press [ENTER] to open the text box
and use the numeric keys to type this. Press [ENTER] to confirm the selection.
8.
The final prompt in this window asks for the base temperature. Press [ENTER] to open
the text box and use the numeric keys to type this. Press [ENTER] to confirm the selection.
Press the up arrow key to return to the Standard Volume prompt, and then back to the Settings tab.
To confirm the entries and return to operate mode, press [F3] (OK).

Entering Inputs in the Standard Volume Option

1.
To enter standard volume inputs, return to the settings tab at the top of the Standard
Volume window.
2.
Scroll across to the Inputs tab and press [ENTER] to open the Inputs window.
3.
Scroll down to the first prompt which asks if the pressure is fixed or active. Scroll to the
appropriate option and press [ENTER] to confirm the selection.
Note: Only select Active if you have live pressure and temperature readings being fed into
the meter.
4.
If you have selected a fixed pressure, you will be asked to enter the base pressure. Press [ENTER] to open the text
box and the numeric keys to enter the pressure value. Press [ENTER] to confirm the entry.
5.
The next prompt will appear whether you have selected an active or fixed pressure value.
The desired input needs to be entered. Scroll from the Pressure text box to the Input menu
and press [ENTER] to open the drop down menu. Scroll to input A or B and press [ENTER]
to confirm the selection.
6.
The next prompt asks if the temperature is fixed or active. Scroll to the correct option and
press [ENTER] to confirm the selection.
Panametrics PT878GC Ultrasonic Flowmeter
Quick Start Guide
6.
The meter should display the following warning message: "WARNING: TRANSDUCER
SPACING HAS CHANGED". This is the space by which you will need to set the transducers
apart by.

Error Messages and Testing the Cables and Transducers

A way of testing that the cables and transducers are working is to connect them all up to the PT878GC and put the transducer to your ear. Listen
out for a frequent buzzing sound. If you do not hear this there is a problem with either the cables or transducers.
Make sure the transducers are spaced properly.
Error messages - error code messages are displayed when the PT878 is displaying measurements. For meanings of error messages and a full list
of solutions, please refer to the Diagnosis and Troubleshooting section of the GE Panametrics Operation and Installation Guide.
E0 - Error message is displayed briefly after another error message. No action is needed in this case.
E1 - The meter has a poor ultrasonic signal strength. This could be down to broken cables, broken transducers, flowcell
problems or electronic failure.
E2 - Soundspeed error. This could be caused by incorrect programming and spacing of the transducers.
E3 - Velocity range error. Caused by incorrect programming, incorrect spacing of transducers or poor flow conditions.
E4 - Signal quality problem. If too low it is a flowcell or electrical problem. If too high it is electronic failure. Possibly change to correlate mode
under signal setup
E5- Amplitude error. There are excessive bubbles or particles in the fluid.

Keypad Description

• The PT878 keypad has 25 function keys. The functions for each of the keys are as follows:
• 3 function keys ([F1], [F2], [F3]) - Enable you to select the special functions w hich appear at the bottom of the screen.
• 12 numeric keys (including [-] and [.]) - Enable you to enter numeric data.
• 4 arrow keys - Enable you to move through the menu options.
• [?] Help key - Enables you to acces online help
• [MENU] Menu key - Enables you to access the Main Menu
• [ENTER] - Enables you to enter a particular menu, and enters selected values into the PT878 memory.
• [SEL] - Enables you to move between data measurementson the screen.
• [ESC] - Enables you to exit menus or menu options at any time; cancels a numeric entry.
• Red Key - Turns the power On or OFF, and toggles the backlight On or Off.
7.
If you have selected a fixed temperature, you will be asked to enter the temperature
value. Press [ENTER] to open the text box and use the numeric keys to enter the temperature
value. Press [ENTER] to confirm the entry.
8.
The next promt will appear whether you have selected an active or fixed temperature
value. The desired input needs to be entered. Scroll from the Temperature text box to the
Input menu and press [ENTER] to open the drop down menu. Scroll to input A or B and press
[ENTER] to confirm the selection.
Note:
If you have switched both active inputs to #A (or to #B), the PT878GC automatically switches one input to the
other letter. This change ensures that only one analog input is assigned to one measurement type.
Note:
If you select "Disabled", you cannot select any other prompt in this window.

Entering Mass Flow Parameters

1.
To enter mass flow parameters in the Standard Volume / Mass Flow option, scroll across
to the Mass Flow tab and press [ENTER] to open the window.
2.
The first prompt asks if you want to enable or disable the Mass Flow option. Scroll to the
appropriate option and press [ENTER] to confirm the selection.
3.
If you have selected "Enable" Mass Flow the following prompt will appear asking for the
calculated method. Three options are available: static density, saturated steam and steam.
Press [ENTER] to open the drop-down menu. Scroll to the appropriate method for your
application and press [ENTER] to confirm the entry.
- If you select Saturated Steam: The prompt asks for the Saturated Steam input. Press
[ENTER] to open the text box, enter the appropriate value, and press [ENTER] to confirm
the entry.
- If you select Static Density: The prompt asks for the Static Density value. Press [ENTER] to
open the text box, enter the appropriate value, and press [ENTER] to confirm the entry.
Pressing the up key returns the meter to the Mass Flow prompt, and then to the Mass Flow
tab.
To confirm the entries and return to Operate mode, press [F3] (OK).
Useful Tips and Hints
• Cable ends are protected by a metal sheath. To remove from the PT878 - pull the sheath back.
• The [ENTER] key allows you to enter and confirm a parameter, enter a menu and enter a drop down menu.
• The red end of the cable needs to be placed on the upstream transducer and the blue end on the downstream transducer.