Fluke MOLBOX1 PLUS S - V 6.00 User manual

© 1995 - 2010 Fluke Corporation, DH Instruments Division
molbox1+™/molbox1+S
molbloc®Terminal
(Ver. 6.00 and Higher)
Operation and Maintenance Manual

© 1995 - 2010 Fluke Corporation, DH Instruments Division Page 2
Warning
High pressure liquids and gases are potentially hazardous. Energy stored in these
liquids and gases can be released unexpectedly and with extreme force. High
pressure systems should be assembled and operated only by personnel who have
been instructed in proper safety practices.
©2010 Fluke Corporation, DH Instruments Division All rights reserved.
Information in this document is subject to change without notice. No part of this document may be reproduced or transmitted in any
form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, for any purpose, without the express written permission of Fluke Corporation, DH
Instruments Division 4765 East Beautiful Lane Phoenix AZ 85044-5318 USA.
DH Instruments makes sincere efforts to ensure accuracy and quality of its’ published materials; however, no warranty, expressed
or implied, is provided. DH Instruments disclaims any responsibility or liability for any direct or indirect damages resulting from the
use of the information in this manual or products described in it. Mention of any product does not constitute an endorsement by DH
Instruments of that product. This manual was originally composed in English and was subsequently translated into other
languages. The fidelity of the translation cannot be guaranteed. In case of conflict between the English version and other language
versions, the English version predominates.
DH Instruments, DH, DHI, molbox1, molbox1+, molbloc, molbloc-L, molbloc-S, molstic, COMPASS, CalTool are trademarks,
registered and otherwise, of Fluke Corporation, DH Instruments Division.
VCR is a registered trademark of the Swagelok Company.
Viton is a registered trademarks of DuPont deNemours Company.
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Document No. 3540962
100226
Printed in the USA.

Page I © 1995 - 2010 Fluke Corporation, DH Instruments Division
Table of Contents
Table of Contents ................................................................... I
Tables .................................................................................. V
Figures................................................................................ VI
About This Manual............................................................... VII
1. Introduction .....................................................................1
1.1 Product Overview...................................................................................................................................1
1.1.1 molbloc Flow Elements ........................................................................................................................... 2
1.1.1.1 molbloc-L Flow Element......................................................................................................................... 2
1.1.1.2 molbloc-S Flow Element......................................................................................................................... 3
1.2 Specifications.........................................................................................................................................3
1.2.1 General Specifications............................................................................................................................. 3
1.2.2 Reference Pressure Transducer (RPT) Specifications .......................................................................... 4
1.2.3 Temperature Measurement Specifications............................................................................................. 4
1.2.4 MFC Control Function (Optional) Specifications ................................................................................... 5
1.2.5 Flow Measurement Specifications.......................................................................................................... 5
1.2.5.1 molbloc-L ............................................................................................................................................... 5
1.2.5.2 molbloc-S............................................................................................................................................... 9
1.2.6 Front and Rear Panels........................................................................................................................... 24
1.2.6.1 Front Panel .......................................................................................................................................... 24
1.2.6.2 Rear Panel........................................................................................................................................... 24
2. Installation.....................................................................25
2.1 Unpacking and Inspection...................................................................................................................25
2.1.1 Removing From Packaging ................................................................................................................... 25
2.1.2 Inspecting Contents............................................................................................................................... 25
2.2 Site Requirements................................................................................................................................25
2.3 Initial Setup...........................................................................................................................................26
2.3.1 Preparing for Operation......................................................................................................................... 26
2.3.2 Power Connection.................................................................................................................................. 26
2.3.3 molbox1+ to molbloc Connections....................................................................................................... 27
2.3.4 Gas Supply and Flowpath Connections ............................................................................................... 27
2.3.5 Vacuum Supply (molbloc-S only).......................................................................................................... 28
2.3.6 Communications Connections.............................................................................................................. 28
2.3.7 MFC Control Option Connection........................................................................................................... 29
2.4 Power UP and Verification...................................................................................................................29
2.4.1 Power UP................................................................................................................................................ 29
2.4.2 Check Proper Pressure Measurement Operation................................................................................. 29
2.4.3 Check Proper Temperature Measurement Operation .......................................................................... 29
2.4.4 Check the MFC Control Function (Optional) ........................................................................................ 30
2.4.5 Leak Check............................................................................................................................................. 30
2.4.6 Check/Set Security Level....................................................................................................................... 30
2.5 Additional Precautions to Take Before Making Flow Measurements..............................................30
2.6 Short Term Storage..............................................................................................................................31
3. Operation .......................................................................33
3.1 General Operating Principles..............................................................................................................33
3.1.1 molbloc Channel A & Channel B........................................................................................................... 33
3.1.2 molbloc-L and molbloc-S Operation..................................................................................................... 33
3.1.3 Flow Ready/Not Ready Indication......................................................................................................... 34
3.1.3.1 molbloc-L Operation............................................................................................................................. 34
3.1.3.2 molbloc-S Operation............................................................................................................................. 34

MOLBOX1+™/MOLBOX1+S, MOLBLOC TERMINAL OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE MANUAL
© 1995 - 2010 Fluke Corporation, DH Instruments Division Page II
3.1.4 Reference Pressure Transducer (RPT) Overpressure ......................................................................... 35
3.1.5 molbloc-S BPR Limits............................................................................................................................ 35
3.2 Main Run Screen..................................................................................................................................36
3.2.1 molbloc-L Operation.............................................................................................................................. 37
3.2.2 molbloc-S Operation.............................................................................................................................. 38
3.3 Manual Operation.................................................................................................................................39
3.3.1 Keypad Layout and Protocol................................................................................................................. 39
3.3.2 Direct Function Keys Summary ............................................................................................................ 40
3.4 Direct Function Keys............................................................................................................................41
3.4.1 [K]............................................................................................................................................................ 41
3.4.2 [GAS]....................................................................................................................................................... 42
3.4.2.1 molbloc-L Operation............................................................................................................................. 43
3.4.2.2 molbloc-S Operation............................................................................................................................. 44
3.4.3 [UNIT]...................................................................................................................................................... 46
3.4.3.1 Mass Flow vs. Volume Flow................................................................................................................. 47
3.4.3.2 Volumetrically Based Mass Flow Units................................................................................................. 48
3.4.3.3 Volumetrically Based Mass Flow Units at Various Reference Temperatures (UXXX) ........................... 49
3.4.3.4 Volume Flow Units (vlm)....................................................................................................................... 49
3.4.3.5 Customizing FLOW Units Available Under The UNIT Function............................................................. 50
3.4.4 [TARE]..................................................................................................................................................... 51
3.4.4.1 <1Tare> ............................................................................................................................................... 52
3.4.4.2 <2Purge>............................................................................................................................................. 56
3.4.4.3 <3Leak Check>.................................................................................................................................... 57
3.4.4.4 <4AutoZ>............................................................................................................................................. 64
3.4.4.5 <5BPR> (molbloc-S Operation Only).................................................................................................... 69
3.4.5 [P&T] (Pressure and Temperature) ....................................................................................................... 70
3.4.5.1 molbloc-L Operation............................................................................................................................. 71
3.4.5.2 MOLBLOC-S operation........................................................................................................................ 71
3.4.6 [DISPLAY]............................................................................................................................................... 72
3.4.6.1 <1Rate>............................................................................................................................................... 73
3.4.6.2 <2Avg> (Average)................................................................................................................................ 74
3.4.6.3 <3 Hi/Lo> ............................................................................................................................................. 74
3.4.6.4 <4Total> (Totalizer).............................................................................................................................. 75
3.4.6.5 <5Unit>................................................................................................................................................ 77
3.4.6.6 <6Deviation>........................................................................................................................................ 78
3.4.6.7 <7Freeze>............................................................................................................................................ 80
3.4.6.8 <8Clean> ............................................................................................................................................. 80
3.4.7 [A/B] ........................................................................................................................................................ 81
3.4.8 [MFC](Optional)...................................................................................................................................... 81
3.4.8.1 MFC Run Screens................................................................................................................................ 82
3.4.8.2 MFC Profiles........................................................................................................................................ 83
3.4.8.3 Units of Measure When Using the MFC Control Option........................................................................ 83
3.4.9 [RES]....................................................................................................................................................... 84
3.5 [SETUP].................................................................................................................................................84
3.5.1 <1molbloc>............................................................................................................................................. 85
3.5.1.1 molbloc-L and molbloc-S Size and Range Designations....................................................................... 86
3.5.2 <2stab> ................................................................................................................................................... 87
3.5.3 <3ADJ> ................................................................................................................................................... 87
3.5.4 <4A_B> ................................................................................................................................................... 88
3.5.4.1 General Operation (Aspects Common to Both A_B Modes) ................................................................. 89
3.5.4.2 A+B mode............................................................................................................................................ 90
3.5.4.3 A/B Mode............................................................................................................................................. 90
3.5.5 <5MFC>................................................................................................................................................... 91
3.5.6 <6REG>................................................................................................................................................... 92
3.5.7 <7FLOWU>.............................................................................................................................................. 93
3.5.8 <8PRESU> .............................................................................................................................................. 93
3.5.9 <9TEMPU>.............................................................................................................................................. 94
3.6 [SPECIAL] .............................................................................................................................................95
3.6.1 <1reset>.................................................................................................................................................. 95
3.6.1.1 <1sets>................................................................................................................................................ 96
3.6.1.2 <2units>............................................................................................................................................... 96
3.6.1.3 <3MFC>............................................................................................................................................... 97
3.6.1.4 <4cal>.................................................................................................................................................. 97
3.6.1.5 <5all>................................................................................................................................................... 97
3.6.2 <2level>................................................................................................................................................... 98
3.6.2.1 Security Levels..................................................................................................................................... 98
3.6.3 <3UL>.....................................................................................................................................................101
3.6.3.1 Upper Limit Alarm and Sequence........................................................................................................102
3.6.4 <4cal>.....................................................................................................................................................102
3.6.5 <5Prefs>.................................................................................................................................................102
3.6.5.1 <1ScrSVR>.........................................................................................................................................103
3.6.5.2 <3ID>..................................................................................................................................................103

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page III © 1995 - 2010 Fluke Corporation, DH Instruments Division
3.6.5.3 <3Time>..............................................................................................................................................104
3.6.6 <6REMOTE> ..........................................................................................................................................104
3.6.6.1 COM1 and COM2 ...............................................................................................................................105
3.6.6.2 IEEE-488.............................................................................................................................................105
3.6.6.3 RS232 Self-Test..................................................................................................................................105
3.6.7 <7Drivers> .............................................................................................................................................106
3.6.8 <8Head>.................................................................................................................................................106
3.6.9 <9BPR>..................................................................................................................................................107
4. Remote Operation ......................................................... 111
4.1 Overview .............................................................................................................................................111
4.2 Interfacing...........................................................................................................................................111
4.2.1 RS232 Interface.....................................................................................................................................111
4.2.1.1 COM1 .................................................................................................................................................112
4.2.1.2 COM2 .................................................................................................................................................112
4.2.2 IEEE-488 (GPIB).....................................................................................................................................113
4.3 Commands..........................................................................................................................................113
4.3.1 Command Syntax..................................................................................................................................113
4.3.2 Command Summary .............................................................................................................................113
4.3.3 Error Messages.....................................................................................................................................115
4.3.4 Command Descriptions........................................................................................................................116
4.3.4.1 IEEE Std. 488.2 Common and Status Commands...............................................................................116
4.3.4.2 molbox1+ commands..........................................................................................................................118
4.4 Status System.....................................................................................................................................138
4.4.1 Status Reporting System......................................................................................................................138
4.4.1.1 Status Byte Register............................................................................................................................138
4.4.1.2 Standard Event Register.....................................................................................................................140
5. Maintenance, Adjustments and Calibration...................... 141
5.1 Product Overview...............................................................................................................................141
5.2 Calibration Of Reference Pressure Transducers (RPTS)....................................................................142
5.2.1 Principle.................................................................................................................................................142
5.2.1.1 PA and PM Coefficients ......................................................................................................................142
5.2.2 Equipment Required .............................................................................................................................143
5.2.3 Set-Up and Preparation ........................................................................................................................143
5.2.4 Viewing and Editing RPT Readings and Calibration Information.......................................................144
5.2.4.1 Viewing RPT outputs...........................................................................................................................144
5.2.4.2 Viewing and Editing RPT PA, PM and Calibration Date ...........................................................................145
5.2.5 RPT Calibration/Adjustment Procedure Without Using CalTool for RPTs Software.........................146
5.3 MFC Control Function Adjustment...................................................................................................148
5.4 OHMIC Measurement [Temperature] System Verification..............................................................149
5.4.1 OHMIC Measurement System Calibration/Adjustment Procedure.....................................................151
5.5 molbloc Flow Adjustment..................................................................................................................152
5.5.1 molbloc Adjustment Procedure Without Using CalTool for molbloc Software .................................153
5.6 Reloading Embedded Software Into molbox1+ Flash Memory ......................................................154
5.7 Reloading molbloc EEPROM File......................................................................................................154
5.8 OVERHAUL .........................................................................................................................................154
6. Troubleshooting............................................................ 157
6.1 Overview .............................................................................................................................................157

MOLBOX1+™/MOLBOX1+S, MOLBLOC TERMINAL OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE MANUAL
© 1995 - 2010 Fluke Corporation, DH Instruments Division Page IV
7. Appendix...................................................................... 163
7.1 Conversion of Numerical Values ......................................................................................................163
7.1.1 Pressure ................................................................................................................................................163
7.1.2 Temperature..........................................................................................................................................163
7.1.3 Flow .......................................................................................................................................................164
7.2 Valve Drivers.......................................................................................................................................166
7.3 MFC Control Function........................................................................................................................168
7.3.1 MFC Connector .....................................................................................................................................168
7.3.1.1 Detailed Signal Descriptions................................................................................................................168
7.3.1.2 Popular Configurations........................................................................................................................169
7.4 Warranty Statement ...........................................................................................................................171
8. Glossary ...................................................................... 173

Page V © 1995 - 2010 Fluke Corporation, DH Instruments Division
Tables
Table 1. molbloc-L Pressure Dependent Calibration Types........................................................................7
Table 2. molbloc-L Ranges with Low Pressure and Downstream Calibrations...........................................7
Table 3: molbloc-L Ranges with High Pressure Calibrations......................................................................8
Table 4: molbloc-S Calibration Types.........................................................................................................11
Table 5: N2. molbloc-S Flow in Nitrogen at Various molbloc Upstream Pressures...................................13
Table 6: Ar. molbloc-S Flow in Argon at Various molbloc Upstream Pressures........................................13
Table 7: He. molbloc-S Flow in Helium at Various molbloc Upstream Pressures.....................................14
Table 8: SF6. molbloc-S Flow in Sulfur Hexafluoride at Various molbloc Upstream Pressures ...............14
Table 9: Xe. molbloc-S Flow in Xenon at Various molbloc Upstream Pressures......................................15
Table 10: C4H10. molbloc-S Flow in Butane at Various molbloc Upstream Pressures............................15
Table 11: C2H6. molbloc-S Flow in Ethane at Various molbloc Upstream Pressures..............................16
Table 12: C2H4. molbloc-S Flow in Ethylene at Various molbloc Upstream Pressures ...........................16
Table 13: H2. molbloc-S Flow in Hydrogen at Various molbloc Upstream Pressures ..............................17
Table 14: CH4. molbloc-S Flow in Methane at Various molbloc Upstream Pressures..............................17
Table 15: C3H8. molbloc-S Flow in Propane at Various molbloc Upstream Pressures............................18
Table 16: CF4. molbloc-S Flow in Carbon Tetrafluoride at Various molbloc Upstream Pressures...........18
Table 17: C2F6. molbloc-S Flow in Hexafluoroethene at Various molbloc Upstream Pressures .............19
Table 18: CHF3. molbloc-S Flow in Trifluoromethane at Various molbloc Upstream Pressures..............19
Table 19: Air. molbloc-S Flow in Air at Various molbloc Upstream Pressures..........................................20
Table 20: CO2. molbloc-S Flow in Carbon Dioxide at Various molbloc Upstream Pressures ..................20
Table 21: CO. molbloc-S Flow in Carbon Monoxide at Various molbloc Upstream Pressures.................21
Table 22: N2O. molbloc-S Flow in Nitrous Oxide at Various molbloc Upstream Pressures .....................21
Table 23: C4F8. molbloc-S Flow in Octafluorocyclobutane1 at Various molbloc Upstream Pressures....22
Table 24: O2. molbloc-S Flow in Oxygen at Various molbloc Upstream Pressures..................................22
Table 25: molbox1+ Parts List ....................................................................................................................25
Table 26: Minimum molbloc-S Critical Flow (slm) in Nitrogen at Various molbloc-S
Downstream Pressures ...........................................................................................................36
Table 27: Summary of molbox1+ Direct Function Key Operations............................................................40
Table 28. Available molbloc-L Gases ........................................................................................................43
Table 29. Available Flow Units...................................................................................................................50
Table 30. Flow Units and Corresponding Total Mass or Volume Units.....................................................77
Table 31. molbloc-L Size and Nominal Range Designations.....................................................................86
Table 32. molbloc-S Size and Pressure to Flow Conversion Ratio (KF) ....................................................86
Table 33. Pressure Units of Measure Available.........................................................................................94
Table 34. Security Levels - Functions NOT Executed Per Function/Level................................................99
Table 35. COM1 and COM2 Available Settings.......................................................................................105
Table 36. COM1 DB-9F Pin Designation.................................................................................................112
Table 37. COM2 DB-9M Pin Designation ................................................................................................112
Table 38. Command Summary................................................................................................................113
Table 39. Error Messages........................................................................................................................115
Table 40. Status Byte Register ................................................................................................................138
Table 41. Standard Event Register..........................................................................................................140
Table 42. Troubleshooting Checklist........................................................................................................157
Table 43. Pressure Unit Conversions ......................................................................................................163
Table 44. Temperature Unit Conversion..................................................................................................163
Table 45. Conversions from kg/s to sccm at 0 °C for Various Gases......................................................164

MOLBOX1+™/MOLBOX1+S, MOLBLOC TERMINAL OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE MANUAL
© 1995 - 2010 Fluke Corporation, DH Instruments Division Page VI
Table 46. Conversions from sccm at 0 °C to Other Volumetrically Based Flow Units.............................164
Table 47. Conversions from Volumetrically Based Flow Units at 0 °C to
Corresponding Units at Another Temperature (uxxx)............................................................165
Table 48. Conversions from kg/s to mole/s for Various Gases................................................................165
Table 49. Conversion from mole/s to pccm .............................................................................................165
Table 50. Conversion from sccm at 0 °C to Volume Flow Units at
Another Pressure and Temperature......................................................................................166
Table 51. Driver/Max Current Per Output ................................................................................................166
Table 52. External Drivers........................................................................................................................167
Table 53. Interface Cable Building Instructions .......................................................................................168
Table 54. Common MFC Connector Pin Out...........................................................................................170
Table 55. Brooks MFC Connector Pin Out ..............................................................................................170
Table 56. DHI Authorized Service Providers ...........................................................................................171
Figures
Figure 1. molbox1+ Front Panel.................................................................................................................24
Figure 2. Rear Panel..................................................................................................................................24
Figure 3. molbox1+ Internal Pneumatic Schematic - CHANNEL A ACTIVE, molbloc-L OPERATION.....33
Figure 4. Keypad Layout............................................................................................................................39
Figure 5. molbox1+ Internal Pneumatic Schematic –................................................................................52
Figure 6. molbox1+ Internal Pneumatic Schematic –
TARING CHANNEL A, molbloc-S OPERATION.....................................................................55
Figure 7. molbox1+ Internal Pneumatic Schematic – PURGING CHANNEL A ........................................56
Figure 8. molbox1+ Internal Pneumatic Schematic - LEAK CHECK molbox CHANNEL A.......................59
Figure 9. molbox1+ Internal Pneumatic Schematic - SYSTEM LEAK CHECK -
CHECKING OFFSET AND STABILITY...................................................................................60
Figure 10. molbox1+ Internal Pneumatic Schematic - SYSTEM LEAK CHECK ON CHANNEL A -
CHECKING OFFSET AND STABILITY...................................................................................63
Figure 11. molbox1+ Internal Pneumatic Schematic – molbloc-S OPERATION,
CHANNEL A, BPR ON ..........................................................................................................108
Figure 12. molbox1+ Internal Pneumatic Schematic –molbloc-S OPERATION,
CHANNEL A, BPR OFF ........................................................................................................108
Figure 13. Status Byte Register...............................................................................................................139
Figure 14. molbox1+ Internal Pneumatic Schematic -.............................................................................145
Figure 15. Cable Driver Ports ..................................................................................................................167

Page VII © 1995 - 2010 Fluke Corporation, DH Instruments Division
About This Manual
This manual provides the user with the information necessary to operate a molbox1+ and a molbox1+S
molbloc terminal with molbloc mass flow elements to make mass flow measurements. Unless stated
otherwise, references to molbox1+ also include molbox1+S. It also includes a great deal of additional
information provided to help you optimize use of a molbloc/molbox1+ system and take full advantage of
its many features and functions.
Before using the manual, take a moment to familiarize yourself with the Table of Contents structure.
All first time molbox1+ users should read Section 1. Section 3.1 provides a comprehensive description of
general molbox1+ operating principles. Section 4. is for remote operation from an external computer.
Section 5 provides maintenance and calibration information. Section 6 is a quick troubleshooting guide.
Use this section to troubleshoot unexpected molbox1+ behavior based on the symptoms of that behavior.
Cross references are used extensively to direct you towards additional information on a topic.
Cross references are generally in parentheses and give the reference’s section number. For example:
(see Section 11).
Certain words and expressions have specific meaning as they pertain to molbox1+. The Glossary
Section is useful as a quick reference for exact definition of specific words and expressions as they are
used in this manual.
Note
For those of you who “don’t read manuals”, go directly to section 2.3, initial setup,
to set up your molbox1+. Then go to section 2.4, power up and verification. This
will get you running quickly with minimal risk of causing damage to yourself or
your molbox1+. Then… when you have questions or start to wonder about all the
great features you might be missing, get into the manual!
Manual Conventions
Caution
“Caution” is used in throughout the manual to identify conditions or actions that
could cause harm to the molbox1+ or to the devices that are connected to the
molbox1+.
Warning
“Warning” is used in throughout the manual to identify actions that could pose a
hazard to the user of the molbox1+.
Note
“Note” is used throughout the manual to identify operating and applications advice
and additional explanations.
[ ] Indicates direct function keys (e.g., [RANGE]).
< > Indicates molbox1+ screen displays (e.g., <1yes>).

MOLBOX1+™/MOLBOX1+S, MOLBLOC TERMINAL OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE MANUAL
© 1995 - 2010 Fluke Corporation, DH Instruments Division Page VIII
Notes