Fox Thermal FT4A User manual

831.384.4300 | 399 Reservation Rd, Marina, CA 93933 | foxthermal.com
MODEL
Instruction Manual
Document #107265
Rev H
Fox Thermal Gas Mass Flow Meter
F T4 A

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Fox Thermal FT4A Manuals:
• Fox Thermal FT4A View™ Manual
All Fox Thermal Manuals and software available in English only.
Model FT4A
Disclaimer
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This publication must be read in its entirety before performing any operation. Failure to
understand and follow these instructions could result in serious personal injury and/or
damage to the equipment. Should this equipment require repair or adjustment beyond
the procedures given herein, contact the factory at:
FOX THERMAL INSTRUMENTS, INC.
399 RESERVATION ROAD
MARINA, CA 93933
TELEPHONE: [phone]
EMAIL: [e-mail]
Download Technical Data Sheets from our website:
www.foxthermal.com
Fox Thermal Instruments, Inc. (Fox Thermal) believes that the information
provided herein is accurate; however, be advised that the information contained
herein is NOT a guarantee for satisfactory results. Specically, this information is
neither a warranty nor guarantee, expressed or implied, regarding performance,
merchantability, tness, or any other matter with respect to the products; nor
recommendation for the use of the product/process information in conict with
any patent. Please note that Fox Thermal reserves the right to change and/or
improve the product design and specication without notice.

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Model FT4A
Table of Contents
1. Introduction p. 4-19
a. Quick Start Guide .........................................................................p. 6
b. Menu Trees ..............................................................................p. 8
c. General ................................................................................p. 17
2. Installation (Mechanical) p. 20-31
a. Lateral Placement ........................................................................p. 21
b. Weld Branch Outlet ......................................................................p. 23
c. Installation Depth ........................................................................p. 24
d. Orientation .............................................................................p. 25
e. Mounting Instructions ....................................................................p. 27
f. Retractor Installation......................................................................p. 29
3. Wiring (Electrical) p. 32-42
a. Wiring Access ...........................................................................p. 33
b. Input Power.............................................................................p. 36
c. Signal Wiring ............................................................................p. 35
d. Pulse/Alarm Wiring (optional feature) ......................................................p. 40
e. RS485 Wiring: Modbus RTU (optional feature) ...............................................p. 41
f. HART wiring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 42
4. Operation (Standard Operation) p. 43-67
a. Start Up ................................................................................p. 45
b. Programming ...........................................................................p. 47
c. CAL-V™.................................................................................p. 63
d. Gas-Select® ............................................................................p. 66
5. Communication Protocols p. 72-86
a. Modbus RTU ............................................................................p. 70
b. HART...................................................................................p. 81
6. Maintenance p. 87-93
a. Safe Meter Removal from Retractor ........................................................p. 87
b. Troubleshooting .........................................................................p. 92

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Model FT4A
Table of Contents
7. Appendices p. 98-109
 ...........................................................................p. 96
b. Agency Approvals .......................................................................p. 99
c. Dimensions ............................................................................p. 100
d. Warranty ..............................................................................p. 105
e. Returning your meter ...................................................................p. 106
 
9. Index p. 109

1. Record inside diameter (ID). Ensure the actual pipe ID
matches the pipe ID shown on the factory calibration


2.
Record up/downstream straight-pipe requirements
based on Pipe ID and meter style (insertion or inline).
[refer to p. 21]
3. a. The Flow Direction Indicator must point in the

b. The housing can be rotated for a better view of
the meter's display. Note that the 2 set screws must
be loosened before the housing will turn. [refer to p.
25]
4.

pipe, please see note on p. 24.
5. Open the housing. If needed, the orientation of
display can be rotated in 90° increments for a better
view.
[refer to p. 26 for more information]
6.
Ensure power wiring [p. 36] and 4-20mA wiring [p.
37 - p. 38] properly connected. [refer to Wiring
section p. 33 for more information]
7.
Verify you have the proper output signal wiring
[refer to p. 37 - p. 42 for more information]
8.

9. 
of the display or by using the FT4A View™ software tool. Record the settings in the spaces given for
items A - F on the following page.
Use the table below as a guide while using the worksheet on the next page to record your notes.
NOTE! Please read the entire quick-start procedure before beginning installation.
ID OD
FLOW
4X = Inline
10X = Insertion
8X = Inline
15X = Insertion
Pipe ID min.
INDICATOR:
- POINT IN DIRECTION
OF FLOW
- REMOVE TO ROTATE
HOUSING ±90º,
±180º
- REPLACE INDICATOR
WHEN DONE
LOOSEN HOUSING
WITH 2 FRONT SET
SCREWS, RETIGHTEN
WHEN DONE
FLOW
FLOW
PIPE
0.73"
(18.5 mm)
L
C
F1 F2 F3 F4
ACCESS DISPLAY
BY UNSCREWING COVER
REMOVE SCREWS ON
DISPLAY TO ROTATE
DISPLAY ±180°
( - ) (+) ( - )(+)(
- )
Power
12-28VDC
4-20mA Pulse
!
F1 F2 F3 F4
Initializing...
( - )(+) ( - )(+)(
- )(+)
Power
12-28VDC
4-20mA Pulse
/Alarm
!(
- )(+)
Power
12-28VDC
4-20mA(
-
)
!
4-20mA(+) Common Tx/Rx(
-
)
Tx/Rx(+)
Quick Start Guide | 6
Model FT4A
Quick Start Guide

Item to verify
Serial Number: Serial Number: Serial Number: Serial Number:
1. What is the Pipe ID? ID = ID = ID = ID =
2. Calculate the Upstream/
Downstream straight-pipe
requirements
UP =
DN =
UP =
DN =
UP =
DN =
UP =
DN =
3. 

b. Must the housing be rotated for
easy viewing?
Y / N
Y / N
Y / N
Y / N
Y / N
Y / N
Y / N
Y / N
4. Is the probe depth setting correct? Y / N Y / N Y / N Y / N
5. Have you rotated the display for
easier viewing?
Y / N Y / N Y / N Y / N
6. Verify proper power wiring
7. Verify proper input/output wiring
After applying power to your meter, check items A - E below by accessing the meter settings either through
the front panel of the meter's display or by using the FT4A View™ software tool.
A. 
meter? (SCFM, KG/H, etc..)
B. Correct values for reference
temperature and pressure?
Y / N Y / N Y / N Y / N
C. 

D. Verify the 4mA and 20mA meter
settings
4mA =
20mA =
4mA =
20mA =
4mA =
20mA =
4mA =
20mA =
E. 
for your application in the Gas-
SelectX®menu
4mA =
20mA =
4mA =
20mA =
4mA =
20mA =
4mA =
20mA =
Your Notes:
Before applying power to your meter, use this worksheet to record your notes.
If you are experiencing any problems after completing this procedure, please call the Fox
Thermal Service Department at 831-384-4300 to review this information.
Quick Start Guide | 7
Model FT4A
Quick Start Guide

MAIN MENU
I/O FLO DSP EXIT
SET I/O
COM 420 EXIT
Comm=Modbus
NXT OK
None
Modbus mA=Flow
NXT OK
20 mA=2345.6 SCFM
CHG OK
4 mA=0 SCFM
CHG OK
Temp
Flow Analog Outputs
Level 2 Password
Baud=9600
NXT OK
Parity=NONE
NXT OK
Address=02
CHG OK
1200
2400
4800
9600
19200
38400
57600
76800
115200
NONE
ODD
EVEN
01-247
Enter menu by scolling to display 4
and entering the password
mA Fault=Not used
NXT OK
Not used
3.6 mA
21 mA
SET I/O
PUL 420 EXIT
If RS485 hardware detected
/with license
Communicaon
OROR SET I/O
COM PUL 420 EXIT
Comm=HART
OK
Address=0
CHG OK
If pulse/alarm hardware detectedIf HART hardware detected/with license
0-63
None
HART
20 mACnt=52900
CHG OK
4 mACnt=2515
CHG OK
}
Display Menu, p. 12
Flow Menu 1, p. 10
Digital Output Menu, p. 9
Model FT4A
Introduction | 8
Introduction
Fig. 1.1: FT4A Menu Tree - Main Menu
NOTE! Some menus will only be available with a level 2 password.
NOTE! Menu tree boxes are populated with example values.

OUT=Pulse
NXTOK
Notused
Pulse
HiFloAlm
LoFloAlm
HiTempAlm
LoTempAlm
SystemAlarm
PulseOutput
P/UU/PFEQEXIT
PLS/UNT=2
CHGOK
UNT/PLS=0.5
CHGOK
MaxFreq=100Hz
CHGOK
MaxFlo=5000SCFM
CHGOK
HiFloAlm=500SCFM
CHGOK
LoFloAlm=100SCFM
CHGOK
HiTempAlm=250°F
CHGOK
LoTempAlm=10F
CHGOK
HighFlowAlarm
LowFlowAlarm
HighTempAlarm
LowTempAlarm
Select1of3
methodstoscale
thepulseoutput
Pulse
OUT=HiFloAlm
NXTOK
OUT=LoFloAlm
NXTOK
OUT=HiTempAlm
NXTOK
OUT=LoTempAlm
NXTOK
SetI/O
PUL420EXIT
Alarmoutput
MAINMENU
I/OFLODSPEXIT
OUT=SystemAlarm
NXTOK

SystemAlarm
(See Flow Menu 2, p. 11, for more alarm
settings)
NOTE! A value of 0 disables the
alarms
Model FT4A
Introduction | 9
Introduction
Fig. 1.2: FT4A Menu Tree - Digital Outputs

FLOWMENU1
DGNUNTFM2EXIT
DIAGNOSTIC
SIMCAL‐VEXIT
FloSim=0SCFM
CHGOK
TmpSim=0°F
CHGOK
ENABLESIM?
YESNO
FLOUNT=SCFM
NXTOK
SCFM
SCFH
NM3/H
NM3/M
KG/H
KG/M
KG/S
LBS/H
LBS/M
LBS/S
NLPH
NLPM
MMSCFD
LBS/D
SLPM
NLPS
MSCFD
SM3/H
MT/H
NM3/D
MMSCFM
SCFD
MCFD
SM3/M
SM3/D
TMPUNT=°F
NXTOK
DegF
DegC
TmpRef=60°F
CHGOK
PRESUNT=Psia
NXTOK
PresRef=14.73
CHGOK
mmHG
Psia
bara
SimulateFlow?
YESNO
SimulateTemp?
YESNO
DNS=1.2323kg/m3
OK
MAINMENU
I/OFLODSPEXIT
Flow Menu 2 Menu, p. 11
CAL-V™ Menu, p. 13
Model FT4A
Introduction | 10
Introduction
Fig. 1.3: FT4A Menu Tree - Flow Menu 1

FLOWMENU2
GASSPCPRMEXIT
Kfact=0%
CHGOK
RESETCRC?
YESNO
Cutoff=12.5SCFM
CHGOK
Pipe_id=4.026In
CHGOK
Filter=0.8Sec
CHGOK
Parameters
Flowcutoffinselectedunits
Pipeidininchesormm
FlowFilterinseconds
Min=0.8,max=10
HiFloAlm=0SCFM
CHGOK
LoFloAlm=0SCFM
CHGOK
HiTmpAlm=0°F
CHGOK
LoTmpAlm=0°F
CHGOK
 Thesealarmscanbeusedwithoutthedigitaloutputassignedto
thealarm.
 Ifthatisthecase,thealarmstatuswillonlybeshownonthe
display,throughserialcommunicationorFT4AView™.
 Ifthedigitaloutputisassignedtoanalarm,changingthevalue
herewillchangethatsetting.
Level2password
RESTOREDATABASE?
YESNO
MAINMENU
I/OFLODSPEXIT
FLOWMENU1
DGNUNTFM2EXIT
SETNRT?
YESNO
TOTALRESETON
OK
AREYOUSURE?
YESNO
WARNING:Oncethenon‐
resettabletotalizerisactivated,
itcannotbeundone.
Thismessagewillshowfor3
secondsbeforereturningto
FlowMenu2.
Gas-SelectX
®
Menu, p. 14
Model FT4A
Introduction | 11
Introduction
Fig. 1.4: FT4A Menu Tree - Flow Menu 2

DISPLAY/PASSWORD
DSPPSWEXIT
DSP1L1=FLorate
NXTOK
FLorate
Total
Elps
Temp
Alarm
DSP1L2=Total
NXTOK
DSP2L1=Temp
NXTOK
DSP2L2=Elps
NXTOK
ALTERNATE=Off
NXTOK
On
Off
PASSWD=1234
CHGOK
FLorate
Total
Elps
Temp
Alarm
FLorate
Total
Elps
Temp
Alarm
FLorate
Total
Elps
Temp
Alarm
Whenalternate
"ON",flashes
betweenthe2
displays
Display1
Line1
Display2
Line1
Display2
Line2
MAINMENU
I/OFLODSPEXIT
Display1
Line2
Model FT4A
Introduction | 12
Introduction
Fig. 1.5: FT4A Menu Tree - Display Menu
NOTE! All readings updated every 100 milliseconds except
Total is done every second
• Flo Rate = Flow rate of process gas
• 
• 
• Temp = Temperature of process gas
• 

DIAGNOSTICMENU
SIMCAL‐VEXIT
CAL‐VMENU
VEREXIT
VerifyingCAL‐V
PleaseWait
CAL‐V=0.259
PassOK
DisplaysaCAL‐Vvalue
duringtest
VERIFYCAL‐V?
YESNO
CAL‐V=0.911
WarningOK
CAL‐V=2.321
FailOK
FLOWMENU1
DGNUNTFM2EXIT
MAINMENU
I/OFLODSPEXIT
VerifyingCAL‐V
0.512T=123
Displaysthetest’s
countdowntimer
Flo:Holdvalue
NXTEXITOK
Holdvalue
Gotozero
TakeControl
Off‐lineEXITOK
CAL‐VFail
Greaterthan±1.0
CAL‐VPass
Lessthan±0.80
CAL‐VWarning
Between±0.80to±1.0
Model FT4A
Introduction | 13
Introduction
Fig. 1.6: FT4A Menu Tree - CAL-V™ Menu

FLOWMENU2
GASPRMEXIT
Hydrogen=0%
CHGOK
GAS=Mix
NXTOK
PureGas
Mix
O&GMix
Propane=0%
CHGOK
Err:Mix=110%
CHG
CO2=25.5%
CHGOK
Showsonlyifgasmix
doesnotequal100.0%.
Helium=0%
CHGOK
Argon=0%
CHGOK
MAINMENU
I/OFLODSPEXIT
FLOWMENU1
DGNUNTFM2EXIT
GasMix100%
CHGOK
Methane=65.5%
CHGOK
Oxygen=0%
CHGOK
Butane=0%
CHGOK
Nitrogen=5%
CHGOK
Showsonlyifno
errorisdetected.
PressingOKallows
exittomenu.
Besuremixture
equals100%.
OR
Air=0%
CHGOK
GAS=O&GMix
NXTOK
Pentanes=0%
CHGOK
GAS=O&GMix
NXTOK
Heptanes=0%
CHGOK
O&GMix100%
CHGOK
Ethane=0%
CHGOK
Showsonlyifgasmix
doesnotequal100.0%.
i‐Butane=0%
CHGOK
n‐Butane=0%
CHGOK
Err:Mix=105%
CHG
Methane=45.5%
CHGOK
Nonanes+=0%
CHGOK
Octanes=0%
CHGOK
Propane=54.5%
CHGOK
Showsonlyifnoerroris
detected.PressingOK
allowsexittomenu.
OR
Hexanes=0%
CHGOK
CO2=0%
CHGOK
Nitrogen=0%
CHGOK
Nonanes+=Totalofall
gasesC9andgreater.
Methane
CO2
Nitrogen
Air
NaturalGas
Argon
Propane
Helium
Oxygen
Butane
Hydrogen
Ethane
Ethylene
Propylene
GAS=Methane
NXTOK
Ethane=0%
CHGOK
Propylene=0%
CHGOK
Ethylene=0%
CHGOK
Propylene=0%
CHGOK
Ethylene=0%
CHGOK
Model FT4A
Introduction | 14
Introduction
Fig. 1.7: FT4A Menu Tree - Gas-SelectX
®
Menu
The most recent list of available gases
can be found on the Fox Thermal
website:
www.foxthermal.com/products/FT4A.php#gasSelectX

Engineering Screens
3124.6SCFM
csv=0.3432Volt
EnterLogMenu:PressF1&F2atthesametime
PressF4toreturntonormalmode
Display10
Display11
Display12
Display13
Pulse=1234.5cnt
mA_420=234cnt
Display14
Elp=12.5HR
Stat(hex)=2800
Display15
Alarm=None
FT4XV5.3
Display16
Display17
MB_Sn=P23949
BB_Sn=P23945
Display18
MTR_Sn=123456
SNS_Sn=234567
Display19
TmpHi=0.0°F
TmpLo=0.0°F
F3&F4pressedatthesametimewill
initiatea"Total"reset
Pwr_Cycl=24
Err_tot=0
FloHi=0.00SCFM
FloLo=0.00SCFM
CAL‐V=0.1
PwrOff=48.0
LOGMENU1
LOGTOTENGEXIT
Day1=0SCF
NXTPRVEXIT
Day40=0SCF
NXTPRVEXIT
4024‐hourtotalslisted
PressF1tonavigateup
PressF2tonavigatedown
PressF4toreturntonormalmode
Flowratemeasuredbythemeter
CurrentSenseVoltageofsensormeasurementcircuit
DigitalcontrolcountsofPulseoutput
Digitalcontrolcountof4‐20mAoutput
Elapsedtimeofmeteroperation
Meterfunctionandoperationstatuscode
Meter’sactivealarms
Firmwareversionofmeter
Mainboardserialnumber
Bridgeboardserialnumber
Meterserialnumber
Sensorserialnumber
Alarmsetting
Alarmsetting
Alarmsetting
Alarmsetting
Totalnumberofpowercycles
Numberoferrorsintotalflowmeasurement
CAL‐Vmeasurementvalue
Elapsedtimeofmeterpoweroffinhours
ResetTotal?
NOYES
ResettingTotal

Fig. 1.9: FT4A Menu Tree - Reset Flow Total
Log Menu 2, p. 16
Model FT4A
Introduction | 15
Introduction
3124.6SCFM
csv=0.3432Volt
EnterLogMenu:PressF1&F2atthesametime
PressF4toreturntonormalmode
Screen10
Screen11
Screen12
Screen13
Pulse=1234.5cnt
mA_420=234cnt
Screen14
Elp=12.5HR
Stat(hex)=2800
Screen15
Alarm=None
FT4AV5.0
Screen16
Screen17
MB_Sn=P23949
BB_Sn=P23945
Screen18
MTR_Sn=123456
SNS_Sn=234567
Screen19
TmpHi=0.0°F
TmpLo=0.0°F
F3&F4pressedatthesametimewill
initiatea"Total"reset
Pwr_Cycl=24
Err_tot=0
FloHi=0.00SCFM
FloLo=0.00SCFM
CAL‐V=0.1
LOGMENU1
LOGENGEXIT
PressF1tonavigateup
PressF2tonavigatedown
PressF4toreturntonormalmode
Flowratemeasuredbythemeter
CurrentSenseVoltageofsensormeasurementcircuit
DigitalcontrolcountsofPulseoutput
Digitalcontrolcountof4‐20mAoutput
Elapsedtimeofmeteroperation
Meterfunctionandoperationstatuscode
Meter’sactivealarms
Firmwareversionofmeter
Mainboardserialnumber
Bridgeboardserialnumber
Meterserialnumber
Sensorserialnumber
Alarmsetting
Alarmsetting
Alarmsetting
Alarmsetting
Totalnumberofpowercycles
Numberoferrorsintotalflowmeasurement

Fig. 1.8: FT4A Menu Tree - Log Menu 1
NOTE!
• All values in Log Menu 1 are view only. These values
cannot be changed from this menu

Model FT4A
Introduction | 16
Introduction
Enter:PressF1&F2atthesametime
PressF4toreturntonormalmode
F3&F4pressedatthesametimewill
initiatea"Total"reset
LOGMENU1
LOGENGEXIT
LOGMENU2
GASCFGVALEXIT
GAS=O&GMix
OK
Pentanes%=0.0
NXTPRVEXIT
Heptanes%=0.0
NXTPRVEXIT
Ethane%=0.0
NXTPRVEXIT
i‐Butane%=0.0
NXTPRVEXIT
n‐Butane%=0.0
NXTPRVEXIT
Methane%=45.0
NXTPRVEXIT
Nonanes%=0.0
NXTPRVEXIT
Octanes%=0.0
NXTPRVEXIT
Propane%=55.0
NXTPRVEXIT
Hexanes%=0.0
NXTPRVEXIT
CO2%=0.0
NXTPRVEXIT
Nitrogen%=0.0
NXTPRVEXIT
1307.14BTU/Ft3
NXTPRVEXIT
DNS=0.982Kg/M3
NXTPRVEXIT
Flow:SCFM
NXTPRVEXIT
Temp:°F
NXTPRVEXIT
RefPress:Psia
NXTPRVEXIT
Ch1:Flow
NXTPRVEXIT
20Ma=706.29
NXTPRVEXIT
4Ma=0.00
NXTPRVEXIT
FloHi=0.00SCFM
NXTPRVEXIT
FloLo=0.00SCFM
NXTPRVEXIT
TempHi=0.0°F
NXTPRVEXIT
TempLo=0.0°F
NXTPRVEXIT
DNS=0.982Kg/M3
NXTPRVEXIT
RefP=14.73psia
NXTPRVEXIT
RefT=60.00°F
NXTPRVEXIT
Kfact=0.00%
NXTPRVEXIT
Cutoff=12.5SCFM
NXTPRVEXIT
PipeID=4.026In
NXTPRVEXIT
Flt=0.80Sec
NXTPRVEXIT
MTR_Sn=123456
NXTPRVEXIT
FT4AV5.0
NXTPRVEXIT
Release:03_22_17
NXTPRVEXIT
CAL‐V=0.1
NXTPRVEXIT
CAL‐Verr=‐1.22%
NXTPRVEXIT
CAL‐V=Pass
NXTPRVEXIT
PCAL‐V=0.00
NXTPRVEXIT
PCAL‐Verr=0.00%
NXTPRVEXIT
PCAL‐V=Pass
NXTPRVEXIT
PressNXT(F1)tonavigatedown
PressPRV(F2)tonavigatebackup
GAS=Mix
OK
Methane%=45.0
NXTPRVEXIT
CO2%=0.0
NXTPRVEXIT
Nitrogen%=0.0
NXTPRVEXIT
Helium%=0.0
NXTPRVEXIT
Argon%=0.0
NXTPRVEXIT
Hydrogen%=0.0
NXTPRVEXIT
Air%=0.0
NXTPRVEXIT
Propane%=55.0
NXTPRVEXIT
Butane%=0.0
NXTPRVEXIT
Oxygen%=0.0
NXTPRVEXIT
Air
Argon
Butane
CO2
Methane
NaturalGas
Nitrogen
Oxygen
Helium
Hydrogen
Propane
GAS=PureGas
OK
1972.4BTU/Ft3
NXTPRVEXIT
DNS=1.4223Kg/M3
NXTPRVEXIT
1072.5BTU/Ft3
NXTPRVEXIT
DNS=0.7174Kg/M3
NXTPRVEXIT
GAS=Methane
OK
Ethane%=0.0
NXTPRVEXIT
Ethylene%=0.0
NXTPRVEXIT
Propylene%=0.0
NXTPRVEXIT
Ethylene%=0.0
NXTPRVEXIT
Propylene%=0.0
NXTPRVEXIT
Fig. 1.10: FT4A Menu Tree - Log Menu 2

Welcome


been invested to deliver advanced features, accurate measurement performance and outstanding
reliability.
This instruction manual contains the electrical and mechanical installation instructions as well as
details for programming, maintaining and troubleshooting the meter. This manual is divided into
the following sections: Introduction, Installation, Wiring, Operation, Communications, Maintenance,

Theory of Operation


gases absorb heat. A heated sensor placed in an air or gas stream transfers heat in proportion
to the stream’s mass velocity. There are two sensor elements. One sensor element detects the
gas temperature and a second element is maintained at a constant temperature above the gas


pressure range.
Mass Flow



As temperature and pressure changes, the gas volume changes but not its mass. Therefore a device


units (NM3/hr, NLPM) with no additional temperature or pressure measurements required.
Calibration Validation

Validation is to provide operators with the ability to verify that the meter is capturing accurate data
at scheduled recalibration times - or at any time - instead of sending the meter back to the factory

accurately by testing the functionality of the sensor and its associated signal processing circuitry. This
test can be done in the pipe under normal process conditions.
Flow Calibration



the meter is ready to use. The Fox Thermal Calibration Lab maintains instrument calibration data on



Model FT4A
Introduction | 17
Introduction

DDC-Sensor™Technology Description
The Fox Thermal DDC-Sensor™, a Direct Digitally Controlled sensor, is a state-of-the-art technology

circuitry, the DDC-Sensor™ is interfaced directly to the FT4A microprocessor for more control,
precision, and programmability. The DDC-Sensor™ quickly and accurately responds to changes in

temperature.
Fox Thermal's DDC-Sensor™provides a technology platform for calculating accurate gas correlations.
The FT4A correlation algorithms allow the meter to be calibrated on a single gas in the factory while
providing the user the ability to select other gases in the Gas-SelectX®gas menu. Fox Thermal's
model FT4A with its DDC-Sensor™, state-of-the-art correlation algorithms, and advanced Data Logger

I/O Description
The FT4A features a galvanically isolated 4-20mA analog output with HART communication option
and a second output for pulse or Modbus RTU (RS485). There is also a USB port for interfacing with a

and can be scaled by the user. The pulse output can be used for pulse or alarm, is programmable


FT4A View™ interfaces to the USB port and is a free Fox Thermal PC-based software program that

download on the Fox Thermal website.
Model FT4A
Introduction | 18
Introduction

Standard I/O
4-20mA Flow or Temperature
Pulse or Alarm
USB (Mini-B)
(Free FT4A View™ Software)
Outputs and Communication
are Galvanically Isolated
Selectable Output Options
RS485 Modbus RTU
HART Communication
Standard Digital Communications
12-24VDC Input
Power
Display and
Configuration Panel
F1 F2 F3 F4
FT4A Functional Diagram




data logging, and alarm limits.
Fig. 1.11: FT4A Function Diagram
Model FT4A
Introduction | 19
Introduction

Installation Scope
This section describes how to install the Fox Thermal model FT4A Flow Meter:
For Insertion Types:
1. Determine lateral position on the pipe.
2. Determine radial position of probe if moisture or condensation is present in the gas.
3. Verify sensor installation depth.
4. 
5. Determine if the display orientation must be changed.
6. 
For Inline Types:
1. Determine lateral position on the pipe.
2. 
3. Changing the display orientation.
4. 
Installation procedures must be performed using a combination of the end user’s best engineering
practices, in compliance with local codes, and with manufacturer’s recommendations.
General Precautions
The following general precautions should be observed:
1. 
enclosure.
2. 
application.
3. 
during installation.
4. Mounting FT4A in direct sunlight can cause the temperature inside the enclosure to
increase beyond design limits, resulting in failure of LCD display and reduced component
life. It is recommended that a sunshade be installed to avoid direct sunlight (see maximum

5. 
in the pipe.
6. Do not install the FT4A enclosure near an igniter, igniter-controller or switching equipment.
7. Do not install an external power supply in a cabinet containing an igniter controller or
switching equipment.
8. 

9. 

or ejection of the probe from the pipe. For all applications above 60 psig, the standard
stainless steel ferrule is required.
Installation | 20
Model FT4A
Installation