GE MG-101 User manual

GE
Measurement & Control Moisture
910-115 Rev. E
March 2012
MG-101
User’s Manual

www.ge-mcs.com
©2012 General Electric Company. All rights reserved.
Technical content subject to change without notice.
GE
Measurement & Control
MG-101
Field Moisture Calibration System
User’s Manual
910-115 Rev. E
March 2012

ii
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MG-101 User’s Manual iii
Preface
Information Paragraphs
•Note paragraphs provide information that provides a deeper understanding of the situation, but is not essential to
the proper completion of the instructions.
•Important paragraphs provide information that emphasizes instructions that are essential to proper setup of the
equipment. Failure to follow these instructions carefully may cause unreliable performance.
•Caution! paragraphs provide information that alerts the operator to a hazardous situation that can cause damage to
property or equipment.
•Warning! paragraphs provide information that alerts the operator to a hazardous situation that can cause injury to
personnel. Cautionary information is also included, when applicable.
Safety Issues
WARNING! It is the responsibility of the user to make sure all local, county, state and national codes,
regulations, rules and laws related to safety and safe operating conditions are met for each
installation.
Auxiliary Equipment
Local Safety Standards
The user must make sure that he operates all auxiliary equipment in accordance with local codes, standards,
regulations, or laws applicable to safety.
Working Area
WARNING! Auxiliary equipment may have both manual and automatic modes of operation. As equipment
can move suddenly and without warning, do not enter the work cell of this equipment during
automatic operation, and do not enter the work envelope of this equipment during manual
operation. If you do, serious injury can result.
WARNING! Make sure that power to the auxiliary equipment is turned OFF and locked out before you
perform maintenance procedures on the equipment.
Qualification of Personnel
Make sure that all personnel have manufacturer-approved training applicable to the auxiliary equipment.
Personal Safety Equipment
Make sure that operators and maintenance personnel have all safety equipment applicable to the auxiliary equipment.
Examples include safety glasses, protective headgear, safety shoes, etc.
Unauthorized Operation
Make sure that unauthorized personnel cannot gain access to the operation of the equipment.

Preface
iv MG-101 User’s Manual
Environmental Compliance
Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive
GE Measurement & Control is an active participant in Europe’s Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE)
take-back initiative, directive 2002/96/EC.
The equipment that you bought has required the extraction and use of natural resources for its production. It may
contain hazardous substances that could impact health and the environment.
In order to avoid the dissemination of those substances in our environment and to diminish the pressure on the natural
resources, we encourage you to use the appropriate take-back systems. Those systems will reuse or recycle most of the
materials of your end life equipment in a sound way.
The crossed-out wheeled bin symbol invites you to use those systems.
If you need more information on the collection, reuse and recycling systems, please contact your local or regional
waste administration.
Visit http://www.ge-mcs.com/en/about-us/environmental-health-and-safety/1741-weee-req.html for
take-back instructions and more information about this initiative.

MG-101 User’s Manual v
Contents
Information Paragraphs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iii
Safety Issues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iii
Auxiliary Equipment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iii
Environmental Compliance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iv
Chapter 1. General Information
1.1 Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
1.2 Theory Of Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
1.3 Initial Considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
1.3.1 Operating Range . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
1.3.2 Operating Environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
1.3.3 Operating Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Chapter 2. Setup and Operation
2.1 Preliminary Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
2.2 Operating Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
2.2.1 Calibrating the Moisture Samples. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
2.2.2 Using Data Table 3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
2.2.3 Using Data Table 2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
2.2.4 System Shutdown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
2.2.5 Preparation for Shipping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
Chapter 3. Specifications
3.1 Performance Specifications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
3.2 Operating Specifications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
3.3 Physical Specifications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
Appendix A. Supplemental Information
A.1 Formulas. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
A.2 Typical Examples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
A.2.1 Example 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
A.2.2 Example 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
A.3 Vapor Pressure and Calibration Tables. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

Contents
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MG-101 User’s Manual 1
Chapter 1. General Information
Chapter 1. General Information
1.1 Introduction
The MG-101 Field Calibration System is a portable moisture generator used for checking and, if necessary,
recalibrating GE Sensing moisture probes. The MG-101 can generate dew/frost points in the range of -75 to +20°C
(-103 to +68°F) dew/frost point temperature. It is a totally mechanical device requiring only a supply of dry nitrogen,
and it is inherently explosion-proof. Although specifically designed for calibrating GE Sensing moisture probes, the
MG-101 can be used for any application requiring accurate and repeatable moisture samples.
1.2 Theory Of Operation
Precise moisture concentrations are generated by passing dry nitrogen through a water saturator and mixing the
resulting saturated stream with a dry nitrogen stream from the same source, for a first dilution.
This resulting first dilution is then further diluted in a second mixing stage, resulting in dew/frost point temperatures as
low as -75°C (-103°F).
The MG-101 consists of the following components:
•Pressure regulator
•Four adjustable rotameters (flowmeters with valves)
•Saturator bottle
•Filter
•Temperature gauge
•Vent valve
See the diagram and explanation in Figure 1 on page 2 for a description of how the MG-101 works.

Chapter 1. General Information
2MG-101 User’s Manuall
1.2 Theory of Operation (cont.)
As shown in Figure 1 below, dry nitrogen enters at the dry gas inlet A, passes through the fixed internal pressure
regulator, and splits into the following three streams:
•B- dry gas “first dilution”
•C- wet gas
•D- dry gas “second dilution”
Stream B(the dry gas “first dilution”) is mixed with stream C(the wet gas) after it passes through the saturator bottles
to form a “Wet gas diluted” mixture (stream E). This is then mixed with stream D(the “dry gas second dilution”) to
generate the desired output mixture (stream F).
Obtaining an accurate output mixture requires careful adjustment of the rotameter valves as described in “Setup and
Operation” on page 5. Calibration of all rotameters and the thermometer is traceable to NIST standards.
Note: The rotameter scales are used in later steps to reference a lookup table. By themselves, they do not indicate
units of flow.
Figure 1: Flow Schematic
Regulator
Pressure
Dry Gas
Inlet
A
Dry Gas
Wet Gas
Flowmeter
5µ Filter
Temp
Saturator
Bottle
Gas
Outlet
BC
D
E
First Dilution
Flowmeter
Dry Gas
Second
Dilution
Flowmeter
Wet Gas
Diluted
Flowmeter
F
Vent Valve
Dry Down
Valve

MG-101 User’s Manual 3
Chapter 1. General Information
1.3 Initial Considerations
This section presents some general guidelines to ensure accurate results with the MG-101.
1.3.1 Operating Range
While the driest dew/frost point temperature capability specified for the MG-101 is -75°C (-103°F), the actual limit is
determined by the moisture content of the dry nitrogen source and by the ambient temperature.
The driest dew/frost point temperature the MG-101 can produce is the dew/frost point temperature of the dry nitrogen
source plus 25°C (45°F). If dry nitrogen of this quality is not available, please contact GE Sensing for assistance. The
wettest dew/frost point temperature that can be generated is determined by the ambient temperature, and it must be at
least 10°C (18°F) below the ambient temperature.
1.3.2 Operating Environment
The MG-101 is designed to be used indoors or in an environment where ambient temperature changes are not extreme
and where the instrument will not be subject to dramatic heating or cooling. It is important to ensure that the
temperature of the calibrator and especially the saturator bottle will not change between the beginning and the end of
the calibration cycle.
IMPORTANT: Changes in the saturator bottle temperature after the calibration parameters have been established will
cause errors in the generated dew/frost point temperature.
CAUTION! The MG-101 can be damaged by freezing. Do not operate it in freezing temperatures.
1.3.3 Operating Requirements
You will need the following additional equipment to set up and operate the MG-101 calibrator:
•Nitrogen, preferably from a liquid source
Note: Nitrogen gas cylinders may be used, but the supply gas must be at least 25°C (45°F) drier than the driest
dew/frost point temperature to be generated. Two nitrogen cylinders connected in parallel and plumbed to the
inlet of the MG-101, will increase the stability of the gas supply.
•Stainless steel pressure regulator to set the inlet pressure to 55 psig
•1/4” OD stainless steel tubing
•An appropriate test chamber
Note: GE Sensing Sample Cell #2830 is preferred for M2 Type probes
•A hygrometer to monitor the moisture sensor for either:
•the dew/frost point reading, if simply verifying the moisture sensor performance, or
•the sensor output signal, if generating a new calibration curve
Note: The hygrometer used for the calibration can be either a dedicated instrument for use only with the moisture
generator or the process instrument that will be used with the recalibrated sensor after the calibration is
completed.

Chapter 1. General Information
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MG-101 User’s Manual 5
Chapter 2. Setup and Operation
Chapter 2. Setup and Operation
2.1 Preliminary Setup
IMPORTANT: Be sure you read and understand “Initial Considerations” on page 3 before proceeding.
To prepare the MG-101 for operation, complete the following steps:
1. Remove the back panel by removing the two small screws at the bottom (see Figure 2 below).
2. Fill the supplied plastic squeeze bottle with distilled (not deionized) water and connect it to the fill tubing at the
bottom of the saturator bottle (see Figure 2 below). This length of plastic tubing should be left permanently
attached to the fitting at the bottom of the saturator bottle.
Figure 2: MG-101 Rear View with Panel Removed
Saturator Bottle
Fill Mark
Fill Tubing
Petcock
Screws (2)

Chapter 2. Setup and Operation
6MG-101 User’s Manuall
2.1 Preliminary Setup (cont.)
3. Open the petcock.
4. Fully open the vent valve on the front panel by turning it counter-clockwise, and turn the WET/DRY SELECTOR
VALVE to WET (see Figure 3 below).
5. Using the squeeze bottle, fill the saturator bottle until the water level reaches the fill mark on the bottle (see
Figure 2 on page 5).
6. Close the petcock and reinstall the back panel.
Figure 3: MG-101 Front Panel
Vent Valve
Wet/Dry
Selection Valve
Inlet Fitting Outlet Fitting

MG-101 User’s Manual 7
Chapter 2. Setup and Operation
2.1 Preliminary Setup (cont.)
7. Connect the nitrogen supply to the MG-101 inlet fitting via the stainless steel pressure regulator using, 1/4” OD
stainless steel tubing (see Figure 4 below).
Note: Swagelok®fittings are preferred throughout the installation.
8. Connect the calibration chamber to the MG-101 outlet fitting, using 1/4” OD SS tubing. Then, leak test the
connection.
Note: GE Sensing Sample Cell #2830 is the preferred calibration chamber for M2 Type probes
9. At the outlet of the calibration chamber, connect at least 5 ft (1.5 m) of 1/4” OD tubing as a vent to atmosphere.
The tubing may be coiled to save space.
10. Insert the sensor to be calibrated into the calibration chamber and tighten it sufficiently to ensure a leak-proof seal,
but be careful not to over-tighten the sensor.
Figure 4: A Typical MG-101 Test Setup
MG-101 Calibration
Chamber
Nitrogen
Supply Tank
Pressure Regulator

Chapter 2. Setup and Operation
8MG-101 User’s Manuall
2.2 Operating Procedure
To operate the MG-101, refer to Figure 5 below and Figure 6 on page 9 to complete the following steps:
1. Fully close all four rotameter valves by turning them clockwise.
2. Set the WET/DRY selector valve to DRY.
CAUTION! This valve must always be in the WET position before the “WET GAS” flowmeter valve is opened,
and it must remain in the DRY position until the “WET GAS” flowmeter valve is closed.
3. Set the pressure regulator on the nitrogen gas inlet line to approximately 55 psig.
4. Make sure the vent valve at the top of the front panel is fully open.
5. Fully open the valve on the WET GAS DILUTED rotameter.
Note: The rotameters are dual-range, floating-ball types, each having both a steel ball and a glass ball. When
reading the rotameters be careful to watch either the steel ball or the glass ball (see Figure 4 below) as
directed (numbers in tables are followed by an Sor a Gto designate the ball material).
Figure 5: Rotameter Valve and Balls
Glass Ball (black)
Steel Ball (silver)
Valve

MG-101 User’s Manual 9
Chapter 2. Setup and Operation
2.2 Operating Procedure (cont.)
6. Open and adjust the valves on both the DRY GAS FIRST DILUTION and the DRY GAS SECOND DILUTION rotameters, so
that the steel ball indicates approximately “10” on the rotameter scales.
7. Adjust the vent valve so that the steel ball on the WET GAS DILUTED rotameter also reads approximately “10.”
IMPORTANT: Leak test all connections from the nitrogen supply to the calibration chamber before proceeding.
8. Allow the nitrogen to purge through the entire system at the rotameter settings defined in the previous steps. The
calibration system will begin to dry down and eventually come to equilibrium with the dry nitrogen supply gas.
The time required to achieve equilibrium will vary depending on the moisture level of the nitrogen (approximately
6 to 18 hours will be required).
9. After the calibration system has reached equilibrium, set the valve on the WET/DRY rotameter to the WET position.
Figure 6: Rotameters and Valves
Temperature
Gauge
Vent Valve
Wet/Dry
Selector Valve
Dry Gas
Second Dilution
Wet Gas
Rotameters
Wet Gas
Dry Gas
First Dilution
Diluted

Chapter 2. Setup and Operation
10 MG-101 User’s Manuall
2.2.1 Calibrating the Moisture Samples
To generate calibrated moisture samples, proceed as follows:
Note: Be sure to start with the driest calibration value and proceed to the wetter values, because you cannot readily
go from a wetter valve to a drier value. Wetter to drier changes always require a longer equilibration period.
For example, if you are calibrating a moisture probe over the range of -60°C dew/frost point temperature to
+10°C dew/frost point temperature, start with the -60°C dew/frost point temperature.
1. Check the saturator bottle temperature on the temperature gauge.
2. For each moisture calibration point you wish to generate, look at Data Tables 2 and 3 (supplied with the MG-101).
Above the line which reads “Generated Dew Points (Deg C),” is a row of values headed “Ambient Temperature
(Deg C).” Find the column corresponding as closely as possible to the temperature measured in Step 1 above, and
read down the column of dew/frost points (dew points) in the table below this temperature heading.
Note: The moisture value you wish to generate may be in either Data Table 2 or Data Table 3. You will find that
“drier” calibration points are in Data Table 3 while “wetter” values are in Data Table 2.
At this point, the MG-101 operating procedure depends on which table contains your calibration point:
•If your calibration point is in Data Table 3, go to “Using Data Table 3” on page 11.
•If your calibration point is in Data Table 2, go to “Using Data Table 2” on page 12.

MG-101 User’s Manual 11
Chapter 2. Setup and Operation
2.2.2 Using Data Table 3
For calibration points found in Data Table 3, refer to Figure 6 on page 9 and proceed as follows:
1. Fully open the vent valve by turning it counter-clockwise.
CAUTION! Make the following adjustments slowly, being careful not to overshoot the target value. NEVER
ALLOW THE SYSTEM TO GO TO A VALUE WETTER THAN THE TARGET VALUE. If you overshoot a
value in the wetter direction, you will have to allow the system to equilibrate (dry down) again
before you can proceed.
2. In Data Table 3, look below the body of the table for Notes 1 and 2. Adjust both the valves on the DRY GAS FIRST
DILUTION and the DRY GAS SECOND DILUTION rotameters to the values listed.
IMPORTANT: Be sure to read the steel ball or glass ball (Sor G), as indicated in the table.
3. Consult Data Table 3 for the desired dew/frost point temperature and find the corresponding value in the column
headed WET GAS. Adjust the WET GAS valve to obtain the value indicated in the table.
4. By referring to the desired dew/frost point temperature in Data Table 3, find the corresponding value in the column
headed WET GAS DILUTED. Adjust the vent valve (but not the valve on the WET GAS DILUTED rotameter, which must
remain fully open) to obtain the value indicated in Data Table 3.
After stabilizing, the system output will be at the selected dew/frost point temperature and it is ready for use. The
stabilization period depends on the dew/frost point temperature you are using. In general, the following times are
required:
•For dew/frost point temperatures of -60°C (-76°F) and drier, allow 2 hours
•For dew/frost point temperatures of -60°C (-76°F) to -40°C (-40°F), allow 1 hour
•For dew/frost point temperatures of -40°C (-40°F) and wetter, allow 30 minutes
After you have completed the calibration or other calibrated moisture operation at this dew/frost point temperature,
either shut down the system (see “System Shutdown” on page 12), or repeat the steps in this section for the next
calibration point.

Chapter 2. Setup and Operation
12 MG-101 User’s Manuall
2.2.3 Using Data Table 2
For calibration points found in Data Table 2, refer to Figure 6 on page 9 and proceed as follows:
1. Fully close the vent valve by turning it clockwise.
CAUTION! Make the following adjustments slowly, being careful not to overshoot the target value. NEVER
ALLOW THE SYSTEM TO GO TO A VALUE WETTER THAN THE TARGET VALUE. If you overshoot a
value in the wetter direction, you will have to allow the system to equilibrate (dry down) again
before you can proceed.
2. Fully close the DRY GAS FIRST DILUTION VALVE by turning it clockwise.
3. Consult Data Table 2 for the desired dew/frost point temperature and find the corresponding value in the column
headed DRY GAS (SECOND DILUTION). Adjust the valve on the DRY GAS SECOND DILUTION rotameter to obtain the
value shown in the table.
IMPORTANT: Be sure to read the steel ball or glass ball (Sor G), as indicated in the table.
4. By referring to the desired dew/frost point temperature in Data Table 2, find the corresponding value in either the
column headed WET GAS or the column headed WET GAS DILUTED (a given value appears in one column or the
other, but not both). Adjust the valve on the WET GAS rotameter (but not on the Wet Gas Diluted rotameter, which
must remain fully open) to obtain the reading indicated on either the WET GAS or the WET GAS DILUTED rotameter
scales (whichever is indicated in the table).
IMPORTANT: Be sure to read the steel ball or glass ball (Sor G), as indicated in the table.
After equilibrium has been established, the MG-101 will be delivering a calibration gas with the selected dew/frost
point temperature.
After you have completed the calibration or other calibrated moisture operation at this dew/frost point temperature,
either shut down the system (see “System Shutdown” below), or repeat the steps in this section for the next calibration
point.
2.2.4 System Shutdown
If you are not planning another calibration run, you must shut the system down as follows:
1. Fully open the vent valve by turning it counter-clockwise.
2. Fully close the WET GAS VALVE by turning it clockwise.
3. Fully close the DRY GAS FIRST DILUTION VALVE by turning it clockwise.
4. Fully close the DRY GAS SECOND DILUTION VALVE by turning it clockwise.
5. Set the WET/DRY VALVE to DRY.