GE Optica User manual

GE
Sensing
Optica
General Eastern Dew Point Analyzer
Operator’s Manual

GE
Sensing
Optica
General Eastern Dew Point Analyzer
Operator’s Manual
A40238752C
January 2006
The Optica Dew Point Analyzer is a General Eastern Instruments product. General Eastern Instruments has
joined other GE high-technology sensing businesses under a new name—GE Sensing.

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January 2006
Warranty Each instrument manufactured by GE Infrastructure Sensing is
warranted to be free from defects in material and workmanship. Liability
under this warranty is limited to restoring the instrument to normal
operation or replacing the instrument, at the sole discretion of GE
Infrastructure Sensing. Fuses and batteries are specifically excluded
from any liability. This warranty is effective from the date of delivery to
the original purchaser. If GE Infrastructure Sensing determines that the
equipment was defective, the warranty period is:
•one year for general electronic failures of the instrument
•one year for mechanical failures of the sensor
If GE Infrastructure Sensing determines that the equipment was damaged
by misuse, improper installation, the use of unauthorized replacement
parts, or operating conditions outside the guidelines specified by GE
Infrastructure Sensing, the repairs are not covered under this warranty.
The warranties set forth herein are exclusive and are in lieu of
all other warranties whether statutory, express or implied
(including warranties or merchantability and fitness for a
particular purpose, and warranties arising from course of
dealing or usage or trade).
Return Policy If a GE Infrastructure Sensing instrument malfunctions within the
warranty period, the following procedure must be completed:
1. Notify GE Infrastructure Sensing, giving full details of the problem,
and provide the model number and serial number of the instrument. If
the nature of the problem indicates the need for factory service, GE
Infrastructure Sensing will issue a RETURN AUTHORIZATION
number (RA), and shipping instructions for the return of the
instrument to a service center will be provided.
2. If GE Infrastructure Sensing instructs you to send your instrument to
a service center, it must be shipped prepaid to the authorized repair
station indicated in the shipping instructions.
3. Upon receipt, GE Infrastructure Sensing will evaluate the instrument
to determine the cause of the malfunction.
Then, one of the following courses of action will then be taken:
•If the damage is covered under the terms of the warranty, the
instrument will be repaired at no cost to the owner and returned.
•If GE Infrastructure Sensing determines that the damage is not
covered under the terms of the warranty, or if the warranty has
expired, an estimate for the cost of the repairs at standard rates will be
provided. Upon receipt of the owner’s approval to proceed, the
instrument will be repaired and returned.

iv
January 2006
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Features and Capabilities
Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1
Electronics Enclosure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
Front Panel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
Input/Output Capability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3
The System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3
System Components. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3
System Planning. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3
Sensors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3
Dew Point Sensors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4
Temperature Sensor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4
Pressure Sensor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4
Theory of Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4
Hygrometer Function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4
Hygrometer Calibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-5
Other Hygrometer Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-6
The PACER Cycle. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-6

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Table of Contents (cont.)
Chapter 2: Installation
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1
Benchtop Installation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1
Mounting the Benchtop. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1
Using the Rack Mounting Option . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2
Wiring the Benchtop. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-5
Wall-Mount Installation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-6
Mounting the Wall-Mount. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-6
Wiring the Wall-Mount. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-7
Output Wiring. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8
Analog Outputs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-9
Alarm Outputs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-10
Serial Output . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-12
Sensor Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-12
Sampling Lines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-13
Ensuring Heat Transfer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-14
High Dew Point Measurements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-14
Filter Requirements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-15
Flow Rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-15
Sensor Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-16
Model 1111H Sensor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-16
Model D-2 Sensor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-16
Model 1311DR Sensor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-17
Model 1311XR Sensor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-18
Model SIM-12H Heated Sensor and Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-20
Connecting the Sensors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-21

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Table of Contents (cont.)
Chapter 3: Operation
Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1
Normal Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1
Operating the VGA Optica. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
Operating the 4x40 Optica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3
Network Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3
Process Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4
Actively Measuring Process Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4
Manually Entering Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4
Measuring at a Different Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4
Scenario 1: Measurement Without Enabling the Process Pressure Feature. . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-5
Scenario 2: Measurement Requiring the Process Pressure Feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-6
Status Line Indications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-8
Factory Default Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-9
Sensor Balancing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-10
Helpful Hints For Operating the Unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-10
Supercooled Dew Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-11
Contamination . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-11
Mirror Flooding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-13
Sample Line Maintenance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-13
Pressure Effects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-13

January 2006
vii
Table of Contents (cont.)
Chapter 4: Programming the VGA Optica
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Programming Fundamentals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
The Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2
Data Entry Fields . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2
Units of Measure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-4
User Equations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-4
Menu 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-6
Analog Outputs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-6
Pressure Input. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-7
Alarms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-8
Automatic Cleaning and Balance Function. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-9
Data Fields. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-11
Buzzer/Sound . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-11
Network Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-12
Datalog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-13
Download Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-14
Menu 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-15
General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-16
Special. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-16
User Equation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-16
Communication Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-17
Serial Output Data. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-18
Set Time & Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-19
Restore Defaults. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-19
Saving Configuration Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-20

viii
January 2006
Table of Contents (cont.)
Chapter 5: Programming the 4x40 Optica
Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-1
Programming Technique. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2
Programmable Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-4
Analog Outputs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-4
Communication Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-4
Serial Output Units. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5
Serial Output Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5
Alarms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-6
Data Fields . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-7
Pressure Input. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-7
Automatic Cleaning and Balance Function. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-8
Buzzer and Sounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-11
General Settings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-11
User Equations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-11
Set Time and Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-12
Special . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-12
User Default Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-12
Factory Calibrations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-12
Chapter 6: Network-Based Programming
Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1
Programming Screens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1
Chapter 7: Maintenance
Minor Maintenance of Sensor Optics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-1
Cleaning the Sensor Mirror . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-1
Balancing the Sensor Optics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-2
Field Replacement of Sensor Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-4
Replacing the Sensor Mirror . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-5
Test and Calibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-6
Troubleshooting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-6
The Display Doesn’t Light Up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-6
“Service” Appears on the STATUS Display Line. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-6
Incorrect Dew Point Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-7
“Balance” Remains on the Status Line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-8
No Analog Output . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-8
No Serial Output. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-8

January 2006
ix
Table of Contents (cont.)
Appendix A: Specifications
Performance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-1
Accuracy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-1
Measurement Ranges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-1
Response Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-1
Functionality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-2
Alarms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-2
Operating ranges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-2
Physical (bench mount) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-2
Physical (wall mount) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-2
Optional Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-3
Appendix B: Humidity Equations and Conversion Chart
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-1
Vapor Pressure. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-1
Humidity. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-2
Appendix C: Configuring the Serial Interface
Wiring to a Personal Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-1
Appendix D: Chilled Mirror Sensors
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D-1
Depression. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D-1
Measurement Range . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D-2
Comparing Optica Models . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D-3
Appendix E: Glossary
Appendix F: Automatic Balance (for earlier software versions)
Programming Automatic Balance for a VGA Optica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F-1
Programming Automatic Balance for a 4x40 Optica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F-1

x
January 2006
Table of Contents (cont.)
Appendix G: Communicating with the OPTICA Using Ethernet
Direct Communication. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .G-1
Computer Communication. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .G-1
Determining the Available Commands. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . G-2
Retrieving the Alarm Settings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .G-3
Retrieving the Alarm Types. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .G-4
Retrieving Supported Units. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . G-5
Retrieving Labels and Functions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . G-6
Retrieving Analog Output Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .G-8
Retrieving the Measured and Calculated Values. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .G-8
4X40 Optica Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .G-10

Chapter 1

Features and Capabilities
Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1
Electronics Enclosure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
The System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3
Sensors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3
Theory of Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4
The PACER Cycle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-6

Features and Capabilities 1-1
January 2006
Introduction The GE Infrastructure Sensing Optica is a multi-purpose
chilled-mirror hygrometer, suitable for use in a wide variety of
applications. The Optica can function with any GE Infrastructure
Sensing chilled-mirror sensor to provide the following measurement
ranges (depending on the sensor selected):
•dew/frost point from –80°C to +85°C (–112°F to +185°F)
•relative humidity from 0.002% to 100%
•moisture content from 500 ppbvto over 5.71 × 105 ppmv
The Optica also measures and displays gas pressure using a GE
Infrastructure Sensing PT-30A or PT-300A pressure sensor, or a
user-supplied 4–20mA or 0–5 VDC pressure sensor.
Note: If the pressure is known to be constant, a fixed pressure can be
programmed, eliminating the need for a pressure sensor.
Using the Optica, you can simultaneously measure and display dew
point, temperature and pressure, with a wide variety of units of
measure. The Optica is Ethernet-ready, so you can access the unit
using the Internet for remote monitoring applications. You can use the
data logging function to record and upload weeks of data.

January 2006
1-2 Features and Capabilities
Electronics Enclosure The Optica is available in two configurations:
•a benchtop model, with an optional rack-mount adapter available
•a wall-mount unit, housed in a NEMA-4 enclosure, suitable for
industrial environments
See Chapter 2, Installation, for details on how to mount the Optica.
Front Panel The Optica’s front panel is shown in Figure 1-1 below. The panel
includes: a display, an alphanumeric keypad for data entry, ENTER
and TAB keys, and four softkeys to the right of the display screen.
Two display options are available:
•a high-resolution full-color liquid crystal display (LCD) with data
graphing and on-screen programming capability (referred to as the
“VGA” unit). See Figure 1-1 below.
•a 4-line by 40-character alphanumeric display (referred to as the
“4x40” unit).
Figure 1-1: Optica Benchtop Version with VGA Display

Features and Capabilities 1-3
January 2006
Input/Output Capability Available inputs and outputs include the following:
•4-wire Resistance Temperature Detector (RTD) input
•4–20 mA and 0–5 VDC Pressure Sensor inputs
•two simultaneous analog outputs, each with 4–20 mA and 0–5
VDC capability
•two independent alarm relays (Form C, 5 Amp)
•serial communications port
•Ethernet 10BaseT (on VGA Optica only)
The Optica uses the GE Infrastructure Sensing patented
Programmable Automatic Contaminant Error Reduction (PACER)
system to insure measurement accuracy.
Detailed specifications for the Optica are given in Appendix A.
The System
System Components A complete Optica system consists of the following items:
System Planning The Optica can be used for a wide variety of measurement
applications, including the measurement of dew points of gasses that
are at pressures that exceed the measurement range of GEI’s sensors.
In this situation be sure to check the section Process Pressure on
page 3-4 for installation planning.
Sensors The Optica can be configured with a chilled-mirror dew point sensor.
The specific sensor is chosen according to the expected dew point
range and the environment in which the dew point is to be
determined. In addition, the Optica can be configured with a
temperature and/or pressure sensor. GE Infrastructure Sensing
provides the following sensors for various applications:
•Electronic monitor •Temperature sensor (optional)
•Dew point sensor •Pressure sensor (optional)
•Interconnecting sensor cable •Maintenance kit
•AC line cord •User’s Manual
•Certification that the unit is traceable to the National Institute
of Standards and Technology (Certificate of Conformance)

January 2006
1-4 Features and Capabilities
Dew Point Sensors •Model 1111H — Single-stage sensor
•Model 1211H — Two-stage sensor; high pressure and temperature
•Model D-2 — Two-stage sensor
•Model SIM-12H — Two-stage heated sensor
•Model 1311DR — Four-stage, liquid or air cooled sensor
•Model 1311XR — Five-stage, liquid cooled sensor
Temperature Sensor •Model T-100E
Pressure Sensor •Model PT-30A or PT-300A
Theory of Operation Optical condensation hygrometry is a precise technique for
determining the water vapor content in gases by directly measuring
dew point or frost temperatures. Using this technique, a metallic
mirror is cooled until it reaches a temperature at which a thin layer of
condensation begins to form on it. The dew layer is detected optically,
and the mirror is held at that temperature. The mirror temperature,
measured with a platinum resistance thermometer, is an accurate
indicator of the dew or frost point. Because these hygrometers are so
accurate, they are widely used as a standard in many of the world’s
metrology laboratories.
Hygrometer Function Figure 1-2 on page 1-5 illustrates how GE Infrastructure Sensing
hygrometers detect and measure dew point. The condensate mirror is
illuminated with a high-intensity, solid state, light emitting diode
(LED). A photodetector monitors the LED light reflected from the
mirror. The photodetector is fully illuminated when the mirror is clear
of dew, and it receives less light as dew forms. A separate LED and
photodetector pair are used as a known reference to compensate for
any thermally induced changes in the optical components. The
photodetectors are arranged in an electrical bridge circuit, the output
current of which is proportional to the light reflected from the mirror.
The bridge output controls the electrical current to the thermoelectric
cooler.
A large bridge current develops when the mirror is dry, causing the
mirror to cool toward the dew point. As dew begins to form on the
mirror, less light is reflected, and the bridge output decreases. This, in
turn, causes a decrease in cooling current. A rate feedback loop
within the amplifier ensures critical response, causing the mirror to
stabilize quickly at a temperature that maintains a thin dew or frost
layer on the mirror surface. A precision thermometer element
embedded within the mirror directly monitors this dew point
temperature.

Features and Capabilities 1-5
January 2006
Hygrometer Calibration The Optica unit can be sent to the National Institute of Standards and
Technology (NIST) in Gaithersburg, Maryland for certification or to
any National Standards lab for calibration against their primary
humidity standards. A calibrated instrument can then be used as a
transfer standard in local laboratories to calibrate lower echelon
instruments.
Caution!
Field calibration is not recommended.
Hygrometers used as calibration standards must have the following
characteristics:
•The mirror thermometer must have suitable long-term accuracy
(such as that obtained with a platinum resistance thermometer).
•A means should be provided for viewing the dew or frost
formation on the mirror.
Figure 1-2: Chilled-Mirror Hygrometer Diagram
41.2°F Dew Point Temperature
(Precision Thermometer)
LED
Regulation
Thermoelectric
Heat Pump Power
Gain
Optical Reference

January 2006
1-6 Features and Capabilities
Other Hygrometer
Applications
Many GE Infrastrucure Sensing Chilled Mirror Hygrometers are used
in industrial applications in addition to metrology. The optical
condensation hygrometer is not readily damaged or contaminated by
industrial process gases that can degrade other secondary
measurement schemes such as saturated salt and polymer-based
sensors. If the sensor or sampling components should become
contaminated with oils, salts, etc., they can be cleaned without harm
to the sensor or impairment to the system accuracy. The performance
of the hygrometer can be checked at any time by heating the mirror
above the dew point, causing the dew deposit to evaporate, then
reclosing the servoloop and checking to see that the system cools and
returns to the same dew point.
The GE Infrastructure Sensing optical condensation sensors cover a
wide range of applications limited only by the heat pumping
capabilities of the thermoelectrically-cooled mirror.
At high dew points (up to 100°C), the sensor is limited by the thermal
properties of the solid state optical components as well as the
thermoelectric heat pump capacity.
In a typical application measuring sub-ambient dew points, a two-
stage thermoelectrically-cooled mirror can reach a temperature
approximately 65°C lower than an ambient (heat sink) temperature of
+25°C. The thermoelectric cooler pumps heat from the mirror into the
heat sink. By reducing the temperature of the heat sink with a coolant
such as chilled water, or by applying the sensor in a low-temperature
condition such as monitoring of a test chamber, even lower dew
points can be measured. In meteorological applications where the
heat sink temperature is considerably lower, frost points down to –
75°C can be monitored.
Four- and five-stage sensors are available for measuring the lowest
dew/frost points.
The PACER Cycle GE Infrastructure Sensing has developed and patented a
compensation technique called PACER (Programmable Automatic
Contaminant Error Reduction) that is very effective in reducing the
Raoult Effect error associated with soluble contaminants, particularly
for near-ambient dew points. The Optica is equipped with the PACER
cycle as well as AUTO balance as found on earlier models. The user
can choose which self-cleaning and balancing routine to run
depending on the severity of contamination.
The PACER cycle, diagrammed in Figure 1-3 on page 1-7, begins
with a coalescence period, during which the mirror is cooled well
below the dew point of the sample gas, condensing out a large amount
of water.

Features and Capabilities 1-7
January 2006
The PACER Cycle (cont.)
Figure 1-3: A Typical PACER Cycle
This excess water easily dissolves any water-soluble contaminants.
The mirror is then heated. During the heating phase, the large puddles
of water gradually evaporate, carrying increasingly heavy
concentrations of salts as the puddles become smaller. Finally, when
all the puddles have evaporated, dry “islands” of crystallized salt are
left on the mirror. The area between the islands (80-85% of the mirror
surface) is now clean and shiny, whereas before the PACER cycle it
may have been completely covered. The total amount of
contamination has not been reduced, but instead, redistributed as
shown in Figure 1-4 below, with more clean mirror surface available
for dew formation. The reflected light signal is then electronically
balanced against the reference.
Figure 1-4: Results of the PACER Cycle
Before
PACER Cycle After
PACER Cycle

Chapter 2