GE PM880 How to use

PM880
Portable Hygrometer

August 2003
Process Control Instruments
PM880 Portable Hygrometer
Operation & Installation Guide 910-247A

iii
August 2003
Warranty
Each instrument manufactured by GE Panametrics 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
Panametrics. Fuses and batteries are specifically excluded from
any liability. This warranty is effective from the date of delivery
to the original purchaser. If GE Panametrics determines that the
equipment was defective, the warranty period is:
•one year from delivery for electronic or mechanical failures
•one year from delivery for sensor shelf life
If GE Panametrics 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 Panametrics, 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).

August 2003
iv
Return Policy
If a GE Panametrics instrument malfunctions within the warranty
period, the following procedure must be completed:
1. Notify GE Panametrics, 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 Panametrics will issue a RETURN
AUTHORIZATION NUMBER (RAN), and shipping
instructions for the return of the instrument to a service center
will be provided.
2. If GE Panametrics 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 Panametrics 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 Panametrics 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.

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August 2003
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Features and Capabilities
The PM880 Hygrometer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-2
Display and Keypad. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-4
Probes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-5
M Series and TF Series Moisture Probes. . . . . . . . . . .1-5
Moisture Image Series Probe. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-7
Cabling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-9
The User Program. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-10
Chapter 2: Initial Setup
Choosing a Site. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-2
Moisture/Temperature Probe Considerations . . . . . . . . . . .2-3
Sample System Guidelines. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-6
Installing the Probes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-8
Connecting the Probe to the PM880 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-9
Charging and/or Replacing Batteries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-10
Charging the Batteries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-10
Replacing the Batteries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-11
Powering On and Off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-12
Using the Screen and Keypad. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-15
Screen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-15
Keypad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-17
Obtaining On-Line Help. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-19
Chapter 3: Programming Site Data
Entering the Program Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-2
Entering Probe Configurations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-4
Entering Calibration Data. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-6
Entering Moisture Calibration Data. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-7
Entering Pressure Calibration Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-9
Entering Saturation Constants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-11
Entering Probe Identification Data. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-13
Entering the System Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-16
Entering User Functions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-18

August 2003
vi
Table of Contents (cont.)
Chapter 4: Creating and Managing Sites
The Site Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-2
Creating a New Site . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-4
Opening an Existing Site . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-6
Saving a Site. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-7
Saving a Site with a Different Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-8
Refreshing a Site . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-9
Renaming a Site . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-9
Deleting a Site . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-10
Creating a Site Message. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-11
Printing a Current Site . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-13
Transferring a Site File to a PC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-13
Transferring a File from a PC to the PM880 . . . . . . .4-15
Listing Files by Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-18
Listing Files in Chronological Order. . . . . . . . . . . . .4-18
Chapter 5: Displaying and Configuring Data
The Format Option . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-2
The View Option. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-4
The Limits Option. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-5
The Measurement Option. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-7
Customizing the Display Screen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-9
Specifying the Number of Displayed Parameters . . .5-10
Customizing Softkeys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-11
Managing Files — The Drive Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-14
Transferring a File to a PC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-16
Transferring a File from a PC to the PM880 . . . . . . .5-17
Refreshing a File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-19
Deleting a File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-19
Listing Files by Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-20
Listing Files in Chronological Order. . . . . . . . . . . . .5-21
Accessing Meter Data —The About Option . . . . . . . . . .5-22

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August 2003
Table of Contents (cont.)
Chapter 6: Programming Meter Settings
Entering the Meter Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-2
Selecting Measurement Units. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-3
The Battery Option. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-4
Entering Date and Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-5
Changing Date and Time Appearance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-7
Adjusting the Contrast . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-10
Setting Backlight Timeout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-12
Changing the Display Language. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-13
Changing Communications Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-14
Setting Up User Tables. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-17
Taking a Bitmap Capture
of a Current Screen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-21

August 2003
viii
Table of Contents (cont.)
Chapter 7: Logging Data
Entering the Logging Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-2
The Log Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-3
The File Menu. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-4
Setting up a New Log. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-5
Copying (Cloning) a Selected Log. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-10
Renaming a Log. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-11
Deleting a Log . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-11
Deleting All Logs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-12
Refreshing the Log Manager Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-12
Printing a Log. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-13
Transferring a Log to a PC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-14
The Log Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-15
Stopping (Pausing) a Log. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-16
Restarting a Log. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-16
Ending a Log . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-16
Stopping All Logs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-17
Restarting All Logs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-17
Ending All Logs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-17
View All Sites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-17
The View Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-18
Displaying Log Details . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-19
Displaying Log Data in Graphical Form . . . . . . . . . .7-20
Displaying Log Data in Spreadsheet Form . . . . . . . .7-23
The Sort Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-24
Listing Logs by Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-24
Listing Logs in Chronological Order. . . . . . . . . . . . .7-24

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August 2003
Table of Contents (cont.)
Chapter 8: Servicing the PM880
Entering the Service Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-2
Printing Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-3
Testing the Screen, Keys and Meter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-5
Testing the Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-6
Testing the Keys. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-7
Testing the Watchdog Timer Circuit . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-8
Entering Reference Data. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-9
Entering Hygrometry Reference Values . . . . . . . . . . .8-9
Entering Pressure Reference Values . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-10
Resetting to Factory Default Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-11
Updating PM880 Software. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-12
Updating Software Via IrOBEX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-13
Updating Software Via IrCOMM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-15
Viewing or Changing Security Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-19
Checking Security Levels and
Remote Access Security. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-20
Viewing or Changing the Security Passcodes . . . . . .8-22
Chapter 9: Diagnostics and Troubleshooting
Error Code Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-2
Common Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-5
Chapter 10: Specifications
Overall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-2
Hardware Configuration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-2
Dimensions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-2
Electronics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-2
Operational Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-4
Moisture Measurement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-4
Dew/frost Point Temperature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-5
Temperature Measurement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-5
Pressure Measurement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-6
Sample System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-6
Available Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-7

August 2003
x
Table of Contents (cont.)
Appendix A: Application of the Hygrometer
Moisture Monitor Hints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-2
Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-4
Response Time. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-5
Temperature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-5
Flow Rate. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-6
Contaminants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-7
Non-Conductive Particulates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-7
Conductive Particulates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-8
Corrosive Particulates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-8
Aluminum Oxide Probe Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-9
Corrosive Gases And Liquids. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-11
Materials of Construction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-12
Calculations and Useful Formulas in Gas Applications. A-13
Nomenclature. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-13
Parts per Million by Volume . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-14
Parts per Million by Weight. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-15
Relative Humidity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-15
Weight of Water per Unit Volume of Carrier Gas. . A-16
Weight of Water per Unit Weight of Carrier Gas . . A-16
Comparison of PPMV Calculations. . . . . . . . . . . . . A-26
Liquid Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-27
Theory of Operation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-27
Moisture Content Measurement in Organic Liquids A-27
Empirical Calibrations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-34
Solids Applications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-40
Appendix B: Menu Maps
Appendix C: Establishing IR Communications with the
PM880
Windows 2000/XP. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-2
Windows NT4.0. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-2
Windows Me/98SE/98/95 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-2