GE TransPort PT878GC User manual

GE
Sensing & Inspection Technologies
TransPort™ PT878GC
Portable Gas Flowmeter
User’s Manual

GE
Sensing & Inspection Technologies
TransPort™ PT878GC
Portable Gas Flowmeter
User’s Manual
910-229B3
April 2009

iii
April 2009
Warranty
Each instrument manufactured by GE Infrastructure Sensing,
Inc. 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,
Inc. 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, Inc.
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 Infrastructure Sensing, Inc. 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, Inc. , 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).

April 2009
iv
Return Policy
If a GE Infrastructure Sensing, Inc. instrument malfunctions
within the warranty period, the following procedure must be
completed:
1. Notify GE Infrastructure Sensing, Inc., 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, Inc. 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 Infrastructure Sensing, Inc. 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, Inc. 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, Inc. 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.

v
April 2009
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Features and Capabilities
Overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1
System Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3
The Flowcell. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3
Electronics Package . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4
Theory of Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-5
Chapter 2: Initial Setup
Making Electrical Connections. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2
Power Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3
Transducer Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3
Analog Input/Output Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3
The Infrared Wireless Interface. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-4
Charging and/or Replacing Batteries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-5
Charging the Batteries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-5
Replacing the Batteries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-6
Powering On and Off. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-7
Using the Screen and Keypad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-10
Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-10
Keypad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-12
Obtaining On-Line Help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-14
Chapter 3: Installing the Dampening Material, Transducers
and Fixtures
Application Requirements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3
Preparing the Pipe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-10
Performing a Pipe Survey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-11
Obtaining the Transducer Spacing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-13
Installing the V Series Clamping Fixture and Transducers . . . . . . . 3-14
Installing the Fixture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-14
Installing the Transducers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-16
Installing the PI Fixture and Transducers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-18
Surveying the Pipe. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-18
Installing the First Bracket with a Chain or Strap . . . . . . . . . . . 3-21
Installing the Second Bracket with a Chain or Strap . . . . . . . . 3-22
Installing the Transducers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-23

April 2009
vi
Table of Contents (cont.)
Installing Dampening Material . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-25
Installing DMP-1 Dampening Material . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-26
Installing DMP-1 Dampening Material with PI Fixture . . . . . . . 3-29
Installing DMP-3 Compound with All Fixtures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-31
Installing the PDJ Dampening Jacket . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-33
Chapter 4: Programming Site Data
Entering the Program Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2
Entering Transducer Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-3
Parameters for Special Transducers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-5
Entering Pipe Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-7
Entering Pipe Lining Parameters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-11
Entering Fluid Types and Speeds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-13
Entering the Signal Path Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-15
Path Parameters for Clamp-On Transducers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-16
Entering the Standard Volume/
Mass Flow Parameters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-17
Entering Inputs in the Standard Volume Option . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-19
Entering Mass Flow Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-22
Entering Skan/Measure Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-24
Entering Skan/Measure Integrate Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-28
Entering Skan/Measure Count Parameters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-30
Entering Skan/Correlation Parameters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-32
Entering Analog Inputs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-34
Entering General-Purpose Analog Inputs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-34
Entering Analog Inputs in Standard Volume
or Mass Flow Option . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-37
Entering the Analog Output . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-39
Entering the Digital Output . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-42
Entering User Functions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-46
Entering Correction Factors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-50
Entering Reynolds Correction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-50
Entering a Calibration Factor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-53

vii
April 2009
Table of Contents (cont.)
Chapter 5: Creating and Managing Sites
The Site Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2
Creating a New Site . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-4
Opening an Existing Site . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-6
Saving a Site . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-7
Saving a Site with a Different Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-8
Refreshing a Site . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-9
Renaming a Site . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-9
Deleting a Site. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-10
Creating a Site Message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-11
Printing a File. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-13
Transferring a Site File to a PC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-13
Transferring a File as Text. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-14
Transferring a File from a PC to the PT878GC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-15
Listing Files by Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-17
Listing Files in Chronological Order . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-17
Chapter 6: Displaying and Configuring Data
The Format Option. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2
The View Option . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-4
The Limits Option . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5
The Measurement Option . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7
Customizing the Display Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-9
Specifying the Number of Displayed Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . 6-10
Customizing Softkeys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-11
Managing Files — The Drive Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-14
Refreshing a File. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-16
Transferring a File to a PC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-16
Transferring a File from a PC to the PT878GC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-17
Deleting a File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-19
Listing Files by Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-20
Listing Files in Chronological Order . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-20
Accessing Meter Data —The About Option . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-21
Chapter 7: Programming Meter Settings
Entering the Meter Menu. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-2
Selecting Measurement Units . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-3
The Battery Charger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-5
Entering Date and Time. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-7

April 2009
viii
Table of Contents (cont.)
Changing Date and Time Appearance (Locale) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-9
Adjusting the Contrast . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-12
Setting Backlight Timeout. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-14
Changing Communications Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-15
Resetting Forward and Reverse Totals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-18
Setting Up User Tables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-19
Taking a Bitmap Capture of a Current Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-23
Chapter 8: Logging Data
Entering the Logging Menu. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-2
The Log Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-3
The File Menu. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-4
Setting up a New Log . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-5
Copying (Cloning) a Selected Log . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-10
Renaming a Log . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-11
Deleting a Log. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-11
Deleting All Logs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-12
Refreshing a Log . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-12
Printing a Log . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-13
Transferring a Log to a PC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-13
The Log Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-14
Stopping (Pausing) a Log. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-15
Restarting a Log. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-15
Ending a Log . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-15
Pausing All Logs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-16
Restarting All Logs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-16
Ending All Logs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-16
View All Sites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-16
The View Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-17
Displaying Log Details . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-18
Displaying Log Data in Graphical Form . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-19
Displaying Log Data in Spreadsheet Form . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-22
The Sort Menu. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-23
Listing Logs by Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-23
Listing Logs in Chronological Order. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-23
Chapter 9: Servicing the PT878GC
Entering the Service Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-2
Printing Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3

ix
April 2009
Table of Contents (cont.)
Setting up the Thickness Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-5
Measuring Pipe Wall Thickness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-7
Entering the Material and Sound Speed. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-7
Measuring Thickness in Numeric Format. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-9
Displaying the Receive Signal in Graphical Format . . . . . . . . . 9-10
Calibrating the Thickness Gauge Transducer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-12
Calculating Velocity (Pipe Material Sound Speed) . . . . . . . . . . . 9-14
Programming the Thickness Gauge. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-17
Displaying Diagnostic Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-20
Calibrating the Analog Output and Inputs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-21
Calibrating the Analog Output. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-21
Calibrating Inputs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-23
Setting up Signal Parameters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-25
Setting up the Measurement Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-28
Setting Up Pulse/Code Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-30
Setting Error Limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-32
The Test Option. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-35
Testing the Screen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-36
Testing the Keys. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-37
Testing the Watchdog Timer Circuit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-38
Setting Impulse Response. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-39
Taking Wave Samples for Diagnosis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-40
Applying a Stored Signal for Diagnosis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-40
Testing the Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-41
Resetting to Factory Default Parameters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-42
Updating PT878GC Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-43
Updating Software Via IrOBEX. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-44
Updating Software Via IrCOMM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-46
Chapter 10: Diagnostics and Troubleshooting
Error Code Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-2
Displaying Diagnostic Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-6
Flowcell Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-9
Gas Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-9
Pipe Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-10
Transducer Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-11

April 2009
x
Table of Contents (cont.)
Chapter 11: Specifications
Operation and Performance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-2
Fluid Types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-2
Pipe Sizes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-2
Pipe Wall Thickness. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-2
Pipe Materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-2
Clamp-On Flow Accuracy (Velocity) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-2
Repeatability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-2
Range (Bidirectional). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-2
Rangeability (Overall) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-2
Pressure Requirements, Air, Nitrogen, Oxygen, Argon. . . . . . . 11-3
Pressure Requirements, Natural Gas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-3
Pressure Requirements, Steam. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-3
Pressure Requirements, Other Gases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-3
Measurement Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-3
Electronics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-4
Flow Measurement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-4
Enclosures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-4
Dimensions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-4
Display. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-4
Keypad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-4
Internal Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-4
Battery Charger Input. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-4
Memory. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-4
Operating Temperature. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-4
Storage Temperature. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-4
Standard Inputs/Outputs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-5
Digital Interfaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-5
Site Parameter Programming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-5
Data Logging. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-5
Display Functions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-5
European Compliance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-5

xi
April 2009
Table of Contents (cont.)
Clamp-On Ultrasonic Flow Transducers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-6
Temperature Range(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-6
Transducer Materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-6
Fixture Materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-6
Mountings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-6
Mounting Couplant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-6
Area Classifications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-6
Transducer Cables. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-7
Thickness Gauge Option . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-8
Transducer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-8
Pipe Thickness Range. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-8
Pipe Materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-8
Accuracy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-8
Thermal Exposure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-8
Additional Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-8
PC Communication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-8
RS232-to-Infrared . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-8
Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-8
Appendix A: Menu Maps
Appendix B: Establishing IR Communications with the
PT878GC
Windows 2000/XP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-2
Windows NT4.0. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-3
Windows Me/98SE/98/95 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-3
Appendix C: Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge Theory of
Operation
Factors Affecting Performance and Accuracy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-2
Appendix D: Material Safety Data Sheets for Couplants

Features and Capabilities 1-1
April 2009
Chapter 1
Features and Capabilities
The TransPort®Model PT878GC is a transit-time clamp-on gas
flowmeter which combines all the features of a full-size gas
flowmeter with the advantages of a portable instrument.
This section describes the TransPort features and general system,
and explains the theory of operation.
Overview
The PT878GC is available in two models. While the PT878GC-
01 covers pipe sizes from 3/4 in. to 12 in. (20 to 300 mm), the
PT878GC-02 covers pipe sizes from 4 to 24 in. (100 to 300 mm).
(To identify your PT878GC, refer to the label on the back of the
electronics unit, shown in Figure 3-2 on page 3-3.) The flowmeter
provides one linear 0/4-20 mA analog output of flow velocities or
volumetric flow rate of clean, dry gases, measuring velocities
from ±1 to ±120 ft/sec (±0.3 to ±40 m/sec), along with one
selectable frequency or pulsed totalizer output. Figure 1-1
illustrates the PT878GC in use on a typical pipe, along with the
case for the PT878GC and accessories.
Figure 1-1: PT878GC in Use and in Case

April 2009
1-2 Features and Capabilities
Overview (cont.)
The TransPort has the ability to store site data in files which can
be accessed at a later time. Within the Main Menu, a set of forms
(windows) asks you all the necessary setup information for a
particular site. Once you answer the necessary questions, you
simply save the information to a file.
The TransPort stores these files and other data in non-volatile
memory, which retains the information even if power is turned
off. The flowmeter itself runs on rechargeable or alkaline
batteries for up to 8 hours.
This small, lightweight flowmeter displays measurements in both
numeric and graphical form on a 240 x 200 pixel, EL-backlit
LCD graphic screen. The TransPort also has the capability of
logging over 100,000 flow data points internally.
Using an infrared communications port,the TransPort can
transmit or print logged data, as well as site files, real time data
and other stored data.
To assist you, the TransPort is fully equipped with context-
sensitive on-line help which is accessible at any time by simply
pressing the “?” (Help) key. Internal diagnostic and
troubleshooting features help isolate and remedy common
flowcell and transducer problems.

Features and Capabilities 1-3
April 2009
System Description
The TransPort is only one part of the flowmeter system. The other
part of the system is the flowcell, which consists of the pipe and
the transducers.
The Flowcell
The flowcell is that part of the system that uses ultrasonic pulses
to interrogate the flow. It consists of the flowcell pipe and the
transducers.
A. FLOWCELL PIPE - The flowcell can either be created in the
existing piping (for example, by clamping non-wetted
transducers onto the pipe), or inserted as a substitute pipe
section (spoolpiece). The flowcell must provide mechanical
support for the transducers and assure stable conditions for
accurate flow measurement.
B. TRANSDUCERS - The transducers convert electrical energy
into ultrasonic pulses when in a transmit cycle, and convert
the ultrasonic pulses back to electrical energy when in a
receive cycle. In other words, they act like loudspeakers when
transmitting the signal and microphones when receiving it. In
the TransPort system, each transducer acts as both a receiver
and transmitter, since a series of ultrasonic pulses are
alternately sent upstream and then downstream through the
flowcell.

April 2009
1-4 Features and Capabilities
Electronics Package
The TransPort consists of circuits that generate, receive, and
measure the travel time of the ultrasonic pulses. It also contains a
microcomputer that controls operation and calculates flow
measurement parameters. Specific circuits function as follows:
A. TRANSMIT SIGNAL GENERATOR - The transmit signal
generator, under control of the microcomputer and timing
circuit, synthesizes the signal that drives the transmitter.
B. TRANSMITTER - The transmitter amplifies the signals from
the transmit signal generator to a signal that drives the
transmit transducer.
C. RECEIVER - The receiver amplifies the received signals to a
level suitable for the data acquisition circuitry.
D. DATA ACQUISITION - The data acquisition circuitry
digitizes the received signal and stores it in a buffer for
processing by the microcomputer.
E. TIMING CIRCUIT - The timing circuit generates the
transmitter frequency, receive window, controls the data
acquisition circuit and the direction of the transmission.
F. MICROCOMPUTER - The microcomputer controls the
TransPort flowmeter’s operation and calculates flow
measurements derived from the transmitted and digitized
received signals. Also, the microcomputer continually checks
for faults and allows the use of built-in diagnostics for
troubleshooting.
G. INPUT/OUTPUT - The input/output circuitry allows the
flowmeter to indicate the measured flow with the
0/4 to 20-mA current loop, and to output to a printer or other
remote device.

Features and Capabilities 1-5
April 2009
Theory of Operation
The TransPort is a transit-time ultrasonic flowmeter. When
ultrasonic pulses are transmitted through a moving liquid or gas,
the pulses that travel in the same direction as the fluid flow
(downstream) travel slightly faster than the pulses that travel
against the flow (upstream). The TransPort uses various digital
signal processing techniques, including cross-correlation, to
determine transit times and then uses the difference in transit
times to calculate flow velocity.
During operation, two transducers serve as both ultrasonic signal
generators and receivers. When mounted on a pipe, they are in
acoustic communication with each other, so that each transducer
can receive ultrasonic signals transmitted by the other transducer.
Each transducer thus functions as a transmitter generating a
certain number of acoustic pulses, and as a receiver for an
identical number of pulses.
The flowmeter measures the time interval between transmission
and reception of the ultrasonic signals in both directions. When
the gas in the pipe is not flowing, the transit-time downstream
equals the transit-time upstream. When the gas is flowing, the
transit-time downstream is less than the transit-time upstream.
The difference between the downstream and upstream transit-
times is proportional to the velocity of the flowing gas, and its
sign indicates the direction of flow.

Initial Setup 2-1
April 2009
Chapter 2
Initial Setup
Before making measurements, you must prepare the TransPort
for operation. This includes the following procedures:
•Making Electrical Connections
•Charging and/or Replacing Batteries
•Powering On and Off
•Using the Screen and Keypad
•Obtaining On-Line Help
Figure 2-1 below shows the PT878GC in its specially designed
case.
Figure 2-1: The PT878GC and Accessories

April 2009
2-2 Initial Setup
Making Electrical Connections
Before making measurements with the TransPort, you must make
all the necessary connections to the unit. This section describes
how to connect the following:
•Power
•Transducer
•Analog Input/Output
•Infrared Interface
Make all connections to the top of the TransPort unit as shown in
Figure 2-2 below. Please note that you only need to make the
proper transducer connections. The other connections are
required for particular functions, but are not necessary for basic
operation.
Figure 2-2: Connection Locations
XDCR
Downstream
Upstream
Infrared
Transceiver
Input/Output
(See Table 2-1
Power
on page 2-4)

Initial Setup 2-3
April 2009
Power Connections
The PT878GC is powered by either a 100-120/200-260 VAC wall
mount plug-in module, or by 5 internal Cs-size NiCad high-
energy rechargeable batteries or by a pack of 3.0 Ahr NiMH
batteries. (An optional power supplement, part #703-1283, uses 6
AA alkaline batteries.) When you receive the PT878GC, the
batteries are not charged; therefore, to make remote
measurements using the batteries, follow the instructions on
page 2-5 to charge the batteries. In either case, you must connect
the power cord to the appropriate terminal as shown in Figure 2-2
above.
!WARNING!
To ensure the safe operation of the TransPort, you
must install and operate it as described in this manual.
In addition, be sure to follow all applicable safety codes
and regulations for installing electrical equipment in
your area.
Transducer Connections
The transducer cables connect to the TransPort with LEMO®
coaxial type connectors. Each color-coded cable has a collar
labeled UPSTREAM or DOWNSTREAM. Make transducer
cable connections to the top of the flowmeter as shown in Figure
2-2 on the previous page. Transducer installation is discussed
separately in Chapter 3.
Analog Input/Output Connections
The TransPort provides one 0/4-20 mA current output and two
4 to 20-mA analog inputs with switchable 16-V supply for
loop- powered temperature transmitters. Connect the inputs/
outputs using a LEMO®multi-pin connector as shown in Figure
2-2 on the previous page. The pin numbers for the connector and
the color code for the standard input/output cable are shown in
Table 2-1 on the next page.

April 2009
2-4 Initial Setup
Analog Input/Output Connections (cont.)
The Infrared Wireless Interface
The PT878GC comes equipped with an internal infrared
transceiver (see Figure 2-2 on page 2-2) that enables
communication between the meter and other IR devices,
particularly the IR ports or dongles (IR to RS232 adapters) of
Windows®-based PCs. Users can send and receive site and log
data. The PT878GC was designed for use with products that
comply to the IrDA protocol. For more information on
establishing IR communications between the PT878GC and your
PC, refer to Appendix B.
Table 2-1: Cable Assembly for Analog Inputs/Outputs
Pin Number Wire Color Description
1 Black Analog Out 1
2 Red 16 V (switched)
3 White Input A (Temperature or Pressure)
4 Yellow Input B (Temperature or Pressure)
5 Green Analog Ground
6 Orange Digital Output
7 Blue Digital Ground
8 Violet Receive Monitor