Halma ALICAT SCIENTIFIC LC User manual

OPERATING MANUAL
for LIQUID FLOW
CONTROLLERS
Models LC · LCR · LCS · LCRS

2 Introduction
Thank you for purchasing your liquid controller.
Contact Information
Alicat Scientific World Headquarters
7641 N Business Park Dr., Tucson, AZ 85743 USA
[email protected]om • alicat.com • [phone]
India
[e-mail]
Halma India Pvt. Ltd.
Plot NO. A-147, Road No. 24,
Next to Spraytech Circle
opp. Metropolitan Company,
Wagle Industrial Estate
Thane-West
MAHĀRĀSHTRA 400 604
India
[phone]
China & SE Asia
[e-mail]
alicat.com.cn
2nd Floor, Block 63, No. 421,
Hong Cao Rd,
Shanghai 200233
PRC
[phone] ext. 801
Europe
[email protected]om
Geograaf 24
6921 EW Duiven
The Netherlands
+31 (0) 26 203.1651
Recalibrate your flow controller every year.
Annual calibration is required to ensure the continued certainty of readings
and to extend the Limited Lifetime Warranty. Fill out the Service Request
Form at alicat.com/service,or contact us directly.
Serial #: Next Calibration:
This device comes with a NIST
traceable calibration certificate.
This device conforms to the European
Union’s Restriction of Use of Hazardous
Substances in Electrical and Electronic
Equipment (RoHS) Directive 2011/65/EU.
This device complies with the requirements
of the Low Voltage Directive 2014/35/EU and
the EMC Directive 2014/30/EU and carries
the CE Marking accordingly.
This device complies with the requirements of the
European Union’s Waste Electrical & Electronic
Equipment (WEEE) Directive 2002/96/EC
Rev. 0 • LIQUID FLOW CONTROLLER operating manual

LIQUID FLOW CONTROLLER operating manual 3
Introduction
Your new flow controller has a variety of innovative features:
• 1000 readings per second ensures high resolution data.
• Monitor pressure and temperature during flow measurement.
View internal stream gauge pressure and temperature.
• Backlit display with adjustable contrast is easy to read in
direct sunlight. In dimly lit areas, press the bottom-center
logo to turn on the backlight (see page 20).
• Log data to your PC. Talk to the flow controller over
a serial data connection to capture all flow data, for
logging and analysis purposes (see page 30).
This manual covers the following instruments:
• Liquid flow controllers
• Flow controllers for aggressive liquids
• Devices labeled as approved for CSA Class 1 Div 2 and ATEX Class
1 Zone 2 hazardous environments. See page 47 for special
conditions regarding the use of CSA/ATEX labeled devices.
Using Laminar Liquid Flow Devices
THE DEVICE IS CONFIGURED FOR ONE TYPE OF LIQUID,
AND MUST USE ONLY THAT LIQUID TO FUNCTION PROPERLY.
By default, liquid devices are configured only for use with pure water,
such as distilled, de-ionized, Type I (Ultrapure), Type II, and Type III. If
the device was specifically engineered for use with a dierent liquid, any
other liquid will produce incorrect readings. Contact support (previous
page) with any questions.
Ensure minimal contaminants or liquid variations. For water devices, DO
NOT use tap water or water with any biological components, minerals, or
oils. Any of these substances will aect the viscosity of the liquid, creating
flow measurement inaccuracies. More importantly, these impurities
will quickly build up in the laminar flow zone, cause corrosion, and
degrade the measurement accuracy of the device.

4 Table of Contents
Contents
Introduction 3
Using Laminar Liquid Flow Devices 3
Getting Started 6
The Flow Controller Display 7
Status Messages 7
Mounting 8
Process Ports 8
Filters 8
Operating Pressure 9
Bleed Ports 9
Power and Signal Connections 10
RS-232 or RS-485 Digital Signals 11
Engineering Units 12
Option: Collecting Totalized Flow Data 13
Dispensing Liquid in Batches 14
Option: Color TFT Display 16
Navigation & Customization 17
Main Menu 17
Taring Your Flow Controller 17
Basic Configuration Menu 18
Engineering Units 18
Advanced Setup 19
Display Setup 20
Control Menus 21
Changing the Setpoint 21
Using Setpoint Ramping 22
Changing Between Setpoint Sources 23
Changing the Control Loop Variable 23
Establishing Setpoint Limits 24
Enabling the Setpoint Ramping Function 25
Enabling Setpoint Ramping Overrides 25
Limiting Flow Rate While Controlling Pressure 26
Adjusting the Closed Loop Controller 27
Device Information 29
Diagnostic Information 29

LIQUID FLOW CONTROLLER operating manual 5
Contents Serial Communication 30
Configuring Serial Communications 30
Establishing Communication 31
Polling Mode 32
Streaming Mode 32
Taring 33
Collecting Flow Data 33
Commanding a New Setpoint 34
Sending Setpoints as Floating Point Numbers 34
Sending Setpoints as Integers 34
Quick Command Guide 35
Troubleshooting 36
Maintenance 39
Cleaning 39
Recalibration 39
Engineering Units 40
Flow Units 40
Totalizer Units 40
True Mass Units 40
Time Units 40
Temperature Units 40
Pressure Units 41
Pinouts 42
8-Pin Mini-DIN (Default) 42
Locking Industrial Connector Pinout 43
9-pin D-Sub Connector Pinouts 44
M12 Connector Pinouts 45
15-Pin D-Sub Connector Pinouts 46
Additional Information for
CSA and ATEX Approved Devices 47
Limited Lifetime Warranty 48

6 Getting Started
Getting Started
Getting to Know Your Liquid Flow Controller
Connectors and Buttons
The drawings below represent a typical configuration of a liquid flow
controller. Your device’s appearance and connections may differ.
+0.00
+0.00 +22.73
CCM MENU
PSIG ¤C SETPT
+0.00
Volu Flow
CCM
Water
+0.00
I/O Port
(shape varies)
DC
In
Light
Switch
Controls Valve
Display
Flow
Body
Process
Connections
Mounting
Holes
Bleed
Ports

LIQUID FLOW CONTROLLER operating manual 7
The Flow Controller Display
The figure below identifies the various features of the main flow controller
display. Press the button behind the Alicat logo to toggle the backlight
on and o.
Live data is measured 1000 times per second and typically displayed 10
times per second on the device LCD screen.
Engineering units are used by the controller in its serial communications
and calculations. These can be dierent from button units, which are the
units being displayed. These are individually configurable (see page 12).
Highlights pressure in the center of
the controller. Push a second time
to choose the pressure parameter
(if available), or to select pressure
engineering units (page 12).
Highlights temperature. Push a
second time to select temperature
engineering units (page 12).
SETPT sets the flow or pressure
control setpoint (see page 21).
Highlights volumetric flow rate.
Push a second time to select
volumetric flow rate engineering units (page 12).
TOTAL/MENU accesses the optional flow totalizer (page 13).
MENU enters the menu system (page 17).
Toggles the backlight. See more display options on page 20.
Status Messages
ADC Analog-digital converter error
EXH Exhaust mode active
HLD Valve hold active
LCK Front display is locked
OVR Totalizer rolled over to zero
POV Pressure over range of device
TMF Totalizer missed out of range flow
TOV Temperature over range of device
VOV Volumetric flow over range of device
Main Display

8 Getting Started
Mounting
All liquid controllers have mounting holes for convenient attachment to
flat panels. No straight runs of pipe are required upstream or downstream.
Controllers are position insensitive and can be mounted in any orientation.
 If air bubbles are continuously introduced to the flow upstream
of the device, the device may be mounted upside down to
prevent bubbles from being trapped in the pressure sensor
ports. Tare the device after changing its position or orientation.
! If the device has been installed upside down, avoid using the
bleed screws as liquid may leak into the electronics housing
causing permanent damage that is not covered under warranty!
▲Caution: Flow controllers that use large Rolamite valves should
be mounted with their valve oriented vertically (right-side up).
If another orientation is desired, please contact support.
Process Ports
Your flow controller has been shipped with plastic plugs fitted into its ports.
To lessen the chance of contaminating the flow stream, do not remove
these plugs until you are ready to install the device.
Standard liquid flow controllers have female inlet and outlet ports. Welded
VCR® and other specialty fittings may have male connections.
• If you are using a fitting without a face seal, use thread-sealing tape
to prevent leakage around the port threads, but do not wrap the
first two threads. This will minimize the possibility of getting tape
into the flow stream and clogging the laminar flow elements (LFE).
• If you are using a fitting that has a face seal, there
is no need to apply tape to the threads.
• When changing fittings, carefully clean the port threads.
! Warning: Do not use pipe dopes or sealants on the process
connections, as these compounds can cause permanent
damage to the controller should they get into the flow stream.
Filters
When pressure drop is not an issue, use in-line sintered filters to prevent
large particulates from entering the flow controller. Suggested maximum
particulate sizes are as follows:
≤100 ccm flow range: 20 microns >100 ccm flow range: 40 microns
 Avoiding long runs of small-diameter tubing upstream or
downstream of the device will reduce liquid hammer.

LIQUID FLOW CONTROLLER operating manual 9
Operating Pressure
Maximum operating line pressure is 100 . If the line pressure is higher
than 100 , use a pressure regulator upstream to reduce the pressure.
Maximum proof pressure is 200 ; above this pressure the device may
be permanently damaged.
! CAUTION! Exceeding the maximum specified line
pressure may cause permanent damage to the
solid-state dierential pressure transducer.
Bleed Ports
Liquid flow controllers include bleed ports (8-32 Nylon tapped screw) on
the front for the removal of air bubbles.
 A small amount of liquid will leak from the device
during this procedure. Take necessary precautions
to prevent damage to anything nearby.
Bleed both of the ports as follows:
1. With the controller installed, and a >50% setpoint given,
gently loosen the upstream bleed port screw 1 or 2 turns,
or until liquid begins to leak from the threads. Do not
remove the screw, as it has pressure behind it, is very
small, is easy to lose, and is delicate to rethread.
2. Gently tapping the flow body (screwdriver handles work well) will
bump air bubbles out, though it may not be visible or audible.
3. Gently tighten the screw until the leakage stops,
taking care not to crush the nylon tip.
 If your device is mounted in an inverted position, avoid using the
bleed screws as liquid may leak and cause permanent damage.
5⁄64″ 8-32 Nylon-tipped
hex bleed screw
Loosen to bleed liquid,
but do not remove

10 Getting Started
Power and Signal Connections
Power can be supplied to your controller through either the power jack
or the multi-pin connector on top of your device.
Controller power jacks require a 9–24 Vdc power supply with
a 2.1 mm female positive center plug capable of supplying
at least 250 mA, with an additional 40 mA for a color
display. 4–20 mA analog outputs require at least 12 Vdc and
290 mA, and 0–10 Vdc outputs require at least 12 Vdc.
 Large valve controllers (LCR models) require a 24
Vdc power supply with a 2.1 mm female positive
center plug capable of supplying at least 1 A.
Standard 8-Pin Mini-DIN Pinout
For 6-pin locking industrial connector, M12, DB9, and DB15 pinouts, see
or visit alicat.com/pinouts.
Pin Cable Color Function
1Black Not connected
Optional: 4–20 mA primary output signal
2Brown Static 5.12 Vdc
Optional: Secondary analog output
(4–20 mA, 0–5 Vdc, 1–5 Vdc, 0–10 Vdc) or basic alarm
3 Red Serial RS-232RX input signal
Optional: RS-485 A
4Orange Analog setpoint input
5Yellow Serial RS-232TX output signal
Optional: RS-485 B
6Green 0–5 Vdc
Optional: 1–5 Vdc or 0–10 Vdc) output signal
7Blue Power in (as described above)
8Purple Ground (common for power, digital communications,
analog signals, and alarms)
▲Caution: Do not connect power to pins 1 through 6. Permanent
damage can occur. Pin 2 (5.12 Vdc Output) is often mistaken
for the standard 0–5 Vdc analog output signal. Pin 2 is
normally a constant 5.12 Vdc that reflects system bus voltage.
12
5
3
4
678
21
3
5
4
876
Male Connector: CableFemale Connector: Device

LIQUID FLOW CONTROLLER operating manual 11
RS-232 or RS-485 Digital Signals
To use the RS-232 or RS-485 digital signal, connect the Output Signal
(Pin 5), the Input Signal (Pin 3), and Ground (Pin 8) to your serial port as
shown below. See page 30 for details on serial communication and
how to use the data connection to issue commands.
DB9 to 8-Pin Mini-DIN Connection for
RS-232 or RS-485 Signals
9-Pin Serial Connection 8-Pin Mini-DIN Connection
Pin Function Pin Function
Ground Ground
Transmit Receive
Receive Transmit
Analog Signals
Primary Analog Output Signal
Most devices include a primary analog output signal, which is linear over
its entire range. For ranges that start at 0 Vdc, a zero-flow condition is
indicated at approximately 0.010 Vdc. Full scale flow is indicated by the top
of the range: 5 Vdc for 0–5 Vdc, 20 mA for 4–20 mA signals, and so on
5
96
1
DB9 Male
8-Pin
Mini-DIN

12 Getting Started
Engineering Units
The device’s units of measurement are
handled in two ways:
Button engineering units are the units
of measurement on the front display.
At right, they are PSIG (pressure), °C
(temperature), and CCM (flow rate).
Device engineering units are the
units of measurement used for calcu-
lation and sent through a serial data
connection. Optionally, these may be
different from the displayed button
engineering units.
Selecting Engineering Units
If a parameter is already highlighted in the center of the screen, pressing
that measurement’s button again will bring up a menu to modify either
the button engineering units or the device engineering units.
If the device and button engineering units are the same (below
left), the menu will oer to change button engineering units or device
engineering units. Device engineering units can also be set in the Basic
Configuration Menu (page 18).
If device and button engineering units differ (below right), the menu
will oer to change button engineering units (Set button eng units), or
to match button units to device engineering units (Show device units).
This will show if the front display units
(button engineering units) are the same
as serial data (device engineering units).
This will show if the front display units
(button engineering units) are the same
as serial data (device engineering units).
Main Display

LIQUID FLOW CONTROLLER operating manual 13
Option: Collecting Totalized Flow Data
Controllers with a flow totalizer display the total volume that has flowed
through the instrument since its last reset, like a gasoline pump. You can
access the totalizer screen by pressing TOTAL/MENU on the Main Display.
Totalizer (Optional)
TOTAL/TIMER toggles totalized flow
and elapsed time as the parameter
highlighted in the center.
SETPT displays current setpoint.
Press to set a new setpoint
or to clear the setpoint.
Displays live flow rate. Press
to select engineering units.
BATCH sets up flow batches
(page 14), shows a remaining
batch amount, -DONE-, or -NONE-.
RESET clears all totalized data and
immediately resets the timer to
zero while totalization continues.
TOTAL/MENU enters the menu
system (page 17). Then, press
MAIN to exit to the Main Display.
• The main display shows either time
since reset, or totalized flow.
• VAVG: Optionally shows the live
average flow rate since the last
reset, just above the main display.
Totalizer Rollover Functions
The totalizer will report up to 7 digits.
Rollover (default):
Totalizer resumes counting
from zero as soon as
the maximum count
has been reached.
Freeze:
Totalizer stops counting
at max count, until it
is reset manually.
Error (default): Displays
OVR when maximum
count has been reached;
compatible with
Rollover and Freeze.
The maximum elapsed time is 9999:59:59 (h:m:s) (416 days). At that
point, the timer freezes, regardless of rollover settings.
Totalizer showing time (top)
and total flow (bottom)

14 Getting Started
Dispensing Liquid in Batches
Batch dispensing allows you to choose a
desired total volume to flow, after which
the valve closes. You can repeat batches
with a single button press.
Totalizer – Batch Mode
• TOTAL/TIMER opens the totalizer?
• SETPT displays the current setpoint.
Batch dispensing can begin only
when there is a non-zero setpoint.
• LPM +10.00 is the instantaneous
(non-averaged) flow rate, in
this example 10 LPM.
• REMAIN shows quantity remaining in the batch. Press to select a
new quantity. Flow stops when the batch completes. -DONE- BATCH
appears when the batch is done, or -NONE- BATCH appears
or no batch is set. Press to select a new batch quantity.
• RESET clears all totalized data, resets the timer,
and begins the next batch immediately.
• Menu/Main returns to the Main Display (page 7).
How to start batch dispensing
1. From the totalizer screen, press BATCH. Choose the amount to be
dispensed in each batch. Press SET to accept the new batch size.
2. From the totalizer screen, press SETPT to choose a non-zero
setpoint. Flow begins as soon as you press SET.
3. While a new batch is being dispensed, the BATCH button
changes to show the quantity that remains to be dispensed.
When the batch size has been achieved, the BATCH
button displays -DONE- and flow stops automatically.
 Note: Batch dispensing requires an active batch size
and a non-zero setpoint. If your controller already
has a non-zero setpoint, flow begins as soon as
you press SET from the batch size screen.
The batch size can be changed while it is in progress. If the new batch size
is larger than the current totalized flow, flow continues until the new value
is reached. If the new batch size is smaller than the current totalized flow,
the flow stops immediately. Press RESET to start the new batch.
Totalizer showing a running batch,
with 11.25 SL yet to be dispensed.

LIQUID FLOW CONTROLLER operating manual 15
How to repeat a batch
• For a new batch of identical size, simply press
RESET. Flow begins immediately.
• For a new batch of a dierent size, press BATCH, and then select
the new batch size. Flow begins as soon as you press SET.
How to cancel a batch
• To pause a batch in progress, set the flow setpoint to zero by
pressing SETPT →CLEAR →SET. Resume with a non-zero set point.
To remove a batch setting, press TOTAL/MENU → BATCH → CLEAR → SET
to set a batch size of zero. Deleting the batch has no eect on the flow
setpoint, so the controller will continue to allow flow at the setpoint’s rate.
! Caution: If your controller has a non-zero setpoint
when batch dispensing is turned o, flow will
resume immediately at the current setpoint.
 Note: The batch size is retained across power
cycles of your flow controller. It must be manually
cleared when no longer desired.
When batch mode is o, -NONE- appears above the BATCH button.
Ensuring Measurable Flow While Controlling Pressure
Making an abrupt change while using a flow controller in pressure control
mode may cause the flow rate to exceed the maximum measurable flow
(128% of full scale). In this case, the totalized flow value will flash, and the
controller will report a TMF message to indicate that the totalizer missed
flow data. Reset the totalizer to clear the incomplete data.
Setting an upper flow limit (page 24) within the readable range will
avoid this error; however, the device may not control to the given pressure
setpoint to avoid exceeding the flow limit.
! In certain situations, it is possible to exceed the desired
batch size. For example, if the feed pressure is too low to
achieve the flow setpoint and then pressure is suddenly
increased, the batch size may be exceeded before
the valve reacts to the sudden burst of pressure.

16 Getting Started
Option: Color TFT Display
Multi-Color Display Indicators
• GREEN: Parameter labels and
adjustments associated with the
button directly above or below
the label are presented in green.
• WHITE: Parameters operating
under normal conditions.
• RED: Parameters with values
exceeding 128% of the
device’s specifications.
• YELLOW: Menu items that are ready
to be selected appear in yellow.
This color replaces the >symbol in
selections on monochrome display.
 Press the bottom-central button to
turn o the color display backlight,
located below the row of three
buttons under the screen. The flow
controller remains in operation
while the backlight is o.
LCD Contrast
LCD contrast is ranged from 0 to 11 on color displays, with 11 indicating
the greatest contrast. See page 20 for additonal information about
display options.
Specifications for Instruments with Color Displays
Color displays will require an additional 40 mA when using a 24 Vdc
power supply. All other specifications from your device’s specification
sheet remain in eect.
A TFT screen under normal conditions

LIQUID FLOW CONTROLLER operating manual 17
Navigation &
Customization
Main Menu
The Main Menu system is accessed by
pressing the MENU button from the Main
Display (page 7).
• CONTROL (page 21) ABOUT
(page 29), TARES (see below), BASIC
CONFIG (page 18), and ADV SETUP
(page 19) enter their menus.
• MAIN exits to the Main
Display (page 7).
Taring Your Flow Controller
Taring ensures accurate measurements by
giving the device a zero reference.
When auto-tare is -ON-, your flow controller
automatically tares its flow rate whenever it
has a zero setpoint for a short time, at least
two seconds.
How to Manually Tare
1. Ensure that nothing is flowing
through the device.
2. MENU →TARE →TARE FLOW. Flow tares
should occur at the expected process
pressure, as long as there is no flow.
3. MENU →TARE →TARE PRESS. Gauge pressure tares must
be done with the controller open to atmosphere.
When to Tare
• After significant changes in temperature or pressure
• After dropping or bumping the flow controller
• After installing the controller in a dierent orientation
Main Menu
Tares Menu

18 Navigation and Customization
Basic Configuration Menu
Engineering Units
Changing device engineering units alters both the display and the serial
data frame. First, choose the parameter whose unit you want to change,
then select your desired engineering unit, and lastly confirm the change.
If your controller has been configured with a flow totalizer, this screen will
also include units for totalized volumetric flow, and elapsed time.
Basic Configuration Menu Parameters in Device Units Menu
Available flow engineering units Confirming device engineering units





LIQUID FLOW CONTROLLER operating manual 19
Advanced Setup
Menu →Advanced Setup
• SENSOR SETUP (see below),
COMM SETUP (page 30), and
DISP SETUP (page 20) enter
their respective menus.
• BACK returns to the top-level
Main Menu (page 17).
• MAIN exits to the Main
Display (page 7).
Menu →Advanced Setup
→Sensor Setup
• DISPLAY AS ZERO defines a flow
rate under which values are
displayed as zero. The maximum
zero band is 6.38%. Example: A
10-lpm controller with a 0.25%
zero band would display 0 lpm for
all readings below 0.025 lpm.
• NUM OF DIGITS sets the number of
digits of flow readings to display
on-screen, and in the serial data
frame. Older devices typically
had one less significant digit, and
newer devices can be set to match.
• BACK returns to the Advanced
Setup Menu (above).
• AVERAGING adjusts the time
constants of the geometric running
averages for flow and pressure.
These are changed independently
via PRESS AVG and FLOW AVG in
the Averaging Menu. Values
roughly correspond to the time
constant (in ms) of the averaged
values. Higher numbers have
a greater smoothing eect on
fluctuating readings (255 ms max).
• MAIN exits to Main Display
(page 7).
Parameters in the Advanced Config.
Sensor Configuration Menu
Averaging Configuration Screen

20 Navigation and Customization
Display Setup
Menu →Advanced Setup →Disp Setup
• LCD CONTRAST sets the contrast
level of the display, ranging
from 0–31 on monochrome
displays, and 0–11 on color
displays. Press reset to revert
to the default contrast level.
• POWER UP -DARK- or -LIT- toggles
whether the back light of the
unit will be on or o when the
device powers on. This is not
available on color displays.
• ROTATE DISP displays a
sub-menu to change the screen
orientation, by rotating it 180°.
• BACK returns to the Advanced
Setup Menu (previous page).
• MAIN exits to the Main
Display (page 7).
LCD Contrast Configuration Screen
Display Setup Menu