
Operation
14 GA09313_0202 – (2008-02) – ¤Oerlikon Leybold Vacuum
As long as the cold cathode measuring circuit has not yet ignited, the measured
value of the Pirani is output as measuring signal ("Pirani underrange" is displayed
for pressures <5×10-4 mbar). The status output (pin 6, low) indicates the Pirani-only
mode.
If the transmitter is activated at a pressure p < 3×10-9, the transmitter
cannot recognize whether the cold cathode system has ignited. It indi-
cates "Pirani underrange".
Once flanged on, permanently leave the transmitter in the operating
mode irrespective of the pressure range. Like this, the ignition delay of
the cold cathode measuring circuit is always negligible (<1 s), and
thermal stabilizing effects are minimized.
Contamination
Transmitter failures due to contamination, as well as expendable parts
(filament), are not covered by the warranty.
Transmitter contamination is influenced by the process media used as well as by
any present or new contaminants and their respective partial pressures. Contin-
uous operation in the range of 10-4 mbar … 10-2 mbar can cause severe conta-
mination as well as reduced up-time and maintenance cycles. With constantly low
pressures (p <1×10-6 mbar), the transmitter can be operated for more than one
year without cleaning (cleaning the transmitter →18).
Contamination of the transmitter generally causes a deviation of the measured
values:
•In the high pressure range (1×10-3 mbar … 0.1 mbar), the pressure reading is
too high (contamination of the Pirani element). Readjustment of the Pirani
measuring system →16.
•In the low pressure range (p < 1×10-3 mbar), the pressure reading is usually too
low (contamination of the cold cathode system). In case of severe contamina-
tion, instabilities can occur (layers of the measuring chamber peel off). Conta-
mination due to insulation layers can even lead to a complete failure of the
discharge ("Underrange" is displayed).
Contamination can to a certain extent be reduced by:
•geometric protection measures (e.g. screenings, elbows) for particles that
spread rectilinearly
•mounting the flange of the transmitter at a place where the partial pressure of
the pollutants is particularly low.
Special precautions are required for vapors deposited under plasma (of the cold
cathode measuring system). It may even be necessary to temporarily switch of the
transmitter while such vapors occur.