PCB Piezotronics ICP 109C11 User manual

Model 109C11
ICP® Pressure Sensor
Installation and Operating Manual
For assistance with the operation of this product,
contact PCB Piezotronics, Inc.
Toll-free: 800-828-8840
24-hour SensorLine: 716-684-0001
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: www.pcb.com

The information contained in this document supersedes all similar information that
may be found elsewhere in this manual.
Total Customer Satisfaction – PCB
Piezotronics guarantees Total Customer
Satisfaction. If, at any time, for any
reason, you are not completely satisfied
with any PCB product, PCB will repair,
replace, or exchange it at no charge. You
may also choose to have your purchase
price refunded in lieu of the repair,
replacement, or exchange of the product.
Service – Due to the sophisticated nature
of the sensors and associated
instrumentation provided by PCB
Piezotronics, user servicing or repair is
not recommended and, if attempted, may
void the factory warranty. Routine
maintenance, such as the cleaning of
electrical connectors, housings, and
mounting surfaces with solutions and
techniques that will not harm the
physical material of construction, is
acceptable. Caution should be observed
to insure that liquids are not permitted to
migrate into devices that are not
hermetically sealed. Such devices should
only be wiped with a dampened cloth
and never submerged or have liquids
poured upon them.
Repair – In the event that equipment
becomes damaged or ceases to operate,
arrangements should be made to return
the equipment to PCB Piezotronics for
repair. User servicing or repair is not
recommended and, if attempted, may
void the factory warranty.
Calibration – Routine calibration of
sensors and associated instrumentation is
recommended as this helps build
confidence in measurement accuracy and
acquired data. Equipment calibration
cycles are typically established by the
users own quality regimen. When in
doubt about a calibration cycle, a good
“rule of thumb” is to recalibrate on an
annual basis. It is also good practice to
recalibrate after exposure to any severe
temperature extreme, shock, load, or
other environmental influence, or prior
to any critical test.
PCB Piezotronics maintains an ISO-
9001 certified metrology laboratory and
offers calibration services, which are
accredited by A2LA to ISO/IEC 17025,
with full traceablility to N.I.S.T. In
addition to the normally supplied
calibration, special testing is also
available, such as: sensitivity at elevated
or cryogenic temperatures, phase
response, extended high or low
frequency response, extended range, leak
testing, hydrostatic pressure testing, and
others. For information on standard
recalibration services or special testing,
contact your local PCB Piezotronics
distributor, sales representative, or
factory customer service representative.
Returning Equipment – Following
these procedures will insure that your
returned materials are handled in the
most expedient manner. Before returning
any equipment to PCB Piezotronics,
contact your local distributor, sales
representative, or factory customer
service representative to obtain a Return
Warranty, Service, Repair, and
Return Policies and Instructions

Materials Authorization (RMA)
Number. This RMA number should be
clearly marked on the outside of all
package(s) and on the packing list(s)
accompanying the shipment. A detailed
account of the nature of the problem(s)
being experienced with the equipment
should also be included inside the
package(s) containing any returned
materials.
A Purchase Order, included with the
returned materials, will expedite the
turn-around of serviced equipment. It is
recommended to include authorization
on the Purchase Order for PCB to
proceed with any repairs, as long as they
do not exceed 50% of the replacement
cost of the returned item(s). PCB will
provide a price quotation or replacement
recommendation for any item whose
repair costs would exceed 50% of
replacement cost, or any item that is not
economically feasible to repair. For
routine calibration services, the Purchase
Order should include authorization to
proceed and return at current pricing,
which can be obtained from a factory
customer service representative.
Warranty – All equipment and repair
services provided by PCB Piezotronics,
Inc. are covered by a limited warranty
against defective material and
workmanship for a period of one year
from date of original purchase. Contact
PCB for a complete statement of our
warranty. Expendable items, such as
batteries and mounting hardware, are not
covered by warranty. Mechanical
damage to equipment due to improper
use is not covered by warranty.
Electronic circuitry failure caused by the
introduction of unregulated or improper
excitation power or electrostatic
discharge is not covered by warranty.
Contact Information – International
customers should direct all inquiries to
their local distributor or sales office. A
complete list of distributors and offices
can be found at www.pcb.com.
Customers within the United States may
contact their local sales representative or
a factory customer service
representative. A complete list of sales
representatives can be found at
www.pcb.com. Toll-free telephone
numbers for a factory customer service
representative, in the division
responsible for this product, can be
found on the title page at the front of this
manual. Our ship to address and general
contact numbers are:
PCB Piezotronics, Inc.
3425 Walden Ave.
Depew, NY 14043 USA
Toll-free: [phone]
24-hour SensorLineSM: [phone]
Website: www.pcb.com
E-mail: [email protected]
DOCUMENT NUMBER: 21354
DOCUMENT REVISION: B
ECN: 17900

Drawing Number: 21113
Revision: NR
OPERATION MANUAL FOR
ICPHIGH PRESSURE SENSORS
Models 109A, A02, A11, A12
Models 109B11, B12
1
1.0 INTRODUCTION
The Model 109A is an acceleration-compensated high
pressure sensor designed to measure very fast
transient pressure pulses as produced by detonations,
gas guns, projectiles and closed bomb tests. These
types of tests are usually accompanied by very large
acceleration pulses which can add considerable error
to output signals of noncompensated sensors.
The Model 109A features a very high natural
frequency, minimizing ringing effects usually
triggered by very short rise time input pulses.
The Model 109A02 is similar in all respects to the
Model 109A except for range. The 109A has a range
of 80,000 psi, while the 109A02 is rated at 100,000
psi full scale.
The 109A series is not intended for continuous duty
such as in fuel injector pumps.
2.0 DESCRIPTION
The Model 109A (see figure below) contains a very
rigid acceleration-compensated quartz element
coupled to a tiny microelectronic amplifier located
near the electrical connector.
Series 109A Sensor
This amplifier (actually an impedance converter with
unity gain) converts the high-impedance level voltage
from the quartz package into a low-impedance (100
ohms), high-level (6 V-109A, 7 V -109A02) output
signal. The amplifier utilizes two wires, i.e. signal
and power are conducted through a single coaxial
connector.
The signal is separated from the bias level (about +11
V) in the power unit by use of a decoupling capacitor
when using power units Series 480B, 482A, 483A,
485B and others.
The signal is separated from the bias level by DC
voltage level-shifting methods in power unit
Model 484B. This unit is useful for calibration.
See Guide G-0001B, "General Guide to ICP
Instrumentation", for more complete coverage of
ICP(Integrated Circuit Piezoelectric) instruments.
3.0 INSTALLATION
The series 109A Sensors mount directly in existing
ports machined for PCB Models 118A, 108A and
119A.
Unlike conventional diaphragm type sensors, the
109A is pressure sensitive over the entire frontal area.
For this reason, extra care should be exercised to
avoid bottoming in mounting hole when recessed
mounted and especially when mounting into existing
mounting ports.
A torque wrench should be used to monitor the
mounting torque value when installing the series
109A. The recommended range is given on the
installation drawing.
3.1 MOUNTING IN EXISTING
RECESSED PORTS
Before installing the sensor in previously used
mounting ports, clean out residue from previous tests
as shown in figure below. This can be accomplished
by hand reaming the 1/4" diameter hole using a PCB
Model 040A end cutting reamer (or equivalent).
1
0
-
3
2
C
o
-
A
x
i
a
l
Connector
ICP Amplifier
5/16 Hex
3/8-24 Thd.
C
e
r
a
m
i
c
C
o
a
t
i
n
g
Acceleration
Compensated Elemen
t

Drawing Number: 21113
Revision: NR
OPERATION MANUAL FOR
ICPHIGH PRESSURE SENSORS
Models 109A, A02, A11, A12
Models 109B11, B12
2
M
o
d
e
l
0
4
0
A
R
e
a
m
e
r
Residue
Existing Recessed Ports
During prolonged testing, should waveform distortion
occur, remove sensor and remove residue as shown.
It is important to note that, should the seal surface
require remachining to clean up after prolonged use,
don't forge to deepen the 1/4" diameter hole by the
same amount. Otherwise, the sensor may bottom
when installed.
3.2 PREPARING NEW MOUNTING
PORTS
Refer to installation drawing provided in this manual
for instructions in mounting hole preparation. For
best results, do not deviate from the steps outlined in
this drawing.
Use good machining practice in preparation of the
mounting port, paying particular attention to the seal
surface (.323 diameter), and keeping it free from tool
chatter marks.
NOTE: It is important that this surface be perfectly
smooth and free from nicks or other discontinuities
which might cause leaks at high pressures.
3.3 RECESSED MOUNT
The recessed installation is shown in figure below.
This type of mounting protects the sensor diaphragm
from the effects of high-flash temperatures and
particle impingement due to blast effects, thereby
prolonging sensor life.
The recommended range of passage diameters is .090
to .125 diameter.
The limitation in this type of installation lies in the
frequency-limiting effects of the passage due to its
length.
The passage behaves like an underdamped second
order system, the resonant frequency being
determined by the passage length. This can have a
limiting effect of pressure pulse rise time while
causing passage ringing in cases where the passage is
too long.
Recessed Mount
.010
min.
The following relationship determines this resonant
frequency (fr):
(Hz)
L
4
V
fr(EQ. 1)
Where: fr = Resonant frequency of passage (Hz)
V = Velocity of sound in air (ft/sec)
L = Length of column (ft)

Drawing Number: 21113
Revision: NR
OPERATION MANUAL FOR
ICPHIGH PRESSURE SENSORS
Models 109A, A02, A11, A12
Models 109B11, B12
3
For air at room temperature, (EQ. 1) becomes:
L
3000
fr(EQ. 2)
Where: L = Passage length (in.)
The natural frequency and approximate fastest
pressure step rise time for various length passages is
shown in the following chart. (Medium, air at 25 C).
PASSAGE
LENGTH (in) PASSAGE RESONANCE
(kHz)
APPROX.
FASTEST PULSE
RISE TIME (Sec)
.050 66 5
.100 33 10
.200 16.5 20
.50 6.6 50
1.0 3.3 100
Passage Resonance vs. Passage Length
Actual resonant frequencies measured in practice may
differ slightly from the chart values due to variations
in the velocity of propagation of sound in air caused
by changes in temperature and pressure of the air in
the passage.
For best matching of passage to diaphragm, maintain
the .010”clearance ahead of the diaphragm as shown
in Recessed Mount figure.
3.4 FLUSH MOUNT
In the flush mount installation, there is no reduced
area passage from the sensor diaphragm to the test
chamber, rather the sensor diaphragm is mounted
flush with (or slightly recessed from) the inside
surface of the test chamber.
Use this type of installation only if space or rise time
considerations preclude the use of the recessed
installation.
In severe pyrotechnic environments, sensor life may
be severely limited with flush installation.
3.5 FLASH TEMPERATURE
EFFECTS
The ceramic coating on the diaphragm of these
sensors should render the flash thermal effect
insignificant in most cases, especially when recessed
mounted.
However, if more protection from flash thermal
effects is required with the recessed mount, the
passage can be filled with silicone grease (DC-4 or
equivalent).
Several layers of black vinyl electrical tape directly
on the diaphragm has proven effective in many cases.
Flash temperature effects are usually longer term and
will show up as baseline shift long after the event to
be measured has passed.
For flush mount installations, a silicone rubber
coating approximately .010”thick can be effective.
GE RTV type 106 is recommended. Follow
manufacturer’s instructions to apply. It is best to
recess the diaphragm .010”for this type of protection.
3.6 INSTALLING CABLES
It is convenient, though not necessary, to use coaxial
cable such as PCB Model 002A to connect sensor to
power unit.
Cable need not be low-noise treated, and in fact, if it
is desired to use lighter, more flexible cable, 070A09
solder connector adaptors may be used to employ
twisted pair or other types of two-wire cable.
109A
002A
DC DVM
Model 070A0
1
"T" Adaptor
4
8
0
B

Drawing Number: 21113
Revision: NR
OPERATION MANUAL FOR
ICPHIGH PRESSURE SENSORS
Models 109A, A02, A11, A12
Models 109B11, B12
4
3.7 CIRCUIT CONNECTIONS
The two following figures show two typical circuit
connections normally used with the 109A series to
connect to the power units. The first figure is the
most often used connection scheme for most
applications. In this set up, the signal is AC-coupled
from the bias voltage by a 10 µF capacitor located in
the power unit. The voltage at the "scope" terminal
will be at a "O" volt bias level.
109A
Model 002A
M
o
d
e
l
4
8
0
B
XDCR
SCOPE
Model 012A
R
e
a
d
o
u
t
Normal Connection AC-Coupled Output
In this case, the system discharge time constant will
be determined by the value of the input resistance (R)
of the readout device and the 10 µF capacitor (C) in
accordance with the following relationship:
TC (seconds) = R (ohms) C (farads)
Alternate Connection to take Advantage of Sensor
Discharge TC
The second figure illustrates an optional connection
scheme which can be used during calibration to take
full advantage of the sensor discharge time constant.
With this arrangement, the readout is direct-coupled
to the sensor and the output signal will be added to
the +11 volt (Nom) bias level.
The discharge time constant will now be determined
only by the sensor and should be in the order of 2000
seconds. This is sufficient for most types of static
calibration methods. (See calibration section 4.0.)
109A
O
s
c
i
l
l
o
s
c
o
p
e
DC DVM
M
o
d
e
l
4
8
4
B
DC
Typical Connection
The figure above shows the 109A connected to the
Model 484B Power Unit. The 484B is a dual-mode
power unit, i.e., the output signal can be AC- or DC-
coupled from the sensor.
In the DC mode, a level-shifting circuit removes the
bias level and provides a zero adjust feature at the
front panel.
In the DC mode, the system discharge time constant
is determined by the sensor.
An AC-coupled mode is provided for normal AC-
coupled operation.
4.0 CALIBRATION
Static calibration methods may be employed using the
set-up shown in the alternate connection figure or by
use of the Model 484B Power Unit as shown in above
figure. Use 484B in DC mode.
Use high pressure pump with dial reference sensor or
a dead weight tester to apply pressure in desired
increments to full scale. Dump pressure after taking
the reading and before proceeding to the next higher
pressure level.
With a 2000 second discharge TC, 1% of the signal
will be lost in 20 seconds, so it is imperative that the
pressure setting and recording of output be
accomplished quickly.
A calibration graph can then be plotted using output
voltage vs. input pressure.

Drawing Number: 21113
Revision: NR
OPERATION MANUAL FOR
ICPHIGH PRESSURE SENSORS
Models 109A, A02, A11, A12
Models 109B11, B12
5
5.0 OPERATION
Select desired mode of circuit connection and turn
power unit on.
Observe fault monitor meter at the front panel of the
power unit.
Normal operation is indicated by an approximate
midscale reading.
Shorted cable or connections are indicated by a zero
reading (red area).
Open cable or connections are indicated by a full-
scale (yellow area) reading.
Allow instrument several minutes to warm up and
thermally stabilize.
When output from power unit is connected to readout
equipment, a drifting of the voltage signal will be
noticed. This is normal. It is due to the charging of
the coupling capacitor in the power unit and will
cease within several minutes.
6.0 POLARITY
The series 109A produces a positive-going output
voltage for increasing pressure at the diaphragm.
7.0 MAINTENANCE
The small size and sealed construction of the series
109A precludes field maintenance and repair.
ICP is a registered trademark of PCB Piezotronics