PFlow Industries P118i User manual

P118iUltrasonic Flowmeterand Analyzer
Reversion:3.0.0Page1of49
Ultrasonic Flowmeter and Analyzer
Model: P118i
Update
Record
Revision
3.0.0
Date 11.2015

P118iUltrasonic Flowmeterand Analyzer
Reversion:3.0.0Page2of49
Notice
Thankyou forchoosingthe P118iUltrasonicFlowmeterand AnalyzerwithARMchipandlow-voltage
wide-pulse sending technology.
Thisinstruction manualcontainsimportantinformation. Pleaseread it carefullybeforeoperation the flowmeter
thusavoiding damage to the flowmeterfromimproperuse.
Thisinstruction manualwill advisehowtousetheflowmeterstep-by-step manner,including productcomponent
description, installation, wiring and quick setupetc. to make it easierto operate.
Aworking knowledge ofthemenu settingswillassistyouinunderstandingthe flowmeters powerfuland output
function.
Warning
Maycause injury.
Attention
Maydamage the flowmeter.
Someofthe instructionsmaybe differentfromthe flowmeterand analyzeryou havepurchased. Thatdependson
the configuration requirements.It alsomaybe due tochangesinproductdesign, modification and upgrade .You
will find the flowmeterdisplayinterface intuitiveand easytounderstand and it shall prevailwhen thereisno
indication ofthe instructions.Please referto the version numberand the appendix formore information.

P118iUltrasonic Flowmeterand Analyzer
Reversion:3.0.0Page3of49
Product Components
Inspection shouldbe made beforeinstalling the flowmeter.Check tosee if the spareparts areinaccordance with
the packing list.Make surethatthereisno damage totheenclosuredue toloosescreworwiresorotherdamage
thatmayhaveoccurred during transportation. Anyquestions,pleasecontactyourrepresentativeassoon as
possible.

P118iUltrasonic Flowmeterand Analyzer
Reversion:3.0.0Page4of49
Content
1. Transmitter Installationand Connection...................................................................................................................6
1.1Power SupplyConnections.......................................................................................................................................6
1.1.1TypeofPower Supply.......................................................................................................................................6
1.1.2Wiring................................................................................................................................................................6
1.1.34-20mAWiring..................................................................................................................................................7
1.2Powering On.............................................................................................................................................................7
1.3KeypadFunctions.....................................................................................................................................................7
1.4KeypadOperation.....................................................................................................................................................8
1.5Flowmeter Menu Descriptions..................................................................................................................................9
2.The QuickSetup Description.....................................................................................................................................10
2.1Double FunctionKeysMenu Description ..............................................................................................................10
2.2For example............................................................................................................................................................14
2.3MeasurementSite Selection....................................................................................................................................16
3.TransducerInstallation..............................................................................................................................................18
3.1InstallingtheTransducer.........................................................................................................................................18
3.1.1Transducer MountingMethods........................................................................................................................18
3.1.2VMethod.........................................................................................................................................................18
3.1.3ZMethod.........................................................................................................................................................18
3.1.4NMethod (notcommonlyused)......................................................................................................................19
3.2Transducer Installationand Fixing.........................................................................................................................19
3.3Transducer MountingInspection............................................................................................................................19
3.3.1Signal Strength................................................................................................................................................19
3.3.2Signal Quality(Qvalue)..................................................................................................................................20
3.3.3Total TimeandDelta Time..............................................................................................................................20
3.3.4Transit TimeRatio...........................................................................................................................................20
3.3.5Warnings..........................................................................................................................................................20
4. OperatingInstructions...............................................................................................................................................21
4.1SystemNormal Identification.................................................................................................................................21
4.2LowFlowCutoffValue..........................................................................................................................................21
4.3Zero Settings...........................................................................................................................................................21
4.4Scale Factor............................................................................................................................................................21
4.54~20mACurrentLoop Output..............................................................................................................................21
4.64-20mAAnalogOutputCalibration........................................................................................................................22
4.7TFCard Operation..................................................................................................................................................22
4.7.1Specifications..................................................................................................................................................22
4.7.2Reading theTFData Offline...........................................................................................................................23
4.7.3TFCard StorageOperationGuide...................................................................................................................23

P118iUltrasonic Flowmeterand Analyzer
Reversion:3.0.0Page5of49
4.8ESN.........................................................................................................................................................................24
5.WindowDisplay Explanations...................................................................................................................................25
5.1WindowDisplayCodes..........................................................................................................................................25
5.2DisplayExplanation................................................................................................................................................26
6. ErrorDiagnoses..........................................................................................................................................................44
6.1Table 1.Error CodesandSolutions(duringoperation)..........................................................................................44
6.2FrequentlyAskedQuestionsandAnswers..............................................................................................................44
7. Product Overview.......................................................................................................................................................46
7.1Introduction............................................................................................................................................................46
7.2FeaturesofFlowmeter............................................................................................................................................46
7.3TheoryofOperation................................................................................................................................................46
7.4Applications............................................................................................................................................................47
7.5Specifications..........................................................................................................................................................47
8.Appendix1- FlowApplicationData.........................................................................................................................48
8.1SoundVelocityandViscosityfor FluidsCommonlyUsed......................................................................................48
8.2SoundVelocityfor VariousMaterialsCommonlyUsed.........................................................................................48
8.3SoundVelocityInWater (1 atm)At DifferentTemperatures..................................................................................49
Update Information:
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________

P118iUltrasonic Flowmeterand Analyzer
Reversion:3.0.0Page6of49
1. TransmitterInstallation and Connection
1.1PowerSupplyConnections
1.1.1TypeofPower Supply
The factoryoffers one rechargeable 11.1VLithiumbatteryand matching batterycharger.
1.1.2Wiring
Openthe hinged top coverofthe electronics.The wiring ports ofthe P118i, fromleft to right, are asfollows:
The upstreamtransducerconnector,downstreamtransducerconnector,the batteryrecharge port (charge the
transmitterorconnectto a standbypowersupply), and the 4~20mAoutputconnector.
Warning
Wiring connectionsshould be made when powerisoff.

P118iUltrasonic Flowmeterand Analyzer
Reversion:3.0.0Page7of49
1.1.34-20mAWiring
4-20mAconnection mode isasfollows:the I+blue, I –black.
1.2Powering On
When themeterispowered on, it will start withthe following screen,the Version NumberVer:1.01 and the
SerialnumberS/N 50004002 will be shown atthe bottomrightcorner.
Ifitisthe first timeofuseoran installation on anewsite, the customerneedstoinputthe newinstallation site
parameters.Anyparameterswhich aresetbythe userwill be saved permanentlyuntil theyarechanged bythe
user.
When the usermodifiesthe parameters orremovesthe transducers,the meterwillrecalculateautomatically,and
operate normallywith the newlysetparameters.
1.3KeypadFunctions
Followthese guidelineswhen using the flowmeterkeypad:
~and :Inputnumbers.
:Backspace ordelete characters to the left.
and :ReturntothelastMenu oropenthenextMenu.Acts
as"+"and "-"are used to enternumbers.
:SelectaMenu. Press thiskeyfirst,inputatwo-digit Menu number
and the selected Menu datawillbe displayed. Forexample, inorderto
inputapipe outside diameter,press where"11"is
the windowIDto displaythe pipe outside diameter.
:Enter/Confirm.
:Enter/Exit SDcard storage interface.

P118iUltrasonic Flowmeterand Analyzer
Reversion:3.0.0
Page
8
of49
、、、、、 areshortcutstothe windowsforFlowRate,Velocity,Signal
Quality, POSTotalizer, waveform, and Diagnosis.
1.4KeypadOperation
The instrumentsetup and measurementdisplaysaresubdivided intomorethan 100 independentMenus.The
operatorcan inputparameters,modifysettingsordisplaymeasurementresultsby"visiting"aspecificMenu.
These Menusare arranged by 2-digit serialnumbers from00~99, then using +0, +1, etc. Each Menu IDcode hasa
defined meaning. Forexample, Menu 11indicatesthe pipeoutside diameter,whileMenu 25 indicatesthe
mounting spacing between the transducers.EachMenu will be discussed laterin thismanual.
1.Tovisit aspecificMenu, press the keyatanytimeexceptthe SDCardStorage Interface, then inputthe
2-digit Menu IDcodeand thatMenuwill be displayed. Forexample, toinputorcheckthe pipe outside diameter,
press the keysforwindowIDcode 11.
Anothermethod tovisit aparticularMenu istopressthe , and keystoscroll through the
Menus.Forexample, if thecurrentMenu is30,press keytoenterMenu31,press the button
again to enterMenu 30.
The Menusaredivided intothree types:1)DataType, such asM11,M12;2)Selection Type, such asM14;3)
DisplayType, such asM00, M01.
Visit DataType Menustocheck specificparameters.
Ifparameterchange isneeded, justpress first,
then inputthe valuesand press to confirm.
Example1:Toenterapipe outerdiameterof200mm,
the procedureisasfollows:
Press toenterMenu11(the
numericalvalue displayed currentlyisthe previous
pipe outerdiameter).Nowpress the key.The
symbol">"and aflashing cursorisdisplayed on the
screen.The newvalue can nowbe entered.
Visit Selection Type Menustocheck the related
options.Ifneed tomodifyit,press first to
enterthe revised selection when the symbol">"is
displayed on thescreen;orinputnumbers directlyto
selectthe option whenthe symbol">"and aflashing
cursorare displayed.
Example2:Ifthe pipematerialis"CarbonSteel",
press toenterMenu14,then
press tomodifythe option. Then, select"0.
CarbonSteel"fromthe drop-downMenu (you may
cyclethrough thechoicesbypressingthe and
keys)and then press toconfirmthe
selection.

P118iUltrasonic Flowmeterand Analyzer
Reversion:3.0.0Page9of49
1.5FlowmeterMenuDescriptions
These windowsareassigned asfollows:
00~09Display Menus:Usedtodisplayflowrate, positivetotal,negativetotal,nettotal, velocity,date
&timeetc.
10~29Setup Menus:Usedtoenterpipeouterdiameter,pipe wallthickness, fluidtype, transducer
type, transducermounting and spacing, etc.
30~38Flowunitsselection and totalizeroperating Menus:Used to selectunitsofmeasurement. OtherMenusset
/resetthe varioustotalizermodes.
40~45Setup Menus:Zero SetCalibration menu, Scale Factormenu, etc.
46~81Inputand outputsetup Menus:currentloop mode select, 4mAor20mAoutputvalue, etc.
90~96Diagnostics:signalstrengthquality(Menu 90),TOM/TOS*100 (Menu 91),sound velocity
(Menu 92),totaltimeanddeltatimeofthe measured signal(Menu 93),Reynoldsnumberand
Kfactor(Menu 94).
-04~20mAcorrection Menu.
Attention
"Hidden"Menusare forhardware adjustment(retained bythe manufacturer).

P118iUltrasonic Flowmeterand Analyzer
Reversion:3.0.0Page10of49
2.TheQuickSetupDescription
2.1DoubleFunctionKeysMenu Description
Press to display FlowRate with large font.
Press to display Velocitywith large font.
Press to display SignalQualitywith large font.
Press to displayPOS Total with large font.

P118iUltrasonic Flowmeterand Analyzer
Reversion:3.0.0Page11of49
Pressthe button toenternormalcurveinterface
(Graph)model.
Press the button loop switch (Graph)and
dynamic(DynMode)model; Press or
keyswitch instantaneousflow/velocitycurve;Press
to pause/continueto viewthe waveformcurve.
Press todisplaythe CurrentStateofthe
System.
Press todisplayPipe Outside Diameter.The
function isthe same with .
Press todisplayPipe Wall Thickness.The
function isthe same with .

P118iUltrasonic Flowmeterand Analyzer
Reversion:3.0.0Page12of49
Press todisplayPipe Material.The function is
the same with .
Press to displayFluid Type. The function isthe
same with .
Press todisplayTransducerMounting Methods.
The function isthe same with .
Press toStart /Stop ManualAccumulation
Totalin turn.

P118iUltrasonic Flowmeterand Analyzer
Reversion:3.0.0Page13of49
Press toDisplay/Hold Totalin turn.
Press todisplayFluidSound Velocity.The
function isthe same with .
Press to displayDate and Time. The function is
the same with .
Press toenterManualCalibrate.Afterthe flow
velocitybecomessteady,input standardtotalizertoget
the Kfactor.Thenpress tocompletethe
calibration.

P118iUltrasonic Flowmeterand Analyzer
Reversion:3.0.0Page14of49
Press to inputthe password1234 to resetzero.
2.2Forexample
ForExample:Letusassumeyou haveaDN150(6")pipe, measuring mediumiswater,Materialiscarbon steel
with no liner.These parameters should be operated asfollows:
Step 1. Pipe OuterDiameter
Press keystoenterMenu 11,
enterthe PipeOutside Diameter,then press the
key.
Step 2. Pipe Wall Thickness
Press the keytoenterMenu 12
the Pipe Wall Thickness, then press the key.
Step 3. Pipe Material
Press the keytoenterMenu
14, press the key,usethe or
keytoselectthe pipe materialfromthe drop-down
Menu, thenpress the key.

P118iUltrasonic Flowmeterand Analyzer
Reversion:3.0.0Page15of49
Step 4. LinerMaterialParameters
(including thickness and sound velocity,if needed ):
Press the keytoenterMenu
16, press the key,usethe or
keytoselectlinermaterialfromthe drop-downMenu,
and then press the key.
Step 5. FluidType
Press the keytoenterMenu
20, press the key,usethe or
keytoselectfluidtype fromthe drop-downMenu, then
press the key.
Step 6. TransducerMounting
Press the keytoenterMenu
24, press the key,usethe or key
toselecttransducer-mounting fromthe drop-down
Menu, thenpress the key.
(Detailson Chapter3.1.1 ).
Step 7. TransducerSpacing
Press the keytoenterMenu
25, accuratelyinstallthe transduceraccording tothe
displayed transducermounting spacing and the selected
mounting method.
(Detailson Chapter2.3 ).

P118iUltrasonic Flowmeterand Analyzer
Reversion:3.0.0Page16of49
Step 8. DisplayMeasurementResults
Press toenterMenu 01 to
displayflowrate. (Subjectto the realmeasurement. )
2.3 MeasurementSiteSelection
Compared withotherkindsofflowmeters,UltrasonicFlowmeteristhe simplestone toinstall.Chooseaproper
measurementsite, enterthe pipe sparameters intothe flowmeter.Install and fixthetransducers on the pipe as
instructed bythe meterand start the measurement.
When selecting ameasurementsite, itisimportanttoselectan area wherethe fluidflowprofileisfullydeveloped
to guarantee a highlyaccurate measurement. Use the following guidelinesto selecta properinstallation site:
lChoose a section ofpipe thatisalwaysfullofliquid, such asa verticalpipe withflowin the upward direction
ora full horizontalpipe.
lEnsureenoughstraightpipelengthatleastequaltothe figureshownbelowfortheupstreamand downstream
transducers installation.
lOnthe horizontalpipe, the transducershouldbemounted on the 3o clock and 9o clock position ofthe pipe
section, avoidthe 6o clock and12o clockposition, inordertoavoidthe signalattenuation caused bythe
sedimentatthe bottom, orair bubblesorcavitation.
lEnsure thatthe pipe surface temperature atthe measuring pointiswithin the transducertemperature limits.
lConsiderthe inside condition ofthe pipe carefully.Ifpossible, selecta section ofpipe where the inside isfree
ofexcessive corrosion orscaling.
lChoosea section ofsound conducting pipe.

P118iUltrasonic Flowmeterand Analyzer
Reversion:3.0.0Page17of49
l

P118iUltrasonic Flowmeterand Analyzer
Reversion:3.0.0Page18of49
3.TransducerInstallation
3.1Installing theTransducer
Before installing the transducers, clean the pipe surface where the transducers are to be mounted. Remove anyrust,
scaleorloosepaintand make asmoothsurface. Chooseasection ofsound conducting pipe forinstalling the
transducers.Applyawide band ofsoniccoupling compound downthe centeroftheface ofeach transduceras
well ason the pipe surface, ensurethereareno air bubblesbetween the transducers and the pipe wall,and then
attach the transducers to the pipe with the strapsprovided and tighten themsecurely.
Note:
1. The twotransducers shouldbe mountedatthepipe scenterline onhorizontalpipes.Make surethatthe
transducermounting direction isparallelwith the flow.
2. During theinstallation, thereshouldbenoair bubblesorparticlesbetweenthe transducerand thepipewall.On
horizontalpipes,thetransducers shouldbe mounted inthe3o clockand9o clock positionsofthe pipe section in
orderto avoid anyair bubblesinside the top portion ofthe pipe.
3. Referto2.15 fortheTransducerMounting Spacing.
4. Ifthe transducers cannotbe mounted horizontallysymmetricallydue tolimitation ofthe localinstallation
conditions,it maybe necessarytomountthe transducers atalocation wherethereisaguaranteed full pipe
condition (the pipe isalwaysfull ofliquid).
3.1.1Transducer MountingMethods
Three transducermounting methodsare available. Theyare respectively:Vmethod, Zmethod and Nmethod.
The Vmethod isprimarilyused on small diameterpipes(DN100~300mm,4"~12").The Zmethod isused in
applicationswheretheVmethod cannotworkduetopoorsignalorno signaldetected. Inaddition, theZmethod
generallyworksbetteron largerdiameterpipes(overDN300mm, 12")orcastiron pipes.
The Nmethod isan uncommonlyused method. Itisused on smallerdiameterpipes(belowDN50mm, 2").
3.1.2VMethod
The Vmethod isconsideredasthe standardmethod.Itusuallygivesamoreaccuratereading andisusedonpipe
diameters ranging from25mm to400mm (1"~16")approximately.Also, it isconvenienttouse,butstill requires
properinstallation ofthe transducers,contacton the pipe atthe pipe scenterline andequalspacing on eitherside
ofthe centerline.
DownstreamTransducer
UpstreamTransducer
Flow
TransducerSpace
Flow
SideView TopViewSection
PipeStrap
Transducer
3.1.3ZMethod
The signaltransmitted in a Zmethod installation hasless attenuation than a signaltransmitted with the Vmethod
when the pipesaretoo large,there are some suspended solid in the fluid, orthe scalingand linerare too thick .
Thisisbecausethe Zmethod utilizesadirectlytransmitted (ratherthan reflected)signalwhich transversesthe
liquidonlyonce. TheZmethod isabletomeasureonpipediameters rangingfrom100mmto5000mm (4"to200")
approximately.Therefore, we recommend the Zmethod forpipe diameters over300mm(12").

P118iUltrasonic Flowmeterand Analyzer
Reversion:3.0.0Page19of49
3.1.4NMethod(notcommonlyused)
Withthe Nmethod, the sound wavestraversethe fluidthree timesand bounce twice offthe pipe walls.It is
suitableforsmall pipe diametermeasurement.The measurementaccuracycan be improved byextending the
transit distance with the Nmethod (uncommonlyused ).
3.2TransducerInstallationand Fixing
Transducers can be installed ontothe pipe withitsmagneticracks.Ifyou need tofasten them,then you can use
the chainsto make it firm. Showasbelow:
3.3TransducerMounting Inspection
Confirmthe transducerisinstalled properlybychecking the detected signalstrength,totaltransit time, deltatime
aswell astransit time ratio Key9.
The "mounting"condition directlyinfluencesthe flowvalue accuracyand systemlong-termoperation reliability.
Inmostinstancesit isonlynecessaryapplya wide band ofsonic coupling compound lengthwise on the face ofthe
transducerand stick it totheoutside pipe wall togetgood measurementresults.However,the following checks
still need tobe carried outinordertoensureahigh reliabilityofthe measurementand long-termoperation ofthe
instrument.
3.3.1SignalStrength
Signalstrength(displayed inSignal) indicatesadetected strengthofthe signalbothfromupstreamand
downstreamdirections.The relevantsignalstrengthisindicated bynumbers from00.0 ~99.9. 00.0 representsno
signaldetected while 99.9 representsmaximumsignalstrength. Normally,the strongerthe signalstrength detected,
the betterthe instrumentreliablywillbe. Itwill also resultin a more stable the measurementvalue.

P118iUltrasonic Flowmeterand Analyzer
Reversion:3.0.0Page20of49
Ensureenough soniccoupling compound hasbeen applied .Adjustthe transducerposition during the installation
to obtain the maximumsignalstrength.
Normalsystemoperation requiressignalstrengthover65.0 frombothupstreamand downstreamdirections.Ifthe
signalstrengthdetectedistoo low,the transducerinstallation position andthe transducermounting spacing should
be re-adjusted and the pipe should be re-inspected. Ifnecessary, change the mounting method to be Zmethod.
3.3.2SignalQuality(Qvalue)
Qvalue isshort forSignalQuality(displayed inSignal).Itindicatesthe levelofthe signaldetected. Qvalue is
indicated bynumbers from00 ~99.00representstheminimumsignaldetected while99representthemaximum.
Normally,the transducerposition shouldbe adjusted repeatedlyand coupling compound application shouldbe
checkedfrequentlyto ensure the signalqualitycan be detected asstrong aspossible.
3.3.3TotalTimeand DeltaTime
"TotalTimeandDeltaTime",which displaysinWindowM6.04,indicatesthe condition ofthe installation. The
measurementcalculationsinthe flowmeterarebased upon thesetwoparameters.Therefore, when"DeltaTime"
fluctuateswidely,sodoesthe velocityand flow.Thismeansthatthe signalqualitydetected ispoor.Itmaybe the
resulted ofpoorpipe-installation conditions, inadequate transducerinstallation orincorrectparameterinput.
Generally,"DeltaTime"fluctuation shouldbe less than ±20%.Onlywhen the pipe diameteristoo small or
velocityistoo lowcan the fluctuation be wider.
3.3.4Transit TimeRatio
Transit TimeRatioindicatesif thetransducermounting spacing isaccurate.The normaltransit timeratioshould
be 100+/-3 if the installation isproper. Check it inWindowM91.
Attention
Ifthe transittime ratio isover100±3,it isnecessaryto check:
Ifthe parameters (pipe outside diameter,wallthickness,pipe material,liner,etc.)havebeen
entered correctly,
Ifthe transducermounting spacing isin accordance withthe displayinWindowM25,
Ifthe transducerismounted atthe pipe scenterline on the same diameter,
Ifthe scale istoo thick orthe pipe mounting isdistorted in shape, etc.
3.3.5Warnings
(1) Pipeparameters entered mustbe accurate;otherwise the flowmeterwill notwork properly.
(2) During the installation, applyenough coupling compoundstothe transducertoensureadequate
contactwiththe pipe wall.Whilechecking the signalstrengthand Qvalue, movethe transducers
slowlyaround the mounting site until the strongestsignaland maximumQvalue can be obtained. .
(3) Checktobe surethemounting spacingisaccordancewiththe displayinWindowM2.15andthe
transducerismounted atthe pipe scenterline on the same diameter.
(4) Ifthe signalstrengthisalwaysdisplayed as0.00 thereisno signaldetected. Thus,it isnecessaryto
check thatthe parameters (including all the pipe parameters) havebeen entered accurately.Check to
be surethe transducermounting method hasbeen selected properly,the pipe isnotworn-out,and the
linerisnottoo thick. Makesurethereisindeed fluidinthe pipe orthe transducerisnottoo closetoa
valveorelbow.Ascertainthereisnottoo much air orsolidsinthe fluid, etc. Withthe exception of
these reasons, if there isstill no signaldetected, the measurementsite hasto be changed.
(5) Keep the flowmeterawayfromthe electromagnetic interference area to ensure itsproperoperation..
(6) Aftercompleting the installation, poweron the instrumentand check the parametersand the result
accordingly.