phase II+ UTG-2900 User manual

Model No. UTG-2900
283 Veterans Blvd
Carlstadt, NJ. 07072
[phone]
www.phase2plus.com
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1 Overview......................................................................... 3
1.1 Product Specifications......................................... 3
1.2 Main Functions..................................................... 4
1.3 Measuring Principle ............................................. 4
1.4 Configuration ........................................................ 4
1.5 Operating Conditions........................................... 5
2 Structure Feature .......................................................... 5
2.1 Measurement Screen.......................................... 5
2.2 Keypad Definitions............................................... 6
3 Preparation..................................................................... 7
3.1 Transducer Selection........................................... 7
3.2 Condition and Preparation of Surfaces ............ 9
4 Operation........................................................................ 9
4.1 Power On/Off........................................................ 9
4.2 Probe Zero ............................................................ 9
4.3 Sound Velocity Calibration ............................... 10
4.4 Making Measurements...................................... 12
4.5 Scan mode.......................................................... 13
4.6 Changing Resolution ......................................... 13
4.7 Changing Units................................................... 13
4.8 Memory Management ....................................... 14
4.9 Data Printing ....................................................... 15
4.10 Beep Mode ....................................................... 15
4.11 EL Backlight ...................................................... 15
4.12 Battery Information .......................................... 15
4.13 Auto Power Off................................................. 15
4.14 System Reset................................................... 15
4.15 Connecting to a Computer ............................. 15
5 Servicing ....................................................................... 16
6 Transport and Storage................................................ 16
Appendix A Sound Velocities ........................................ 29
Appendix B Applications Notes .................................... 17
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1Overview
TheUTG‐2900isadigitalultrasonicthicknessgauge.Basedonthesame
operatingprinciplesasSONAR,theinstrumentiscapableofmeasuring the
thicknessof variousmaterialswith accuracyashighas 0.001”.Itissuitable
fortestingavarietyofmetallicandnon‐metallicmaterials.

Specifications Model No. UTG-2900
Display type 4.5 -digit LCD w/Back Light
Minimum display unit 0.001”/0.01mm (selectable)
Measuring Range Pulse-Echo: 0.025”-23.0” in steel
Echo-Echo: 0.118” – 2.35”
Accuracy +/- (0.5% thickness + .001”)
Sound velocity range 3280-32805 ft/s (1000-9999m/s)
Upper/Lower Limit Preset Alarm Yes
Scanning Feature Yes, 16 measurements/second
Operating temperature 32-122 degrees F
Frequency 5MHz
Update range 4Hz
Memory 20 Groups (100 files/group)
Output USB
Power supply AA alkaline batteries (2pc)
Battery life Approx. 100 hours (w/backlight off)
Power consumption Working current is less than 3V
Dimensions 5.90” x 2.91” x 1.30” (150 x 74 x 33mm)
Weight 8.6oz (245g)
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1.2MainFunctions
1) Capableofperformingmeasurementsonawiderangeofmaterial,includingmetals,plastic,ceramics,composites,
glassandotherultrasonicwaveconductivematerials.
2) Optionaltransducersareavailableforspecialapplications,including for Rough Surface and High Temperature
applications.
3) Probe‐Zerofunction,Sound‐Velocity‐Calibrationfunction
4) Two‐PointCalibrationfunction. 
5) MeasuringModes:Standard(Pulse‐Echo)andThruCoat(Echo‐Echo)
6) Twoworkmodes:SinglepointmodeandScanmode.
7) Couplingstatusindicatorshowingthecontactstatus.
8) Batteryiconindicatesthecapacityofthebattery.
9) Autosleepandautopowerofffunctiontoconservebatterylife.

1.3MeasuringPrinciple
Thedigitalultrasonicthicknessgaugedeterminesthethicknessofapartorstructurebyaccuratelymeasuringthe
timerequiredfora shortultrasonicpulsegeneratedbyatransducertotravelthroughthethicknessofthematerial,
reflect from the back or inside surface, and be returned to thetransducer.Themeasuredtwo‐waytransittimeis
dividedbytwotoaccountforthedown‐and‐backtravelpath,andthenmultipliedbythevelocityofsoundinthe
material.Theresultisexpressedintheequationshownbelow:
2tv
H 
Where：H－Thicknessofthetestpiece.
v－SoundVelocityinthematerial.
t－Themeasuredround‐triptransittime.
1.4Configuration
Table 1-1
No.ItemQuantityNote
Standard
Configur
ation
1 Mainbody 1 
2 Transducer 1 Model:N05
3 Couplant 1 
4 InstrumentCase 1 
5 OperatingManual 1 
6 Alkalinebattery 2 AAsize
7 OutputCable 1 
8   
Optional
Accessories9 Transducer:N02 See
Table3‐1
10 Transducer:N07 
11 Transducer:HT5 
 
 
 
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1.5OperatingConditions
OperatingTemperature:0°‐140°F(－20～＋60)
StorageTemperature：22°‐150°F(‐30～＋70)
RelativeHumidity≤90％
Thesurroundingenvironmentshouldbevoidofvibration,strongmagneticfield,corrosivemediumandheavydust. 
2StructureFeature
1)BaseInstrument2)Keypad3)LCDdisplay4)CalibrationBlock5)DualSensorProbe6)Software
7)USBOutputCable8)CouplantGel
2.1MainScreen
1,CouplingIndicator:Indicatesthecouplingstatus.Whilethegaugeistakingameasurement,thecouplingindicator
willbedisplayed.Ifitisnot,thegaugeishavingdifficultyachievingastablemeasurement,andthethicknessvalue
displayedwillmostlikelybeerroneous.
2,MeasuringUnit:Currentunitsystem.MMorINforthicknessvalue.M/SorIN/μSforsoundvelocity.
3,BatteryIcon:Displaystheremainingcapacityofthebattery.
4,InformationDisplay:Displaysthemeasuredthicknessvalueandthesoundvelocity.
1
2 3
2
1
2
2
4
5
6
3
5
6
7
4
8
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2.2 Keypad Definitions
PartNo.Description
1PowerOn/Off
2Save
3Enter
4BackLight
5ProbeZero
6Inch/metric
7Thru‐Coatingon/off
8Scanon/off
9Calibration/Velocitysetting
10Calibrationblock0.157”(4mm)
1
5
6
7
3
2
8 9
4
10
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3Preparation
3.1TransducerSelection
TheUTG‐2900iscapableofperformingmeasurementsonawiderangeofmaterials,fromvariousmetalstoglass
andplastics.Differenttypesofmaterial,however,willrequiretheuseofdifferenttransducers.Choosingthe correct
transducer forajobis critical tobeingable to easily performaccurate andreliable measurement. TheUTG‐2900is
suppliedwitha5MHzdualsensorprobethatisconsideredtobethegeneralpurposeprobeofthegroup.The
followingparagraphshighlighttheimportantpropertiesoftransducers,whichshouldbeconsideredwhenselectinga
transducerforaspecificjob.
Generallyspeaking,thebesttransducerforajobisonethatsendssufficientultrasonicenergyintothematerial
beingmeasuredsuchthatastrong,stableechoisreceivedbythe gauge. Several factors affect the strength of
ultrasoundasittravels.Theseareoutlinedbelow:
InitialSignalStrength.Thestrongerasignalistobeginwith,thestrongeritsreturnechowillbe.Initialsignal
strengthislargelyafactorofthesizeoftheultrasoundemitterinthetransducer.Alargeemittingareawillsendmore
energyintothematerialbeingmeasuredthanasmallemittingarea.Thus,aso‐called“1/2inch”transducerwillemita
strongersignalthana“1/4inch”transducer.
AbsorptionandScattering.Asultrasoundtravelsthroughanymaterial,itispartlyabsorbed. If the material
through whichthe soundtravels hasanygrainstructure, thesoundwaveswillexperiencescattering.Bothofthese
effectsreducethestrengthof thewaves,andthus,thegauge’sabilitytodetectthereturningecho.Higherfrequency
ultrasoundisabsorbedandscatteredmorethanultrasoundofalowerfrequency.Whileitmayseemthatusingalower
frequency transducer might be better in every instance, low frequencies are less directional than high frequencies.
Thus,ahigherfrequencytransducerwouldbeabetterchoicefordetectingtheexactlocationofsmallpitsorflawsin
thematerialbeingmeasured.
Geometryofthetransducer. The physical constraints of the measuring environment sometimes determine a
transducer’ssuitabilityforagivenjob.Sometransducersmaysimplybetoolargetobeusedintightlyconfinedareas.
Also,thesurfaceareaavailableforcontactingwiththetransducermaybelimited,requiringtheuseofatransducer
with a small wearface. Measuring on a curved surface, such as an engine cylinder wall, may require the use of a
transducerwithamatchingcurvedwearface.
Temperatureofthematerial. When it is necessary to measure on surfaces that are exceedingly hot, high
temperaturetransducersmustbeused.Thesetransducersarebuiltusingspecialmaterialsandtechniquesthatallow
them to withstand high temperatures without damage. Additionally, care must be taken when performing a
“Probe‐Zero”or“CalibrationtoKnownThickness”withahightemperaturetransducer. 
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Selectionofthepropertransducerisoftenamatteroftradeoffsbetweenvariouscharacteristics.Itmaybe
necessarytoexperimentwithavarietyoftransducersinordertofindonethatworkswellforagivenjob. 
Thetransduceristhe“businessend”oftheinstrument.Ittransmitsandreceivesultrasonicsoundwavesthatthe
instrumentusestocalculatethethicknessofthematerialbeingmeasured.Thetransducerconnectstotheinstrument
via the attached cable, and two coaxial connectors. When using transducers,theorientationofthedualcoaxial
connectorsisnotcritical:eitherplugmaybefittedtoeithersocketintheinstrument.
Thetransducermustbe usedcorrectlyinorderfortheinstrument to produce accurate, reliable measurements.
Belowisashortdescriptionofthetransducer,followedbyinstructionsforitsuse.
AboveLeftfigureisabottomviewofatypicaltransducer.Thetwosemicirclesofthewearfacearevisible,asisthe
barrierseparatingthem.Oneofthesemicirclesisresponsibleforconductingultrasonicsoundintothematerialbeing
measured,andtheothersemicircleisresponsibleforconductingtheechoedsoundbackintothetransducer.Whenthe
transducer isplaced againstthematerial beingmeasured, itisthe areadirectlybeneath thecenter ofthe wearface
thatisbeingmeasured.
Rightfigureisatopviewofatypicaltransducer.Pressagainstthetopwiththethumborindexfingertoholdthe
transducerinplace.Moderatepressureissufficient,asitisonlynecessarytokeepthetransducerstationary,andthe
wearfaceseatedflatagainstthesurfaceofthematerialbeingmeasured. 

Table3‐1TransducerSelection
Model Freq
MHZ
Diam
mm
MeasuringRange Lowerlimit  Description
UTG2800‐420 2.5 223.0mm～300.0mm（InSteel）
40mm(inGrayCastIronHT200)
20
RoughSurface
Alsoforthick,highlyattenuating,or
highlyscatteringmaterials
StandardProbe 5 10 1.2mm～230.0mm（InSteel）Φ20mm×3.0mm NormalMeasurement
UTG2000‐420 5 6 1.2mm～230.0mm（InSteel）Φ15mm×2.0mm NormalMeasurement
UTG2800‐750 7 6 0.75mm～80.0mm
（InSteel）
Φ15mm×2.0mm Forthinpipewallorsmallcurvature
pipewallmeasurement
UTG2000‐450 5 14 3～200mm （InSteel）30 Forhightemperatureupto570°F
UTG2600‐400 5 4 30 Thinwalledorsmallparts
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3.2ConditionandPreparationofSurfaces
In any ultrasonic measurement scenario, the shape and roughnessofthetestsurfaceareofparamount
importance. Rough, uneven surfaces may limit the penetration of ultrasound through the material, and result in
unstable,andthereforeunreliable,measurements.Thesurfacebeingmeasuredshouldbeclean,andfreeofanysmall
particulatematter,rust,orscale.Thepresenceofsuchobstructionswillpreventthetransducerfromseatingproperly
againstthesurface.Often,awirebrushorscraperwillbehelpfulincleaningsurfaces.Inmoreextremecases,rotary
sandersorgrindingwheelsmaybeused,thoughcaremustbetaken to prevent surface gouging, which will inhibit
propertransducercoupling.
Extremelyroughsurfaces,suchasthepebble‐likefinishofsomecastiron,willprovemostdifficulttomeasure.
Thesekindsofsurfacesactonthesoundbeamlikefrostedglassonlight,thebeambecomesdiffusedandscatteredin
alldirections.
In addition to posing obstacles to measurement, rough surfaces contribute to excessive wear of the transducer,
particularlyinsituationswherethetransduceris“scrubbed”alongthesurface.Transducersshouldbeinspectedona
regular basis,forsignsofunevenwearofthewearface.Ifthewearfaceiswornononesidemorethananother,the
soundbeampenetratingthetestmaterialmaynolongerbeperpendiculartothematerialsurface.Inthiscase,itwill
bedifficulttoexactlylocatetinyirregularitiesinthematerialbeingmeasured,asthefocusofthesoundbeamno
longerliesdirectlybeneaththetransducer.
4Operation
4.1PowerOn/Off
The instrument is turned on by pressing the key.
Thegaugecanbeturnedoffbypressingthe  keywhileitison.TheUTG‐2900willretainallofitssettings
evenwhenthepowerisoff.
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4.2SettingtheMeasurementMode
 Oftentimesusersandinspectorsinthefieldarefacedwithcoatedmaterialssuchaspipesandtanks.Typically
inspectorswillneedtoremovethepaintorcoatingpriortomeasuring, or allow for some fixed amount of error
introducedbythepaintorcoatingthicknessandvelocity. 
 The error can be eliminated with this gauge by using a special echo‐echo mode to perform measurements for
applicationssuchasthis.Thegaugegivesyouthisfeatureinasimpleway,onebuttontoggle,eliminatingtheneedto
removethepaintorcoating. 
 Toswitchbetweenpulse‐echomodeandecho‐echomode,simplypressthe key.
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4.2ProbeZero
IMPORTANT!
When performing a probe zero in the Echo to Echo mode, it must be done using a part without any coatings
The  keyisusedto“zero”theinstrumentinmuchthesamewaythatamechanicalmicrometeriszeroed.Ifthe
gaugeisnotzeroedcorrectly,allthemeasurementsthatthegaugemakesmaybeinerrorbysomefixedvalue.When
the instrument is “zeroed”, this fixed error value is measured and automatically corrected for all subsequent
measurements.Theinstrumentmaybe“zeroed”byperformingthefollowingprocedure.:
1) Plugthetransducerintotheinstrument.Makesurethattheconnectorsarefullyengaged.Checkthatthewearface
ofthetransduceriscleanandfreeofanydebris.
2) Pressthe  keytoactivatetheprobezeromode.
3) Usethe  keyandthe  keytoscrolltotheprobemodelcurrentlybeingused.Besuretosettherightprobemodel
totheinstrument.Otherwise,therewillbeerroneousreadings.StandardProbeisPT‐05
4) Applyasingledropletofultrasoniccouplanttothefaceofthemetalprobe‐disconthefrontfaceofthegauge.
5) Pressthetransduceragainsttheprobedisc,makingsurethatthetransducersitsflatagainstthesurface.
6) Youshouldseeareadingof4mmorapprox.0.157”asthisisthethicknessofthebuilt‐intestblock.
7) Oncethisvalueisobtained,youmayremovethetransducerfromtheprobedisc.
At this point, the instrument has successfully calculated its internalerrorfactor,andwillcompensateforthis
valueinanysubsequentmeasurements.Whenperforminga“probezero”,theinstrumentwillalwaysusethesound
velocityvalueofthebuilt‐inprobe‐disc,evenifsomeothervelocity value has been entered for making actual
measurements.Thoughtheinstrumentwillrememberthelast“probezero”performed,itisgenerallyagoodideato
performa“probezero”wheneverthegaugeisturnedon,aswellasanytimeadifferenttransducerisused.Thiswill
ensurethattheinstrumentisalwayscorrectlyzeroed.
 Press  whileinprobezeromodewillstopcurrentprobezerooperationandreturntothemeasurementmode.
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4.3SoundVelocityCalibration
In order for the gauge to make accurate measurements, it must besettothecorrectsoundvelocityforthe
materialbeingmeasured.Differenttypesofmaterialhavedifferentinherentsoundvelocities.Ifthegaugeisnotsetto
thecorrectsoundvelocity,allofthemeasurementsthegaugemakeswillbeerroneousbysomefixedpercentage.The
One‐Pointcalibrationisthesimplestandmostcommonlyusedcalibrationprocedureoptimizinglinearityoverlarge
ranges. The Two‐pointcalibration allows for greater accuracy over small ranges by calculating the probe zero and
velocity. 
Note:OneandTwopointcalibrationsmustbeperformedonmaterialwiththepaintorcoatingremoved.Failureto
removethepaintorcoatingpriortocalibrationwillresultinamultimaterialvelocitycalculationthatmaybedifferent
fromtheactualmaterialvelocityintendedtobemeasured.
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