Phymetrix ExMa User manual

Please visit our website at www.phymetrix.com for other products that may be applicable to your
needs.
Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy in the contents of this manual. Should there be
any doubts to the accuracy of the content please contact the manufacturer.
The contents of this manual are subject to change without notice.
The instructions, procedures, drawings, specifications and concepts contained in this manual are
the property of Phymetrix Inc., and shall not be used as the basis for the manufacture or sale of
apparatus or services, or reproduced or copied or transmitted in any form or by any means
without written permission.
Read this manual before using the analyzer. For personal and system safety, and for
optimum product performance, make sure you thoroughly understand the contents
before installing, using, or maintaining this analyzer.

Warranty
This instrument is warranted, to the original end-user purchaser, against defects in materials and
workmanship. Liability under this warranty is limited to restoring the instrument to normal
operation or replacing the analyzer, at the sole discretion of the manufacturer. Batteries are
specifically excluded from any liability. This warranty is effective from the date of delivery to
the original purchaser. If Phymetrix determines that the equipment was defective, the warranty
period is:
• one year from delivery for electronic or mechanical failures
• one year from delivery for sensor shelf life
If Phymetrix determines that the equipment was damaged by misuse, improper installation, the
use of unauthorized replacement parts, or operating conditions outside the guidelines specified,
the repairs are not covered under this warranty.
Normal wear and tear, parts damaged by abuse, misuse, negligence or accidents are specifically
excluded from the warranty.
Purchaser acknowledges that in accepting and using this analyzer, notwithstanding any contrary
term or provision in the purchaser's purchase order or otherwise, the only warranty extended by
Phymetrix is the express warranty contained herein. Purchaser further acknowledges that there
are no other warranties expressed or implied, including without limitation, the warranty of
merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose; that there are no warranties which extend
beyond the description of the face hereof; that no oral warranties, representations, or guarantees
of any kind have been made by Phymetrix, its distributors or the agents of either of them, that in
any way alter the terms of this warranty; that Phymetrix and its distributors shall in no event be
liable for any consequential or incidental damages, including but not limited to injury to the
person or property of the purchaser or others, and from other losses or expenses incurred by the
purchaser arising from the use, operation, storage or maintenance of the product covered by the
warranty; that Phymetrix’s liability under this warranty is restricted to repair or replacement of
defective parts at Phymetrix sole option; and that Phymetrix neither assumes nor authorizes any
other person to assume for it any other warranty. The warranty shall be void if serial numbers
affixed to the products are removed, obliterated or defaced.

Return Policy / Procedures
If equipment malfunction is suspected or it is determined that the analyzer needs recalibration,
please contact Phymetrix.
Communicate the instrument model number, serial number, application including dewpoint
range being measured, and the details of the problem.
If the analyzer needs factory service you will be issued a RMA and shipping instructions.
The factory will diagnose the equipment and upon determining the problem will notify you
whether the terms of the warranty cover the required repair. If the costs are not covered you will
need to approve the estimated cost in order to proceed with the repair.

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Table Of Contents
1Introduction............................................................................................................................. 1
2Important Principles of Operation .......................................................................................... 2
2.1 Sensor Operating Principle............................................................................................... 2
2.2 Sampling Mechanism Operating Principle ...................................................................... 2
3Precautions ................................................................................................................ 2
4Moisture System Considerations ............................................................................................ 3
4.1 Integrity of the Materials of the User’s System............................................................... 3
4.2 Moisture Back Diffusion (backflow) Along the Walls of the Exhaust Tubing ............... 3
4.3 Temperature Dependant Equilibrium............................................................................... 4
5Sampling Techniques.............................................................................................................. 4
5.1 Choosing a Measurement Site.......................................................................................... 4
5.2 Sample Conditioning........................................................................................................ 5
5.3 Tubing and Fittings .......................................................................................................... 5
5.4 Sample Pressure ............................................................................................................... 5
5.5 Pressure Considerations ................................................................................................... 6
6Installation............................................................................................................................... 8
6.1 Mechanical Installation.................................................................................................... 8
6.2 Electrical Connections: Power, 4/20mA Analog Output, Serial I/O................................ 8
6.2.1 Powering the ExMa................................................................................................... 8
6.2.2 Analog Output 4/20mA............................................................................................. 8
6.2.3 ExMa HART interface.............................................................................................. 8
6.2.4 Serial I/O RS485/RS-422........................................................................................ 10
7User Interface Overview....................................................................................................... 11
8Operating the Analyzer......................................................................................................... 12
8.1 The Display Mode.......................................................................................................... 12
8.2 Units to Display the Measurement................................................................................. 12
8.3 Pressure Correction........................................................................................................ 13
8.4 Navigating Through the Menus...................................................................................... 15
8.5 The Functions Available in the Menus .......................................................................... 15
9Data Logging ........................................................................................................................ 17
9.1 Retrieving the Data / Clearing the Memory................................................................... 18
9.2 Logging Data Directly into a Personal Computer.......................................................... 18
10 Single Point Calibration........................................................................................................ 18
11 Using the ExMa for temperature control.............................................................................. 19
12 Troubleshooting and Maintenance........................................................................................ 20
12.1 Cleaning...................................................................................................................... 20
12.2 Self Diagnostics.......................................................................................................... 20
12.3 Suspected Erroneous Measurements.......................................................................... 21
13 Specifications for Model ExMa............................................................................................ 23
Appendix A ExMa Installation Drawing................................................................................. 24
Appendix B ExMa Electrical Connections.............................................................................. 25
Appendix C Notes on ExMa use in low power applications e.g. solar power.............................. 28
Revision #3 2016

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Revision #3 2016

1Introduction
Thank you for purchasing the state-of-the-art Phymetrix Explosion proof Moisture Analyzer
model ExMa.This User’s Manual describes the functions of this analyzer as well as the
operating methods and handling precautions. There are also some sections that review general
knowledge and concepts of water vapor science. Read this manual thoroughly before using the
analyzer. There is a Quick Setup Manual describing the main functions and basic procedures for
performing measuring operations. Check our website “www.phymetrix.com” for latest versions
of documentation regarding these analyzers.
After reading this manual, keep it easily accessible for future reference. It may come in handy
when there are some challenging measurements to be performed.
Conventions used in this manual:
•When using the word “system” in this manual we are referring to the user’s system in which
the moisture content is being measured. This could be a simple configuration of a pressurized
gas bottle with a pressure regulator, or a complex system of dryers, filters, regulators, long
tubing, valves etc.
•When referring to text that is displayed on the analyzer screen, it is presented in this manual
using a font that makes it stand out.
The analyzer part number is displayed upon power-up and in the About screen, the dash numbers
following the main part number signify options as follows:
-I for Explosion Proof certification, -P for internal pressure sensor,
-A for analog output 4/20mA, -R for Alarm Relays.
Check to see that your analyzer has arrived intact with all accessories that were ordered.
Model: ExMa shown with optional filter pressure regulator and exhaust flow meter
Save the packing materials until you have verified that there is no concealed damage, it may also
be useful for future transportation.
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2Important Principles of Operation
2.1 Sensor Operating Principle
The nanopore sensor utilized in this analyzer measures the amount of water vapor molecules that
have entered its pores. This amount is directly proportional to the partial water vapor pressure in
the gas surrounding the sensor, and the partial water vapor pressure is dependant on the water
vapor content of the gas and the total pressure of the gas. Thus to compute the water vapor
content of the gas under measurement the analyzer has to “know” the total pressure of the gas. If
the analyzer was purchased with the pressure sensor option then the total pressure is measured
and utilized by the analyzer, if there is no built-in pressure sensor then the user should enter the
total pressure into the analyzer, this can be easily done by entering atmospheric pressure (the
analyzer default setting) and measuring at atmospheric pressure by allowing the outlet (exhaust)
port to vent without restrictions.
2.2 Sampling Mechanism Operating Principle
The analyzer is equipped with a built-in sampling system which has the required tight seals to
measure low moisture content; it consists of a stainless steel 100 micron filter and a flow control
orifice, which may be placed at either the inlet(factory default) or outlet of the sampling cell or
removed. The gas under measurement is exposed only to the stainless steel walls of the sampling
system.
3Precautions
•Observe the appropriate electrical safety codes and regulations. Consult with National
Electrical Code, and/or other nationally or locally recognized procedures relevant to your
location.
•When measuring flammable, explosive or toxic gasses; vent the sample outlet to a safe
and appropriate location.
•When measuring high pressure samples (do not exceed 5000 psia); be sure that the
system is depressurized before connecting or disconnecting the sample tubing.
•Corrosives such as Ammonia, HCl and Chlorine should be avoided; H2S and SO2can be
present if the moisture content is below 10 PPMv.
•Avoid extreme temperatures, pressures and mechanical vibration, refer to specifications.
•Do not disassemble the analyzer.
•Do not use with contaminants and liquids, refer to section 5.2 for sample conditioning.
•Avoid exposing the sensor to ambient air as it may slowdown your next measurement.
•The ExMa is weatherproof as long as the cover is tightly closed, and the conduit ports are
appropriately sealed.
•Designs with circuitry activated by relay contacts should consider noise from contact
bounce, an option for debouncing is placing an appropriately rated capacitor across the
relay contacts.
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