Shaw SDHmini-L User manual

Model SDHmini-L
Dewpoint Meter
Instrucon Manual
3005 SDHmini-L User Manual - Iss 1.2

Contents
1
2
3
4
5
Introducon ................................................................................ 5
1.1 Unpacking Your SHAW Moisture Meters SDHmini-L .............. 5
1.2 General Descripon .............................................................. 5
Important Informaon ................................................................ 7
2.1 Bluetooth Cercaons ....................................................... 7
2.2 Symbols Table ....................................................................... 7
2.3 Lithium-ion Cell - Baery ...................................................... 7
2.4 Pressure Exposure ................................................................ 8
2.5 USB Communicaon Performance ....................................... 8
Installaon .................................................................................. 9
3.1 Gases to Avoid ...................................................................... 9
3.2 Installing the Air/Gas Sampling System ................................ 9
3.3 Piping Installaon Schemac ............................................. 10
3.4 Piping Schemac Component Index ................................... 11
3.5 Purging the Sample Connecon ......................................... 11
3.6 Using the SDHmini-L to Take a Moisture Reading .............. 12
3.7 Desiccant Dry-Down Technology ........................................ 13
3.8 Sample Connecons ........................................................... 14
3.9 Pressure and Flow Control ................................................. 14
3.10 Parculate Contaminaon ............................................... 15
3.11 Liquid Contaminaon ....................................................... 15
Normal Operaons ................................................................... 16
4.1 Powering On/O ................................................................ 16
4.2 Graphical Viewing Opons ................................................. 16
4.3 Display Opons .................................................................. 16
4.4 Choice of Units ................................................................... 17
Calibraon ................................................................................ 18
5.1 Auto Calibraon (AutoCal) ................................................. 18
5.2 Calibraon Setpoint (CalSet) .............................................. 19
5.3 Calibraon Procedure Error Messages ............................... 20
3

4
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Sensor Related Sengs ............................................................. 21
6.1 Sensor Type ...................................................................... 21
6.2 Selecng Gas Types .......................................................... 21
6.3 Selecng Gas Molecular Weights ..................................... 21
6.4 Pressure ............................................................................ 21
Non Measurement Related Conguraon Funcons ................. 22
7.1 Changing the Date ............................................................ 22
7.2 Changing the Time ........................................................... 23
7.3 Changing Internaonal Sengs ....................................... 23
7.4 Hotkeys ............................................................................. 24
Bluetooth Printer Conguraon ................................................ 24
Data Logging ............................................................................. 26
9.1 Quicklog ............................................................................. 26
9.2 Snapshot ............................................................................ 27
9.3 Advanced Data Logging ..................................................... 27
9.4 Logged Data Review .......................................................... 29
9.5 Data Logging Storage ......................................................... 31
Addional Informaon ............................................................. 31
10.1 Temperature ................................................................... 31
10.2 Response Time ............................................................... 31
10.3 Guarantee ....................................................................... 32
10.4 Basic Denions ............................................................. 32
10.5 Problem Guide ................................................................ 33
SDHmini-L Specicaons ........................................................... 34
SDHmini-L General Assembly Diagram ...................................... 35

1 Introducon
1.1 Unpacking Your SHAW Moisture Meters SDHmini-L
Please examine the SDHmini-L package for any damage or mishandling. If any
damage is evident please nofy the carrier and the SHAW Moisture Meters
representave from where this unit was purchased.
You should have received (if ordered):
1 model SDHmini-L instrument
1 carry case
1 Allen key
1 two metre length of PTFE tubing
1 USB charging cable
1 Fir Tree ng plus 1 x ngs as
ordered
If anything is missing please contact your distributor immediately.
1.2 General Descripon
The SDHmini-L is a micro-controller based baery operated dewpoint
hygrometer with state of the art features and enhancements with support of
USB and Bluetooth interfaces for communicang with PC and also support for
thermal printer over Bluetooth.
It is a fully self-contained unit incorporang the moisture sensor, signal
condioning circuitry, memory management, graphics display, membrane
keyboard, real me clock, on-board baery and charger circuit.
The graphical user interface features three main viewing screens, digital,
graphical (historical readings in a scrolling strip chart) and a meter (a tradional
moving coil). There is also a secondary display in the top right which allows
display of readings in alternave units of measurement.
The unit operates with the following 10 language opons: English, German,
French, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, Italian, Chinese, Japanese and Korean.
A full colour graphics LCD display with 320 x 240 resoluon landscape and a 6
key input including an on/o key.
5
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●
●
1 AC/DC adaptor
1 pressure dewpoint circular
calculator
1 USB ash drive with SHAW
SDHmini User Tool soware
1 instrucon manual
1 SHAW SDHmini User Tool Manual

The displayed units can be changed on both the primary and secondary displays for
the selectable moisture unit e.g. °C, °F, g/m3, ppm(v), ppm(w) and lbs/MMscf.
The SDHmini-L sengs can be adjusted by a user-friendly soware interface
incorporang mulple menus, hot key combinaons, informaon displays and
control funcons.
Use the supplied USB cable, aach between the PC and the instrument, an
automac connecon over USB is established.
The USB port allows:
● Charging of the baery (Li-ion) when connected to PC or dedicated
power supply
● Downloading of new rmware to the unit
● Downloading of setup data from dedicated PC soware
● Downloading logged data les and real me data from the unit
Alternavely, to connect the instrument using Bluetooth, rst ensure that the
instrument’s Bluetooth is switched on. There is no need to ask the instrument
to search for devices as in this mode of communicaon it is the PC which
iniates the pairing. Once connected over Bluetooth the connecon status is
shown in the boom le of the view panel.
The view panel allows access to many of the features, sengs and informaon
pages within the instrument.
A micro SD card is ed to the instrument, the contents of which can be
explored by clicking the SD card icon in the boom le of the view panel. The
contents may include user manuals, service notes, calibraon data sheets,
rmware backups etc..
The inbuilt memory, stores in excess of 300,000 readings including moisture
and pressure compensated moisture readings with user selectable logging
intervals from ve seconds to one hour and real-me data logging graphical
formats.
Data is stored under customer generated le names and stored data les can
be reviewed graphically on the unit. The rechargeable baery, when fully
charged, has in excess of 150 hours logging capability on a minimum logging
interval and is fully recharged in 12 hours.
6

7
2 Important Informaon
2.1 Bluetooth Cercaons
This equipment complies with FCC radiaon exposure limits set forth for an
uncontrolled environment - Contains FCC ID:QOQWT41/ QOQWT41u.
This device complies with Industry Canada licence-exempt RSS standard(s) -
Contains IC:5123A-BGTWT41/ 5123A-BGTWT41u.
WT41 meets the requirements of the standards below and hence fulls the
requirements of EMC Direcve 89/336/EEC as amended by Direcves 92/31/EEC
and 93/68/EEC within CE marking requirement.
WT41 has modular cercaon with cercaon number R 209-J00047/J00231.
2.2 Symbols Table
2.3 Lithium-ion Cell - Baery
The SDHmini-L is powered by a single lithium-ion cell. The cell
is not eld replaceable by the user as it is completely enclosed
within the instrument. However, the cell may be exchanged by
an authorised agent who has received the necessary training,
support systems and accreditaon. It is recommended to only
use the USB power supply supplied with the instrument.
It is recommended that the SDHmini-L be put on charge
overnight when the unit is rst received.
To aain maximum cell life, the SDHmini-L should always be
charged at room temperature. The discharging cell life (hours
of use from a fully charged cell) will reduce when used in cold
condions. Switch on the instrument to check if fully charged.
The symbol indicates that the device contains a baery which
may be charged via the USB connector.
Rang of instrument is less than 1 W in operaon. Charging
voltage is 5 V nominal.

2.4 Pressure Exposure
2.5 USB Communicaon Performance
Note: The use of the USB communicaon channel and
charging power port within the instrument may result in not
all connecons to all USB ports on all PCs or laptops being
enrely successful. Many USBs ports even within the same
PC or laptop dier from each other in electrical hardware or
rmware implementaons whilst sll broadly complying with
the overall USB standards giving rise to a variety of situaons
which may manifest in a reduced connecon experience. It
is recommended that if a parcular port is not connecng as
expected then the user ought to try an alternave port within
the PC or laptop or employ a USB Hub device which would
eecvely isolate the problemac PC or laptop USB port from
the instrument.
8
The maximum pressure to which the telescopic
measuring head is exposed should not be more than
0.3 bar, 4 psi
Exposing the measuring head to higher pressures may
damage the instrument and result in injury to the
operator or other personnel in the area.
!

9
3 Installaon
3.1 Gases to Avoid
The SHAW moisture sensors are suitable for many dierent industrial and
research applicaons. Most gases can be checked for their moisture content with
no need for the calibraon to be altered when changing between dierent gases,
as the sensor operates only with reference to the water vapour content.
There are however, some gases that must be avoided as they are not compable
with the material of construcon of the sensor. Ammonia (NH3), Ozone (O3) and
Chlorine (Cl2) must be avoided at all mes, even in small quanes. Hydrogen
Chloride (HCl) also aacks the sensors very quickly. Some, less aggressive acidic
gases such as Sulphur Dioxide (SO2) can be monitored as long as the moisture
content is low, generally less than 100ppm(v). If in doubt, please ask your supplier.
Sulphur Hexauoride (SF6) has no eect on the sensor. If the gas has been
exposed to arcing, however, it is possible that various acidic species will have
been formed that will corrode the sensor. When tesng SF6that may have been
arced, therefore, an acidity test should be carried out rst; if the gas proves to be
acidic then the moisture test should not be carried out.
3.2 Installing the Air/Gas Sampling System
The Piping Installaon Schemac diagram (see secon 3.3) shows all components,
which could be used in a dry gas measurement applicaon. Although not all the
items shown will be required for every installaon.
The main principle when considering the presentaon of the gas sample to the
SDHmini-L dewpoint meter is to keep the sample system as simple as possible
and of minimum swept volume, so that it has the least possible inuence on the
gas sample.
The SDHmini-L should be placed on a stable surface prior to connecng to the
sample pipework. Care should be taken to ensure that the sample presented
to the SDHmini-L is not contaminated with any component that will damage,
contaminate or aect in a way that will impair the unit’s accuracy.
The ow rate, although not crical to the sensor measurement, should be low
enough to avoid abrasion to the sensor surface without being so low as to extend

the SDHmini-L response me to an unacceptable level. In general, a ow rate
of between 2 and 5 litres/min at normal temperature and pressure will give the
right balance.
The SDHmini-L is designed to operate at atmospheric pressure with a maximum
of 0.3 bar.
3.3 Piping Installaon Schemac
Notes
The sample point should be on the upper surface of the horizontal pipe or from a vercal
secon of pipe, wherever possible.
The sample tube should run upwards from the sample point. If this is not possible, then an
inspecon port or drain tap should be installed at the lowest point in the sample system.
10
MAIN
PROCESS
LINE
1
3
2
4567
8
9
a.
b.

3.4 Piping Schemac Component Index
Sample Isolaon Valve - This is a recommended item as it allows access
to the sample system without interrupng the main process line.
Filter Unit – A lter unit is recommended when the samples are likely
to contain parculate maer. If the air/gas sample contains heavy
hydrocarbon condensate, the lter must be of the coalescing type with
a drain. The lter unit should be posioned as close to the sample point
as praccal.
Sample Tube – This should be stainless steel for dry air or gas
applicaons but copper or carbon steel can be used where weer gases
are to be measured. If any secon of the sample tube must be exible
then PTFE should be used. In most cases, 3 mm OD (⅛”) is sucient as
it provides good system response me with minimum ow. 6 mm OD
(¼”) tube can be used where pressure drops across the 3 mm tube are
too high.
Pressure Reducon Valve or Pressure Regulator – the sample is
measured at atmospheric pressure requiring that valve 4 is ed to the
system.
Flow Control Valve.
Sample Connecon.
SDHmini-L.
Flow Indicator – The recommended sample ow is 2 to 5 L/min.
Sample Exhaust – The exhaust is vented to atmosphere or returned to
an atmospheric pressure line.
3.5 Purging the Sample Connecon
Refer to the Piping Installaon Schemac in secon 3.3.
It is advisable to carry out an inial purge of the sample loop without
connecng the instrument, in order to avoid the possibility of sensor damage
on start-up.
Open the sample isolaon valve (1) slowly, unl there is a small ow of air/gas
at atmospheric pressure from the pressure reducon valve (4). Allow the air/
gas to exhaust through the sample connecon (9).
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
11

Connue this for two minutes to remove any residual moisture from the
sample pipe work and components. Check that no liquid or parculate
contaminaon, which could damage the sensor, is passing through the sample
pipe. Direcng the sample onto a piece of white paper (such as a lter paper)
will make it easier to see any dust or oil mist in the sample.
Connect the SDHmini-L. The SDHmini-L is not ow sensive, however, the
sample ow needs to be enough to ll the sensor head with gas eecvely,
so anything less than 1 litre/min would mean that the instrument would take
too long to sele to a stable reading. The ow should not be so high that the
gas velocity could physically damage the sensor or cause back-pressure in the
sensor head, so should not exceed approximately 10 litres/min.
3.6 Using the SDHmini-L to Take a Moisture Reading
The rst purpose of the SDHmini-L is to provide a rapid, easy and reliable
means of carrying out moisture content measurement of gases. To ensure rapid
response the sensor is kept dry by surrounding the sensor with desiccant in the
head assembly when it is not in use.
Aer purging the system to be monitored t the SDHmini-L sample pipe to the
sample connecon (6). Allow the gas to purge for a further two minutes with
the head down. Restrict the outlet of the SDHmini-L (7) by placing a nger over
the sample exhaust (9), so that the pressure of the sample lis the telescopic
head. As soon as the head is fully extended remove the nger, to prevent
pressure build up. Pull gently on the head to make sure it is fully extended. If
there is not enough pressure to li the head assembly, assist it by pulling it up,
do this very slowly so that ambient air is not drawn in through the outlet.
The sensor will respond to the moisture level present in the sampled gas. The
displayed moisture value will connue to change unl the sensor reaches
equilibrium at which point the displayed value is representave of the moisture
level in the sampled gas. When a reading has been taken and the test is
nished, push down the telescopic head fully, carefully turn o the sample
ow and disconnect the sample pipe. With the head in the down posion the
desiccant will dry the sensor, ready for the next test.
12

Note: It is important that the head assembly is either fully up or fully down to
keep the desiccant isolated from the ambient air so avoiding weng it. When
the instrument is not in use it should be stored with the head in the down
posion.
3.7 Desiccant Dry-Down Technology
Keeping the sensor dry between tests ensures that the SDHmini-L is ready to
carry out rapid spot checks. The unique design of the desiccant head achieves
this by surrounding the sensor with desiccant, keeping the sensor dry. The head
is then lied for sampling, exposing the sensor to the sample gas.
Between tests the sensor is not allowed to come into contact with ambient
air. The chamber is designed so that the void space and chamber wall surfaces
are purged with sample gas before exposure of the sensor, giving faster, more
accurate and reliable results.
13
Dry-Down Posion Read Posion
The unique design
allows purging of
the gas in the “Dry-
Down Posion”
which will bring all
surfaces and voids
to equilibrium.
Sample exhaust
Sample gas
inlet pipe
Sensor
The desiccant and
sensor are always
isolated from
atmospheric air to
ensure an accurate
reading.
Sensor exposed
to gas sample
Sensor surrounded by
desiccant ensuring it is
dry, ready for the next
measurement.

3.8 Sample Connecons
The SDHmini-L is supplied with two connecons: a Fir Tree on one side and
a Swagelok compression ng for ¼”, ⅛”, 6 mm OD pipe or another Fir Tree
ng (as specied on your order) on the other. Either can be used as the inlet
connecon (6).
PTFE and stainless steel are recommended materials for sample pipes. Some
specialist exible tubing may be suitable as sample pipe but common exible
tubing such as PVC, nylon, polythene or rubber, should not be used, as they are
permeable and water vapour from the atmosphere will diuse through them
into the sample gas.
A 2 m PTFE sample pipe is supplied for use with the Fir Tree connecon. The
rst me this is used it is advisable to warm the end that will go over the Fir
Tree for a few seconds with a heat source to soen it slightly, which helps to get
a gas ght seal.
3.9 Pressure and Flow Control
In most cases the gas to be sampled will be at a posive pressure, which will
need to be reduced to atmospheric pressure. At low pressures, up to around 8
barg, this can be done by including a simple needle valve (5) to control the ow
and thereby the pressure dropping across it. Ideally this would be the isolaon
valve (1) on the sample point, thus keeping the number of joints and glands,
which are points of potenal moisture ingress to a minimum.
At higher pressures it is advisable to reduce the pressure across a pressure
regulator (4). Any regulator used should be stainless steel and of a low swept
volume. Typical laboratory or welding type regulators are not suitable because
they have elastomeric diaphragms which are permeable to water vapour and
the high swept volume will be slow to purge.
14

3.10 Parculate Contaminaon
If the sample gas is likely to contain parculate material this should be kept
away from the sensor by including a small inline parcle lter (2) in the sample
system.
If the surface of the sensor becomes partly coated with parcles it will not
aect the calibraon of the sensor but will restrict the movement of water
molecules across the surface so increasing the me it takes for the sensor to
come to equilibrium with the water vapour concentraon around it. If the
solid material is hygroscopic, such as desiccant dust, whenever there is a
change in the moisture concentraon in the sample, this material must come
to equilibrium with the moisture content before the sensor can respond to the
change, which will cause delays in obtaining accurate results.
3.11 Liquid Contaminaon
If the sample gas may contain liquid contaminaon, such as oil mist, this should
be kept away from the sensor by including a coalescing lter or an appropriate
membrane lter (2) in the sample system.
If the surface of the sensor becomes partly coated with liquid, again, it will
not aect the calibraon of the sensor. It will restrict the movement of water
molecules across the surface so increasing the me it takes for the sensor to
come to equilibrium with the water vapour concentraon around it. If the
liquid is hygroscopic, such as glycol, the buering eect described for desiccant
dust may be so great that the sensor becomes too slow to use.
15

4 Normal Operaons
4.1 Powering On/O
To switch on (and o), press the SDHmini-L
briey displays a splash screen showing instrument
status, error informaon and rmware version number.
4.2 Graphical Viewing Opons
The start up screen is soon replaced by the normal measurement mode screen
(see below) displaying the current moisture measurement in a variety of views.
The last used or last selected mode will be ulised automacally.
4.3 Display Opons
The display can be changed by pressing the following keys to cycle
t h r o u g h a l l o f t h e g r a p h i c a l v i e w s a n d w i l l t a k e y o u t o t h e h o m e s c r e e n .
Here is a view starng as a digital number followed by simulated strip chart and
moving coil instruments.
The digital display mode has the benet of showing the moisture measurement
in main choice of engineering units but also a secondary display with perhaps
alternave engineering units. This mode also allows applicaon of pressure
dewpoint to evaluate the measurement in other samples pressures.
Top Bar
Secondary Display or
Measurement Value
Buon Icon Area
These are so keys which
are always visible to assist
users in navigang through
the graphical screens.
Top Bar
Baery Status - Bluetooth
Status - Time
Viewing Portal
Main display resides
here but can also show
alternave Measurement
Data, Informaon Screens,
Conguraons and Logged
Data in a variety of formats.
16

4.4 Choice of Units
In normal measurement mode. The secondary display is the measurement
displayed in the top bar on the right hand side (A). It allows alternave
engineering units or concentraons to be displayed
alongside those chosen in the main display.
To choose the engineering units to be displayed, select
the units key from the main digital view.
You will be presented with the following screen to select engineering units for
the main and secondary displays. You may toggle between adjusng the main
and secondary displays by pressing key 3.
Use the key to move to the
desired measurement type and
press to select it. Pressing
will exit the current screen without
making any further changes.
Here the secondary display
is being changed to ppm(v)
engineering units (B).
Please note: when you change the
display to either the moving coil
meter or the strip chart the secondary
engineering units display is replaced
with the primary units (C).
This connues to allow high precision measurement whilst having the benet
of the graphical display.
B
C
A
17

5 Calibraon
Field calibraons of the SDHmini-L may be performed periodically, every two
to three months, to ensure accuracy between laboratory calibraons by
checking the span of the instrument and correcng for any deviaon. These
funcons can be used to verify operaon of the SDHmini-L if conrmaon of an
unexpected result is required.
This may be accomplished by two similar in built calibraon funcons, namely
AutoCal and CalSet.
5.1 Auto Calibraon (AutoCal)
The AutoCal facility uses the fact that each sensor is designed and
manufactured to give no further increase in response when it reaches its
maximum moisture level. For example a SDHmini-L with a full scale value of
0 °C dewpoint will read 0 °C dewpoint when exposed to a gas with this
moisture concentraon and will connue to read 0 °C dewpoint as the moisture
concentraon rises above 0 °C dewpoint.
The SDHmini-L can therefore be adjusted to read 0 °C dewpoint on any gas with
a moisture concentraon weer than 0 °C dewpoint, ambient air for instance,
thus seng the span to match the original calibraon.
Select AutoCal from the Conguraon Menu.
Please ensure that the inlet and outlet valves are open to
atmosphere.
Extend the desiccant head on the instrument (as
illustrated on the instrument screen) nocing that the
value of the full scale moisture level has already been
automacally preselected as a target of 0 °C. You may
need to li the head two to three mes to allow ambient
air through to the chamber, ensuring inlet and outlet are
unrestricted. Press .
18

The SDHmini-L will display a moving bar unl it assesses that the sensor has
stabilised (please allow up to ten minutes for this to occur).
The SDHmini-L will now display the full scale value of the
unit, either -20 °C or 0 °C depending on the sensor range.
Close the desiccant head when instructed to do so and
press .
Pressing during the AutoCal aborts the process.
Press to accept.
The value present at the start of the aborted AutoCal
process is reinserted.
The SDHmini-L will return the instrument to normal measurement mode.
Note: Avoid carrying out the AutoCal procedure on a SDHmini-L with a full scale
value of 0 °C dewpoint on days when the ambient may be below this value, for
example a dry day when the ambient temperature is below approximately 12 °C.
The entered AutoCal value must not be pressure compensated.
5.2 Calibraon Setpoint (CalSet)
The unit may be checked against a known moisture level,
for example from a moisture generator or other reference
standard, such as a chilled mirror hygrometer or a
psychrometer using the funcon CalSet.
Select CalSet from the Conguraon Menu.
Extend the desiccant head and press .
Whether the instrument is being checked against the
measured ambient level or against a known calibraon
standard from a moisture generator, and are
used to set the value accordingly.
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Selecng -10 °C for instance involves changing the sign
and number by use of both keys.
The entered CalSet value must not be a pressure
compensated one and must be within the range of the
sensor.
Press when done.
The SDHmini-L will display a moving bar unl it assesses
that the sensor has stabilised (up to 10 minutes).
The full scale value, -10 °C dewpoint, is now displayed.
Press when complete.
Close the desiccant head when instructed to do so and
press .
Pressing during CalSet aborts the
process and the value present at the
start of the aborted CalSet process is
reinserted.
Press to connue/accept changes.
The SDHmini-L will return to the normal operaonal mode.
5.3 Calibraon Procedure Error Messages
If the instrument fails calibraon, a message will be displayed on the screen
unl acknowledged by the user, e.g.
AutoCal Failed
Sensor Open Circuit
or
AutoCal Failed
Sensor Short Circuit
This will mean replacing the sensor or its interconnecng cable in some cases.
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