Shaw SDHmini User manual

Model SDHmini
Dewpoint Meter
Instrucon Manual
3006 - SDHmini User Manual - Iss 1.1

Contents
1
2
3
4
5
6
Introducon ................................................................................ 5
1.1 Unpacking Your Shaw Moisture Meters SDHmini ................ 5
1.2 General Descripon ............................................................. 5
Important Informaon ................................................................ 6
2.1 Symbols Table ...................................................................... 6
2.2 Lithium-ion Cell - Baery ...................................................... 6
2.3 Pressure Exposure ................................................................ 7
Installaon .................................................................................. 7
3.1 Gases to Avoid ..................................................................... 7
3.2 Installing the Air/Gas Sampling System ............................... 7
3.3 Piping Installaon Schemac ............................................... 8
3.4 Piping Schemac Component Index .................................... 9
3.5 Purging the Sample Connecon .......................................... 9
3.6 Using the SDHmini to Take a Moisture Reading ................ 10
3.7 Desiccant Dry-Down Technology ....................................... 11
3.8 Sample Connecons .......................................................... 11
3.9 Pressure and Flow Control ................................................ 12
3.10 Parculate Contaminaon ............................................... 12
3.11 Liquid Contaminaon ...................................................... 12
Normal Operaons ................................................................... 13
4.1 Powering On/O ............................................................... 13
4.2 Graphical Viewing Opons ................................................ 13
4.3 Display Opons .................................................................. 13
4.4 Choice of Units .................................................................. 14
Calibraon ................................................................................ 15
5.1 Auto Calibraon (AutoCal) ................................................ 15
5.2 Calibraon Setpoint (CalSet) ............................................. 16
5.3 Calibraon Procedure Error Messages .............................. 17
Sensor Related Sengs ............................................................. 17
6.1 Sensor Type ....................................................................... 17
6.2 Selecng Gas Types ........................................................... 17
6.3 Selecng Gas Molecular Weights ...................................... 18
6.4 Pressure ............................................................................. 18

Contents
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
Non Measurement Related Conguraon Funcons ................. 19
7.1 Changing the Date ............................................................. 19
7.2 Changing the Time ............................................................. 19
7.3 Changing Internaonal Sengs ........................................ 19
7.4 Hotkeys .............................................................................. 20
Installing the SDHmini User Tool ............................................... 21
8.1 Extracng the SDHmini User Tool Soware from the USB
Flash Drive (Memory Sck) ................................................ 21
8.2 Extracng the SDHmini User Tool Soware from the
Instrument .......................................................................... 22
Connecng the SDHmini and SDHmini User Tool ...................... 24
Using the SDHmini User Tool .................................................... 25
10.1 Menu items ...................................................................... 25
10.1.1 File - SDHmini Report ............................................... 25
10.1.2 Language .................................................................. 25
10.1.3 Help .......................................................................... 26
10.2 Instrument Live Reading ................................................... 26
10.3 Instrument Stac Informaon .......................................... 26
10.4 Ulies ............................................................................. 27
10.5 Sengs ............................................................................. 28
10.6 Firmware Update ............................................................. 29
10.7 Factory Reset .................................................................... 30
Addional Informaon ............................................................. 31
11.1 Desiccant and Head Seal Replacement ........................... 31
11.2 Temperature .................................................................... 32
11.3 Response Time ................................................................ 32
11.4 Guarantee ........................................................................ 32
11.5 Basic Denions .............................................................. 32
11.6 Problem Guide ................................................................. 33
SDHmini Specicaons .............................................................. 34
SDHmini General Assembly Diagram ......................................... 35

1 Introducon
1.1 Unpacking Your Shaw Moisture Meters SDHmini
Please examine the SDHmini 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 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 is a micro-controller based baery operated dewpoint hygrometer
with state of the art features and enhancements with support of USB for
communicang with PC.
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.
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 lb/MMSCF.
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

The SDHmini 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
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.
2 Important Informaon
2.1 Symbols Table
6
2.2 Lithium-ion Cell - Baery
The SDHmini 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 be put on charge overnight
when the unit is rst received.
To aain maximum cell life, the SDHmini 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.

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 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 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.
7
2.3 Pressure Exposure
!

The SDHmini 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 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 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 is designed to operate at atmospheric pressure with a maximum of
0.3 bar.
3.3 Piping Installaon Schemac
8
MAIN
PROCESS
LINE
1
3
2
4567
8
9
a.
b.
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.
Notes

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.
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).
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.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
9

Connect the SDHmini. The SDHmini 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 to Take a Moisture Reading
The rst purpose of the SDHmini 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 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 (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.
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.
10

11
3.7 Desiccant Dry-Down Technology
Keeping the sensor dry between tests ensures that the SDHmini 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.
3.8 Sample Connecons
The SDHmini 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.
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.

3.9 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.
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.
12

13
4 Normal Operaons
4.1 Powering On/O
To switch on (and o), press , the SDHmini
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
through all of the graphical views and will take you to the home screen.
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 - Time
Viewing Portal
Main display resides here
but can also show alternave
Measurement Data,
Informaon Screens and
Conguraons in a variety of
formats.

14
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 the 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.
5 Calibraon
Field calibraons of the SDHmini 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 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.
A
B
C

15
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 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 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.
NOTE: For instruments with a dewpoint range above 0 °C, e.g. the Blue range, -80 to +20 °C,
please refer to secon 5.2 Calibraon Setpoint (CalSet).
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 .
The SDHmini 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 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
.

16
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 will return the instrument to normal measurement mode.
Note: Avoid carrying out the AutoCal procedure on a SDHmini 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 funcon CalSet is suitable for sensors with an upper
range limit of +20 °C dewpoint, for example the Blue range
-80 to +20 °C dewpoint, where this upper range limit will
exceed typical ambient condions.
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.
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.

17
The SDHmini 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 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 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.
6 Sensor Related Sengs
On the Conguraon screens there exists a collecon of measurement sengs
associated with the sensors and its environment.
6.1 Sensor Type
Here you may view the type of sensor
installed in the SDHmini and its range.
6.2 Selecng Gas Types
The SDHmini default seng is for ideal gas behaviour, however, there is an opon
to change the seng
to natural gas which
uses the appropriate
calculaon.

18
6.3 Selecng Gas Molecular Weights
The SDHmini default seng is for air (molecular weight 28.99), however, this
funcon allows the molecular weight to be set appropriately for other sample
gases, for example 18.99 .
6.4 Pressure
This sub-menu has, for both the primary and secondary displays, ve opons
allowing the user to select either atmospheric pressure or one of four pressure
engineering units and applied pressure.
When this funcon is selected, the main and secondary display screens will display
the pressure at which the dewpoint reading is calculated.
The SDHmini requires that a numerical pressure value be entered in the selected
units at the boom of the units selecon secon, for example selecng pressure
dewpoint of 2,000 psig on secondary display.
Warning: This funcon is purely an internal calculaon and DOES NOT allow an
elevated pressure to be applied to the measuring head.

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7 Non Measurement Related Conguraon Funcons
7.1 Changing the Date
In order to change the present date press the arrow key
to select the Date funcon from the Conguraon menu.
Press .
Use and to change the date.
Here for example the date is changing from 06/03/15 to 06/04/15.
Press to enter new date or to abort changes.
7.2 Changing the Time
In order to change the present me
press to select the Time funcon
from the Conguraon menu.
To change the me use and .
Here for example the me is changing from 10:48 to 11:48.
Press to enter new me or to abort changes.
7.3 Changing Internaonal Sengs
Use the selecon cursor to select opons to change the
sengs for Language, Date Format and Numerical Delimiter.
Select Internaonal Sengs from the Conguraon Menu.
To change the Language opon select .
The language choice area is highlighted. A ag of a country
most associated with one of the pre-installed languages
indicates which language is currently selected. The

20
SDHmini operates with the following 10 language opons:
English, German, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian,
Italian, Chinese, Japanese and Korean.
Use the to select the ag required.
And to accept the choice.
The Date Format i.e. DD/MM/YY or MM/DD/YY is also chosen
from within the Internaonal Sengs menu.
And nally, numbers can be presented 123.45 or 123,45.
Note: These sengs are carried through to any data les and
printer outputs where appropriate.
7.4 Hotkeys
To access the hotkeys from the main screen, press key 5 on the keypad.
The four so keys are replaced by a new set of hotkeys for a short while. These are
available for rapid access to certain areas of the menu structures or funcons.
Turns ON and OFF the inbuilt sounder
Accesses the alternave moving coil graphical viewing screen
Takes the user to the Informaon screen
If the SDHmini is connected to a PC then the second hotkey is replaced
by an SD card symbol