TSI Instruments VelociCheck 8330 Operation manual

Model 8330
V
ELOCICHECK®
Air Velocity Meter
Operation and Service
Manual
August 2000
P/N 1980066 Rev. D

Model 8330
VELOCICHECK®
Air Velocity Meter
Operation and Service
Manual
August 2000
P/N 1980066 Rev. D

SHIP TO:
TSI Incorporated
500 Cardigan Road
Shoreview, MN 55126-3996
USA
MAIL TO:
TSI Incorporated
P.O. Box 64394
St. Paul, MN 55164-0394
USA
U.S.
Sales and Customer Service:
[phone] / [phone]
Fax: [phone]
INTERNATIONAL
Sales and Customer Service:
(1) 651-490-2711
Fax: [phone]

Copyright
TSI Incorporated/August 2000/All rights reserved.
Address
TSI Incorporated/P.O. Box 64394/St. Paul, MN 55164/USA
Fax No.
[phone]
LIMITATION OF WARRANTY AND LIABILITY. Seller warrants
the goods sold hereunder, under normal use and service as described in
the operator's manual, shall be free from defects in workmanship and
material for (24) months, or the length of time specified in the operator's
manual, from the date of shipment to the customer. This warranty period
is inclusive of any statutory warranty. This limited warranty is subject to
the following exclusions:
a. Parts repaired or replaced as a result of repair services are warranted
to be free from defects in workmanship and material, under normal
use, for 90 days from the date of shipment.
b. Seller does not provide any warranty on finished goods
manufactured by others or on any fuses, batteries or other
consumable materials. Only the original manufacturer's warranty
applies.
c. Unless specifically authorized in a separate writing by Seller, Seller
makes no warranty with respect to, and shall have no liability in
connection with, goods which are incorporated into other products or
equipment, or which are modified by any person other than Seller.
The foregoing is IN LIEU OF all other warranties and is subject to the
LIMITATIONS stated herein. NO OTHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED
WARRANTY OF FITNESS FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR
MERCHANTABILITY IS MADE.
TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, THE EXCLUSIVE
REMEDY OF THE USER OR BUYER, AND THE LIMIT OF
SELLER'S LIABILITY FOR ANY AND ALL LOSSES, INJURIES, OR
DAMAGES CONCERNING THE GOODS (INCLUDING CLAIMS
BASED ON CONTRACT, NEGLIGENCE, TORT, STRICT LIABILITY
OR OTHERWISE) SHALL BE THE RETURN OF GOODS TO
SELLER AND THE REFUND OF THE PURCHASE PRICE, OR, AT
THE OPTION OF SELLER, THE REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT OF
THE GOODS. IN NO EVENT SHALL SELLER BE LIABLE FOR ANY

SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES.
SELLER SHALL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR INSTALLATION,
DISMANTLING OR REINSTALLATION COSTS OR CHARGES. No
Action, regardless of form, may be brought against Seller more than 12
months after a cause of action has accrued. The goods returned under
warranty to Seller's factory shall be at Buyer's risk of loss, and will be
returned, if at all, at Seller's risk of loss.
Buyer and all users are deemed to have accepted this LIMITATION OF
WARRANTY AND LIABILITY, which contains the complete and
exclusive limited warranty of Seller. This LIMITATION OF
WARRANTY AND LIABILITY may not be amended, modified or its
terms waived, except by writing signed by an Officer of Seller.
Service Policy
Knowing that inoperative or defective instruments are as detrimental to
TSI as they are to our customers, our service policy is designed to give
prompt attention to any problems. If any malfunction is discovered,
please contact your nearest sales office or representative, or call TSI's
Customer Service department at [phone] (USA) and (1) 651-490-
2711 (International).

CONTENTS
Chapters
1. Setup.................................................... 1
Unpacking ............................................ 1
Installing the batteries.......................... 2
2. VELOCICHECK Operation ................ 3
Extending the probe ............................. 3
Measuring temperature......................... 4
Measuring velocity............................... 5
Switching on the power........................ 6
Selecting temperature/velocity display 6
Selecting the sensor response............... 7
Batteries ............................................... 7
3. Maintenance..................................... 11
Probe tip............................................. 11
Cases .................................................. 12
Storage................................................ 12
Service................................................ 12
4. Troubleshooting............................... 13

Appendices
A. Standard vs. Actual Velocity.......... 15
B. Specifications................................... 19
Available Application Notes
• Constant temperature Thermal
Anemometry Theory.................. TI-105
• Traversing a Duct to Determine Average
Air Velocity or Volume ............. TI-106
To obtain any of the listed Application
Notes contact TSI at the following:
U.S. [phone]/[phone]
Fax: [phone]
International: (1) 651-490-2711
Fax: [phone]

1
Chapter 1
Setup
This chapter guides you through unpacking and
installing batteries into your VELOCICHECK. See
chapter 2 for a detailed description of the digital
VELOCICHECK’s operating functions.
Unpacking
Carefully unpack the instrument and accessories
from the shipping container. Check the individual
parts against the list of components in Table 1; if
any are missing or damages, notify TSI
immediately.
Table 1: List of components
Qty Item Part #
1 VELOCICHECK Model 8330 8330
1 Carrying case 1319042
4 AA alkaline batteries 1208013
1 Operation and service manual 1980066

Chapter 1
2
Installing the batteries
Install batteries by loosening the screw in the
battery access cover located on the back of the
instrument. Insert four size AA batteries in the
battery tube according to the polarity indicated on
the instrument case under the battery access cover.
Replace the battery access cover and tighten the
screw.
If the batteries are installed incorrectly, no damage
to the VELOCICHECK will occur, but the instrument
will not function.

3
Chapter 2
VELOCICHECK Operation
This chapter thoroughly explains how to operate
the VELOCICHECK.
Extending the probe
The Model 8330 VELOCICHECK contains a
telescoping velocity and temperature measuring
probe which is shipped in its collapsed position.
To expose the probe to the flow for air velocity or
temperature measurements, grasp the tip of the
probe and pull firmly.
To retract or collapse the probe, simply push the tip
of the probe straight toward the handle. When you
collapse the probe, be sure to allow room for the
cable to move freely out of the base of the probe.
Hindering the movement of the cable at the base of
the probe will make it difficult to collapse the
probe.
Always store the probe retracted when not in use in
order to protect the sensor.

Chapter 2
4
NOTE: As you handle the probe, take care not to
bump it against duct walls or other objects. The
probe has been made as rugged as possible, but it
can be damaged by careless handling.
Measuring temperature
Whenever you plan to measure both temperature
and velocity, it is best to measure temperature first.
HINT for measuring temperature: Switch the
VELOCICHECK to the temperature mode before
turning the instrument on. This will minimize
the time required for the temperature sensor to
stabilize.
The temperature measuring sensor is in the window
near the end of the probe. Extend the probe and
expose the sensor in the window to the air where
you want to measure temperature.
When you measure temperature in moving air,
orient the window of the probe so that the air flows
through the window. This will minimize the time
required for the temperature readings to stabilize.

VELOCICHECK Operation 5
Measuring velocity
For highest accuracy, it is important with all
VELOCICHECKs to properly align the probe to the
flow. For accurate results, the measured air must
flow through the sensor window at the end of the
probe.
HINT for measuring velocity: If the probe is left to
warm up for more than a few seconds at
velocities below 50 feet/minute (0.25 meters/sec)
it will require more time to stabilize when it is
inserted into a higher flow. This is because the
probe assembly self heats at such low flows, and
must then re-stabilize when placed into higher
flow. Fro best response time at velocities of 100-
200 feet/minute (0.5-1 meters/sec) it is
recommended to first place the probe into the
flow, and then turn the meter on.
When the Model 8330 VELOCICHECK is in the
velocity mode the temperature sensor will be
warmed by heat from the velocity sensor. If the
VELOCICHECK is then switched to temperature
mode, it will read several degrees high until the
temperature sensor can cool. Therefore, when you
plan to measure both temperature and velocity, it is
best to measure temperature first.

Chapter 2
6
Switching on the power
Turn on the VELOCICHECK using the ON/OFF
switch. The VELOCICHECK will display battery life
for the first 5 seconds. This number represents the
approximate percentage of battery life remaining,
and will range from less than zero% for a low
battery to something over 100% for a short time
while the “surface charge” of the new batteries
burns off.
After 5 seconds the VELOCICHECK will begin to
display velocity or temperature in the selected
units. Units available for display are standard feet
per minute (S ft/min) and degrees Fahrenheit (°F),
and standard meters per second (S m/s) and degrees
Celsius (°C), depending on which instrument you
purchased. The units of measure cannot be
changed in the field.
Selecting temperature/velocity display
The TEMP/VEL switch on the instrument allows
you to switch between the instrument’s two
measuring modes. Slide the switch to the TEMP
position to read the current temperature, or to the
VEL position to read the current velocity.

VELOCICHECK Operation 7
Selecting the sensor response
The Model 8330 VELOCICHECK has a
FAST/SLOW response switch for setting the
sensor response speed. In the slow response mode,
the VELOCICHECK displays the average velocity
measured during the past 12 seconds. This is a
running average, so the display is updated once a
second. In the fast response mode, the meter
displays the average velocity measured during the
past 3 seconds. The way the VELOCICHECK does
velocity averaging is by saving the velocity
measured each of the past 12 seconds into 12
separate locations in memory. Every second, a new
reading is taken and the oldest reading is thrown
out. Depending on the position of the sensor
response switch, either the last 3 readings or all 12
readings will be averaged for display.
Batteries
The VELOCICHECK is powered by four AA-size
batteries. TSI ships the instrument with alkaline
batteries, but nickel-cadmium rechargeable
batteries may be used. Keep in mind that battery
life is a function of the velocity being measured:
the higher the velocity, the shorter the life. Table 2
shows typical battery life for both alkaline and
nickel-cadmium batteries at three velocities.

Chapter 2
8
Table 2: Typical battery life* at three velocities
Air Velocity alkaline life nickel-
cadmium life
(ft/min) (m/s) (hrs) (hrs)
100 0.5 10 2-1/2
1000 5.0 6 1-3/4
2000 10.0 5 1-1/2
* At 20°C
The VELOCICHECK continually monitors its battery
supply voltage. Then the battery life falls below
15%, the battery indicator (BAT) in the upper left
corner of the display will blink on and off. This
indicates a low battery condition and means that the
batteries will soon need to be replaced.
♦ Once the BAT indicator begins to blink, you
still have a few minutes to complete the
measurements you are making. While the
indicator is blinking, the VELOCICHECK
continues to measure accurately.
If the battery voltage falls below 3.5 VDC, the
display will read “LO” and the BAT indicator will
be on continuously. Batteries must then be
replaced before velocity readings can be taken.

VELOCICHECK Operation 9
If you do not install fresh batteries and the voltage
falls below 2 volts, the display will go blank.
♦ Alkaline batteries are recommended for longest
life, and the VELOCICHECK battery life indicator
will be most accurate with alkaline batteries.

11
Chapter 3
Maintenance
The VELOCICHECK requires very little maintenance
to keep it performing well.
Probe tip
Periodically inspect the probe tip to ensure that it is
clean. Dust and oil deposits on the tip and sensor
decrease the accuracy of the VELOCICHECK.
CAUTION: The VELOCICHECK must be switched
off for cleaning. Do not use high-pressure air,
strong solvents, or brushes to clean the sensor
tip; damage to the sensors could result.
To remove dust, blow it off with a gentle stream of
air or rinse it off with a gentle stream of water. To
remove a combination of dust and oil, rinse the
probe tip in isopropyl alcohol and then blow it off
with a gentle stream of air. Never use heat to dry
the probe.
Allow the sensor to dry thoroughly before use.

Chapter 3
12
Cases
If the instrument case or storage case needs
cleaning, wipe it off with a soft cloth and isopropyl
alcohol or a mild detergent.
Never submerge the VELOCICHECK.
Storage
When storing the VELOCICHECK for more than a
month, it is recommended that you remove the
batteries to prevent damage due to batteries leaking.
Service
To maintain a high degree of accuracy in your
velocity measurements, TSI recommends that you
return your instrument to the factory for annual
calibration. For a nominal fee, we will recalibrate
the unit and return it to you with a certificate of
calibration and NIST traceability. This ‘annual
checkup’ assures you of consistently accurate
readings; it is especially important in applications
where strict calibration records must be maintained.