Thank you for purchasing the Model FT3 Thermal Gas Mass Flow Meter and Temperature
Transmitter from Fox Thermal. The Model FT3 is one of the most technically advanced ow
meters in the world. Extensive engineering effort has been invested to deliver advanced
features, accuracy measurement performance and outstanding reliability.
This Instruction Manual contains the electrical and mechanical installation instructions as well
as details for programming, maintaining and troubleshooting the meter.
This manual is divided into the following sections: Introduction, Installation, Wiring, Operation,
Maintenance, Troubleshooting, Appendices, Glossary and Index.
Theory of Operation
The Model FT3 is an innovative Thermal Mass Gas Flow Meter and Temperature Transmitter.
It is microprocessor-based and eld programmable. The FT3 thermal sensor operates on the
law that gases absorb heat. A heated sensor placed in an air or gas stream transfers heat
in proportion to the stream’s mass velocity. There are two sensor elements connected to
a balanced bridge circuit. One sensor element detects the gas temperature and a second
element is maintained at a constant temperature above the gas temperature. The energy
applied to the heated sensor to maintain a constant temperature differential (constant ∆ T) is
directly proportional to the mass ow velocity. The FT3 ow meter maintains accurate ow
measurement over a large temperature and pressure range.
Mass Flow
The Model FT3 measures mass ow; an advantage over other ow meters which measure
volumetric ow rate. Volumetric ow is incomplete because temperature and pressure are
unknown and must be measured separately. For example, the mass ow of a gas depends on
its temperature and pressure. As temperature and pressure changes, the gas volume changes
but not its mass. Therefore a device measuring mass ow is independent of temperature
and pressure. The Model FT3 provides a direct measurement of gas ow in Mass units (kg/
hr, lb/hr), standard units (SCFM, SLPM) or normal units (NM3/hr, NLPM) with no additional
temperature or pressure measurements required.
Calibration Validation
Fox Thermal has developed a method to validate the calibration of the ow meter in the eld.
This method is called Calibration Validation and it is made up of two distinct tests: CAL-V™ and
Zero CAL-CHECK®. The goal of Calibration Validation is to provide operators with the ability
to verify that the meter is capturing accurate data at scheduled recalibration times - or at any
time - instead of sending the meter back to the factory for recalibration.
By performing CAL-V™ in the eld, operators can verify that the meter is running accurately
by testing the functionality of the sensor and its associated signal processing circuitry. This
test can be done in the pipe and in normal processing conditions. The second test, Zero CAL-
CHECK®, ensures the effectiveness and sensibility of the sensor at a "no ow" condition.
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Introduction
Model FT3
INTRODUCTION