FCI flow switch/monitor receives FM Div 1/Zone 1 approval
Analyser and sampling system engineers in search of a flow switch/monitor that is approved for use in hazardous locations will be interested to learn that the Model FS10A analyser flow switch/monitor from Fluid Components International (FCI) has received FM Div 1/Zone 1 approval on all remote probe configurations.
The 'FM approved' mark assures FCI's customers that independent scientific research and testing have determined that the technology performs reliably and safely. FM Global certifies products to assure customers that they conform to the highest national and international safety standards for loss protection and risk management. The Div 1/Zone 1 Approval indicates that they have been certified for hazards that are present under normal operating conditions or present frequently under maintenance or repair operations.
The advanced Model FS10A is a small, lightweight instrument featuring low flow sensitivity, a relay alarm trip point, an analogue output and an RS232 interface. The FS10A's advanced electronics and thermal dispersion flow sensing technology provide an accurate, repeatable overall solution for sampling system flow assurance.
The FS10A ensures continuous reliability and requires virtually no maintenance, featuring a precision flow sensor element with no moving parts to foul, clog or maintain. Unlike alternative technologies, such as magnetic floats, capillary bypass or rotameters, the
FS10A has no cavities, orifices or dead-legs that can trap fluids and lead to contaminated samples, which preserves sample integrity and provides faster system sampling times. The instrument's wetted parts are corrosion-resistant 316L stainless steel with Hastelloy-C22 sensor tips.
Designed for use with nearly all types of process and emissions sampling systems, including gas chromatographs (GCs), mass spectrometers, optical spectrometers, photometers and others, the FS10A's standard configurations will accommodate standard 1/8, 1/4, 3/8 and ½" tubing as well as an SP76 adapter (ANSI/ISA Standard 76.00.02-2002, Modular Component Interfaces for Surface-Mount Fluid Distribution Components). The SP76 adapter is a key element of the NeSSITM platform (New Sampling/Sensor Initiative). The FS10A conforms to NeSSI Generation I and is prepped for Generation II and III compliance, requiring only a single 1.5-x-1.5-inch SP76 base.
Depending on the tube size, the FS10A operates over a wide flow range in air/gas; from 0.02 SCFH to 200 SCFH (10 cc/min to 100,000 cc/min), and in water/liquids; from 0.0.01 GPH to 12.00 GPH (0.70 cc/min to 750.00 cc/min). It accommodates wide turndowns with a ratio up to 100:1.
Its advanced electronics are packaged in a fully sealed aluminium housing, making it ideal for rugged plant environments. The electronics can be integral mounted with the sensor element in a uni-body configuration or remotely mounted for easy front panel display viewing. The FS10A features a top-mounted, ten LED array and two pressure-sensitive buttons. The LED display shows flow rate trend, alarm status and power on/off so operators have at-a-glance knowledge of operating conditions. The monitor's set-up (zero and span) and trip-point values can be changed via the two push-buttons or via its RS232C serial interface.
The FS10A outputs include a 1A relay settable for NO or NC operation and with user-settable for failsafe, hysteresis and/or time delay, and a 4-20mA analogue output for trending.
In addition to FM compliance, agency approvals for the FS10A include FMc, SIL 1, ATEX and IECEx for hazardous location installations.
