T7OX-V Oxygen 4-20 mA Transmitter

Operating Principles

OP05 - T7OX-V Oxygen 4-20 mA Transmitter

CONTENTS

Introduction 2

Power supply and Total Loop Resistance 3

Temperature Compensation 4

Connection and Wiring 4

Electrostatic Discharge Guidelines 5

Calibration Guidelines 5

Handling and Storage 7

Document Purpose

The purpose of this document is to describe the functionality of the product, and to provide information and
advice regarding the appropriate use of the sensors.

This document and the information contained within does not constitute a specification. This document should
be used in conjunction with the Product Datasheet, the Product Characterisation Note (where available) and
the Product Safety Datasheet.

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 T7OX-V Oxygen 4-20 mA Transmitter

Operating Principles
Introduction

In many applications it may be more cost effective to replace a sensing head with one precalibrated at a testing
station or laboratory, so reducing disruption of the measuring system. To enable this, a 4-20 mA transmitter is
available, comprising a 7OX-V oxygen CiTiceL and a circular Surface Mount Design (SMD) printed circuit board
(PCB). The prime features of this unit are ease of use, compactness, and the ability to replace both CiTiceL and
electronics very quickly.

The PCB has an amplifier circuit to convert the microamp level output signal of the sensor to the industry
standard 4-20 mA output for two-wire, remote monitoring systems. The circuit employed imposes no constraints
on the sensor, so the performance characteristics of the sensor are unaltered by the addition of the circuit
board.

Transmitters are fitted with a diffusion mounting assembly (the Mounting Nose) for convenient mounting and
fast replacement in a wide range of weatherproof housings. It requires a 25 mm diameter hole in the outside
wall of the housing to allow installation, and also features a calibration plug for easy zeroing and exposure to
calibration gas. A bonded membrane and mesh is included to prevent the ingress of dirt and dust particles into
the sensor.

Besides periodic recalibration, transmitters are maintenance-free, and should give faultless service throughout
the working life of the sensor. It is a matter of customer choice whether the unit is replaced automatically after
this time or when the sensor fails to calibrate.

All tolerances ±0.15 mm

unless otherwise stated

Oxygen CiTiceL 4-20 mA Transmitter (incl. mounting nose)

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 T7OX-V Oxygen 4-20 mA Transmitter

Operating Principles
Power Supply and Total Loop Resistance

Transmitters can be operated with any single-sided power supply within the range 10 - 35 VDC. However the
power supply used will impose constraints on the total loop resistance in the external circuit, and this must
be taken into account when choosing the supply voltage. This includes the measuring resistor at the remote
receiver and any meters for calibration etc. The example below illustrates the relationship between the two
considerations.
So that the sensor only requires a few seconds to settle after start-up, the transmitter circuit has an FET
powered shorting link between the sensing and reference electrodes of the CiTiceL when left unpowered.
However, due to the different operating nature of biased sensors (which include nitric oxide and hydrogen
chloride sensors), this link is omitted with these transmitters. They therefore require a longer start-up time when
first powered, and must remain powered continuously in the actual application.

IMPORTANT : The transmitter is designed for power supplies within the range 10 - 35 VDC only. Connection to
mains electricity will result in transmitter failure.

Relationship Between Power Supply Voltage and Total Loop Resistance

Example : Using a transmitter with a standard 24 VDC power supply, the total allowable resistance is as follows:

The minimum voltage required at the transmitter for

operation is 10 Volts. Therefore, the maximum drop
allowed due to loop resistance is 14 Volts.
Full scale deflection current requirement : 20 mA
Therefore, the maximum loop resistance allowable
(using Ohm's law):

R=V/I
= (14 x 1000) / 20
= 700 Ohms

In this case, a measuring resistor of 250 Ω is

appropriate, giving a scale of 1 V to 5 V.

Temperature Compensation

Oxygen 4-20mA transmitters are compensated

to minimise the variation in output with gradual
changes in temperature.
The mean compensated output of a batch of
transmitters at a number of temperatures is
shown opposite, expressed as a percentage
of the signal at 20°C.
This graph is intended to show typical
compensation values only, and does not form
part of a specification.

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 T7OX-V Oxygen 4-20 mA Transmitter

Operating Principles

Connection and Wiring

Transmitters are designed for standard two-wire operation where the output is supplied via the same wire
pair as the power supply. The external circuit loop is connected to the transmitter PCB via a screw terminal
connector.

Schematic Wiring Diagram for 4-20 mA Transmitters

Electrostatic Discharge Guidelines

This component is susceptible to ESD (Electrostatic Discharge) when being installed or adjusted. To prevent
ESD related damage during installation, follow the following guidelines.

- Ensure all power supplies are turned off.

- If possible, wear an ESD strap connected to ground. If this is not possible, discharge yourself by touching a
metal part of the equipment into which the transmitter is being installed.
- Ensure that any tools are discharged by contacting them against a metal part of the equipment into which the
conditioning electronics is being installed.
- When adjusting potentiometers, with power applied, use an appropriate potentiometer adjustment tool or a
small insulated screwdriver.

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 T7OX-V Oxygen 4-20 mA Transmitter

Operating Principles
Calibration Guidelines
The T7OXV transmitter is supplied precalibrated to 0 - 25% oxygen. CiTiceLs provide very stable signals over
time and for many applications, instruments containing these transmitters only require periodic recalibration.
The time interval required between initial calibration and subsequent recalibrations is dependant on various
factors. In strenuous applications involving extremes of operation, or for sensors used in safety applications,
frequent instrument calibration may be required.

Calibration Period

The calibration and, if necessary, adjustment procedures demonstrate that the gas detection apparatus is able
to measure the target gas with sufficient accuracy. However, between calibrations, the performance of the
apparatus is unknown and the deviations are likely to increase with time.

When choosing a suitable calibration period, factors such as sensor characteristics, type of apparatus, static
and dynamic conditions of temperature and humidity, dust, poisoning, corrosive atmospheres and experience
of the user in similar situations should be considered.

Appropriate calibration periods can range from days to months. It is good practice to determine the calibration
period as follows:

a) if there is sufficient reliability and stability data available for the apparatus and sensors used in a specific
application, the calibration period can be derived from this data for applications with similar operating
conditions.

b) if sufficient data is not available, two calibrations should be conducted at short intervals following
commissioning. If it is not necessary to adjust the apparatus at these calibrations, the interval can be increased.
This procedure should be repeated until the calibration period specified in the instruction manual is reached. An
appropriate short interval could be four weeks, as an example.

c) if adjustment is necessary at two successive calibrations, the calibration period should be shortened
until no such adjustment is necessary. If the final calibration period is unreasonably short, a more suitable
measuring principle should be considered.

An adjustment is necessary if the deviation of the measured value is outside the limits required by the
application or if the minimum requirements for stability of the apparatus as defined in EN 45544-2 are not
met. EN 45544-2 states that the deviation within one calibration period should not exceed the lower limit of
measurement in clean air and 20 % of the measured value in test gas.

Calibration Gas Concentration

For maximum accuracy, the sensor should be calibrated using a gas mixture in the range where most
measurements are to be made. Where this is not possible, a mixture towards the top of the CiTiceL range
should be chosen. Calibration gases exceeding the range of the CiTiceL must not be used as this may not
provide an accurate calibration.

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 T7OX-V Oxygen 4-20 mA Transmitter

Operating Principles
User Calibration Procedure

The standard mounting system allows easy aspiration using the calibration plug provided. With the plug in
place and sealing caps fitted, the CiTiceL is completely isolated from the atmosphere. With sealing caps
removed, the CiTiceL can be exposed to ambient air.

Calibration Plug 4-20mA Transmitter Board

A potentiometer for routine span adjustment is located on the circuit board. For calibration, the output signal
voltage may be monitored using a local meter across CN2, or by remote receiver.

1. If sealing caps are in place, remove them to expose the sensor to ambient air and allow the output to
stabilise.

2. Using a small non-metallic screwdriver with a 1.2 x 0.5 mm tip, adjust the span potentiometer until a reading
of 17.4 mA is shown (or 174 mV across CN2). These values correspond to 20.9% O2 on a scale of 0-25%.

The calibration is now complete.

If calibrating the transmitter to any other range, please contact City Technology for further assistance.

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 T7OX-V Oxygen 4-20 mA Transmitter

Operating Principles

Handling and Storage

CiTiceLs are relatively insensitive to mishandling and following the simple guidelines given below should
ensure correct operation.

 CiTiceLs may be stored for up to six months, during which time they should be kept sealed in the
container in which they were supplied or in clean air and within the temperature range given on the
product data sheet.

 CiTiceLs should not be stored in areas containing solvent vapours.

 It is important to be aware that reactive species can diffuse into and reside un-reacted on a CiTiceL
until the instrument they are in is switched on and the sensor is operational. Once powered, the
resulting reaction can cause a temporary high baseline.

 It is important to avoid using CiTiceLs in close proximity to alcohol containing antiseptic products,
such as wipes and sanitizing gels, or handling CiTiceLs if these products have recently been used.
CiTiceLs can respond to the alcohol based solvents contained within these and generate an output,
which could manifest itself as an exaggerated baseline signal or prolonged recovery time.

 CiTiceLs must not be subjected to any pressure when handling or clamping.

 At the end of its life, please dispose of the sensor properly as it contains a small amount of lead.
Hazardous waste disposal regulations depend on geographic location, and local regulations
should be checked before discarding the sensors. PSDS’s can be provided for all City Technology
products, detailing their hazardous content.

Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this document at the time of printing. In accordance with the company’s policy of continued product improvement City Technology
Limited reserves the right to make product changes without notice. No liability is accepted for any consequential losses, injury or damage resulting from the use of this document or
from any omissions or errors herein. The data is given for guidance only. It does not constitute a specification or an offer for sale. The products are always subject to a programme of
improvement and testing which may result in some changes in the characteristics quoted. As the products may be used by the client in circumstances beyond the knowledge and control of
City Technology Limited, we cannot give any warranty as to the relevance of these particulars to an application. It is the clients’ responsibility to carry out the necessary tests to determine
the usefulness of the products and to ensure their safety of operation in a particular application.

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