Report--Test of Four Submersible Pressure Transducers To: "E - All WRD Employees" Subject: Report--Test of Four Submersible Pressure Transducers Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Date: Tue, 26 Mar 1996 08:40:36 -0600 From: "Dorothy E Greenwood, Secretary (Steno), Bay St. Louis, MS" TEST OF FOUR SUBMERSIBLE PRESSURE TRANSDUCERS [NOTE: This report is intended for internal USGS reference purposes only and does not constitute acceptance or rejection of the brand name product on the basis of the results of the actual unit tested.] The HIF has completed an evaluation of four submersible pressure transducers. The purpose of the evaluation was to determine whether these devices meet the manufacturers' specifications and WRD requirements. The results are summarized in this report. If you would like to discuss this report, please call Carl Scott (CTSCOTT) at 601-688-1538 or Doreen Tai (DYTAI) at 601-688-1518. General Description 1) The Design Analysis Associates H-310 WaterLog Submersible Pressure Transducer is designed to determine the water level in a well or borehole. It consists of an electronic housing (1.425 inch diameter X 10 inches long) that contains the transducer element and electronic circuitry and a polyethylene vented cable and the H-305 Dry Air System to prevent moisture from entering the system. A one-pound cement ballast is provided to be hung from the bottom of the electronics housing to help stabilize position of the transducer in a borehole or well casing. Operating range of the units tested was 0 to 15 psi (0 to 34.6 feet). Other ranges available are 0 to 5 and 0 to 30 psi. The H-310 can operate over a 0 to 40 degree Celsius temperature range and has an SDI-12 signal output (RS-232C optional). Over pressure ratings are <2X full scale. Nominal operating voltage and current are 9.6 to 16 volts DC, 1 milliampere standby and 50 milliampere (maximum) during measurements. 2) The Rittmeyer MPSDIT.010 transducer is designed to determine the water level in a well or borehole. It consists of an electronic housing (1.18 inches diameter X 9.05 inches long) that contains the transducer element and electronic circuitry and a polyethylene-jacketed vented cable. Operating range of the units tested was 0 to 15 psi (0 to 34.6 feet). Other ranges from 0 to 7 psi through 0 to 300 psi are available. The MPSDIT.010 can operate over a -20 to 70 degree Celsius temperature range and has an SDI-12 signal output. Over pressure ratings are 3X to 6X full scale (dependent on measurement range of transducer). Nominal operating voltage and current are 9.6 to 28.8 volts DC, 0.5 milliampere standby and 16 milliampere (maximum) during measurements. 3) The T-Hydronics TH-LD pressure transducer is designed to determine the water level in a well or borehole. It consists of a stainless steel housing (1.5 inches diameter X 2.75 inches long) that contains the transducer element and electronic circuitry and a PVC-jacketed vented cable. Operating range of the units tested was 0 to 10 psi (0 to 23.1 feet). Other ranges from 0 to 5 psi through 0 to 500 psi are available. The sensor has an operating range of -29 to +93 degrees Celsius (-18 to +27 degree Celsius compensated) and has an analog voltage output of 0-3 millivolts per volt of the operating voltage. Over pressure ratings are 1.5X full scale. Nominal operating voltage is 10 volts AC or DC. 4) The Sensotec model LL-V/7304-01 transducer is designed to determine the water level in a well or borehole. It consists of a stainless steel housing (1.75 inches diameter X 5.6 inches long) that contains the transducer element and electronic circuitry and a urethane-jacketed vented cable. Operating range of the units tested was 0 to 10 psi (0 to 23.1 feet). Other ranges from 0 to 1 psi through 0 to 100 psi are available. The sensor has an operating range of -18 to +82 degrees Celsius (-1 to +27 degree Celsius compensated) and has an analog voltage output of 0-3 millivolts per volt of the operating voltage. Over pressure ratings are 1.5X full scale. Nominal operating voltage is 10 volts AC or DC. Test Procedures The sensors were tested in the HIF 100-foot standpipe facility. A Campbell Scientific, Inc. CR10 datalogger connected to a Paroscientific PS-2 was used as the controller for the cycling of the water level in the standpipe. Based on the sensor being tested, the CR10 was programmed to raise and lower the water level in the standpipe in four- or five-feet increments over a range near that of the full-scale range of the sensor. Three temperature sensors also connected to the CR10 monitor the temperature of the water in the standpipe during the test. The SDI-12 sensors (DAA H-310 and Rittmeyer MPSDIT.010) were connected to the CR10. Since the T-Hydronics TH-LD and Sensotec LL-V/7304-01 sensors produce an analog voltage output, they were connected to a second CR10's analog voltage inputs. The secondary CR10 was programmed to excite the sensors with 2.5 volts AC (Campbell's AC bridge measurement) and collect and store the average of ten analog voltage measurements every 30 seconds. This CR10 was also programmed to communicate with the primary CR10 as an SDI-12 sensor. Data from all sensors was collected every five-minutes and recorded at 15- minute intervals. After completion of setup, the CR10 was set to begin automatic operation. The tests were run for different periods from July 27 until October 14, 1995. Data was collected over telephone modems during the test periods. At the end of each sensor test period, the automatic operation was shut off and the water level again set to the midpoint of the range of water levels and the sensors checked for any offset in readings. 1) The DAA H-310 sensors were suspended from a coated stainless steel cable and placed approximately 37 feet from the top of the standpipe. Each H-310 User Units Offset was adjusted to make it read the same as the PS-2. The test ran or 14 cycles from July 27 until August 8. Ambient water temperature of the standpipe during the tests was between 25.8 and 30.8 degrees Celsius. 2) The Rittmeyer MPSDIT.010 sensors were suspended by their cables and placed approximately 37 feet from the top of the standpipe Each MPSDIT.010 User Units Offset was adjusted to make it read the same as the PS-2. The test ran for ten cycles from September 22 through October 6. Ambient water temperature of the standpipe during the tests was between 22.4 and 28.3 degrees Celsius. 3) The T-Hydronics TH-LD sensors were suspended by their cables and placed approximately 22 feet from the top of the standpipe. The test ran for six cycles from October 11-14. Ambient water temperature of the standpipe during the tests was between 22.5 and 28.4 degrees Celsius. 4) The Sensotec LL-V/7304-01 sensors were suspended by their cables and placed approximately 22 feet from the top of the standpipe. The test ran for six cycles from September 22 through October 6. Ambient water temperature of the standpipe during the tests was between 22.4 and 28.3 degrees Celsius. Test Results The summary of the test results are in Tables 1 through 4 and graphs of the results are available upon request. Conclusions 1) DAA H-310 The differences between the H-310's and the PS-2 were within 0.01 foot for the mean, with some outlying values to 0.04 foot. There was no hysteresis based upon rising or falling stage. Three out of the five had offset changes of up to 0.02 foot, most likely due to stretch in the stainless steel suspension cable. 2) Rittmeyer MPSDIT.010 The differences between the MPSDIT.010's and the PS-2 were between 0.01 and 0.04 foot for the mean, with some outlying values to 0.07 foot. There was no noticeable hysteresis based upon rising or falling stage. 3) T-Hydronics TH-LD The differences between the TH-LD's and the PS-2 were within 0.10 foot for the mean, with some outlying values to 0.28 foot. There was no discernible hysteresis based upon rising or falling stage. 4) Sensotec LL-V/7304-01 The differences between the LL-V/7304-01's and the PS-2 were between -0.02 and 0.02 foot for the mean, with some outlying values from -0.09 to 0.06 foot. There was a small hysteresis based upon rising or falling stage. Table 1) DAA H-310 PS-2 H-310 Stage, S/N 1002 S/N 1007 S/N 1252 feet V 014* V 015* V 018* Mean Range Mean Range Mean Range 5.00 -0.02 -0.03~ 0.00 -0.03 -0.01~-0.03 -0.01 -0.02~-0.01 10.00 -0.01 -0.08~ 0.03 -0.01 -0.03~ 0.00 -0.01 -0.02~ 0.00 15.00 -0.01 -0.02~ 0.03 -0.01 -0.02~ 0.00 0.00 -0.01~ 0.00 20.00 -0.01 -0.03~ 0.01 -0.01 -0.01~ 0.00 0.01 0.00~ 0.02 25.00 -0.01 -0.04~ 0.07 -0.01 0.00~ 0.01 0.01 0.00~ 0.02 30.00 -0.01 -0.13~ 0.05 -0.01 0.00~ 0.02 0.02 0.01~ 0.03 35.00 -0.01 -0.05~ 0.01 -0.01 0.01~ 0.02 0.02 0.01~ 0.03 30.00 -0.01 -0.07~ 0.01 -0.01 0.00~ 0.02 0.02 0.01~ 0.02 25.00 -0.02 -0.11~ 0.00 -0.01 -0.01~ 0.02 0.01 0.00~ 0.02 20.00 -0.01 -0.05~ 0.05 -0.01 -0.01~ 0.01 0.00 -0.01~ 0.01 15.00 -0.01 -0.04~ 0.04 -0.01 -0.02~ 0.00 0.00 -0.01~ 0.01 10.00 -0.02 -0.06~ 0.02 -0.02 -0.03~-0.01 -0.01 -0.02~ 0.00 5.00 -0.02 -0.04~-0.01 -0.02 -0.03~-0.01 -0.01 -0.02~-0.01 PS-2 Stage, S/N 1282 S/N 1285 feet V 018* V 018* Mean Range Mean Range 5.00 0.01 -0.01~ 0.02 0.01 0.00~ 0.03 10.00 0.01 -0.01~ 0.02 0.01 0.00~ 0.02 15.00 0.01 -0.01~ 0.02 0.01 -0.01~ 0.01 20.00 0.01 0.00~ 0.02 0.01 -0.01~ 0.01 25.00 0.01 0.00~ 0.02 0.00 -0.01~ 0.01 30.00 0.01 0.00~ 0.02 0.00 -0.01~ 0.01 35.00 0.00 -0.01~ 0.01 -0.01 -0.01~ 0.00 30.00 0.01 0.00~ 0.02 0.00 -0.01~ 0.01 25.00 0.01 0.00~ 0.01 0.00 -0.01~ 0.01 20.00 0.01 0.00~ 0.02 0.00 -0.01~ 0.02 15.00 0.01 0.00~ 0.02 0.00 -0.01~ 0.02 10.00 0.00 -0.01~ 0.02 0.01 -0.01~ 0.02 5.00 0.01 -0.01~ 0.03 0.01 0.00~ 0.04 *(The SDI-12 firmware version of each sensor is shown below the unit's serial number.) Table 2) Rittmeyer MPSDIT.010 PS-2 MPSDIT.010 Stage, S/N 819545 S/N 819565 feet Mean Range Mean Range 0.00 -0.01 -0.04~ 0.02 -0.01 -0.03~ 0.02 5.00 0.00 -0.03~ 0.03 0.00 -0.03~ 0.02 10.00 0.01 -0.03~ 0.03 0.01 -0.02~ 0.03 15.00 0.01 -0.01~ 0.04 0.02 -0.01~ 0.04 20.00 0.02 0.00~ 0.05 0.02 0.00~ 0.05 25.00 0.04 0.01~ 0.06 0.03 0.01~ 0.05 30.00 0.04 0.02~ 0.07 0.04 0.02~ 0.06 25.00 0.03 0.01~ 0.05 0.03 0.01~ 0.05 20.00 0.02 0.00~ 0.04 0.02 0.00~ 0.04 15.00 0.01 -0.01~ 0.03 0.01 -0.01~ 0.03 10.00 0.00 -0.03~ 0.03 0.01 -0.02~ 0.02 5.00 0.00 -0.03~ 0.02 0.00 -0.02~-0.02 0.00 -0.01 -0.03~ 0.01 -0.01 -0.03~-0.03 Table 3) T-Hydronics TH-LD PS-2 TH-LD Stage, S/N 34952 S/N 35415 feet Mean Range Mean Range 0.00 -0.04 -0.27~ 0.18 -0.01 -0.20~ 0.19 4.00 -0.05 -0.21~ 0.18 0.00 -0.07~ 0.22 8.00 -0.06 -0.25~ 0.21 0.01 -0.06~ 0.28 12.00 -0.02 -0.25~ 0.18 0.02 -0.09~ 0.24 16.00 -0.03 -0.26~ 0.17 0.02 -0.11~ 0.23 20.00 -0.07 -0.28~ 0.12 0.03 -0.19~ 0.08 16.00 -0.06 -0.25~ 0.06 0.04 -0.08~ 0.13 12.00 -0.08 -0.27~ 0.03 0.03 -0.07~ 0.13 8.00 -0.09 -0.28~-0.02 0.02 -0.09~ 0.09 4.00 -0.10 -0.31~ 0.02 0.01 -0.16~ 0.06 0.00 -0.06 -0.27~ 0.12 0.01 -0.20~ 0.09 Table 4) Sensotec LL-V/7304-01 PS-2 LL-V/7304-01 Stage, S/N 295440 S/N 379101 feet Mean Range Mean Range 0.00 -0.01 -0.06~ 0.04 0.00 -0.02~ 0.02 5.00 0.01 -0.05~ 0.04 0.00 -0.01~ 0.03 10.00 0.01 -0.03~ 0.05 0.01 -0.02~ 0.04 15.00 0.01 -0.03~ 0.06 0.02 -0.01~ 0.04 20.00 -0.01 -0.05~ 0.02 -0.01 -0.09~ 0.02 15.00 0.01 -0.05~ 0.03 -0.02 -0.06~ 0.01 10.00 0.00 -0.05~ 0.03 -0.02 -0.04~ 0.01 5.00 0.00 -0.05~ 0.03 -0.02 -0.04~-0.00 0.00 0.00 -0.06~ 0.03 -0.01 -0.03~-0.01