Report - Evaluation....H310 ...Pressure Sensors To: "E - All WRD Employees" Subject: Report - Evaluation....H310 ...Pressure Sensors Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Date: Thu, 13 Jun 1996 14:51:04 -0500 From: "Dorothy E Greenwood, Secretary (Steno), Bay St. Louis, MS" Evaluation of Five Design Analysis Model H-310 WaterLog Submersible Pressure Sensors [NOTE: This evaluation 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 obtained from the actual five units tested.] The HIF recently completed an evaluation of five Design Analysis Associates (DAA) Model H-310 WaterLog submersible pressure sensors. The purpose of the evaluation was to determine whether these devices meet manufacturer specifications and WRD requirements. The results are summarized in this report. General Description The Design Analysis Associates H-310 WaterLog Submersible Pressure sensor is designed to determine the water level in a well or borehole. It consists of an electronic housing (1.425 inches in diameter by 10 inches in length) that contains the transducer element and electronic circuitry, a polyethylene vented cable and the H-305 Dry Air System (to prevent moisture from entering the system). A 1-pound cement ballast is provided to be hung from the bottom of the electronics housing to help stabilize the position of the sensor in a borehole or well casing. Operating range of the units tested was 0 to 15 pounds per square inch (0 to 34.6 feet). Note: Other ranges available are 0 to 5 and 0 to 30 psi. The H-310 has an SDI-12 signal output (RS-232C is optional). Nominal operating voltage and current are 9.6 to 16 volts, 1 milliampere standby and 50 milliamperes (maximum) during measurements. Manufacturer Specifications Pressure Pressure Range Depth Range Accuracy 0 to 5 psi 0 to 11.5 feet +/- 0.002 ft 0 to 15 psi 0 to 34.6 feet +/- 0.007 ft 0 to 30 psi 0 to 69.2 feet +/- 0.014 ft Accuracy Pressure: 0.02 percent of full scale output (FSO) over temperature range, referenced to a straight line from zero to maximum pressure. (Maximum percent of error in measurement) Linearity: Less than 0.02 percent deviation from a straight line referenced to end points Pressure Hysteresis: Less than 0.01 percent of FSO Long-term Stability: Accuracy drift is less than +/- 0.05 percent Overpressure: Less than 2 times rated pressure Temperature Operating range: 0 to 40 degrees Celsius (non-freezing) Compensated range: 0 to 40 degrees Celsius Storage: -10 to 55 degrees Celsius Accuracy: Internal temperature +/-1 degree Celsius over temperature range Test Procedures Standpipe Test Procedures The sensors were tested in a 100-foot standpipe facility located at the HIF. A Campbell Scientific, Inc. CR10 data logger 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 4- or 5-foot 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 DAA H-310 sensors were suspended from a coated stainless steel cable and placed approximately 37 feet from the top of the standpipe. The sensors were connected to the CR10 and each H-310 User Units Offset was adjusted to make it read the same as the PS-2. Data from all sensors were collected every five minutes and recorded at 15-minute intervals. After completion of the setup, the CR10 was set to begin automatic operation. The test ran for 14 cycles from July 27 until August 8, 1995. Ambient water temperature of the standpipe during the tests was between 25.8 and 30.8 degrees Celsius. Data were collected over telephone modems during the test periods. At the end of the 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. Environmental Chamber Test Procedures Five units of DAA Model H-310 were tested in the environmental chamber in addition to the standpipe test. The test procedures were similar to those for the DAA H-350, Rittmeyer, and Setra 470-HPS. Refer to these previous WRD Instrument News articles for further information: Evaluation of Five Setra Model 470-HPS Nonsubmersible Hydrostatic Pressure Sensors (September 1995); Evaluation of Five Design Analysis Associates Pressure Sensors Model H-350 with Display (June 1995); Evaluation of Four Rittmeyer Pressure Sensors--Two Nonsubmersible and Two Submersible (March 1995); and corresponding electronic mail reports. Test Results Standpipe Test Results The summary of the standpipe test results and graphs of the sensors are in table 1 and figure 1 (all figures referenced in this electronic transmittal are not included but are available upon request). Environmental Chamber Test Results Two sensors were purchased in September 1992 (S/N 1007 and S/N 1002). The other three sensors were purchased March 1995. 1. At constant temperature--Figure 2 illustrates the results for four of the five sensors at constant temperature of 0 degrees Celsius. Figure 3 illustrates the test results for one of the five sensors at three 20 degrees Celsius constant temperature settings. Table 2 summarizes the results of the differences from the standard values for the five sensors at seven temperature settings under pressure cycling. The span of differences between the standard values and the measured values are grouped in two ranges: 0 to 10 feet and 10 to 34 feet. For four of the five sensors, the span of differences between the standard values and the measured values were from -0.02 to 0.02 feet in the range of 0 to 10 feet. The span of differences of the fifth sensor was between -0.03 and 0.03 feet of water for the 0 to 10 foot range. The span of differences of two sensors exceeded the Office of Surface Water (OSW) requirement for surface water measurement in the 10 to 35 foot range for two temperature settings. The differences of one sensor exceeded the OSW requirement for surface water measurements for this range at only one temperature setting. Data and graphs for all of the sensors at the other temperatures are available upon request. Figure 3 illustrates a lack of measurement repeatability for one of the newer sensors at three constant 20 degrees Celsius temperature settings. The sensors when vented (referenced to atmosphere) would not read the same zero value. Pressure cycling was performed in the following sequence of constant temperatures: 20, 0, 20, 30, 40, 30, and 20 degrees Celsius. These graphs are representative of the other sensors. Pressure measurement hysteresis ranged from 0 to 0.01 foot in the ranges of 0 to 10 feet and 10 to 35 feet. 2. At two levels of constant pressure--Figures 4 and 5 represent the results of the measured water levels for four of the five sensors during temperature cycling from 0 to 40 degrees Celsius with constant applied pressure of 20.000 feet +/-0.004 foot and 5.000 feet +/-3 feet of water. For 5 feet applied pressure, the difference in measured response is within a range of 0.02 feet. For 20 feet applied pressure, the difference in measured response is within a range of 0.01 percent. The temperature compensation has been improved in the three sensors purchased in March 1995. Although the temperature compensation is within the measurement range, for 20 feet of water, with constant pressure, the measurement difference is as much as 0.03 foot of the standard value. For 5 feet of water, constant pressure, the measurement difference is as much as -0.02 foot from the standard. 3. SDI-12 communications verification a. SDI-12 (version 1.62) verification--The sensors with DAA version V018 of SDI-12 passed all of the verifier test requirements. b. SDI-12 address change--The tested sensors are capable of accepting address changes from zero to one, zero to two, zero to three, and so on (through nine) then back to zero, then changes to one through nine and continues to communicate properly. c. Data collection with SDI-12 data recorders--The sensors recorded data properly when connected to each of the following data collection devices. The software versions are listed in parentheses: ESC 80 (BDR80 V2.02), CSI 301 (V11), CSI 320 (V8), CR-10 (OS10-0.1), Handar 555A (V3.01), and Sutron 8200 (V3.2) data loggers; also Handar 555A (V3.01), Synergetics (V2.3.4/3), and Sutron 8200 (V3.2) DCP's. Conclusions Standpipe Test The differences between the H-310's and the PS-2 at the temperature range tested were in the range of +/-0.03 feet (except for unit S/N 1002 which ranged from -0.13 to +0.07 feet). There was no hysteresis based upon a rising or falling stage. Three out of the five had offset changes of up to 0.02 feet, most likely due to stretch in the stainless steel suspension cable. Environmental Chamber Test 1) Accuracy--The test results indicate that some of the measurement differences of the five sensors are greater than 0.01 foot for measurements at 10 feet or less, and some are greater than 0.1 percent for measurements from 10 to 35 feet (see table 5). 2) Zero setting--The "Zero Offset" command did not set the vented to atmosphere measurement to the same zero value. This causes the nonrepeatability of the measurements. A proper zero offset will eliminate or reduce a zero offset in the measurements. 3) Measurement hysteresis--During pressure cycling, the sensors did not repeat the same measurement for both applications of the same standard. 4) Temperature effect--The temperature compensation performs as expected for the three newer units. 5) SDI-12 Communication--The five sensors complied with all of the SDI-12 verifier tests. The sensors satisfactorily accepted change of address from zero to one through nine. Connected to each of the SDI-12 data recorders, they properly recorded data. Comments Damage will occur to the sensor if it is frozen. To protect submersible pressure sensors and the connected data recorder from lightning damage, the shield in the hook up cable must be connected to a good, low-resistance gage house earth-grounding system. For further information concerning the standpipe tests, and copies of figures 1 through 5, contact Carl Scott (ctscott) at (601) 688-1538; concerning the environmental chamber tests, contact Trudy Olive (teolive) at (601) 688-1558. Table 1. Standpipe Test--Mean and Range of Differences between PS-2 and H-310 sensors at levels indicated. [S/N, Serial number; V, SDI-12 firmware version of each sensor.] 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 Table 1. Standpipe Test--Mean and Range of Differences between PS-2 and H-310 sensors at levels indicated--Continued. [S/N, Serial number; V, SDI-12 firmware version of each sensor.] PS-2 H-310 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 Table 2. Environmental Chamber Tests--Minimum, maximum, and mean difference, in feet of water between standard values and values measured by five Design Analysis H-310 submersible pressure sensors at seven temperatures and in two water-level ranges. (S/N, serial number; Min, minimum; Max, maximum; ft, foot) S/N, Temperature, in degrees Celsius water level 20 0 20 30 40 30 20 Sensor 1002 Min. 0.00 0.01 0.00 -0.02 -0.02 -0.01 0.01 0-10 ft Max. 0.00 0.02 0.00 -0.01 -0.02 0.00 0.02 Mean 0.00 0.01 0.00 -0.01 -0.02 0.00 0.01 Sensor 1002 Min. 0.00 0.01 0.00 -0.02 -0.02 -0.01 0.01 10-34 ft Max. 0.01 0.02 0.00 -0.01 -0.02 0.00 0.01 Mean 0.00 0.02 0.00 -0.01 -0.02 -0.01 0.01 Sensor 1007 Min. -0.01 0.00 -0.01 -0.02 -0.02 -0.01 0.01 0-10 ft Max. 0.00 0.00 0.00 -0.01 -0.01 0.01 0.02 Mean 0.00 0.00 0.00 -0.01 -0.01 0.00 0.01 Sensor 1007 Min. -0.02 0.00 -0.01 -0.02 -0.03 -0.02 -0.01 10-34 ft Max. 0.00 0.01 0.00 -0.01 -0.02 -0.01 0.01 Mean -0.01 0.00 -0.01 -0.02 -0.02 -0.01 0.00 Sensor 1252 Min. -0.01 -0.02 0.00 -0.01 -0.01 0.00 0.00 0-10 ft Max. 0.00 -0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.02 0.02 Mean 0.00 -0.01 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.01 0.01 Sensor 1252 Min. -0.01 -0.02 0.00 -0.01 -0.01 0.00 0.00 10-34 ft Max. 0.00 -0.01 0.01 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.01 Mean -0.01 -0.01 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Sensor 1282 Min. -0.02 -0.02 -0.01 -0.01 -0.01 -0.01 0.00 0-10 ft Max. 0.00 -0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.02 Mean -0.01 -0.02 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.01 Sensor 1282 Min. -0.04 -0.02 -0.01 -0.01 -0.02 -0.03 -0.02 10-34 ft Max. -0.01 0.01 0.00 0.00 -0.01 0.00 0.00 Mean -0.02 0.00 0.00 -0.01 -0.01 -0.01 -0.01 Sensor 1285 Min. -0.02 -0.03 -0.01 -0.01 -0.01 0.00 0.00 0-10 ft Max. 0.00 -0.02 0.00 0.00 0.01 0.02 0.03 Mean -0.01 -0.03 0.00 -0.01 0.00 0.01 0.02 Sensor 1285 Min. -0.04 -0.03 -0.01 -0.01 -0.01 -0.02 -0.01 10-34 ft Max. -0.02 -0.02 0.00 0.00 -0.01 0.00 0.01 Mean -0.03 -0.02 0.00 -0.01 -0.01 -0.01 0.00