Tek-DP 1610D
Technology Solutions
7. Troubleshooting
This section provides troubleshooting techniques for most common operating problems shown in
table 3.
Table 3: Troubleshooting Techniques
Symptom
Possible Cause
Corrective Actions
Questionable accuracy
or erroneous flow signal
Improper Installation
• Check flow arrow pointed in the direction of the flow.
• Verify that the cross reservoirs are correctly in level with one another.
• Check the sufficient straight runs upstream and downstream of the flow meter.
System Leaks
• Check instrument piping leaks.
• Repair and seal all leaks.
Contamination or Plugging
• Remove the flow meter and check for contamination.
Closed Valve
• Verify both High and Low manifold valves are open.
• Verify vent, equalizer and line valves are properly positioned per start-up procedure.
Connections
(remote mount only)
• Verify the high side of the transmitter is connected to the high side of the flow meter.
• Check the same for the low side.
Entrapped Air (liquid and
steam applications)
• Check uneven water legs caused by air entrapment in the instrument connections, if so, bleed
air.
Questionable accuracy
or erroneous flow signal
Operating Conditions
• Check the operating conditions in compliance with those given at the time the flow meter
was purchased.
• Check the flow calculation and the fluid parameters for accuracy.
• Cross check pipe inside diameter for proper sizing.
Raising flow signal
Two-phase flow
• The flow meter is a head measurement device and will not measure a two-phase flow
accurately.
Raising flow signal (Stream
Service)
Improper insulation (vertical
pipes only), Excessive
vibration
• Additional insulation may be required to ensure a phase change occurs at the cross reservoirs.
• Check the impulse piping for vibration.
mA reading is zero
• Check if the power terminals are reversed.
• Verify voltage across terminals (should be 10 to 55VDC).
• Check for bad diode in terminal block.
• Replace the transmitter terminal block.
Transmitter is not
communicating
• Check power supply voltage of the transmitter (10.5VDC minimum).
• Check load resistance (250Ω minimum).
• Check if the unit is addressed properly.
• Replace the Transmitter.
mA reading is high or low
• Check pressure variable reading for saturation.
• Check if output is in alarm condition.
• Perform 4–20mA output trim.
• Replace Transmitter.
No response to changes in
applied flow
• Check test equipment.
• Check impulse piping for blockage.
• Check for disabled span adjustment.
• Check transmitter security switch.
• Verify calibration settings (4 and 20mA points).
• Contact factory for replacement.
Low or High reading
• Check impulse piping for blockage.
• Check test equipment.
• Perform full sensor trim.
• Contact factory for replacement.
Unpredictable reading for
pressure variable
• Check impulse piping for blockage.
• Check damping.
• Check for EMF interference.
• Contact factory for replacement.
