Manual for Daviteq NH3 Gas Sensor for LiveStock
1. Introduction
Daviteq NH3 Gas sensor for Livestock is a NH3 gas measuring sensor that utilizes the Seri-4 electrochemical sensor with a high sensitivity to low concentrations of detected gas, high selectivity, and a stable baseline. It has an ultra-low noise amplifier to amplify the nano-ampere current signal from the sensor and delivers the stable and high-resolution output.
* For some applications with high humidity ambient all the time, the sensor can come with a heater to control the humidity within the working range of the sensor.
2. Calibration of the Daviteq NH3 Gas Sensor
2.1 Why do we need to calibrate the gas sensor? There are some reasons:
- The sensor current output of a sensor is different from the other sensor. It is not the same value for all sensors after manufacturing.
- The sensor current output of a sensor will be changed over time. For example, the NH3 sensor current output will be reduced by about 5% of the signal per six months in clean air at 25 oC temperature.
- The R_gain of the circuit also has a 0.1% or 0.05% tolerance;
Therefore, users need to calibrate the sensor before use or in a pre-defined interval time (6 or 12 months for example).
2.2 How to calibrate the NH3 Gas sensor?
Instructions to attach the calibration cap onto the sensor module to get Zero or Span values.
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Step 1. Remove the Filter and prepare the calibration cap
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Step 2. Attach the calibration cap to the sensor head
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Step 3. Installed the Regulator to the Gas cylinder
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Step 4. Attach the tube to the regulator
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Please use the Flow Regulator with a flow rate of 2.5 LPM or 5.0 LPM.
With the 2-point calibration method, the user can define the A and B factors. Please find below the steps of calibration.
Step 1: Get the Zero value.
- Power ON the device;
- Place the device in a clean-air environment (the target value is nearly zero) at a temperature from 20 - 30 oC, in at least 60 minutes. It is better to use the 99.99% Nitrogen gas as zero gas instead of clean air.
- After 60 minutes, force the device to send data, read and record the Raw_value.
- Recommendation: Record many Raw values at least 10 minutes apart (10 values).
Zero value is the average of the recorded Raw values
Note: the Raw_value can be positive or negative; it will be in the range of -3.00 to +3.00 ppm
Step 2: Get the Span value
Note: Keep the sensor Power ON all the time;
- Use the standard gas cylinder with a known concentration (for example NH3 in N2 with a concentration of 25ppm or 50ppm) to supply the gas to the sensor;
- Use the calibration cap as above pictures to attach to the sensor and connect the tubing to the gas cylinder;
- Open the valve on the Cylinder slowly and make sure the gas has reached the sensor. Please use the Flow regulator 2.5 LPM or 5.0 LPM.
Notes:
- The tube length is short as possible to reduce the gas loss.
- Press a timer to start counting the time;
- After 2 minutes, force the device to send data once every minute, and stop forcing at 5 minutes. The highest Raw_value is the Span value.
Note: Just get one value for Span
- After that, immediately turn OFF the valve to save the gas;
- Remove the calibration cap from the sensor;
- Place the sensor in clean air again.
Note: Always keep the sensor Power ON all the time;
DO NOT PLACE THE SENSOR IN THE SPAN GAS FOR MORE THAN 5 MINUTES; IT WILL SATURATE THE SENSOR OUTPUT AND DEGRADE THE SENSOR LIFE QUICKLY.
Step 3: Entering values to reading device
- After Zero and Span, you will get the voltage output correspond to zero gas and span gas value;
- Enter these values into your reading device (PLC...) to get correct reading.
3. Installation
Notes:
* Avoid the place with humidity higher than 90% RH all the time (a short time in 2-3 days is acceptable)
* if the Sensor is intended to install outdoors, please use a rain guard to protect the sensor from rain and direct sunlight. Please contact us to buy this accessory.
Level of Installation
- Place the sensor in the area to monitor the target gas concentration. Please always check the gas molecular weight v.s the air.
- For example, NH3 gas has a lighter weight than air, so the sensor must be placed at a height higher than the source of NH3 leakage. Normally, the sensor will be mounted at a height of 1.6m from the ground.
Wiring
Use the M12-Male cable Coding A, 4 pin as below picture.
Because the Output is 0-10VDC, we do recommend to use the following cable for extention:
- Cable size: minimum 24AWG (or minimum 0.5 mm2 core)
- Cable type: Shielded
- Max recommended cable legnth: 20m
Connect the wires to Reading device as below:
- PWR+: 12-36VDC
- PWR-: GND
- OUT: 0-10VDC OUTPUT
- NC: Not used
Plug the M12 connector to sensor
Firmly tighten the M12 connection:
6. Troubleshooting for the Daviteq G4 Gas Sensor
| No. | Phenomena | Reason | Solutions | |
| 1 | The measured value is not within the expected value. | 1.1 | The sensor is drifted by time. | Re-calibrate the sensor |
| 1.2 | The sensor was in a high humidity environment (> 90% RH) for more than 03 days continuously. | Place the sensor in low humidity for its recovery. It may take up to 30 days to recover. If the sensor cannot recover after 30 days, please replace the new sensor module. | ||
| 2 | The measured value is always zero or near zero. | 2.1 | The sensor module was removed. | Please check the sensor. |
| 2.2 | The sensor is at the end of its life. | Replace the sensor module | ||
| 3 | HW_Error = 1 | 3.1 | Loosed connection of sensor module and wireless transmitter. | Check the internal wiring. |
| 3.2 | The measuring module got a problem. | Please consult the manufacturer for a warranty or replacement. |
7. Maintenance of the Daviteq G4 Gas Sensor
| What? |
How? |
When? |
| Cleaning the Filter |
Check and clean the filter every few months, depending on the environment. Clean the filter with warm water and soap, then use compressed air to purge it from the inside out. |
Approx. 6-12 months |
| Re-calibration |
The gas sensor may be drifting over time. Please check the sensor specification to identify the interval time for the re-calibration sensor. Please follow the calibration procedure in section 3 above. |
Approx. 6-12 months |
| Sensor replacement |
Replace the new sensor module after 02 years of operation (please check the sensor specification of each gas type). Please see below instructions. |
Approx. 2 years |
Sensor replacement instructions:
* Please remove the batteries before doing the following steps
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Step 1. Remove the filter
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Step 2. Unplug the sensor module
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Step 3. Remove the spring clip on the new sensor module.
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Step 4. Plug the new sensor module into the PCB
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Step 5. Insert the batteries and start calibration of the new sensor as per section 3.
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Step 6. Place the filter back.
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8. Default configuration
This G4 gas sensor module has the default configuration, however, those parameters can be changed. The user can change the configuration on the wireless transmitter so that the complete sensor (transducer + wireless) delivers the proper output value. Below are some configuration parameters that store in the flash memory of the wireless transmitter.
| Description | Unit | Default | Format | Property | Comment |
| CONSTANT_A | 1 | Float | R/W |
Constant a for scaling measured value |
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| CONSTANT_B | 0 | Float | R/W |
Constant b for scaling measured value |
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| HIGH_CUT | 1E+09 | Float | R/W |
High cut value for scaled_value |
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| LOW_CUT | 0 | Float | R/W |
Low cut value for scaled_value |
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| SENSOR+AMPLIFIER SENSITIVITY | mV | Float | R/W |
Default = 11 for NH3 gas sensor |
END.