FAQ Category: 400A Troubleshooting

Some of the activities that we perform on your analyzer include replacing the restrictors (and/or capillary).  We’ve adopted the “Teledyne API” method of installing good restrictors but not ‘exact’ restrictors.  By that I mean, we buy restrictors that meet a small tolerance range, but each restrictor behaves just a little different from the other.  Rather than tossing out restrictors that are not EXACTLY on target, we install them in your analyzer, adjust the upstream source pressure to achieve the desired results, and then create a label (or placard) that says what pressures we tuned the analyzer to.

Let’s do a “for instance” discussion.  So, under the old way of thinking, the 400A had to run at 15 psig for air, and 25 psig for fuel.  When it wouldn’t light or stay lit at 25 psig fuel, you blamed the restrictor(s) (logically), and ordered a new one for about $500.  Under “our” way (the Teledyne API way), your analyzer can operate at any pressure that works easily with the physical characteristics of the restrictor that is installed.  AND, we’ll give you assistance to adjust the baseline pressure when the restrictor begins to show signs of fouling.  Case in point:

1. Your 400A needs to be serviced

2. You send it to RIGAS for repair / overhaul

3. We find that:

• the air restrictor flows weak at 400 cc/min @ 15 psig but flows at specification at 18 psig . . . we’re not going to replace this working restrictor

• the fuel restrictor flow weak at 60 cc/min @ 25 psig but flows at specification at 30 psig . . .  this is the top end of your pressure gauge so we need to replace the restrictor

4. We install a new fuel restrictor that performs nicely at 20 psig

5. We calibrate your analyzer at these new pressure values:

• air = 18 psig

• fuel = 20 psig

6. We affix our calibration sticker

7. We affix our optimized pressure settings sticker (that says that these numbers override the OEM’s numbers from the manual)

8. We send your analyzer back to you . . . and it performs marvelously for five to ten years

9. Add a little air if necessary

10. Add a little fuel if necessary

• On this one, look at burner temperature.  We usually find that 60 to 120 mV on the Flame Temperature signal works best.  60mV is hot but not too hot.  120mV is a somewhat cool flame temperature but not too cool.

• And if you’re wondering, the flame safety circuits (some call it “flame confirmation”) trip at 1000mV as it heats up and 1200mV as it cools down

 

Keywords: Rosemount 400A troubleshooting

 

This is a short list of activities that we perform on your analyzer:

1. First, we do AS-FOUND testing

• Does it power up?

• Does it light?

• Does it respond to calibration gases?

• Does the case heater work?

• Does it seem to be contaminated?

2. We extract all of the restrictors and the one capillary, and test them for performance against the OEM’s specifications.

3. We do a clean up of the interior

4. We repaint the lid

5. We update the Preamplifier Board with new wires and connectors

6. We replace ribbon cables

7. We replace out-of-specification restrictors  / rebuild the sample capillary

8. We reassemble, light, test, calibrate, and run for 24 hours on a data acquisition trend

9. We attach calibration stickers and optimized pressure settings stickers

10. We write up a service report

11. Then it’s boxed up and shipped according to your specifications

If you get the analyzer back and find that something is not quite right, PLEASE CALL US. It could be as simple as a loose burner cap, or ribbon cable came loose … something out of our control after it leaves our facility.

We sincerely appreciate your business and trust in our company.

 

Keywords: Rosemount 400A troubleshooting

 

Here’s a little background (with respect to mixed fuel analyzers only):

1. When the analyzer is in pristine (new) condition, the zero potentiometer is almost at 10 turns (100%) on the duodial (turns counter).  This is where the electronic compensation (for contamination) is at a MINIMUM.  Rosemount designed it this was so that turning the pot CCW also caused a decrease in the display value (it’s a little easier for the human brain to comprehend, that is, going CCW causes something to decrease).

2. We release repaired analyzers with the zero pot anywhere from 5 turns (50%) to 9.8 turns (98%); we strive to get the highest reading possible (which implies minimal contamination)

3. RIGAS usually upgrades the 400A Preamp board by replacing the unshielded burner signal wire with a coax (shielded) wire.  This helps reduce noise but also makes the signal so clean that we have to install a special potentiometer to inject a small biasing signal.  [link to R20 modification]

 

Here’s a little background (with respect to pure fuel analyzers only):

1. When the analyzer is in pristine (new) condition, the zero potentiometer is anywhere between 5 turns (50%) and 8 turns (80%) on the duodial (turns counter).  The pure fuel analyzer is WAY more sensitive so any minor contamination easily shows up and needs some zero pot to compensate.  10 turns (100%) is where the electronic compensation (for contamination) is at a MINIMUM.  Rosemount designed it this was so that turning the pot CCW also caused a decrease in the display value (it’s a little easier for the human brain to comprehend, that is, going CCW causes something to decrease).

2. We release repaired analyzers with the zero pot anywhere from 4 turns (40%) on up; we strive to get the highest reading possible (which implies minimal contamination)

3. RIGAS usually upgrades the 400A Preamp board by replacing the unshielded burner signal wire with a coax (shielded) wire.  This helps reduce noise but also makes the signal so clean that we have to install a special potentiometer to inject a small biasing signal.  [link to R20 modification]

 

When a 400A (or any hydrocarbon analyzer) won’t zero, do these checks:

1. Read flame temperature.  It should be around 100mVDC.

• if it’s <50mVDC then you’re probably running hotter than you should be.  Decrease fuel pressure and watch for the change in zero reading.

• if it’s <5mVDC then you’re probably running VERY HOT and in danger of melting the Teflon burner jet.  Decrease fuel pressure ASAP.

2. Alter fuel pressure to see if a few pounds pressure changes the reading (there will be a change as talked about above but it should be slight).

• if the change is significant, you may have contaminated fuel.

• if the change is significant, you may have the WRONG FUEL.  A cylinder of 40% hydrogen / 60% Nitrogen (or Helium) is NOT THE SAME as FID ION FUEL (40% hydrogen / 60% Nitrogen (or Helium)).  FID ION FUEL has a cylinder assay where the hydrocarbon contamination is VERY low, maybe even listed as “undetectable”.

3. Alter burner air pressure to see if a few pounds pressure changes the reading (there should only be a MINIMAL change, if any).   This statement is null and void if your analyzer is running right at the stoichiometric point such that decreasing pressure affects the actual flame due to oxygen starvation.

• This problem will sneak up on you with an aged analyzer as the air restrictor clogs up over many years of service;  you’ll set the air pressure to 15# (per the OEM manual) but the burner won’t actually be getting the prescribed 450 cc/min of burner support air.

• An analyzer running at stoichiometric will be hard to zero and hard to span.

4. Alter sample pressure when flowing zero gas.  You should expect some variation in the readings but nothing significant.  If the reading does change by a huge amount then sample line contamination is almost guaranteed.

• If your process contains a ‘sticky’ hydrocarbon molecule such as Toluene, then expect significant delay times to achieve a good zero as it will take time for the Toluene molecules to detach from the sample transport tubing walls.

 

Keywords: Rosemount 400A troubleshooting

 

Further questions about day-day operation of your 400A can be answered with use of the RIGAS 400A Calculator, this can be found on “The RIGAS 400A Calculator” tab next to the “Troubleshooting” tab on this page.

RIGAS is equipped to diagnose and repair 400A analyzers in our Wooster, Ohio, office.

Please inquire for terms and instructions to ship your analyzer to RIGAS for service or repair.

Phone:
877.616.0600

Email:
[email protected]

Mail:
2310 East Hutton Rd
Wooster, OH 44691

 

Keywords: Rosemount 400A troubleshooting

 

This symptom shows up in different ways:
The readout shows an upscale reading with no flame present:

This unexpected reading is usually indicative of electrical leakage within the burner assembly.

The analyzer displays a loss in sensitivity, i.e, the same concentration of test gas reports a lower measured concentration over time:

This is often indicative of regular system degradation over long periods of time; the fuel and air supply systems (filters, restrictors, etc) as well as the sample restrictor and capillary can develop clogging, and the electrical elements of the burner can be partially short circuited, by extended operation without cleaning and rebuilds on the pertinent systems.

 

Keywords: Rosemount 400A troubleshooting

 

(Describe likely diagnoses and specify possible confirmation testing, mitigation, and relevant RIGAS products or services)

 

Keywords: Rosemount 400A troubleshooting

 

Failure of the burner to ignite can be attributed to several separate (or contributing) factors.

Ignition failure can be due to issues with the supply gases: an insufficiently purged fuel supply, pressure regulators for the air and fuel supplies adjusted incorrectly or simply malfunctioning, or flow restrictions of the fuel and/or air into the burner assembly caused by clogging.

It can also be caused by internal electrical problems, such as faulty contacts and connections in the ignition circuit.

Finally, it may be caused by malfunctioning or failed components, such as the igniter itself, the transformer circuit, or the ignition switch.

Here is a technical note that we wrote:  https://ri-gas.com/wp-content/uploads/RIGAS-Glow_plug_modification__light_up_procedure_r2.pdf

Keywords: Rosemount 400A troubleshooting

(Describe likely diagnoses and specify possible confirmation testing, mitigation, and relevant RIGAS products or services)

 

Keywords: Rosemount 400A troubleshooting

 

The “+1” reading is indicative of an out-of-scale sensor response.

The 400A readout is a “percent of scale” display, which means that the display reads out the percentage of the scale of readings available under the current range setting.

If the analyzer’s current output voltage exceeds 200% of the current scale, the readout will return “+1”.

A quick check of the actual current sensor output is to increment the current range selected upward until the sensor output is no longer out-of-scale.   The set range multiples* (see: 400A Calculator) are instructive in determining the real sensor reading.

*Range multiples are variable if the optional 400A range trim board is installed.

 

Keywords: Rosemount 400A troubleshooting