FP5600-8500A-Series

Supported Applications

The Omega FP-5600 and FP-8500A Series are low velocity paddlewheel flow sensors designed for measuring flow rates in piping systems with extremely low velocities. These insertion-style sensors utilize advanced Hall-effect design to operate across a wide range of voltages and current supplies, adapting to various installation requirements.

Documented applications include:

• Piping systems requiring measurement at very low fluid velocities
• Processes utilizing plastic materials including typical piping types such as PVC, PVDF, PP, and PE
• Systems where reverse polarity protection is required for sensor operation

The series supports pipe sizes ranging from 0.5 to 36 inches (DN15 to DN900). For aggressive substances or specific chemical environments, sensors with different internal resin encapsulation are available on special request.

Operating Conditions & Performance

Performance specifications vary by sensor type and housing material. The series offers two primary measurement ranges:

• Self-Powered Sensors: 0.3 to 6 m/s (1 to 20 ft/s)
• Low-Flow Sensors: 0.1 to 6 m/s (0.3 to 20 ft/s) with a nominal output of 49 Hz per m/s (15 Hz per ft/s).

The FP-5600 and FP-8500A Series low-flow sensors specifically operate within an operating range of 0.3 to 20 fps.

Accuracy and Repeatability

• Linearity: ±1% of full range (also cited as ±1% of maximum range @ 25 °C / 77 °F)
• Repeatability: ±0.5% of full range (or ±0.5% maximum range @ 25 °C / 77 °F)

Pressure and Temperature Limits

Ratings are dependent on the sensor housing material and process temperature:

• Polypropylene (PP) Body: 180 psi @ 20 °C (68 °F); reduces to 25 psi @ 85 °C (185 °F). Also listed as 12.5 bar (180 psi) max @ 20 °C.
• PVDF Body: 200 psi @ 20 °C (68 °F); reduces to 25 psi @ 85 °C (185 °F). Also listed as 14 bar (200 psi) max @ 20 °C.

Process temperature ranges are documented as -18 to 66 °C (0 to 150 °F) for Polypropylene bodies and -18 to 100 °C (0 to 212 °F) for PVDF bodies.

Power Requirements

• Voltage: Low-Flow Sensors require 5 to 24 VDC ±10% regulated. The FP-5600/8500A series datasheet specifies a range of 3.3 to 24 Vdc.
• Current Draw: <1.5 mA @ 3.3V to 6 Vdc; <20 mA @ 6V to 24 Vdc.

Configuration Options

The series is configurable across housing materials, shaft (pin) compositions, rotor types, and mounting styles. The standard cable length included is 7.6 m (25 ft), with a maximum allowable length of 300 m (1000'). Electrical connections utilize a twisted pair, foil shield with drain wire.

Housing Materials

• Polypropylene (Glass filled Polypropylene)
• Natural PVDF

Shaft and Rotor Options

Sensors are available with various wetted material combinations to suit specific media:

• Rotor Pins (Shafts): Titanium, Hastelloy-C, PVDF. Other options include Tantalum and Ceramic.
• Rotors: Black or natural PVDF; optional ETFE with or without Fluoroloy G® sleeve for the rotor pin.
• O-Rings: FPM (FKM) standard, EPDM, or FFKM-Perfluoroelastomer options available.

Mounting and Process Connections

The series supports multiple installation methods including threaded caps, wet-tap valves, saddles, tees, and weldolets. Standard process connections include a 1-¼" NPSM threaded blue cap.

• Standard Mount Sensors: Threaded cap models (e.g., FP-5600 series).
• Integral Sensor Models: Designed for use with the DPU91 Transmitter and FP90IM Integral Mounting Kit.
• Fittings: Compatible with plastic tees, PVC glue-on saddles, iron strap-on saddles, carbon steel/stainless steel threaded tees, weldolets, fiberglass tees, and metric union fittings (DN 15 to 50 mm).

Output Signals

• Low-Flow Sensors: Open collector, sinking output; 49 Hz per m/s nominal (15 Hz per ft/s); max current 10 mA.
• Self-Powered Sensors: 19.7 Hz per m/s nominal (6 Hz per ft/s) and 3.3 V p/p per m/s nominal (1 V p/p per ft/s).

Key Product Differences

The series distinguishes between standard mount sensors, integral sensor configurations, and self-powered versus low-flow variants.

• FP-5600 Series (Standard Mount): Includes models FP-5600 through FP-5603. These feature threaded caps for installation into pipes ranging from ½ to 4 inches, 5 to 8 inches, and 10 inches or larger.
• FP-8500A Series (Integral): Models such as FP8501A, FP8502A, and FP8503A are integral sensors intended for use with the DPU91 Transmitter. These cover pipe sizes from ½ to 4 inches and 5 to 8 inches.
• Material Configurations: Models vary by housing (Polypropylene vs. Natural PVDF) and internal components (Titanium shaft/Black PVDF rotor vs. Hastelloy C shaft/Natural PVDF rotor).

Note: The FP-5102 model is listed in the family manual for 10 to 36 inch pipes with a Natural PVDF housing and Hastelloy-C pin, but no corresponding low-flow variant (FP-56XX) is enumerated for that specific size/material combination in the primary series table.