TDS and TDN 200 Manual: Installing and Calibrating Tank Probes
The TDS 200 (diesel, water, waste water) and TDN 200 (water, waste water) tank probes are suspended as submersible probes on the bottom of the tank and measure the level via the hydrostatic pressure of the liquid.
Manual edition: 8 pages, no version or date stated. Download manual as PDF · Go to the TDS / TDN 200 product
Contents
- Introduction
- Safety instructions, warranty, conformity
- Scope of delivery
- Technical data
- Installation and connection
- Calibration
- Settings in the TCS / BTM
- Settings in the TCM4V
- Settings in the PSM (CMT)
- Value table
- Frequently asked questions
Introduction
The probe measures the current level via the hydrostatic pressure of the liquid. The PUR connecting cable contains a thin air tube for pressure equalisation at the rear of the measuring cell. As a result, air-pressure fluctuations are compensated automatically and do not distort the measurement. The probe is intended for connection to the TCS / BTM digital tank monitor (also TCM4V) or the CMT tank interface of the P-BUS system.
Safety instructions, warranty, conformity
No modifications may be made to the device, otherwise the CE mark becomes void. The submersible probe should be installed in diesel tanks by a qualified specialist fitter, in particular for stationary underground tanks or outdoor oil tanks (§ 19 l of the German Water Resources Act, WHG).
The installed level probe is not a safety device, not even in conjunction with an electronic display unit. It does not replace the function of a limit sensor. The manual is part of the component delivery and should be kept safe for later maintenance work and passed on to subsequent owners.
Disclaimer: philippi elektrische systeme gmbh cannot monitor compliance with the manual or the conditions and methods of installation, operation, use and maintenance, and accepts no liability for losses, damage or costs arising from faulty installation and improper operation. We provide a warranty on the basis of our General Terms and Conditions, paragraph 7. The device meets the requirements of EU Directive 2004/108/EC "Electromagnetic Compatibility"; conformity is confirmed by the CE mark.
Scope of delivery
- TDS 200 / TDN 200 tank probe incl. mounting flange* and gasket
- ASH-1A fuse holder
- Manual
* An installation tube with 25 mm outer diameter can be inserted in the mounting flange for mechanical stabilisation of the sender.
Technical data
| Supply voltage | DC 8–32 V (elsewhere in the manual: 10 … 30 V DC) |
|---|---|
| Current consumption | 5 mA at 12 V |
| Measuring range | Standard 0–200 mbar |
| Output | 4 … 20 mA, 2-wire principle |
| Measuring cell | ceramic Al2O3, strain gauge bridge |
| Response time | 50 ms |
| Deviation | < 1 % of full scale |
| Temperature drift | < 0.05 % / K zero point, < 0.05 % / K span |
| Operating range | −10 … +40 °C (higher on request) |
| Housing | TDS 200: stainless steel 1.4404 (316 L, V4A); TDN 200: stainless steel |
| Weight of sensor head | approx. 0.2 kg, without cable |
| Submersible cable | PUR black, 2.5–3 m, oil-resistant, with capillary for air-pressure equalisation |
| Fields of application | TDS 200: heating oil, diesel, water, waste. TDN 200: water, waste. Not for petrol, kerosene, paraffin. Not for use in EEx zones. |
Installation and connection
The probe cable is 2.5 or 3 m long. The two connecting wires, red (+) and black (−), can be extended electrically to 100 m and more, e.g. with at least 2 × 0.4 mm². If electrically interfering power cables run in parallel, a shielded cable must be used for the extension and the cable shield connected to ground potential.
In addition to the wires, the probe cable contains an air capillary with a moisture protection filter. The air-pressure equalisation of the measuring cell must take place via this path. The cable must be installed so that no moisture can enter the cable end, while pressure equalisation can still take place.
| Wire | Connection |
|---|---|
| red (+) | via the supplied fuse to the positive supply voltage |
| black (−) | to the corresponding tank input Tx of the TCS / BTM / CMT |
Important: The measuring cell is on the underside. It must not be cleaned with a high-pressure washer or similar, otherwise it could be mechanically damaged.
Important: Since the probe has a 4–20 mA output to ground, the TCM4V tank monitor (predecessor of the TCS / BTM) must be adapted in hardware at the factory. The CMT can be adapted via DIP switch.
Software requirements: PSM V16 + CMT V14 or higher. Hardware requirements: the following devices can be adapted at the factory: CMT, TCM 4, TCM4V, TCM1 and TCM2 from year of manufacture 2009.
Calibration
The hydrostatic pressure depends on the height of the liquid level, not on the shape of the vessel. Examples from the manual: water (height 1 m) ≈ 98 mbar, diesel (height 1 m) ≈ 82 mbar.
The probe's measuring range is 0–200 mbar. At 0 mbar it delivers 4 mA, at 200 mbar 20 mA. On the tank monitor / CMT it is operated via an external or internally integrated series resistor of 180 ohms to ground. This gives the following value range:
| Pressure | Current | Voltage |
|---|---|---|
| 0 mbar | 4 mA | 0.72 V |
| 200 mbar | 20 mA | 3.60 V |
A pressure change of 10 mbar corresponds to a signal change of 0.8 mA or 0.144 V. A fill height of 10 cm of water corresponds to a voltage change of 0.144 V.
Settings in the TCS / BTM
See the respective manual, for example the BTM2 manual.
Settings in the TCM4V
On first installation, the zero point must be calibrated before the probe is installed in the tank or with the tank empty. To do this, select the sensor type TDS in the tank menu and accept the value for 0 % with the Accept measured value button. Only then is the probe hung in and lowered all the way to the bottom of the container. The tank is then filled, and for the levels 25, 50, 75 and 100 % the corresponding voltage values must be entered or determined by measurement.
Method 1 (tank is filled in steps): The probe is in the empty tank. In the setup, go to the setting value for 0 % and press the Accept measured value button. Then fill the tank to 25 %, go to the value for 25 % in the setup and press the button again. Proceed in the same way with 50, 75 and 100 %. It is best to note down the displayed voltage values. Every value (0, 25, 50, 75, 100 %) must be entered. Advantage: even with an unusual tank shape the content is reproduced correctly. When determining the 100 % value, the tank filler neck must remain empty, otherwise the value is determined incorrectly.
Method 2 (installation with the tank full): The probe is outside the tank. In the setup, press the Accept measured value button at the 0 % value. Then install the probe and press the button at the 100 % value. For 25, 50 and 75 %, divide the difference between 0 % and 100 % by 4 and add the result to the voltage value at 0 % (25 %); further additions give 50 % and 75 %. These values are entered manually in the setup with the + / − buttons.
Settings in the PSM (CMT)
In the setup, under sensor type, select the setting "TDS / Free setting V". This setting is selected for tank senders with a voltage output (0–5 V). Caution: CMT V14 or higher is required. For a tank sensor with a 4–20 mA current output, the hardware must first be adapted at the factory; on the CMT this is done via DIP switch on the device.
The voltage values must be entered or determined by measurement for 5 fill levels (0, 25, 50, 75, 100 %).
Method 1 (tank is filled in steps): The probe is in the empty tank. In the setup, page 2, press the 0 % button for approx. 2 s; the current measured value is accepted. Then fill the tank to 25 % and press the 25 % button for approx. 2 s. Proceed in the same way with 50, 75 and 100 %. When determining the 100 % value, the tank filler neck must remain empty.
Method 2 (installation with the tank full): The probe is outside the tank. In the setup, page 2, press the 0 % button for approx. 2 s. Then install the probe and press the 100 % button for approx. 2 s. The values for 25, 50 and 75 % are calculated as above from the difference divided by 4 and entered in the setup by briefly touching the corresponding buttons.
Value table
The values apply to rectangular tanks only. At 0 % the value is always 0.72 V or 4 mA. Each value is given as voltage / current (V / mA).
| Tank height (cm) | 25 % | 50 % | 75 % | 100 % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 0.76 / 4.2 | 0.79 / 4.4 | 0.83 / 4.6 | 0.86 / 4.8 |
| 15 | 0.77 / 4.3 | 0.83 / 4.6 | 0.88 / 4.9 | 0.94 / 5.2 |
| 20 | 0.79 / 4.4 | 0.86 / 4.8 | 0.94 / 5.2 | 1.01 / 5.6 |
| 25 | 0.81 / 4.5 | 0.9 / 5.0 | 0.99 / 5.5 | 1.08 / 6.0 |
| 30 | 0.83 / 4.6 | 0.94 / 5.2 | 1.04 / 5.8 | 1.15 / 6.4 |
| 35 | 0.85 / 4.7 | 0.97 / 5.4 | 1.1 / 6.1 | 1.22 / 6.8 |
| 40 | 0.86 / 4.8 | 1.01 / 5.6 | 1.15 / 6.4 | 1.3 / 7.2 |
| 45 | 0.88 / 4.9 | 1.04 / 5.8 | 1.21 / 6.7 | 1.37 / 7.6 |
| 50 | 0.9 / 5.0 | 1.08 / 6.0 | 1.26 / 7.0 | 1.44 / 8.0 |
| 55 | 0.92 / 5.1 | 1.12 / 6.2 | 1.31 / 7.3 | 1.51 / 8.4 |
| 60 | 0.94 / 5.2 | 1.15 / 6.4 | 1.37 / 7.6 | 1.58 / 8.8 |
| 65 | 0.95 / 5.3 | 1.19 / 6.6 | 1.42 / 7.9 | 1.66 / 9.2 |
| 70 | 0.97 / 5.4 | 1.22 / 6.8 | 1.48 / 8.2 | 1.73 / 9.6 |
| 75 | 0.99 / 5.5 | 1.26 / 7.0 | 1.53 / 8.5 | 1.8 / 10.0 |
| 80 | 1.01 / 5.6 | 1.3 / 7.2 | 1.58 / 8.8 | 1.87 / 10.4 |
| 85 | 1.03 / 5.7 | 1.33 / 7.4 | 1.64 / 9.1 | 1.94 / 10.8 |
| 90 | 1.04 / 5.8 | 1.37 / 7.6 | 1.69 / 9.4 | 2.02 / 11.2 |
| 95 | 1.06 / 5.9 | 1.4 / 7.8 | 1.75 / 9.7 | 2.09 / 11.6 |
| 100 | 1.08 / 6.0 | 1.44 / 8.0 | 1.8 / 10.0 | 2.16 / 12.0 |
| 105 | 1.1 / 6.1 | 1.48 / 8.2 | 1.85 / 10.3 | 2.23 / 12.4 |
| 110 | 1.12 / 6.2 | 1.51 / 8.4 | 1.91 / 10.6 | 2.3 / 12.8 |
| 115 | 1.13 / 6.3 | 1.55 / 8.6 | 1.96 / 10.9 | 2.38 / 13.2 |
| 120 | 1.15 / 6.4 | 1.58 / 8.8 | 2.02 / 11.2 | 2.45 / 13.6 |
| 125 | 1.17 / 6.5 | 1.62 / 9.0 | 2.07 / 11.5 | 2.52 / 14.0 |
| 130 | 1.19 / 6.6 | 1.66 / 9.2 | 2.12 / 11.8 | 2.59 / 14.4 |
| 135 | 1.21 / 6.7 | 1.69 / 9.4 | 2.18 / 12.1 | 2.66 / 14.8 |
| 140 | 1.22 / 6.8 | 1.73 / 9.6 | 2.23 / 12.4 | 2.74 / 15.2 |
| 145 | 1.24 / 6.9 | 1.76 / 9.8 | 2.29 / 12.7 | 2.81 / 15.6 |
| 150 | 1.26 / 7.0 | 1.8 / 10.0 | 2.34 / 13.0 | 2.88 / 16.0 |
| 155 | 1.28 / 7.1 | 1.84 / 10.2 | 2.39 / 13.3 | 2.95 / 16.4 |
| 160 | 1.3 / 7.2 | 1.87 / 10.4 | 2.45 / 13.6 | 3.02 / 16.8 |
| 165 | 1.31 / 7.3 | 1.91 / 10.6 | 2.5 / 13.9 | 3.1 / 17.2 |
| 170 | 1.33 / 7.4 | 1.94 / 10.8 | 2.56 / 14.2 | 3.17 / 17.6 |
| 175 | 1.35 / 7.5 | 1.98 / 11.0 | 2.61 / 14.5 | 3.24 / 18.0 |
| 180 | 1.37 / 7.6 | 2.02 / 11.2 | 2.66 / 14.8 | 3.31 / 18.4 |
| 185 | 1.39 / 7.7 | 2.05 / 11.4 | 2.72 / 15.1 | 3.38 / 18.8 |
| 190 | 1.4 / 7.8 | 2.09 / 11.6 | 2.77 / 15.4 | 3.46 / 19.2 |
| 195 | 1.42 / 7.9 | 2.12 / 11.8 | 2.83 / 15.7 | 3.53 / 19.6 |
| 200 | 1.44 / 8.0 | 2.16 / 12.0 | 2.88 / 16.0 | 3.6 / 20.0 |
Frequently asked questions
How does the TDS 200 / TDN 200 tank probe work?
The tank probe hangs as a submersible probe on the bottom of the tank and measures the level via the hydrostatic pressure of the liquid. The PUR connecting cable contains a thin air tube for pressure equalisation at the rear of the measuring cell, so air-pressure fluctuations are compensated automatically and do not distort the measurement.
How do I connect the probe?
The red lead (+) connects to the positive supply via the supplied fuse, the black lead to tank input Tx of the TCS, BTM or CMT. The leads can be extended electrically to 100 m and more, for example with at least 2 x 0.4 mm². The settings in the TCS and BTM are described in the respective manual.
How do I calibrate the probe?
At 0 mbar the probe delivers 4 mA and at 200 mbar 20 mA. On the tank monitor it works through a 180 ohm series resistor to ground, giving 0.72 V at 0 mbar and 3.60 V at 200 mbar. In the setup, the values for 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 percent must be entered or determined by measurement.
What is the probe not suitable for?
The TDS 200 is suitable for heating oil, diesel, water and waste, the TDN 200 for water and waste. Petrol, kerosene and paraffin are not suitable, nor is use in an EEx zone. The probe is not a safety device and does not replace a limit sensor.
