Electronics Black Wrist Watch

PW Series Vibrating Wire Piezometer

Category: Geotechnical & Civil Engineering Instrumentats

HIGH ACCURACY

LONG-TERM RELIABILITY

WIDE MEASURING RANGE

The PW series of vibrating wire piezometers is designed to measure pore-water or other fluid pressure.

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The PW piezometer consists of a vibrating wire sensing element enclosed in a protective steel housing. The sensing element is essentially formed of a steel wire clamped to both ends of a hollow cylindrical body. An electromagnetic coil is used to excite the wire and to measure its vibration period. The period is sensitive to the pressure applied onto the sensing element.

 

The excellent long-term reliability of the PW results from the use of the latest developments in vibrating wire technology. For instance, the wire is clamped by a proven hydraulic swaging technique that ensures high stability. The sensing element is hermetically sealed in order to protect the steel wire against corrosion. All parts of the sensing element other than the wire are machined from a high-grade stainless steel. The PW is fitted with a surge protector and resists electrical and radio frequency interferences, as determined by tests compliant to IEEE and CEI specifications.

 

Five models of PW piezometers are available:

 

The PWS is designed to be embedded in earth fills, at concrete/earth interfaces or inserted into boreholes and smalldiameter pipes. The end of the PWS is fitted with a high or low air entry filter, which protects the sensing element from solid particles, allowing this model to sense only the fluid pressure to be measured. The filter is easily removable in case of saturation.

 

The PWF is a thick-walled version of the PWS for use in direct burial applications.

 

The PWC is provided with a pipe thread adapter, thus enabling the piezometer to be used as a pressure transducer.

 

The PWP is designed to be driven into unconsolidated fine grain materials such as sand, silt or clay. The external housing is a thick-wall cylinder fitted with a conical shoe at one end and an EW drill rod or standpipe thread adapter at the cable entry end.

 

 The PWL is a low-pressure piezometer (35,70 kPa).

 

Specifications

 

  Range1   0.0352, 0.0702, 0.2, 0.35, 0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 5, 7 MPa
  Accuracy3   ± 0.1%
  Linearity3   < ± 0.5% F.S
  Resolution with MB-3TL   0.025% F.S. (min.)
  Thermal drift3   ± 0.1% F.S. / °C
  Thermistance   3 kΩ (see model TH-T)
  Cable4   IRC-41A, IRC-390, IRC-41AV

 

 

  MODEL   PWS   PWF    PWC   PWP   PWL
  Housing   Slim   Thick-walled   Threaded (STD ¼ in -18 NPT male)   Push-in-point   ? 
  Outside diameter   19 mm   28.6 mm     19 mm   33.4 mm   38 mm
  Length   200 mm   200 mm   213 mm   260 mm   200 mm

 

 

  Material   Stainless steel
   Filter

  Stainless steel, ~ 50 μm, ~ 10 kPa, low air entry   

  Ceramic, ~ 1 μm, ~ 450 kPa, high air entry        
  

 

 

Other ranges available on request.
1 – MPa = 145 psi
2 – Available only with Model PWL
3 – Specifications achieved in laboratory conditions
4 – PWL must be used with vented cable type IRC?41AV

 

Ordering Info

 

Please specify:

    Model and range
    Cable length

 

Optional accessories:

  •     Type of thermistor, filter and cable
  •     Calibration to -100 kPa
  •     Readout instrument: MB-3TL, SENSLOG