FOP Piezometer


HIGH RESOLUTION

FIBER OPTIC PIEZOMETER

FOR LONG TERM MONITORING

Rugged , stainless steel construction and safe, the FOP fiber optic piezometers are suitable for use in long term reliability under all conditions of temperature, EMI and vibration.


Our unique design is based on non-contact deflection measurement of a stainless steel diaphragm, as opposed to more conventional measurement techniques.

 

The pressure transducer is based on Fabry-Perot interferometry. Pressure creates a variation in the length of a Fabry-Perot cavity consisting of the inner surface of the stainless steel diaphragm on one side and of an optical fiber on the other.

 

Since fiber optic readout units and dataloggers can consistently and accurately measure the cavity length under all conditions of temperature, EMI, humidity and vibration, the system delivers reliable pressure measurements in the most adverse conditions. The mechanical robustness is assured by the all-welded stainless steel construction, with no epoxy, sealing rubber or other sort of polymeric material.

 

Four models of FOP piezometers are available:

 

The FOP is designed to be embedded in earth fills, at concrete/earth interfaces or inserted into boreholes and small-diameter pipes. The end of the FOP 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 for saturation.

 

The FOP-F is a thick-wall version of the FOP for use in direct burial applications.

 

 

The FOP-P 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.

 

Specifications

 

  Range1 (kPa)   200, 350, 500, 750, 1000, 1500,  2000, 3000, 5000, 7000 kP
  Accuracy2   ±0.25% F.S.
  Resolution   0.025% F.S.
  Overload   1.5 × F.S.

 

 

  MODEL   FOP   FOP-F   FOP-C   FOP-P
  Outside diamater   19 mm   25.4 mm   19 mm   33.4 mm
  Length   100 mm   100 mm   100 mm   210 mm

 

 

  Material    Stainless steel
  Filter    Stainless steel, ~ 50 μm, ~ 10 kPa, low air entry
  Ceramic, ~ 1 μm, ~ 450 kPa, high air entry

 

 


Ordering Info

 

Please specify:

  •     Model and range
  •     Cable Lenght
  •     Filter

 

Optional accessories:

  •     Fiber optic readout instruments