MicroCorr Digital Users Guide Ty Coch House Llantarnam Park Way Cwmbran NP44 3AW United Kingdom 1 Tel: +44 (0) 1633 489479 Fax: +44 (0) 1633 877857 Email: info@palmer.co.uk Internet: www.palmer.co.
MicroCorr Digital Users Guide Introduction and Features.......................................................................................................... 3 New features.............................................................................................................................. 3 Operational Benefits .................................................................................................................. 4 Principle of Correlation ...........................................
MicroCorr Digital Users Guide Introduction and Features MicroCorr® DIGITAL is the latest model of the world’s leading correlator brand (over 4,000 MicroCorr® units in use worldwide) but is the first fully digital system. This enables it to achieve performance levels well in excess of previous analogue-based systems, with important benefits to the user.
Operational Benefits • Pinpoints a higher percentage of leaks... • ...and a significantly higher percentage of “difficult” leaks (plastic pipes, trunk mains, low pressure situations) • Fewer “dry” holes reduces excavation costs • Improved productivity – more leaks found per hour • Easier to use – less training required • Improved reliability with less downtime • Lightweight and robust • Easily integrates into Company-specific reporting • New software versions available from www.palmer.co.
Principle of Correlation In the "classic" correlation process, two sensors are deployed on pipe fittings ("dry" connection) or connected to hydrants ("wet" connection). The sensors are positioned either side of the suspected leak position. Noise is created by the leak as it escapes from the pipe under pressure. This noise is conducted in both directions away from the leak through the pipe wall (as minute vibrations) and through the water column (as a pressure wave).
System Overview Standard system configuration The standard MicroCorr Digital system comprises the following equipment:1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. Control Unit External Antenna for C.U. Carry strap for C.U. Red Out Station Blue Out Station 2 x External Antennae for O/S 2 x Digital Sensors with cables Headphones (for use with C.U.
Fully Digital Correlation Digital sensor • New sensor with improved sensitivity to low frequency noise (for plastic and large diameter pipes and low pressure situations) - down to 1.
Features of the correlator unit Large backlit colour display with protective screen Rubber hand grip Tactile rubber keypad Carry-strap attachment Battery compartment (accessed from underside) Injection moulded housing Headphone / charger connector External antenna / magmount connection Sensor connector Communications connector 8
Features of the Out Stations The Out Station consists of a transmitter unit (red, blue – or optionally yellow) and a digital sensor unit complete with cable to connect to the transmitter. Its design incorporates sensor stowage and cable wrap.
Rear of transmitter On/Off switch with integral flashing LED Sensor stowage Top view of transmitter – connector covers removed Headphones / charger connector Communications connector Sensor connector Antenna connector Top view of transmitter – connector covers fitted 10
MicroCorr® DIGITAL correlator unit operational features The unit performs accurate leak noise correlations for leak positioning and velocity measurement. It has listening and surveying facilities and its stored information can be downloaded to a computer or printer. Key functions On / Off button Up arrow Enter button Down arrow Keypad functions abc 2 def 3 CANCEL ghi 4 jkl 5 mno 6 .
Using the MicroCorr Digital Correlator BATTERY WARNING All three batteries supplied are rechargeable lithium ion. Do not short circuit these batteries. Any misuse of these batteries may result in explosion or fire. They must not be used in any other application or used with any other equipment. Only batteries/battery-packs supplied by Palmer Environmental must be used. The Palmer sealed battery packs contain circuitry to prevent overcharging and overdischarging.
4. To charge the Out Station batteries they must first be installed. To do this remove the screws from the battery compartment on the bottom of each Out Station, connect the battery lead to the connector and insert the battery. Refit the screws and attach the battery charge lead to the headphone / charge connector on the top of the transmitter. The Out Stations will turn themselves on to charge. Unscrew these 2 quick-release screws to remove battery compartment panel.
Step 2: Set up and deployment of Out Stations 1. Once the batteries have been charged and installed in the correlator and the Out Stations, connect the antennae, connect a sensor cable and sensor to each Out Station. Switch on each transmitter by pressing the On / Off button on the back. 2. Transmitter switch functions To switch the transmitter on, press the switch on the rear of the transmitter once momentarily. The beacons will flash once.
Step 3: Switching on the Correlator Switch the correlator on by pressing the On/Off switch momentarily. A number of system tests are carried out on power up to ensure the correlator is fully functional. After a few seconds the main correlation screen will appear on the display as shown below. Note, this is the default screen on start-up to enable the operator to start correlating immediately. The Main Menu screen is accessed by pressing Cancel.
Correlating The screen shown on page 15 is the first screen that appears on the control unit when it is switched on. Once the ENTER key is pressed the system will begin to correlate. Correlation can be stopped by pressing the ENTER key again. This can be used for quick surveys without having to input any pipe data. If the Enter key is pressed the control unit will start to correlate as shown below.
Main Menu Correlate See previous page for quick correlation instructions or Correlation Screen section for more in depth instructions. File Enables the user to load previously saved files or save a current correlation. The control unit can store approximately 30 files.
Press 1(Save) The following screen is displayed. The current correlation information details can be typed and saved. Press 2(Load) The saved correlation will be displayed. Arrow over the required saved file and press 2. Loaded file name is displayed in green From a loaded file the control unit can undertake post correlation. Correlating functions such as pipe data, filters and peak suppression can be changed on the loaded data without having to return to site to re-correlate.
Regression Analysis Regression Analysis provides an additional way of pinpointing leak positions by using a set of correlation results, rather than an individual correlation result. This also provides a way of measuring an accurate velocity. The time delay / distance relationship of the correlation is linear, as the distance between a sensor and the leak noise increases, the time taken for the sound to reach the sensor increases proportionally with the distance.
Then press 1 to add the second correlation result. A second cross will appear and a line will pass through both. A result will be given on the leak position and velocity, but we recommend the user add a third result for a more confident result. Then press 1 to add the third correlation result. A third cross will appear and a best fit line will pass through or near the three crosses. The result of the leak position and velocity will be displayed under the graph.