D-57:D-57 7/10/09 10:39 AM Page 1

Bulletin D-57

Model 1430 Microtector® Electronic Point Gage

Installation and Operating Instructions

Model 1430 Microtector® Portable • Three-point mounting, dual leveling

Electronic Point Gage combines mod- adjustment, and circular level vial
ern, solid-state integrated circuit elec- assure rapid setup
tronics with a time-proven point gage • Durablock® precision-machined acrylic
manometer to provide fast, accurate plastic gage body
pressure measurements. • Sensitive 0 - 50 microamp D.C. meter
acts as a detector and also indicates
battery and probe condition
SPECIFICATIONS AND FEATURES *

• Heavy 2˝ thick steel base plate

• Accurate and repeatable to ± .00025 provides steady mounting
inches water column
• Top-quality glass epoxy circuit board
• Pressure range: 0 - 2˝ w.c., positive, and solid-state, integrated circuit
negative, or differential pressures electronics
• Non-toxic and inexpensive gage fluid • Electronic enclosure of tough, molded
consists of distilled water mixed with styrene acrylonitrile provides maximum
a small amount of fluorescein green protection to components yet allows
color concentrate easy access to battery compartment
• Convenient, portable, lightweight • Rugged sheet steel cover and carrying
and self-contained, the unit requires case protects the entire unit when not
no external power connections and in use
is operated by a 1.5 volt penlight cell
• Accessories included are (2) 3-foot
• A.C. detector current eliminates lengths Tygon® tubing, (2) 1/8˝ pipe
point plating, fouling and erosion thread adapters and 3/4 oz. bottle of
• Micrometers are manufactured in accor- fluorescein green color concentrate
dance with ASME B89.1.13-2001, and with wetting agent
are traceable to a standard at the National Maximum pressure: 100 psig with
Institute of Standards and Technology optional pipe thread connections.
Tygon® is a registered trademark of Saint-Gobain Corporation

DWYER INSTRUMENTS, INC. Phone: 219/879-8000 www.dwyer-inst.com

P.O. BOX 373 Fax: 219/872-9057 e-mail: info@dwyer-inst.com
MICHIGAN CITY, INDIANA 46361,U.S.A
D-57:D-57 7/10/09 10:39 AM Page 2

OFF ON

LOW
PRESSURE

FLUID
LEVEL

Microtector® Gage

Precision Pressure Measurement On indication of contact, the operator stops

The Microtector® Gage combines the time- lowering the point and reads the micrometer
proven principles of the Hook Gage type which indicates one half the applied pressure.
manometer and modern solid-state integrat- By interpolating eight divisions (each being
ed circuit electronics. It provides an inexpen- .000125˝ w.c.) between .001 micrometer
sive means of achieving accuracy and graduations, a total accuracy of .00025 can
repeatability within ± .00025 inches water col- easily be achieved. The micrometer complies
umn throughout its 0 to 2 inches w.c. range. with Federal Specification GGG-C-105A and
It is truly a new standard in precision measur- is traceable to a master at the NIST.
ing devices.
Locating and Opening
Principles of Operation Stand the Microtector® Gage and case on a
A pressure to be measured is applied to the firm flat level surface. Remove cover by
manometer fluid which is displaced in each releasing the latches and lifting it straight up.
leg of the manometer by an amount equal to If it is necessary to move the gage without
1/2 the applied pressure. A micrometer case, handle only the base plate or clear
mounted point is then lowered until it contacts acrylic block. (CAUTION: Do not handle gage
the manometer gage fluid. The instant of con- by grasping meter-electronic package hous-
tact is detected by completion of a low-power ing Item 7 on drawing.)
A.C. circuit. Current for this circuit is supplied
by a 1.5 volt penlight cell feeding two semi-
conductor amplifiers which act as a free-run-
ning multivibrator operating at a frequency of
approximately two kilohertz. Completion of
the A.C. circuit activates a bridge rectifier
which provides the signal for indication on a
sensitive (0 to 50 microamps) D.C. microam-
meter.

2
D-57:D-57 7/10/09 10:39 AM Page 3

Fluid Level After making contact, turn the point out of the
Level the gage by adjusting the two front lev- fluid by turning the micrometer barrel counter-
eling screws (Item 8 on drawing) until the bub- clockwise to a reading of .010 or more. Again,
ble in the spirit level is centered in the small watch the meter and, this time, lower the
circle. After leveling the gage, open both rapid point by turning the micrometer barrel. The
shut-off valve tube connectors (Items 2 and point position where the meter pointer begins
5). Back off the micrometer (Item 4), if neces- to move up scale is the zero position. This
sary, to make sure that the point is not position should correspond to the zero read-
immersed in the gage fluid. The fluid level in ing on the micrometer. Adjust the point in rela-
the gage should now coincide with the mark tion to the micrometer barrel by turning the
on the right hand bore (Item 6) plus or minus top knob while holding the barrel steady.
approximately 1/32 inch. If the level of fluid is Repeat lowering the point, watching the
too high, fluid can be removed with an eye meter for contact, and adjusting the point
dropper pipette or carefully poured out of the until the zero position and zero reading exact-
right connection (Item 5). ly coincide. The gage is now zeroed and
should not be moved.
If the level is too low, remove the top left rapid
shut-off valve tube connector (Item 2) and An alternative method of zeroing and reading
add distilled water pre-mixed with the proper can be used wherein, instead of zeroing the
amount of green concentrate. (See mainte- gage completely, a zero correction reading is
nance instructions for proportions. After cor- taken and recorded, then subtracted from the
recting the fluid level, re-install the rapid shut- final reading. Comparable results can be
off connectors and, with these in the open obtained with either method.
position, re-level the Microtector® Gage. The
gage is now ready to be zeroed. Positive Pressure Measurement
With the fluid at its proper level, a pressure of
2.0˝ water column maximum can be meas-
Zeroing ured. Positive pressure should be applied to
Turn the Micrometer barrel (Item 4) until its the top left connection (Item 2) with the
lower end just coincides with the zero mark micrometer zeroed as described above. This
on the scale and the zero on the barrel scale will permit a simple direct reading to be taken.
coincides with the vertical line on the internal
scale. Note that the internal scale is graduat- After an unknown pressure has been applied
ed every .025˝ from 0 to 1.00 inch and the at the top left connection, the fluid level will
barrel scale is graduated in one thousandths drop in the left bore and rise over the point in
from 0 to .025˝. Turn the meter circuit switch the right bore. Note that the indicating meter
at the top of gage to the “on” position. While point has moved upscale because the point is
holding the barrel at the zero position (and immersed in the fluid. Turn the micrometer
with gage level), raise or lower the point by counter-clockwise until the point leaves the
turning the knurled knob (Item 3) until the fluid as indicated by the meter pointer drop-
point is above, but near, the fluid. ping to zero on its scale. Then slowly turn the
micrometer down until its point just touches
Check to be sure that the meter registers the fluid surface, causing movement of the
zero. Watch the meter, hold the barrel, and meter pointer. Withdraw the point and repeat
lower the point slowly by turning the top several times, noting each time the microme-
knurled knob. As the knob is turned, the point ter reading where the meter pointer begins.
will contact the fluid and the meter pointer will The average of these readings multiplied by
move from zero to some upscale position. two is the pressure applied to the gage. (Avg.
reading x 2 = pressure applied in inches w.c.
The degree of uncertainty for the operator is
indicated by the difference in these readings.

3
D-57:D-57 7/10/09 10:39 AM Page 4

When the readings are complete, the pres- (2) If the meter operation continues to be
sure should be removed and the zero setting sluggish, replace the size AA, 1.5 volt battery.
of Microtector® Gage rechecked. Any change (Replace the battery at least once a year to
in the zero position will indicate inaccurate avoid deterioration of battery and damage to
readings. Should this happen, the zero-set gage. Leakproof alkaline battery is recom-
and pressure measurement procedure should mended.)
be repeated.
To replace the battery, remove center screw
Negative Pressure (Item 10) located in the back of the electronic
or Vacuum Measurement enclosure. Cover (Item 9) will come off,
Zero the gage. Connect the source of vacu- exposing the battery. Pull the old battery out
um or negative pressure to the right-side and push a new battery into the battery hold-
gage connection (Item 5) and proceed as er with the positive (center) terminal to the
described under Positive Pressure right (to the end marked with + on the holder).
Measurement section. Remember that the
pressure measured in this way is negative. If the fluid becomes contaminated and
requires replacement: empty old fluid from
Differential Pressure Measurement gage; flush out with clear water and replace
Differential pressures may be measured by with distilled water and A-126 fluorescein
connecting the higher (more positive) pres- green color concentrate mixed with 3/4 oz.
sure to the left connection (Item 2) and the concentrate to each quart of water.
lower pressure to the right connection (Item
5). CAUTION:
1. Do not substitute other gage fluids, as
Storage proper gage operation depends on use of the
Turn meter circuit switch to “off” position and specified gage fluid to provide proper surface
withdraw the point well clear of fluid (by turn- tension, wetting ability and electrolyte capa-
ing micrometer clockwise) when gage is not in bility with unity specific gravity.
use. This will conserve the batteries and min-
imize build-up of oxides, etc., on the point. If the gage bore is very dirty, a mild soap solu-
Keep the unit covered and in an area free of tion may be used to aid in cleaning prior to
strong solvent fumes. flushing with clear water.

Maintenance 2. Do not clean with liquid soaps, special sol-

When the meter reading becomes reduced or vent, de-greasers, aromatic hydrocarbons,
the pointer movement gets sluggish (with the etc. Such cleaners and solvents may contain
circuit on and the point in fluid), the following chlorine, fluorine, acetone and related com-
should be done: pounds that will permanently damage the
gage and prevent proper operation.
(1) Remove the point (by unscrewing) and
clean the tip lightly using fine crocus cloth.
Wipe off all grit and dirt with a clean rag;
reassemble and recheck meter operation.

©Copyright 2009 Dwyer Instruments, Inc Printed in U.S.A. 7/09 FR# 38-440190-00 Rev. 8

DWYER INSTRUMENTS, INC. Phone: 219/879-8000 www.dwyer-inst.com

P.O. BOX 373 Fax: 219/872-9057 e-mail: info@dwyer-inst.com
MICHIGAN CITY, INDIANA 46361,U.S.A