ST100A Series Flow Meter INSTALLATION
Fluid Components International LLC 11
2. Mark the insertion pipe at the calculated insertion depth.
3. Ball Valve Applications Only: If a ball valve is required, install the ball valve to the process mounting coupling. Close the ball valve
to prevent the process media from leaking out when installing the packing gland with the process line pressurized.
4. Apply the proper thread sealant compatible with the process media to the male threads of the packing gland. Fully retract the insertion
probe into the cavity of the packing gland and install the packing gland into the process mounting coupling or ball valve as described
in the previous sections: Flange Mount and NPT Pipe Thread Mount. If a ball valve is not used, make sure to first depressurize
the process line before installing.
5. Tighten the packing nut until the internal packing is tight enough to prevent excess process leakage, but also allow the insertion probe
to be inserted into place. For ball valve applications, open the ball valve after the packing nut has been tightened.
For applications where the process media is pressurized to greater than 50 psig (3.5 barg), a medium pressure
packing gland assembly with support rods or FCI retractor tool, part no. 026854-01, must be used to safely insert the
probe into the process. The FCI packing gland and retractor tool are rated to a maximum pressure of 500 psig (35
barg). For instructions on how to install the flow meter using the FCI retractor tool, see step
7.
6. Manual Flow Element Insertion: Insertion by Hand (Pressure: 50 psig [3.5 barg] max.) or Using Med. Pressure Packing Gland
Assembly with Support Rods (Pressure: 500 psig [35 barg] max.)
a. Align the orientation flat and flow arrow parallel to the flow direction and proceed to insert the flow element into the process
media pipe up to the insertion depth mark. For medium pressure packing gland, use the adjusting nuts on the threaded rods to
pull the flow element up to the insertion depth mark, and then tighten the adjustable nuts against the adjustable support beam to
lock the insertion probe into place. Make sure to move the adjustable nuts at the same time (equally) to prevent the probe from
bending and damaging the packing gland.
b. Tighten the packing nut another ½- to 1-turn tight (approximately 65-85 ft-lbs [88-115 N-m]) until the packing has created a full seal.
c. Ensure the locking collar is properly secured to the back of the packing gland. Torque the two ¼"-28 socket head cap screws on
the locking collar to 94 in-lbs [11 N-m} using a 3/16" hex key.
7. Flow Element Insertion Using FCI Retractor Tool 026854-01 (Pressure: 500 psig (35 barg) max.)
a. Place the flow element into the top and bottom brackets of the FCI retractor tool as shown in Figure 6.
b. Align the orientation flat and flow arrow parallel to the flow direction. Position the top bracket close to the orientation flat as
shown in Figure 6.
c. Secure the top and bottom bracket clamps to the flow element using the eight no. 8-32 screws provided as shown in Figure 6.
Torque these screws to 20 in-lbs [2 N-m] minimum.
d. The retractor tool has, on both ends, a 3/8" drive socket that engages the retractor to move the flow element in or out. Once the
flow element has been properly secured, open the ball valve and insert the flow element by using either a hand wrench or a drill
to rotate either drive socket in the appropriate direction for insertion as shown in Figure 6. Observe the Warning below if using
an electric drill. Insert the flow element up to the insertion depth mark and tighten the packing nut another ½ to 1 turn tight
(approximately 65 to 85 ft-lbs [88-115 N-m]) until the packing has created a full seal.
Take note of your environment if using an electric drill to operate the retractor. Do not use an electric drill in an
explosive environment as the drill could create a spark and cause an explosion.
e. Ensure the locking collar is properly secured to the back of the packing gland. Torque the two ¼"-28 socket head cap screws on
the locking collar to 94 in-lbs [11 N-m} using a 3/16" Allen wrench (hex key).
After inserting the probe, you have the option to leave the retractor tool in place to ease future probe removal. If the retractor
tool is removed, make sure to reinstall it before retracting the probe at pressures > 50 psig. Since the packing gland itself
has a 500 psig rating, the probe remains securely in place with the retractor off.