August 2003
2-2 Initial Setup
Choosing a Site
You should have discussed environmental and installation factors 
with a GE Panametrics applications engineer or field sales person 
by the time you receive the PM880. The equipment should be 
suited to the application and installation site.
• Choose an installation site for the probes and sample systems 
that is as close to the process line as possible. Avoid long 
lengths of connecting tubing. If long distances are 
unavoidable, a fast sampling by-pass loop is recommended. 
Do not install any other components, such as filters, ahead of 
the probes or sample system unless instructed to do so by GE 
Panametrics.
• Observe all normal safety precautions. Use the probes within 
their maximum pressure and temperature ratings.
• Locate the electronics unit away from high temperatures, 
strong electrical transients, mechanical vibrations, corrosive 
atmospheres, and any other conditions that could damage or 
interfere with the meter operation.
• Protect the probe cables from excessive physical strain 
(bending, pulling, twisting, etc.). In addition, do not subject the 
cables to temperatures above 65°C (149°F) or below -50°C
 (-58°F).
• Observe the proper cable restrictions for the probes. You can 
locate the Moisture Image Series probe up to 915 meters 
(3,000 feet) away from the electronics unit with unshielded 
twisted pair cable. The M Series and TF Series probes require 
specially shielded cable. You can locate the M and TF probes 
up to 600 meters (2,000 feet) from the unit. If you are 
measuring pressure with a TF probe, the cable length should 
not exceed 152 meters (500 feet).