DESCRIPTION

 TheModel RF-IT is a highly sensitive device used to test above groundpipeline insulators. The automatic RF-IT allows the operator to pinpoint theprecise contact point. The RF-IT emits an audible beep, and when the operatorgets closer to the point of contact the unit starts beeping faster. A slidingscale LCD meter moves from left to right. 

NOTE:Newer Model RF-IT’s are using adigital meter that mimics an analog needle-type meter. Older RF-IT’s use adigital bar graph meter. Both meters sweep from left to right.

THEORYOF OPERATION

TheRF-IT works using Radio Frequency. The Radio Frequency signal is applied to oneside of a pipe by one of the two probes. The second probe then receives the highfrequency signal. If the received signal is almost as strong as applied, thepipe is shorted.

TheRF-IT has an internal band-pass filter which will filter out all the frequenciesabove and below 221kHz. This allows taking measurements on pipelines that areunder cathodic protection or have other induced or impressed currents orsignals.

Itis important to note that because the RF-IT uses Radio Frequency to measure theeffectiveness of an insulator, the measurement results can not be displayed inOhms.

 EQUIPMENT

 The Model RF-IT Insulator Tester consists of aportable battery powered electronic instrument with detachable probes for makingpositive electrical contact across the insulator.  The instrument is packaged in a plastic case complete withbatteries ready to operate.  Twoextra steel needlepoints are supplied with the Tester.

 The Model RF-IT Insulator Tester is factory calibratedand needs no field adjustments.   Calibrationsare made with the probe wire conductors supplied with the Model RF-IT Tester. Do not make changes or substitutesfor probes & wires.  If theinstrument is turned on without both cables correctly inserted, the instrumentwill emit a loud continuous beep alarm.

Push the “RED” button on the panel to turn the Tester“ON”.  Push again for the“OFF” position.

 Note: If tester is not turned offmanually, it will turn off automatically after 10 minutes.  If Tester seems to fail during testing, the first thing to check is the“ON-OFF” switch.   Thebuilt in timer is designed to save batteries in case the operator fails to turnthe Tester “OFF” after each usage. 

Whenthe battery output becomes too low to power the instrument, the black lines onthe LCD meter will flash on and off.  Replacewith (6) “AA” size alkaline batteries. Always put fresh batteries into the instrument. The Tester will operate properly until output battery voltage drops to 7volts DC.

 Note: Older RF-IT’s with the bargraph meter do not show battery condition. The display will grow faint and beginto fade away as the battery output falls below 7v.

Pre-operation check of the Model RF-IT Tester

1. Remove Black probe from lid of Tester and “INSERT” into eitherport locator on the front end of Tester.
2. Remove red probe from lid of tester and “INSERT” into the other port on thefront end of Tester.
3. Turn Tester “ON”
4. Observe LCD meter.   Meter should show black lines across the entire meterface. 

Note:Older RF-IT Models showsolid black square dots completely across the top and the bottom of the meterface.  Between the bars, at eachside, two black arrows should flash slowly.

Thetester is equipped with audible signal and tone frequency varies from slow tofast according to resistance across probes. The lower the electrical resistance of the insulator the faster thefrequency of the audible signal. The instrument will show 100% (black linesacross the entire meter face) when the insulator is effective. When the meterdoes not show 100%, the insulator is not effective.

5. Tester is now ready to operate.

OPERATIONTO CHECK SINGLE IN-LINE INSULATOR

1. Place solid “black” probe’s steel point on one side of insulator, making positive electrical contact to the metal pipe.

2. Place the flexible cable (or solid) “red” probe’s steel needle to the opposite side of the insulator, making positive electrical contact to the metal pipe.

3. If insulator is “shorted”, (low electrical resistance) the LCD meter will be down low (left side of meter) towards the “0”. (Older meter, only one or two black square dot on both top and bottom rows on the LCD meter)

4. If the LCD meter reads 100%, all the way to the right side of the meter, the insulator is performing extremely well. (Older meter, the black square dots completely across the top and bottom rows)

5. LCD meter readings between these two extremes gives the operator the degree of quality of the insulator.  The lower the LCD meter readings, the lower the electrical resistance of the insulator.  Low resistance reading may be cause to watch for impending failure.

OPERATIONFOR CHECKING INSULATED FLANGE BOLT(S)

1. On single insulated pipeline flange type insulators (where the bolts are insulated only halfway through the flange), make positive contact with the fixed probe of the Tester to the insulated flange and make positive contact with the flexible probe to each bolt on the same side of the flange.  Read meter for every bolt.  Meter readings will be same as when checking single in-line insulators described above.

2. On double insulated pipeline flange type insulators, make positive contact with fixed probe of the Tester to one side of a double flange and the flexible probe to each bolt, individually, on the opposite flange side.  Read meter for every bolt.  Meter readings will be the same as when checking single in-line insulators described above.
3. In the event an insulated flange indicates a definite electrical short, but all bolts indicate they are insulated properly, the electrical short exists across the flange insulator.

All instruments being returned for repair should be sent PREPAID to either address below: 

Ship Via Courrier (UPS, FedEx, DHL, etc)

Tinker & Rasor
ATTN: Repairs
791 S. Waterman Ave.
San Bernardino, CA 92408

Ship Via US Postal Mail

Tinker & Rasor
ATTN: Repairs
PO BOX 6890
San Bernardino, CA 92412-6890

Include with shipment information the nature of the problem, purchase order, serial number
and return delivery address, phone and fax numbers. Immediate service is guaranteed!

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