HygroFlex 8

The HygroFlex HF8 transmitter series are primarily designed for high accuracy humidity and temperature measurement over a wide range of conditions.



Applications that had previously necessitated more than one instrument can meet all of their functionality requirements, and more, with a single self contained unit: the HF8 offers a unique combination of analog output signals, relay outputs, digital network interfaces and even data logging.



The HF8 features two probe inputs. Each input can be configured for any of our HygroClip 2 digital humidity temperature probes, or for an analog probe measuring barometric pressure - or any other parameter. The HF8 can be configured to calculate psychrometric parameters such as the dew or frost point, enthalpy, mixing ratio, wet-bulb temperature, etc.

General specifications

• Two inputs: HygroClip 2 relative humidity and temperature digital probe or 1-channel analog probe
  
  (barometric pressure or other)


• Calculates dew point, frost point, wet-bulb temperature, mixing ratio, etc.


• 0 to 100 %RH and -100 to 200 °C (-148 to 392 °F) - depending on probe model


• Accuracy at 23 °C: ± 0.8 %RH and ± 0.1 °C

Output & display options

• 4 analog output signals + 4 relay contacts (no digital interface).


• 4 analog output signals + 4 relay contacts + RS-485


• 4 analog output signals + 2 relay contacts + RS-485 + Ethernet (wired)


• Ethernet with PoE (complies with standard IEEE 802.3af)


• Optional LC display and keypad

Mechanical configuration options

• Surface mount enclosure


• Up to 5 m / 16.4 ft probe extension cable (100 m / 330 ft with a signal booster)

Electrical configuration options

• 3-wire, 15 to 40 VDC or 12 to 28 VAC – 50/60 Hz


• 3-wire, 9 to 36 VDC or 7 to 24 VAC – 50/60 Hz, galvanic power supply isolation


• 85 to 265 VAC, 5 Watt, 50-60 Hz, galvanic power supply isolation

Data Logging Function

• Real time clock


• Up to 10,000 pairs of temperature & humidity samples


• Record both probes simultaneously


• Start / Stop or loop recording mode

Other features

• Configurable analog output signals (signal type, parameter and range)


• User definable Hi / Lo alarm for each measured or calculated parameter.


• Relay outputs can be associated with the alarm conditions of any parameter, configurable timing options


• Automatic RH sensor test with optional sensor drift correction ¹⁾


• Configurable fail safe mode - fixed output signals in the event of a humidity or temperature sensor failure


• Simulator function (fixed output signals) for on-site validation of the measurement loop


• Full access to configurable settings via service connector or optional digital interface

Probe Options

All HygroClip 2 probes can be separated from the transmitter by up to 5 m / 16.4 ft cable length (100 m / 330 ft with a signal booster)

HC2-S: measurement in ambient air

Humidity measuring range: 0…100 %RH Temperature limits -40…100 °C (-40…212 °F) Diameter: 15mm (0.6”), length: 85 mm (3.3”) Housing and filter cap: polycarbonate, black Standard dust filter: NSP-PCB-PE (Polyethylene) Weight: approx. 10 g (0.35 oz) HC2-C04: measurement in tight spaces   Humidity measuring range: 0…100 %RH Temperature limits -40…100 °C (-40…212 °F) Diameter: 4 mm (0.16”), cable length (electronics – probe tip: about 2 m (6.5 ft) Probe electronics housing: polycarbonate, black Weight: approx. 150 g (5.3 oz) HC2-C05: measurement in tight spaces   Same as HC2-C05 but with 5 mm diameter (0.2”) Can be equipped with a Teflon dust filter SP-T05 Weight: approx. 160 g (5.6 oz) HC2-IC1 / HC2-IC3: through wall installation in industrial processes   Humidity measuring range: 0…100 %RH Temperature limits at sensor: -100…200 °C (-148…392 °F) Barrel - PPS black :   IC1: diameter: 15 mm (0.6”), length: 100 mm (3.9”). See note below   IC3: diameter: 15 mm (0.6”), length: 250 mm (9.8”) Probe cable length:   IC102 / IC302:  2 m (6.5 ft)   IC105 / IC305: 5 m (16.4 ft) Filter base (NSP-ME) with filter cartridge (specify when ordering) Weight with 2 m cable:   IC1: approx. 230 g (8.1 oz), + 80 g (2.8 oz) per additional meter   IC3: approx. 260 g (9.2 oz), + 80 g (2.8 oz) per additional meter Note: HC2-IC1 (100 mm barrel length) – to avoid measurement errors due to temperature gradients fully immerse the probe barrel in the environment to be measured HC2-IC3-A / HC2-IC4-A / HC2-IC5-A / HC2-IC7-A: through wall installation in industrial processes   Humidity measuring range: 0…100 %RH Temperature limits at sensor: -100…200 °C (-148…392 °F) Barrel - PPS, black :   IC3-A: diameter: 15 / 25 mm (0.6 / 1.0”), length: 250 mm (9.8”)   IC4-A: diameter: 15 / 25 mm (0.6 / 1.0”), length: 400 mm (15.7”)   IC5-A: diameter: 15 / 25 mm (0.6 / 1.0”), length: 550 mm (21.6”)   IC7-A: diameter: 15 / 25 mm (0.6 / 1.0”), length: 700 mm (27.5”) Probe cable length:   IC302-A / IC402-A / IC502-A / IC702-A:  2 m (6.5 ft)   IC305-A / IC405-A / IC505-A / IC705-A:  5 m (16.4 ft) Filter base (NSP-ME) with filter cartridge (specify when ordering) Weight with 2 m cable:   IC3-A: approx. 290 g (10.2 oz), + 80 g (2.8 oz) per additional meter   IC4-A: approx. 320 g (11.3 oz), + 80 g (2.8 oz) per additional meter   IC5-A: approx. 350 g (12.3 oz), + 80 g (2.8 oz) per additional meter   IC7-A: approx. 380 g (13.4 oz), + 80 g (2.8 oz) per additional meter HC2-IM1 / HC2-IM3 / HC2-IM4 / HC2-IM5: through wall installation in industrial processes   Humidity measuring range: 0…100 %RH Temperature limits at sensor: -100…200 °C (-148…392 °F) Barrel - Stainless steel:   IM1: diameter: 15 mm (0.6”), length: 120 mm (4.7”). See note below   IM3: diameter: 15 mm (0.6"), length: 280 mm (11.0”)   IM4: diameter: 15 mm (0.6”), length: 430 mm (16.9”)   IM5: diameter: 15 mm (0.6”), length: 580 mm (22.8”) Probe cable length:   IM102 / IM302 / IM402 / IM502:  2 m (6.5 ft)   IM105 / IM305 / IM405 / IM505:  5 m (16.4 ft) Filter base (SP-MSB15)with filter cartridge (specify when ordering) Weight with 2 m cable:   IM1: approx. 260 g (9.2 oz), + 80 g (2.8 oz) per additional meter   IM3: approx. 400 g (14.1 oz), + 80 g (2.8 oz) per additional meter   IM4: approx. 540 g (19.0 oz), + 80 g (2.8 oz) per additional meter   IM5: approx. 680 g (24.0 oz), + 80 g (2.8 oz) per additional meter Note: HC2-IM1 (120 mm barrel length) – to avoid measurement errors due to temperature gradients fully immerse the probe barrel in the environment to be measured HC2-IE3: measurement in pressurized conduits and vessels   Humidity measuring range: 0…100 %RH Temperature limits at sensor: -100…200 °C (-148…392 °F) Barrel - Stainless steel NPT ½” thread for maximum 400 bar / 5800 PSI) Probe cable length:   IE302:  2 m (6.5 ft)   IE305:  5 m (16.4 ft) Filter base (SP-MSB15)with filter cartridge (specify when ordering) Weight with 2 m cable: approx. 290 g (10.2 oz), + 80 g (2.8 oz) per additional meter Note: To avoid measurement errors, temperature should be the same on both sides of the mounting wall

 Probe Adjustment

HygroClip 2 probe connected to the HF8 transmitter

► Method 1 - Using the HW4 software after connecting  the HF8 to a PC (service cable required): • Humidity adjustment against a reference (from one to 100 reference values) • Temperature adjustment against a reference (one or two reference values) • Latest adjustment values are saved to the probe memory with a reference to the HW4 product key and a   time stamp ► Method 2 - Using the HF8 optional keypad: • Humidity adjustment against a reference (from one to 100 reference values) • 1 or 2--point temperature adjustment against a reference • Latest adjustment values are saved to the probe memory (time stamp is provided by the HF8 real-time clock)

HW4 Software (WARNING: use version 2.4.0 or higher)
	HW4 offers a high level of flexibility in selecting the calibration reference, giving the user complete control over the calibration and adjustment process. When adjusting humidity against a ROTRONIC humidity standard, HW4 automatically corrects the value of the standard to reflect the temperature of calibration (see note). HW4 also offers the possibility of saving and printing a probe adjustment protocol.
Adjustment reference
	HygroGen: this humidity-temperature generator is primarily designed for the calibration and adjustment of humidity instrumentation. It is completely self-contained, requiring no external resources except mains power, and is light enough to be portable for use on-site. Suitable for all types of humidity-temperature probes Fast equilibrium to move from one condition to another Generates an extremely stable humidity and temperature environment Smart chamber design minimizes temperature and humidity gradients Range: 0 to 60°C and 5 to 95 %RH Chamber accepts up to five probes Available with different models of chamber door       ROTRONIC HygroGen
	Certified Humidity Standards: if you do not have access to a humidity generator, the ROTRONIC humidity standards offer a reliable and convenient way to generate a reference humidity condition during probe calibration. The ROTRONIC standards are shipped with an internationally accepted certificate, meeting in full the requirements of quality control systems such as ISO 9000. The standards are available in boxes of 5 glass ampoules of the same value, and can be stored indefinitely. Standards in the range of 5 to 95 %RH are non-saturated aqueous salt solutions. The 0 %RH humidity standard is made of small granules of a highly porous ceramic. A Material Safety Data Sheet is available for each standard. Note: the value of the standards does not depend on barometric pressure (altitude).
	Calibration Devices: a calibration device is a small airtight container that fits on the probe and seals around the humidity sensor. During calibration, a known reference humidity is produced inside the calibration device by means of a humidity standard.

  HW4 Software

Software Compatibility Warning Use HW4 v 2.4.0 or higher to configure the HF8 with Device Manager. Using a lower release of HW4 may damage the HF8 firmware and prevent the transmitter from functioning. The ROTRONIC HW4 software (v 2.4.0 or higher) is used to configure and / or network the HF8 transmitter and is available in the following versions:

HW4 Standard Edition: (recommended for users who just want to configure the HF5 and calibrate or adjust the probe) Allows connecting one instrument per available PC port: RS-232, USB or Ethernet Automatic device/instrument recognition and identification Device/instrument configuration and function programming Tabular display of the data read from all instruments connected to the HW4 PC Live chart of the data read from one instrument or instrument input at a time Automatic retention of the most recent data in a temporary buffer Tabular display of the temporary buffer data, one parameter at a time Data logging to the PC (in addition to any local data logging) Display of log files in easy-to-read graphs and data tables. Statistical analysis of the log file data: mean, standard deviation, minimum and maximum Built-in security to protect against manipulation of the log file data Data print-out (table or graph) Calibration and adjustment functions Psychrometric calculator HW4 Professional Edition: All the functionality of HW4 Standard Edition Allows connecting up to 64 instruments per available PC port (multi-dropped RS-485 network) Password protected log-in Multiple users with either administrator rights on configurable limited rights Extensive event tracking: user activity, instrument configuration and programming, data recording activity, file activity, software configuration, alarm conditions, etc. Fully featured, configurable alarm function with automatic display of alarm conditions, local report printout, remote notification, automatic function test, etc. Automatic creation of electronic protocols detailing instrument configuration changes, log function programming, calibrations and adjustments. Print out of the protocols. Meets the requirements of FDA 21CFR Part II / GAMP regarding audit trails, electronic records and electronic signatures User defined instrument grouping and live display in a single chart of the data from multiple instruments Overlaying of several log files in a single graph Indication of alarm conditions when displaying log file data Automatic downloading and archiving on the PC of the data recorded locally by the networked devices (redundant recording) Automatic synchronization of the networked recording devices with the PC time Device protection against unauthorized configuration / programming changes HW4 Professional with OPC Server: this version includes all features of HW4 Professional while also providing OPC tags that can be enabled for each individual device communicating with HW4. This allows exporting and integrating the HW4 data with with practically any OPC client (requires configuration / programming of the OPC client by the user). HW4 Validated: this version offers the same functionality as HW4 Professional with OPC server. Additionally, the “HW4 e-compliance Package” is available. This extensive collection of documents (including template of qualification documents) is designed to support the “regulated user” by qualifying/validating HW4-based solutions. Click on DOWNLOADS in this page header to check on the most current validated HW4 release. HW4 Professional Trial Version: this is a fully functional version of HW4 Professional, including the OPC server functionality. A compressed installation file (zip) can be downloaded free of charge from the ROTRONIC website (click on DOWNLOADS in this page header) Activation requires a product key which can be requested by filling a form on the ROTRONIC web site. A trial product key will be sent to your e-mail address. This must be entered in the registration form which appears when starting HW4 for the first time. After 30 days, the trial product key expires and HW4 can no longer be started.

PC Requirements: The following are the minimum values required to install and run HW4 on a computer. It is highly recommended to exceed these values. Processor: Pentium II, 450 MHz RAM: 128 MB Available hard disk space: 50 MB Monitor: SVGA, 1024 x 768, 256 colors Ports: one free serial (COM) port or one free USB port or Network Interface Card (Ethernet) Operating System: Windows XP, NT4 with SP 6a or higher, Vista / Windows 2000 with SP 2 or higher Windows Server 2003 Microsoft .NET framework v 2 or higher ROTRONIC USB driver (when using a USB port to connect devices)