The ABB FAM3200 is an armored variable area purgemeter designed for small gas and liquid flow measurement in industrial process systems.

Unlike conventional glass tube flowmeters, the FAM3200 uses a stainless steel measuring tube and float, providing a more robust solution for applications where glass is unsuitable because of safety requirements or process conditions. It is also suitable for selected applications involving cloudy, opaque or aggressive media.

The FAM3200 is designed for clean, low-viscosity liquids and gases and provides direct local flow indication without requiring an external power supply for basic mechanical operation. Depending on configuration, the instrument can also provide up to two flow alarm functions through optional slot sensors.

Key Features

• Armored metal-tube variable area flowmeter
• Designed for small gas and liquid flow measurement
• Stainless steel measuring tube and float
• Suitable where glass measuring tubes are not appropriate
• Water flow ranges from 1 to 3000 l/h
• Typical 10:1 turndown
• Operating pressure up to 100 bar
• Operating temperature up to 180 °C
• Accuracy Class 6
• Threaded process connections from 1/4 to 1 in.
• Vertical or horizontal connection arrangements
• Vertical, inline or wall mounting depending on configuration
• Up to two optional slot-sensor alarms
• Basic mechanical flow indication without external power
• Suitable for selected cloudy, opaque and aggressive media applications

Measuring Principle

The FAM3200 uses the variable area measurement principle.

The process medium flows vertically through the measuring tube and moves the float according to the flow rate. The float position corresponds to the measured flow and can be read locally through the armored measuring system.

This mechanical measurement principle makes the FAM3200 particularly useful for applications where a simple and reliable local flow indication is required.

Measuring Range

The FAM3200 is available for water flow ranges from 1 to 3000 l/h.

The typical turndown ratio is 10:1. The actual measuring range depends on the selected meter size, process medium and configuration.

For gases and other liquids, the applicable flow range should be confirmed according to the actual operating conditions rather than using the water range directly.

Process Conditions

The FAM3200 supports operating pressures up to 100 bar and operating temperatures up to 180 °C, depending on the selected configuration and process conditions.

The instrument is intended primarily for clean, low-viscosity liquids and gases. The actual pressure, temperature and material compatibility should be checked against the customer's process medium before selecting the exact configuration.

Process Connections

The FAM3200 is available with threaded connections from 1/4 to 1 inch.

Depending on the selected configuration, vertical or horizontal connection arrangements are available. Installation can also be configured for vertical, inline or wall-mounted applications.

The required connection size and orientation should be confirmed according to the existing process piping and installation space.

Alarm Functions

The FAM3200 can be equipped with up to two optional slot sensors for flow alarm functions.

These can be used when the customer needs additional monitoring of high or low flow conditions. Alarm requirements should be specified during product selection because the sensor configuration is optional.

Suitable Applications

Water Purification

Suitable for monitoring small water flows in water treatment and purification systems.

Gas Sampling

The compact metal-tube design is suitable for low-flow gas monitoring in sampling and analytical systems.

Nitrogen Generation

Can be used for monitoring small gas flows in nitrogen generation equipment.

Burner Control

Suitable for selected low-flow gas monitoring applications associated with burner systems.

Chemical Injection

Can be used for monitoring clean, low-viscosity chemical injection flows when the wetted materials are compatible with the process medium.

Pharmaceutical and Chemical Processes

The armored construction can be useful where a glass measuring tube is unsuitable because of process conditions, safety requirements or the nature of the medium.

Food and Beverage Applications

ABB lists food and beverage applications for the FAM3200. The exact process medium, connection type and hygiene requirements should be confirmed before selection.

Selection Notes

1. Confirm the process medium first.

The FAM3200 is primarily intended for clean, low-viscosity liquids and gases. For high-viscosity fluids, fluids containing significant solids or unusual process conditions, another flow measurement technology may be more appropriate.

2. Select the flow range according to actual operating conditions.

The water measuring range of 1 to 3000 l/h should not be directly applied to other media. Gas density, liquid density, viscosity and operating conditions can affect the appropriate measuring range.

3. Consider FAM3200 when a glass tube is unsuitable.

The stainless steel armored measuring tube makes the FAM3200 particularly useful where a conventional glass rotameter cannot meet the application's safety or process requirements.

4. Confirm pressure and temperature requirements.

The maximum operating pressure and temperature should be checked against the exact configuration. Do not assume the maximum values apply to every possible configuration.

5. Confirm alarm requirements.

If the customer requires high-flow or low-flow alarm monitoring, optional slot sensors should be included in the configuration.

6. Confirm process connection and mounting orientation.

The connection size, thread type and orientation should be confirmed before quotation to ensure compatibility with the customer's existing piping.

7. Confirm material compatibility.

For chemical, pharmaceutical or aggressive-media applications, the wetted material should be checked against the actual process medium before selecting the instrument.

FAQ

What is the ABB FAM3200?

The FAM3200 is an armored variable area purgemeter designed for small gas and liquid flow measurement.

Is the FAM3200 a glass tube flowmeter?

No. The FAM3200 uses a stainless steel measuring tube and float. This makes it suitable for applications where a glass measuring tube is not appropriate.

What is the measuring range of the FAM3200?

ABB specifies water flow ranges from 1 to 3000 l/h. The actual range depends on the selected configuration and process medium.

What is the typical turndown ratio?

The typical turndown ratio is 10:1.

What is the maximum operating pressure?

The FAM3200 supports operating pressure up to 100 bar, depending on configuration.

What is the maximum operating temperature?

The maximum operating temperature is 180 °C, depending on configuration.

Does the FAM3200 require external power?

Basic mechanical flow indication does not require an external power supply. Optional alarm functions require the corresponding sensor configuration.

Can the FAM3200 measure gases?

Yes. The FAM3200 is designed for small-flow measurement of both gases and liquids. The exact measuring range must be selected according to the gas properties and operating conditions.

Can the FAM3200 be used with aggressive media?

It can be used for selected aggressive-media applications, provided that the wetted materials are compatible with the process medium. Material compatibility should be confirmed before ordering.

How many alarm functions are available?

Up to two optional slot-sensor alarms can be configured.