Direct Thermal Mass Flow Measurement
The SensyMaster FMT400 measures the mass flow of gases directly using thermal measurement technology. Unlike conventional volumetric flow measurement that may require separate pressure and temperature compensation, thermal mass measurement provides direct mass-flow information for the selected gas and application.
ABB positions the FMT400 for precise and dynamic gas-flow measurement across industrial applications, with a wide measuring range and short response characteristics.
FMT430 and FMT450 for Different Industrial Requirements
The FMT400 family consists of two main models.
The FMT430 is designed as a high-quality and cost-effective solution for precise and dynamic direct mass flow measurement of gases under low and medium pressure conditions, covering standard industrial applications.
The FMT450 adds higher accuracy and extended functionality for advanced industrial applications, including high-accuracy calibration, process gas calibration, extended measuring ranges and high-temperature measurement options.
High-Grade Thermal Sensor Elements
The FMT400 uses high-grade thermal sensor elements designed for long-term stability. The sensor protection frame also provides flow-conditioning properties around the measuring elements, supporting stable measurement conditions in the gas stream.
SmartSensor Digital Concept
The SensyMaster FMT400 uses ABB's SmartSensor concept, with meter intelligence located at the sensor and a digital measurement architecture. This can reduce wiring requirements and allows long cable distances using standard connection cables.
The series also uses SensorApplicationMemory, which provides redundant data storage and supports plug-and-play electronics replacement.
Flexible Integral or Remote Mount Installation
The FMT400 is available in both integral and remote mount transmitter designs. Depending on the selected configuration, the transmitter can be supplied with or without a local display.
This allows the flowmeter to be adapted to different installation layouts where the measuring point and transmitter location may need to be separated.
ApplicationSelector for Application Configuration
The built-in ApplicationSelector allows characteristic application parameters to be adapted on site.
The FMT430 supports a choice between up to two applications, while the FMT450 supports up to eight applications. The FMT450 can also create new applications without recalibration within the supported configuration, with selectable gas type and pipe inner diameter.
VeriMass Verification and Diagnostics
The FMT400 incorporates VeriMass for onboard verification and diagnostics. Its fingerprint-based SensorCheck function can verify the integrity of the thermal sensor elements, while continuous meter health checks and parameter plausibility checks provide additional diagnostic information.
Flexible Pipe Component Selection
The FMT400 can be adapted to different pipe installations using several pipe-component designs. ABB specifies partial measuring sections from DN25 to DN100, wafer-type pipe components from DN40 to DN200, and weld-on adapters from DN100 to DN3000.
Key Features
- Product type: Thermal mass flowmeter
- Manufacturer: ABB
- Designed for direct mass flow measurement of gases
- FMT400 series includes FMT430 and FMT450
- High-grade thermal sensor elements
- SmartSensor digital measurement concept
- Integral or remote mount transmitter design
- Local display available depending on configuration
- HART communication available
- Modular I/O concept
- Dynamic temperature compensation
- SensorApplicationMemory for electronics replacement and data storage
- ApplicationSelector for application-specific configuration
- VeriMass onboard verification and diagnostics
- Process temperature -25 to +150°C
- Ambient temperature -20 to +70°C
- Optional extended ambient temperature ranges
- Power supply 100–240 V AC or 24 V DC
- Pipe component options from DN25 to DN3000, depending on installation design
- FMT450 supports additional high-accuracy calibration and process gas calibration
- FMT450 high-temperature option up to 300°C
- FMT450 ApplicationSelector supports up to 8 applications
Typical Applications
Industrial Gas Flow Measurement
The FMT400 is designed for industrial applications requiring direct and dynamic measurement of gas mass flow. It can be integrated into process systems where accurate gas-flow information is required for monitoring, control or process management.
Compressed Air Systems
The flowmeter can be used for monitoring compressed-air consumption and distribution in industrial facilities, helping provide flow information for equipment and process systems.
Natural Gas and Process Gas Measurement
The FMT400 supports gases including natural gas, methane, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide and biogas, with additional gas types available depending on the application.
Chemical Industry
ABB lists the SensyMaster FMT400 for chemical-industry applications where reliable measurement of process gases is required. The direct thermal mass principle can be applied to suitable gas compositions and operating conditions.
Oil and Gas Applications
The FMT400 can be used for gas-flow measurement in oil and gas processes. The FMT450 provides additional functions for advanced applications, including process gas calibration where required.
Power and Utilities
Gas flow measurement can be used in power and utility systems for monitoring process gases, combustion-related gases and other suitable gas streams.
Industrial Gas Systems
The FMT400 is suitable for industrial gas applications involving gases such as nitrogen, oxygen, hydrogen, helium and argon, subject to the selected configuration and application conditions.
Test and Process Equipment
The combination of dynamic measurement, flexible mounting and application-specific configuration makes the FMT400 suitable for process equipment and industrial test applications where direct gas mass-flow measurement is required.
FAQ
What is the ABB SensyMaster FMT400?
The ABB SensyMaster FMT400 is a thermal mass flowmeter series designed for direct mass flow measurement of gases. It includes the FMT430 and FMT450 models for standard and advanced industrial applications.
What is the difference between FMT430 and FMT450?
The FMT430 is designed for standard industrial applications and provides precise and dynamic direct gas mass-flow measurement.
The FMT450 adds higher accuracy and extended functionality, including high-accuracy calibration, process gas calibration, extended measuring ranges, high-temperature measurement up to 300°C and an ApplicationSelector supporting up to eight applications.
What gases can the FMT400 measure?
ABB lists air, nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, methane, hydrogen, natural gas, biogas, helium, argon, propane, ethane, ethene, butane and ammonia. Additional gas types can be available on request.
What is the measuring accuracy of the FMT430?
For air under reference conditions, ABB specifies ±1.2% of rate within 10–100% of the measuring range and ±0.12% of full scale within 1–10% of the measuring range. Actual performance depends on the gas, operating conditions and selected configuration.
What is the measuring accuracy of the FMT450?
For air under reference conditions, ABB specifies ±0.6% of rate ±0.05% of full scale. For gases with optional process gas calibration, ABB specifies ±1.6% of rate ±0.1% of full scale under reference conditions.
What is the process temperature range?
The standard FMT400 process temperature range is -25 to +150°C. The FMT450 has an additional high-temperature option for measuring medium temperatures up to 300°C. The actual permissible temperature depends on the selected configuration.
Can the FMT400 be installed remotely?
Yes. ABB offers both integral and remote mount transmitter designs. The transmitter can also be configured with or without a local display depending on the selected version.
Does the FMT400 use HART communication?
Yes. ABB specifies HART communication for the SensyMaster FMT400, together with a modular I/O concept and SmartSensor technology.
What is ApplicationSelector?
ApplicationSelector is an integrated software function that allows characteristic application parameters to be adapted on site.
The FMT430 supports up to two applications, while the FMT450 supports up to eight applications. The FMT450 also supports selectable gas type and pipe inner diameter within its advanced application functionality.
What is VeriMass?
VeriMass is ABB's onboard verification and diagnostic function. It uses fingerprint-based SensorCheck technology to verify the integrity of the thermal sensor elements and also performs continuous meter health and parameter plausibility checks.
What pipe sizes are available?
ABB specifies partial measuring sections from DN25 to DN100, wafer-type pipe components from DN40 to DN200, and weld-on adapters from DN100 to DN3000. The suitable design depends on the installation and selected configuration.
Is the FMT400 suitable for safety-related applications?
ABB announced in June 2026 that the SensyMaster FMT400 has received SIL 2 certification according to IEC 61508-2, supporting its use in safety-critical process applications when the applicable certified configuration and safety requirements are met.
