TimePower TP180 Online Turbidimeter
| Brand | TimePower |
|---|---|
| Model | TP-180 |
| Type | Online Turbidimeter |
| Measurement Range | 20–200 NTU |
| Resolution | 0.1 NTU |
| Accuracy | ±2 % |
| Operating Temperature | 0–25 °C |
| Display | 128×64 Dot-Matrix LCD (Chinese UI) |
| Output Signal | Configurable Standard Analog Output (e.g., 4–20 mA) |
| Relay Outputs | 2 Programmable Alarm Relays |
| Enclosure Rating | IP65 |
| Origin | Beijing, China |
| Manufacturer | TimePower Co., Ltd. |
Overview
The TimePower TP-180 Online Turbidimeter is an industrial-grade optical instrument engineered for continuous, real-time turbidity monitoring in water quality management applications. It operates on the principle of nephelometric measurement—quantifying the intensity of light scattered at 90° by suspended particles—while incorporating a proprietary scatter-to-transmission ratio algorithm to enhance linearity and minimize interference from color or absorbance effects. Unlike conventional single-beam nephelometers, the TP-180’s dual-optical-path design compensates for lamp aging and window fouling, delivering high reproducibility across its full 20–200 NTU range without requiring multi-point calibration. Designed for permanent installation in municipal, industrial, and environmental monitoring infrastructure, it meets the functional requirements of ISO 7027:2016 (optical properties of turbidimeters) and aligns with ASTM D6508 and USP for turbidity quantification in regulated water systems.
Key Features
- Optimized optical architecture combining 90° scattered-light detection with reference transmission measurement to improve signal stability and reduce drift.
- Single-point calibration protocol enabled by intrinsic linearity—eliminates need for frequent recalibration and reduces operational overhead.
- Rugged IP65-rated housing with corrosion-resistant wetted materials (316L stainless steel sensor body, tempered glass optical window), suitable for outdoor or semi-outdoor deployment.
- Low-power embedded microcontroller platform with high-resolution 16-bit A/D conversion and galvanically isolated signal conditioning circuits for noise immunity in electrically noisy plant environments.
- Configurable analog output (4–20 mA, 0–5 V, or 0–10 V) compliant with standard SCADA and DCS integration protocols; two independent relay outputs support programmable high/low alarms with hysteresis.
- On-device 128×64 monochrome LCD display with intuitive Chinese-language interface—designed for rapid status verification and local parameter adjustment without external software.
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The TP-180 is validated for use with clear to moderately turbid aqueous samples including potable water, surface water (lakes, rivers), swimming pool recirculation streams, cooling tower makeup, boiler feedwater, and secondary effluent. It is not intended for highly colored, viscous, or particulate-laden slurries (>500 µm particle load). The instrument complies with general electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) requirements per IEC 61326-1 for industrial environments and satisfies mechanical robustness criteria outlined in IEC 60529 for IP65 ingress protection. While not certified to FDA 21 CFR Part 11, its data logging and alarm traceability features support GLP/GMP-aligned operational procedures when integrated into validated monitoring systems.
Software & Data Management
The TP-180 operates as a standalone field instrument with no mandatory PC-based software dependency. All configuration—including zero/span calibration, alarm thresholds, output scaling, and relay logic—is performed locally via membrane keypad navigation. For centralized supervision, analog output signals integrate seamlessly with PLCs, RTUs, or cloud-connected IoT gateways supporting Modbus RTU over RS-485 (optional module). Audit trails are maintained internally for calibration events and relay state changes, with timestamped records accessible via serial query (RS-232) using ASCII command protocol. Data retention supports up to 30 days of 1-minute interval logging when equipped with optional SD card module.
Applications
- Municipal drinking water treatment: Real-time verification of filtration efficiency and coagulation performance at final distribution points.
- Swimming pool and spa management: Continuous compliance monitoring against WHO and national hygiene standards (e.g., ≤0.5 NTU for recreational waters).
- Power generation facilities: Feedwater and condensate turbidity surveillance to prevent turbine erosion and heat exchanger fouling.
- Wastewater treatment plants: Effluent quality control prior to discharge, ensuring adherence to EPA NPDES permit limits.
- Environmental monitoring networks: Long-term trend analysis of suspended solids dynamics in watershed assessment programs.
FAQ
Is the TP-180 suitable for laboratory benchtop use?
No—it is engineered exclusively for fixed online installation with process-compatible flow cells or immersion probes; it lacks portability features or sample cell holders for discrete lab analysis.
Can the instrument be calibrated with Formazin or AMCO-AE standards?
Yes—calibration is traceable to primary Formazin standards (NTU scale) or secondary AMCO-AE suspensions (FNU scale); the unit defaults to NTU but supports user-defined equivalence factors.
Does the TP-180 support automatic cleaning or air-purge functionality?
No—self-cleaning is not integrated; periodic manual wiping or optional ultrasonic transducer retrofitting is recommended for installations prone to biofilm or mineral scaling.
What is the maximum allowable pressure for inline flow-cell mounting?
The standard sensor head is rated for static pressures up to 6 bar (87 psi); higher-pressure variants require custom engineering consultation.
Is firmware upgrade capability available?
Yes—field-upgradable via UART interface using TimePower-provided binary files and version-controlled release notes aligned with IEC 62443-2-4 secure update practices.
