York DPT-70 Portable Dew Point Meter

Overview

The York DPT-70 Portable Dew Point Meter is an engineered solution for in-situ, real-time dew point measurement across demanding industrial gas processes. It employs a high-stability capacitive polymer sensor—calibrated and temperature-compensated—to deliver trace moisture quantification via direct dew point temperature determination. Unlike chilled-mirror or aluminum oxide-based instruments, the DPT-70’s solid-state sensor architecture eliminates moving parts and optical alignment requirements, ensuring long-term stability under vibration, pressure cycling, and variable flow conditions. Its design targets applications where rapid deployment, field robustness, and compliance-ready data integrity are essential—including compressed air quality verification (ISO 8573-1), SF₆ insulation gas monitoring in high-voltage switchgear, CO₂ purity assessment in beverage and pharmaceutical supply chains, and moisture validation in power generation turbine inlet air systems.

Key Features

• Capacitive polymer sensing element with factory calibration traceable to NIST standards and documented uncertainty budgets
• Wide operational dew point range of –70 °C to +30 °C, enabling detection of ultra-low moisture levels critical for electronics manufacturing and cryogenic gas handling
• T90 response time under 120 seconds across the full range, supporting dynamic process monitoring during purge cycles or pressure ramping
• Integrated pressure transducer (0–20 bar absolute) for automatic pressure compensation—eliminating manual correction factors required by non-compensated meters
• Backlit graphical LCD displaying simultaneous dew point temperature, relative humidity (calculated), sample pressure, and battery status
• Onboard memory storing up to 10,000 timestamped readings with UTC synchronization; data export via micro-USB to CSV files compatible with Excel, LIMS, and statistical process control (SPC) platforms
• Ruggedized handheld enclosure rated IP65 for dust and water resistance, designed for operation in electrical substations, compressor rooms, and outdoor gas sampling points

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The DPT-70 is validated for use with non-corrosive, non-condensing gases including dry air, nitrogen, argon, SF₆, CO₂, and natural gas (with optional hydrocarbon filtration). It complies with ISO 8573-1:2010 Class 2–4 moisture specifications for compressed air and meets the functional requirements outlined in IEC 62271-1 for SF₆ moisture monitoring in high-voltage equipment. While not intrinsically safe certified, its low-power operation (<1.2 W) and absence of heating elements make it suitable for Zone 2 classified areas when used with appropriate gas sampling accessories. The instrument supports GLP/GMP-aligned workflows through audit-trail-capable data logging, user-defined calibration due dates, and password-protected configuration settings.

Software & Data Management

Data retrieval and reporting are managed via York’s free PC utility (Windows 10/11 compatible), which enables batch download, time-series visualization, pass/fail threshold annotation, and PDF report generation with embedded instrument ID, operator name, and environmental metadata. All stored records include ISO 8601 timestamps, sensor serial number, and firmware version—supporting FDA 21 CFR Part 11 compliance when deployed with organizational electronic signature policies. No cloud dependency or subscription model is required; raw CSV exports retain full precision (0.01 °C resolution) without rounding or interpolation.

Applications

• Verification of desiccant dryer performance and regeneration cycles in compressed air systems
• Moisture surveillance in SF₆-filled circuit breakers and GIS enclosures per IEEE C37.122.1 guidelines
• CO₂ dew point validation prior to liquid injection in food-grade carbonation lines
• Pre-commissioning moisture checks in LNG transfer hoses and cryogenic piping networks
• Field calibration reference for fixed-mount dew point analyzers using transfer-standard methodology
• QA/QC testing of gas cylinders prior to laboratory or medical use

FAQ

Does the DPT-70 require periodic recalibration?
Yes—York recommends annual recalibration against a certified chilled-mirror reference standard (e.g., Michell Opti-Dew or MBW 373) to maintain stated accuracy. Field zero checks using dry nitrogen can be performed between formal calibrations.
Can the probe be inserted directly into pressurized lines?
Yes—the sensor head is rated for continuous exposure up to 20 bar absolute pressure. A stainless-steel sampling probe with 1/4″ NPT thread and integrated particulate filter is supplied as standard.
Is the battery replaceable by the user?
No—the sealed Li-ion pack is service-replaceable only by authorized York technical centers to preserve IP65 integrity and calibration traceability.
What is the minimum gas flow rate required for stable measurement?
A minimum of 0.5 L/min is recommended for optimal response and thermal equilibrium; lower flows may extend T90 but do not affect final accuracy.
Does the device support Modbus or analog output?
No—the DPT-70 is a standalone portable meter with no real-time communication interfaces. For integration into SCADA or DCS systems, York offers the fixed-mount DPT-80 series with 4–20 mA and RS-485 Modbus RTU options.