The Fastest Flow Controller Company in the World!

OPERATING MANUAL
M · MW · MS · MQ · MB

 Thank you for purchasing an Alicat flow meter.
If you have any questions about operating it, or if
something is not working as expected, please let us know.
We are eager to help you in any way possible.

Alicat Scientific, Inc.

info@alicat.com • alicat.com
7641 N Business Park Drive, Tucson, AZ 85743 USA
1-888-290-6060

Serial Number:

Next Calibration (Month/Day) :

Recalibrate your flow meter every year.

Alicat recommends that you have your flow meter calibrated every year
in order to ensure the continued certainty of your readings and extend
the Limited Lifetime Warranty. When it’s time for your flow meter’s annual
recalibration, contact us by phone, email or live chat to set it up, or fill out
the Service Request Form at alicat.com/service.

This Alicat device comes with a NIST traceable

calibration certificate.
This Alicat flow meter conforms to the European
Union’s Restriction of Use of Hazardous Substances
in Electrical and Electronic Equipment (RoHS)
Directive 2011/65/EU.
This Alicat flow meter complies with the
requirements of the Low Voltage Directive
2014/35/EU and the EMC Directive 2014/30/EU and
carries the CE Marking accordingly.
This Alicat flow meter complies with the
requirements of the European Union’s Waste
Electrical & Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive
2002/96/EC.

2 Introduction
Welcome to the
Alicat way.
You're busy, and the last thing you want to do is waste time wrestling with
your flow meter. We're here to make your life a little easier so you can do
what you do best. It's our pleasure to introduce you to your new Alicat:
• High-accuracy performance for all your gases. Use
your flow meter with any of the 98 or more gases
that are part of Gas Select™, page 23.
• 1000 readings per second ensures high resolution data, page 29.
• Monitor pressure and temperature during flow measurement. View
internal stream absolute pressure and temperature, page 17.
• Backlit display with adjustable contrast is easy to
read in direct sunlight. In dimly lit areas, press the
Alicat logo to turn on the backlight, page 7.
• Change your STP to match any standard temperature
and pressure reference, page 27.
• Log data to your PC. Talk to the flow meter serially to capture
all flow data for logging and analysis, page 31.
This manual covers the following Alicat Scientific instruments:
• M-Series Mass Flow Meters
• MQ-Series High-Pressure Mass Flow Meters
• MS-Series Mass Flow Meters for use with Aggressive Gases
• MW (WHISPER) Low Pressure Drop Mass Flow Meters
• MB-Series Portable Mass Flow Meters
• MBS-Series Portable Mass Flow Meters for Aggressive Gases
• MQB-Series Portable High-Pressure Mass Flow Meters
• MWB (WHISPER) Portable Low Pressure Drop Mass Flow Meters
This includes M-Series devices labeled as approved for CSA Class 1 Div
2 and ATEX Class 1 Zone 2 hazardous environments. See page 50 for
Special Conditions regarding the use of CSA/ATEX labeled devices.
Please contact Alicat at 1-888-290-6060 or info@alicat.com if you have
any questions regarding the use or operation of this device.

2020.06.04 • REV. 1 3
Contents
Quick Start Guide 6
Getting Started 7
Getting to Know Your Mass Flow Meter 7
Connectors and Buttons 7
The Flow Meter Display 8
Status Messages 8
Option: Charging Your Portable Flow Meter 9
Mounting 10
Filters 10
Connecting Your Gas Flow Meter 11
Power and Signal Connections 12
RS-232 / RS‑485 Digital Input / Output Signal 13
Analog Signals 14
Option: Color TFT Display 15
Navigation and Customization 16
Flow Meter Menu Map 16
Collecting Live Flow Data 17
Choosing Engineering Units 18
Option: Collecting Totalized Flow Data 19
Menu 20
Taring Your Flow Meter 20
About 21
Diagnostic Information 21
Basic Configuration Menu 22
Choosing Engineering Units from the Basic Configuration Menu 22
Gas Select™ 23
Gas List 24
Using COMPOSER™ to Personalize Mixed Gas Compositions 25
Adding a new mixed gas composition to COMPOSER™ 26
Defining STP/NTP Reference Values 27
Advanced Setup 28
Display Setup 28
Sensor Setup 29
Configuring Serial Communications 30

4 Table of Contents
Serial Communication 31
Establishing Communication 31
Streaming vs Polling 32
Polling Mode 32
Streaming Mode 32
Taring 33
Collecting Flow Data 33
Quick Command Guide 34
Using Gas Select™ and COMPOSER™ 35
Troubleshooting 36
Maintenance 40
Gas List 41
Engineering Units 43
Flow Units 43
Pressure Units 44
Optional Pinouts 45
Locking Industrial Connector Pinouts 45
9-pin D-Sub Common Pinouts 46
M12 Connector Pinouts 47
15-pin D-Sub Common Pinouts 48

2020.06.04 • REV. 1 5
 Quick Start Guide
Setup
• Connect your flow meter. Ensure that flow through your device will be
in the same direction as the arrow on the flow body (usually left to right).
• Tare your flow meter. Before you connect the flow meter, ensure
that no air is flowing through the device and select TARE FLOW from
the Main Display. Note: Whisper flow meters are sensitive enough to
measure the lightest of breezes, so ensure that one end is plugged
before selecting tare.
• Choose your engineering units. Press the button above or below
any parameter to enlarge it in the middle of the display. If you select
that same item a second time, you can change the engineering unit for
that parameter. You can choose units for all of the parameters at once
by selecting MENU → BASIC CONFIG → DEVICE UNITS.

Operation: Flow Verification

• Monitor live flow readings. You can monitor live readings of flow,
pressure and temperature by viewing the screen. Readings are updated
in real time. See page 17.
• Tare your flow meter before you begin another round of measurements.
Ensure that no flow is passing through your meter, and select TARE
FLOW. See page 20.
• (Optional) Capture a totalized reading. The totalizer option displays
the total flow that has passed through the device since the last time
the totalizer was reset. Press TOTAL/MENU to access the totalizer.

Backlight
Your Alicat monochrome display comes equipped with a backlight. To
activate, press the center of the Alicat logo on the front of your
device. To turn the backlight off press the button again. For color displays,
pressing this button will turn off the display to conserve power.

Maintenance and Care

• If your gas is clean, your flow meter will require no periodic cleaning.
Read more on page 40.
• Calibrate your flow meter annually. Request an Alicat factory calibration
at alicat.com/service or by calling Alicat at 1-888-290-6060.

6 Quick Start
Getting Started
Getting to Know Your Mass Flow Meter
Connectors and Buttons
The drawings below represent typical configurations of a standard Alicat
mass flow meter (M series) and a standard battery-powered mass flow
meter (MB series). Your flow meter's appearance and connections
may differ.

Meters Battery-Powered Meters

(M-Series) (MB-Series)

Micro-USB
(data & power)

Power switch
Power input Data I/O

Enclosed
battery

Softkey buttons
PSIA ¤C TARE PSIA ¤C TARE
+13.49 +22.73 FLOW +13.49 +22.73 FLOW

SCCM SCCM
A ir
Display A ir

Mass Flow Mass Flow

+0.0 +0.0 +0.0 +0.0
CCM SCCM MENU CCM SCCM MENU

Light button

Flow body

Process ports

Mounting holes

2020.06.04 • REV. 1 7
 The Flow Meter Display
The figure below identifies the various features of the flow meter display.
Press the large button with the Alicat logo to toggle the backlight on and
off. For more details, see the Menu Map on page 16 and the menu-
by-menu descriptions that follow it.
Engineering units are used by the meter in its serial communications and
calculations. These can be different from button units, which are the units
being displayed. These are individually configurable. See page 18.

 Highlights pressure in the center

of the meter. Push a second
time to choose the pressure
parameter (if available), or to select PSIA
+13.49
¤C
+22.73
TARE
FLOW
pressure engineering units.

 Highlights temperature.
Push a second time to select
SLPM
A ir


temperature engineering units. Mass Flow

 rate (see page

+0.0 +0.0 TOTAL/
TARE FLOW
tare the flow LPM SLPM MENU
20).

 Highlights volumetric (actual)

flow rate. Push a second
time to select volumetric flow rate engineering units.

 Highlights mass flow rate. Push a second time to select mass

flow (normal mass flow) or true mass flow engineering units.

 (page 19). Accesses

TOTAL/MENU
MENU
the optional flow totalizer (optional)
enters the Menu system (page 16)

Status Messages
ADC Analog-digital MOV Mass flow over
converter error range of device
LCK Front display is locked TMF Totalizer missed out
OVR Totalizer rolled over to zero of range flow
POV Pressure over TOV Temperature over
range of device range of device
VOV Volumetric flow over
range of device

8 Getting Started
Option: Charging Your Portable Flow Meter
If you purchased a portable meter, we've fully charged it at the factory, so
you can use it right away. Typical battery life of a fully-charged battery is 18
hours with a monochrome display or 8 hours with a TFT color display, when
the backlight is set to 10. Dimming the backlight will increase battery life.
The battery indicator on the right side of the Main Display reflects the relative
battery level. When the battery indicator is completely empty, approximately
15 minutes of battery life remains. Please charge the flow meter as soon as
possible to maintain full device performance.
Charge the flow meter using the supplied USB cable (micro-B to type A) or
a similar cable. You may charge the flow meter using any USB outlet on a
computer or portable power supply, but charging will be fastest (approx-
imately 3.5 hours) when connected to the supplied 2.0A power supply.
The red indicator LED on top of the device lights up red to indicate that the
unit is charging. The red LED turns off when the battery is charged.
Your flow meter may be used while it is charging. A small lightning bolt
symbol ( ) will appear to the right of the battery symbol while the device
is charging. If the battery has been fully depleted, you may need to charge
the flow meter for a full minute before the device can be turned on.

95 – 100%
PSIA #C TARE V
+13.60 +24.38 70 – 95%
50 – 70%

+16.67 LPM
Air
25 – 50%


Vol Flow 5 – 25%

+16.67 +15.44
LPM SLPM MENU 0 – 5%
Charging Indicator


!
Warning: The safe charging temperature range is
0-45 °C (32-113 °F). If internal sensors detect temperatures
outside of this range, the battery will not charge.

2020.06.04 • REV. 1 9
 Mounting
No straight runs of pipe are required upstream or downstream of the
meter. For most Alicat flow meters, you can mount or hold the meter in
any position, because it is internally compensated for any changes to its
orientation during use. (MS/MBS series flow meters use media-isolated
sensors that must be tared after changing orientation.) Your flow meter is
also minimally affected by vibrations, so you can rest it on top of a vibrating
instrument with little impact to measurement accuracy.

Device Ports
Your flow meter has been shipped with plastic plugs fitted into its ports.
To lessen the chance of contaminating the flow stream, do not remove
these plugs until you are ready to install the device.
Standard Alicat Gas Flow Meters have female inlet and outlet ports.
Welded VCR and other specialty fittings may have male connections.
• If you are using a fitting that does not have a face seal, use
thread-sealing Teflon tape to prevent leakage around the
port threads, but do not wrap the first two threads. This
will minimize the possibility of getting tape into the flow
stream and clogging the laminar flow elements (LFE).
• If you are using a fitting that has a face seal, there is
no need to apply Teflon tape to the threads.

!
Warning: Do not use pipe dopes or sealants on the process
connections, as these compounds can cause permanent
damage to the meter should they get into the flow stream.

Filters
When pressure drop is not an issue, use in-line sintered filters to prevent
large particulates from entering the flow meter. Suggested maximum
particulate sizes are as follows:
• 5 microns for units with flow ranges of 1 sccm or less.
• 20 microns for units with flow ranges between 2 sccm and 1 slpm.
• 50 microns for units with flow ranges of 1 slpm or more.

10 Getting Started
Connecting Your Gas Flow Meter
Your Alicat flow meter can measure flow generated by positive pressure
and/or suction. Connect the meter so that the flow travels in the same
direction as the flow arrow, usually from left to right as you look at the
front of the device.

Inlet Outlet
Connection Connection

Flow Direction Indicator

Max Common Max Differential

Model Mode Pressure Pressure
M, MS, MB, MBS 175 psia 75 psid
MW, MWB 80 psia 10 psid
MQ, MQB 400 psia 75 psid

2020.06.04 • REV. 1 11
 Power and Signal Connections
Power can be supplied to your meter through either the power jack or the
multi‑pin connector on top of your device.

1 2 2 1

3 5
5 3
4 4
6 8 8 6
7 7

Female Connector: Device Male Connector: Cable

✓
Meter power jacks require a 9–24 Vdc power supply with a 2.1
mm female positive center plug capable of supplying at least
50 mA. 4–20 mA analog signal outputs require at least 12 Vdc
and 100 mA, and 0–10 Vdc outputs require at least 12 Vdc.

Standard 8-Pin Mini-DIN Pinout

Pin Function Cable color
1 Not Connected
Black
(or optional 4–20 mA Primary Output Signal)
2 Static 5.12 Vdc (or optional Secondary Analog Output
Brown
[4–20 mA, 0–5 Vdc, 1–5V dc, 0–10 Vdc] or Basic Alarm)
3 Serial RS-232RX / RS-485(–) Input Signal (receive) Red
4 Remote Tare (Ground to Tare) Orange
5 Serial RS-232TX / RS-485(+) Output Signal (send) Yellow
6 0–5 Vdc (or optional 1–5 Vdc or 0–10 Vdc) Output Signal Green
7 Power In (as described above) Blue
8 Ground (common for power, digital communications,
Purple
analog signals and alarms)
Note: The above pinout is applicable to all flow meters with the Mini-DIN
connector. The availability of different output signals depends on the options
ordered. Optional configurations are noted on the unit’s calibration sheet.

Caution: Do not connect power to pins 1 through 6, as permanent

damage can occur. It is common to mistake Pin 2 (labeled 5.12 Vdc
Output) as the standard 0–5 Vdc analog output signal. Pin 2 is
normally a constant 5.12 Vdc that reflects the system bus voltage.

For 6-pin locking industrial connector, M12, DB9 and DB15 pinouts,
see page 45 to page 48 or visit alicat.com/pinout.

12 Getting Started
RS-232 / RS‑485 Digital Input / Output Signal
To use the RS-232 or RS-485 digital signal, connect the RS-232 / RS‑485
Output Signal (Pin 5), the RS-232 / RS‑485 Input Signal (Pin 3) and Ground
(Pin 8) to your serial port as shown below. (See "Serial Communications"
on page 31 for details)

DB9 to 8-Pin Mini-DIN Connection for RS-232 / RS-485 Signals

9 Pin Serial Connection 8 Pin Mini-DIN Connection
Pin Function Pin Function
5 Ground 8 Ground
3 Transmit 3 Receive
2 Receive 5 Transmit

DB9 connections
5 1 1 5

9 6 6 9
Female Connector: Device Male Connector: Cable
Common 9-pin D-Sub Pinouts (additional pinouts on page 46)
DB9 (Female) DB9A /
Pin DB9M (Male) DB9K DB9B DB9G DB9R DB9T DB9U
1 Current Out NC Analog Out 2 RX (−) TX (+) TX (+) RX (−)
2 Analog Out 2 Analog Out Analog Out Analog Out Analog Out Analog Out Analog Out
3 RX (−) Power In Power In Ground Analog In Power In Power In
4 Analog In Ground Ground Power In Ground Ground Ground
5 TX (+) TX (+) Ground Ground NC NC NC
6 Analog Out Analog In Analog In TX (+) RX (−) Analog In Analog In
7 Power In Ground Ground Analog In Power In Ground Ground
8 Ground Ground TX (+) Current Out Ground Ground Ground
9 Ground RX (−) RX (−) Ground Ground RX (−) TX (+)

Key of Terms: Analog Out TX (+) NC Not Connected

Current Out 0–5 Vdc Output Signal Serial RS-232TX Power In (+Vdc)
Not Connected or (or 0–10 Vdc optional) or RS-485(+)
Ground
optional 4-20 mA Analog Out 2 RX (−) Common for power,
analog output signal 5.12Vdc or Optional Serial RS-232RX digital and analog
Analog In Secondary Analog Output or RS-485(−) signals, and alarms
Remote tare function

2020.06.04 • REV. 1 13
 Analog Signals
Primary Analog Output Signal
Most instruments include a primary analog output signal, which is linear
over its entire range. For all analog output configurations, the lowest output
indicates zero flow, and highest indicates full-scale flow. Depending on
the quality of the grounding, a zero flow condition is in the range of 0.010
Vdc. For example, a 5 Vdc output from a 0–5 Vdc 100 SCCM unit would
indicate a flow of 100 SCCM.
The default 8-pin mini-DIN connector places the primary analog output on
Pin 6 for voltage signals, and Pin 1 for 4–20 mA current signals. Ground
for these signals is common on Pin 8.

Using Ground to Tare

The device can be remotely tared by momentarily grounding Pin 4. When
the switch is closed, the device will send a tare command (identical to the
serial tare command or via the front screen), and resume operation upon
release. This should only be done at a true zero flow condition.

Pin 8

Pin 8

Pin 4

Pin 4
Ground Connect to tare

Option: Second Analog Output Signal

Alicat’s default 8-pin mini-DIN connector places the secondary analog
output on Pin 2 for both voltage and current signals. Your device’s
secondary analog signal may differ from its primary output signal.

✓
See the calibration sheet that shipped with your meter
to determine which output signals were ordered.

Option: 4–20 mA Current Output Signal

If your meter has a 4–20 mA current primary or secondary output signal,
your flow meter will require 12–24 Vdc power.
Caution: Do not connect 4–20 mA devices to “loop powered”
systems, as this will destroy portions of the circuitry and void the
warranty. If you must interface with existing loop powered systems,
always use a signal isolator and a separate power supply.

14 Getting Started
Option: Color TFT Display
Instruments ordered with a color display function the same as standard
backlit monochrome instruments, but color is used to provide additional
on-screen information.

Multi-Color Display Indicators

• GREEN: Parameter labels and adjustments associated with the
button directly above or below the label are presented in green.
• WHITE: The color of each parameter is displayed in
white while operating under normal conditions.
• RED: The color of a parameter is displayed in red when
its value exceeds 128% of the device’s specifications.
• YELLOW: Menu items that are ready to be selected
appear in yellow. This color replaces the symbol
(>) in selections on monochrome display.

✓
Press the Alicat logo button to turn off the color
display backlight. The flow meter remains in
operation while the backlight is off.

LCD Contrast
LCD contrast is ranged from 0 to 11 on color displays, with 11 indicating
the greatest contrast. For additional options such as the device's default
light setting and screen rotation, see “Display Setup” on page 28.

Specifications for Instruments with Color Displays

Color displays will require an additional 40 mA when using a 24 Vdc
power supply. All other specifications from your device’s specification
sheet remain in effect.

Specification Meter
Supply Voltage 7–24 Vdc
Supply Current 80 mA at 12 Vdc
70 mA at 24 Vdc

2020.06.04 • REV. 1 15
Navigation and
Customization
Start Here
* Main Display
Flow Meter
Menu Map
PSIA #C TARE TOTAL/ M PEAK SLPM
+13.60 +24.38 FLOW TIMER +18.03 +15.44
M AVG +15.44 SL

+15.44Mass Flow
SLPM
Air Optional
Flow
+45.29
2:56 h:m:s
+16.67
LPM
+15.44 TOTAL/
SLPM MENU Totalizer RESET
MENU/
MAIN

Without
Flow
Totalizer

DEVICE DEVICE MFG

INFO STATE INFO

About
(page 21)
BACK MAIN TARE TARE
PRESS FLOW

* Tares
(page 20)
BACK MAIN

*
ABOUT TARES

Main Menu
(page 20)
BASIC ADV
CONFIG SETUP MAIN

* * Press MAIN to return

to the Main Display.
GAS DEVICE STP/
Air UNITS NTP

Basic Config
(page 22)
BACK MAIN SENSOR COMM DISP

*
SETUP SETUP SETUP

Adv Setup
(page 28)
BACK MAIN

*
16 Navigation and Customization
Collecting Live Flow Data
The Main Display has two primary functions:
• Collecting live temperature, pressure and flow data (see below)
• Changing engineering units for temperature,
pressure and flow (page 18)
This screen displays live data for all flow parameters simultaneously. Live
data is measured 1000 times per second and typically displayed 10 times
per second on the device LCD screen. Press the button next to any of the
four flow parameters once to highlight its value in the center of the screen.
Press the same button again to enter the engineering unit selection menu
for that parameter (page 18).

Main Display 1 2 3

 Highlights pressure in the center

of the meter. Push a second
PSIA
+13.49
¤C
+22.73
TARE
FLOW

time to select engineering units SLPM

or the pressure parameter: A ir
LCK
• Internal absolute pressure Mass Flow
+0.0 +0.0
• Internal gauge pressure (optional) LPM SLPM MENU
• Barometric pressure (optional)
4 5 6
 Highlights temperature.
Push a second time to select
temperature engineering units.

 TARE FLOW
Tares the flow rate (see page 20).

 Highlights volumetric (actual) flow rate. Push a second

time to select volumetric flow rate engineering units.

 Highlights mass flow rate. Push a second time to select

mass flow engineering units and switch between
standardized, normalized, and true mass flow.

 TOTAL Accesses flow totalizer (optional) (page 19).

MENU enters the Menu system (page 20).

2020.06.04 • REV. 1 17
Choosing Engineering Units
Press the button adjacent to any of the four
measurement parameters twice to enter its UP DOWN
Show abs pressure
unit selection menu. You can change units in > Show gauge pressure
Show baro pressure
two ways: Set button eng units
Set device eng units
Button engineering units (page 18) alter
the display only, not the serial data: CANCEL SELECT
• Select Set button eng units and
press SELECT to change the engineering
unit on the display only. This does
The example above shows the unit
not alter the flow meter data frame. selection menu for a device that has
the internal barometer option.
Device engineering units alter both the
display and the flow meter data frame:
• Select Set device eng units and then
choose the engineering unit as above.
An additional confirmation screen asks
you to confirm the serial change. PRESSING SET WILL
AFFECT DISPLAY
AND SERIAL VALUES.
If the button engineering unit is different than
VERIFY CONNECTED
the device engineering unit, Set device eng SERIAL DEVICES
EXPECT THE CHANGE.
units will not appear. First select Show device CANCEL SET
eng units to revert the button to the current
device unit for that parameter. Enter the unit
selection menu again to change the device
engineering unit.

Examples of changing device engineering units:

PSIA #F SETPT UP DOWN Changing device units:

+13.60 +75.88 +15.44 Set button eng units
> Show device eng units °F is not the existing device
engineering unit, so the unit

+75.88 Flow Temp

#F
Air
CANCEL SELECT
selection menu displays
Show device eng units. Select this
to revert the button unit to the
device unit for this parameter.

PSIA #C SETPT UP DOWN Changing device units:

+13.60 +24.38 +15.44 Set button eng units
> Set device eng units °C is the existing device
engineering unit, so the unit

+24.38 Flow Temp

#C
Air

CANCEL SELECT
selection menu displays
Set device eng units. Select this to
choose a new unit.

18 Navigation and Customization

Option: Collecting Totalized Flow Data
Your flow meter may have been purchased with an optional flow totalizer.
This displays the total amount of mass or volume that has flowed through
the instrument since its last reset, like a gasoline pump. You can access
the totalizer screen by pressing TOTAL/MENU on the Main Display.

Totalizer (Optional)
TOTAL/TIMER Toggles between M PEAK or V PEAK Displays the Displays live flow rate. Press
totalized flow and elapsed maximum flow rate since last reset. to select engineering units.
time as the parameter Press to select engineering units.
highlighted in the center.

Alternating display of:

TOTAL/ M PEAK SLPM • Selected engineering unit
TIMER +18.030 +15.44 TOTAL/ M PEAK SLPM for totalized flow or time
M AVG +15.440 h:m:s TIMER +18.03 +15.44
(page 19).
2:56 M AVG +15.44 SL • Selected gas calibration
+45.29 SL

RESET
MENU/
MAIN
+45.29
2:56 h:m:s
(page 23).

MENU/ Displays totalized flow and

RESET MAIN
elapsed time since last reset.
Time units alternate with
status messages when any
are present (page 19).
Optional totalizer averaging:
Displays average flow rate
since last reset, updated live. RESET Clears all totalized data and MENU/MAIN Enters the Menu
resets the timer to 0. Totalization of system (page 16). From
flow data continues immediately. there, press MAIN to exit to the
Main Display of live data.

Totalizer Rollover Functions

Your flow totalizer has been configured to report a maximum of 7 digits. By
default, the placement of the decimal is the same as the live flow rate. The
totalizer can be configured at the time of order for the following behaviors.
(By default, the totalizer rolls over and displays OVR.)
• Rollover: Totalizer resumes counting from 0 as soon
as the maximum count has been reached.
• Freeze: Totalizer stops counting at max
count, until it is reset manually.
• Error: Displays OVR status message when maximum count
has been reached; compatible with Rollover and Freeze.
The elapsed time counter has a maximum value of 9999:59:59 (h:m:s)
(416 days, 16 hours). If flow is still being totalized at that point, the timer freezes,
regardless of the behavior chosen above for the totalized flow readings.

2020.06.04 • REV. 1 19
Menu
You can enter the menu system by pressing the MENU button from the
Main Display.
Menu
ABOUT Enters the About Menu TARES Enters the Tares Menu
(page 21). (below).

ABOUT TARES
TARE TARE
PRESS FLOW

BACK MAIN
BASIC ADV
CONFIG SETUP MAIN

BASIC CONFIG Enters the Basic ADV SETUP Enters the Advanced MAIN Exits to the Main Display
Configuration Menu (page 22). Setup Menu (page 28). (page 16).

Taring Your Flow Meter

Taring is an important practice that ensures that your flow meter is
providing the most accurate measurements possible. This function gives
the flow meter a good zero reference for flow measurements. For meters
with a barometer, taring can also be used to align the internal absolute
pressure sensor with the barometric pressure reading.

How to Tare
1. Ensure that nothing is flowing through the device. ENSURE NO FLOW

2. MENU → TARE → TARE FLOW. Flow tares

BEFORE
PRESSING TARE

should occur at the expected process CANCEL TARE

pressure, as long as there is no flow.

3. MENU → TARE → TARE PRESS. Absolute pressure TARE FLOW
tares must be done with the meter open to
atmosphere (requires a barometer, which is
included by default in portable devices) PRESS TARE WHEN
VENTED TO AMBIENT
WITH NO FLOW.
Current pressure

When to Tare
offset:
+0.8 mmHgA
CANCEL TARE

• Before every new flow measurement cycle.

• After significant changes in temperature or pressure. TARE PRESS
• After dropping or bumping the flow meter.
• After installing the meter in a different orientation.

20 Navigation and Customization

About
We hope you don't run into trouble using your flow meter, but if you do,
the ABOUT menu contains information that can make the troubleshooting
process easier. Select MFG INFO to look up Alicat's phone number and
web address. DEVICE INFO shows you the serial number and firmware
version (SW:) for your specific device. It also gives you the original manu-
facturing date and the last calibration date, as well as the initials of the
calibration technician.
Menu → About
DEVICE STATE Displays diagnostic
information for troubleshooting
(below).

DEVICE INFO Displays serial

MFG INFO Displays Alicat's
number, firmware revision
contact information.
and calibration information.

DEVICE DEVICE MFG

INFO STATE INFO

MODEL: M-20SLPM-D
SERIAL NO: 182022 ALICAT SCIENTIFIC
DATE MFG: 7/25/2018 www.alicat.com
DATE CAL: 7/25/2018 Ph 520-290-6060
CAL BY: BP Fax 520-290-0109
SW: 7v22.0-R22
BACK MAIN BACK MAIN
BACK MAIN

BACK Returns to the top-level MAIN Exits to the Main Display

Menu (page 20). (page 16).

Diagnostic Information
The DEVICE STATE screen displays live
values for the internal device registers.
Many of these values can help an PAGE
Alicat applications engineer diagnose R8: AP Sig
R9: Temp Sig
14810
39076
operational issues over the phone. R10: DP Sig
R11: DP Brdg
9909
37414
Some register values clearly distinguish R13: AP Brdg 39414
between hardware and operational
R16: MeterFunc 199
R18: Power Up 33792
problems, which speeds up the trouble- BACK MAIN
shooting process.
Within the DEVICE STATE screen, press
PAGE to advance to the next page of
register values.

2020.06.04 • REV. 1 21
Basic Configuration Menu
The Basic Configuration Menu contains options for choosing the gas
calibration, device engineering units and STP/NTP mass flow references.

Menu → Basic Configuration

DEVICE UNITS Changes device engineering
GAS Enters Gas Select™ and units for any parameter:
COMPOSER™ menus (page 23). Mass Flow - Volumetric Flow -
Pressure - Temperature -
(Volu Totalizer - Mass Totalizer - Totalizer Time)

STP/NTP Defines standard

(STP) and normal (NTP)
temperature and pressure
GAS DEVICE STP/ conditions (page 27).
Air UNITS NTP

BACK MAIN

BACK Returns to the top-level MAIN Exits to the Main Display

Menu (page 20). (page 16).

Choosing Engineering Units from the

Basic Configuration Menu
Changing device engineering units alters both the display and the data
frame. First choose the parameter whose unit you want to change, and
then select your desired engineering unit, confirming the change on the
last screen. If your meter has been configured with a flow totalizer, this
screen will also include units for totalized volumetric and mass flow, plus
elapsed time.

UP DOWN
Mass Flow
> Volumetric Flow PRESSING SET WILL
Pressure AFFECT DISPLAY
Temperature AND SERIAL VALUES.
Volu Totalizer
Mass Totalizer VERIFY CONNECTED
Totalizer Time SERIAL DEVICES
EXPECT THE CHANGE.
BACK SELECT CANCEL SET

22 Navigation and Customization

Gas Select™
In most cases, your flow meter was physically calibrated on air at Alicat's
factory. Gas Select™ allows you to reconfigure the flow meter to flow a
different gas without sending it back to Alicat for a physical recalibration.
To use Gas Select, simply choose a gas or gas mix from one of the listed
categories. As soon as you press SELECT from the gas listing, your flow
meter will reconfigure itself to flow your chosen gas. There is no need to
restart the flow meter.
Your current gas selection appears just below the unit's indicator on the
right side of the Main Display:
PSIA #C TARE
+13.60 +24.38 FLOW

+15.44Mass Flow
SLPM
N2 Gas Select set to
nitrogen (N₂).

+16.67 +15.44 TOTAL/

LPM SLPM MENU

Menu → Basic Config → Gas → Category Listing

UP/DOWN Moves the selection PAGE Advances the
arrow up or down the listing view to the next

Gas → Gas Listing

of gas categories. page of categories.

UP/DOWN Moves the PAGE Advances the

selection arrow up or view to the next
down the listing of gases. page of gases.
UP DOWN PAGE
> Recent
Standard
COMPOSER User Mixes
Bioreactor
Breathing
Chromatography
Fuel UP DOWN PAGE
Laser > Air
BACK SELECT Ar Argon
CH4 Methane
CO Carbon Monoxide
CO2 Carbon Dioxide
C2H6 Ethane
H2 Hydrogen
He Helium
CANCEL SET
BACK Returns to the Basic SELECT Opens the category
Configuration Menu to view its gases.
(page 20).

CANCEL Returns to the SET Loads the gas properties

listing of gas categories. data for the selected gas
and exits to the Main Display
(page 16).

2020.06.04 • REV. 1 23
Gas List
Your Alicat is preloaded with gas properties data for the following gases:
Pure Non-Corrosive Gases Stack/Flue Gas Mixes
Acetylene (C2H2) 2.5% O2, 10.8% CO2, 85.7% N2, 1% Ar
Air (Clean Dry) 2.9% O2, 14% CO2, 82.1% N2, 1% Ar
Argon (Ar) 3.7% O2, 15% CO2, 80.3% N2, 1% Ar
Isobutane (i-C4H10)
7% O2, 12% CO2, 80% N2, 1% Ar
Normal Butane (n-C4H10)
Carbon dioxide (CO2) 10% O2, 9.5% CO2, 79.5% N2, 1% Ar
Carbon monoxide (CO) 13% O2, 7% CO2, 79% N2, 1% Ar
Deuterium (D2) Laser Gas Mixes
Ethane (C2H6)
4.5% CO2, 13.5% N2, 82% He
Ethylene (Ethene) (C2H4)
Helium (He) 6% CO2, 14% N2, 80% He
Hydrogen (H2) 7% CO2, 14% N2, 79% He
Krypton (Kr) 9% CO2, 15% N2, 76% He
Methane (CH4) 9.4% CO2, 19.25% N2, 71.35% He
Neon (Ne) 9% Ne, 91% He
Nitrogen (N2)
Nitrous Oxide (N2O) Fuel Gas Mixes
Oxygen (O2) Coal Gas 50% H2, 35% CH4, 10% CO, 5% C2H4
Propane (C3H8) Endothermic Gas 75% H2, 25% N2
Sulfur Hexafluoride (SF6)1 HHO 66.67% H2, 33.33% O2
Xenon (Xe) LPG HD-5 96.1% C3H8, 1.5% C2H6, 0.4% C3H6 , 1.9% n-C4H10
Breathing Gases LPG HD-10 85% C3H8, 10% C3H6, 5% n-C4H10
Metabolic Exhalant
EAN-32 EA-80 Heliox-50 Natural Gases
EAN-36 Heliox-20 93% CH4, 3% C2H6, 1% C3H8, 2% N2, 1% CO2
Heliox-60
EAN-40 Heliox-21 95% CH4, 3% C2H6, 1% N2, 1% CO2
EA-40 Heliox-30 Heliox-80 95.2% CH4, 2.5% C2H6, 0.2% C3H8, 0.1% C4H10, 1.3% N2, 0.7% CO2
EA-60 Heliox-40 Heliox-99
Synthesis Gases
Bioreactor Gas Mixes 40% H2, 29% CO, 20% CO2, 11% CH4
5%–95% CH4/CO2 in 5% increments 64% H2, 28% CO, 1% CO2, 7% CH4
Refrigerants2 70% H2, 4% CO, 25% CO2, 1% CH4
R-113 R-116 R-152a 83% H2, 14% CO, 3% CH4
R-14 R-1243 R-318
R-223 R-1253 R-404A3 Pure Corrosive Gases2
R-233 R-134a3 R-407C3 Ammonia (NH3) Dimethylether (DME)
R-323 R-142b3 R-410A3 Butylene (1-Buten) Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S)
R-1153 R-143a3 R-507A3 Cis-Butene (c-Buten) Nitrogen Trifluoride (NF3)
Welding Gases Isobutane (i-Buten) Nitric Oxide (NO)
C-2 C-25 He-75 Trans-Butene (t-Buten) Propylene (C3H6)
C-8 C-50 He-90 Carbonyl Sulfide (COS) Silane (SiH4)
C-10 C-75 Chlorine (Cl2) Sulfur Dioxide (SO2)
C-15 He-25 A 1025
C-20 He-50 Stargon CS 1 Sulfur hexafluoride is a highly potent greenhouse
gas monitored under the Kyoto Protocol.
Chromatography Gas Mixes
P-5 P-10 2 S-series units only

Oxygen Concentrator Gas Mixes 3 Under the Montreal Protocol and Kigali Amendment, the production
and consumption of these ozone-depleting substances (ODS) is
89% O2, 7% N2, 4% Ar being or has been phased out. It is recommended you ensure
93% O2, 3% N2, 4% Ar compliance with this universally ratified treaty before attempting
95% O2, 1% N2, 4% Ar to use these gases, in addition to R113, R-123, and R-141b.

24 Navigation and Customization

Using COMPOSER™ to Personalize Mixed Gas Compositions
To remain accurate, your flow meter needs to know the viscosity of the gas
you are flowing through it. The more closely you can define your actual
gas composition, the more accurate your flow readings will be. Alicat's
COMPOSER™ is an included feature of Gas Select™ that lets you define
new mixed gas compositions to reconfigure your flow meter on the fly.
COMPOSER™ uses the Wilke method to define a new gas mixture based
on the molar (volumetric) ratios of the gases in the mixture. You can define
these gas compositions to within 0.01% for each of up to five constituent
gases in the mixture. Once you define and save a new COMPOSER™ gas
mix, it becomes part of the Gas Select system and is accessible under
the gas category COMPOSER User Mixes. You can store 20 COMPOSER™
gas mixes on your flow meter.
Note: COMPOSER™ does not physically mix any gases for you. It recon-
figures your flow meter to report flow readings more accurately based on
the constituents of your defined gas mixture.

Gas Select™ → To access COMPOSER™, select COMPOSER

User Mixes from the Gas Select
Category Listing category listing. Select any existing mix
to reconfigure your flow meter to flow
that gas mixture. Select Delete Mix
UP DOWN PAGE to permanently remove a gas mix.
Recent
Standard
> COMPOSER User Mixes
Bioreactor
Breathing Gas Select™ → COMPOSER™ Menu
Chromatography
Fuel
Laser
BACK SELECT
UP DOWN
> Add Mix: 17 Free
MyGas1 User Mix 255
MyGas2 User Mix 254
Add Mix Creates a new MyGas3 User Mix 253
SELECT Enters the Delete Mix
COMPOSER™ gas mix.
COMPOSER™ Menu.
COMPOSER™ Mixes Selects an
existing gas mix to use. CANCEL SET
Delete Mix Deletes an
existing gas mix.
(Option appears if at
least 1 mix exists.)
SET Confirms your selection
CANCEL Returns to the Gas Select™ and exits to the Main Display
Menu (page 23). (page 16).

2020.06.04 • REV. 1 25
Navigating and Customizing Your Flow Meter
Adding a new mixed gas composition to COMPOSER™
Generate and store a new COMPOSER™ mix in 3 easy steps:

UP DOWN EDIT %
UP DOWN NEXT
LETTER 71.35% CH4 Methane
COMPOSER Mix name: 3.00% C2H6 Ethane

1 Name
1.00% C3H8 Propane
19.25% N2 Nitrogen
MyGa
--- --
the mix.
>

DELETE
GAS DONE

BACK/ CHANGE
CANCEL CASE SET UP DOWN SELECT
Percent ofN2
DIGIT
GAS OPTNS Edits
the non-final gas
19.25 mix composition.
You can delete

>
BACK/
CANCEL CLEAR a gas or change
CHANGE CASE SET Accepts SET
its composition
Toggles upper/ the name.
percentage.
lower case.
ADD GAS Enters Gas Select™
BACK/CANCEL Exits to listing to choose a gas,
the COMPOSER™ then asks you to set its
Menu. composition percentage.

EDIT NAME Returns

to Step 1.
CREATE NEW/SIMILAR Restarts at Step 1.
After saving a name, CREATE SIMILAR
duplicates the mix you just saved.
Note: CREATE SIMILAR is not accessible
after leaving this screen.
2 Define
EDIT ADD GAS GAS
NAME OPTNS

the mix.
COMPOSER Mix: MyGas1
71.35% CH4 Methane
3.00% C2H6 Ethane
1.00% C3H8 Propane
19.25% N2 Nitrogen
CREATE CREATE
NEW SIMILAR 94.60% Total
CANCEL SAVE
COMPOSER USER MIX
MyGas1

3 Save
HAS BEEN SAVED

MAIN
SELECT
MIXTURE the mix. CANCEL Exits to the
COMPOSER™ Menu.
SAVE Adds the new
mix to COMPOSER™.

Note: You cannot save your mix

MAIN Exits to the Main Display and keeps
your existing gas selection. SELECT MIXTURE
until the total is 100%. Saved gas
also activates the new COMPOSER™ mix. compositions can be deleted, but
cannot be modified.

26 Navigation and Customization

Defining STP/NTP Reference Values
Standardized flow rates are reported in "standard" or "normal" volumetric
flow units that reference a given temperature and pressure combination.
This reference is called an STP (standard temperature and pressure) or,
typically in Europe, an NTP (normal temperature and pressure).

Menu → Basic Config → STP/NTP

Stan T: Standard Temperature

Stan P: Standard Pressure
Norm T: Normal Temperature UP DOWN
Norm P: Normal Pressure Stan T: 25.00 # C UP DOWN SELECT
> Stan P: 14.70 PSIA DIGIT
Norm T: 0.00 # C Ref Temperature: # C
Ref temp units Changes the
temperature units used for
STP and NTP calculations.
Norm P: 14.70 PSIA
Ref temp units 25.00000

>
Ref pressure units
BACK/
CANCEL CLEAR SET
Ref pressure units Changes the BACK CHANGE
pressure units used for STP
and NTP calculations.

BACK Returns to the Basic CHANGE Enters the value or

Configuration Menu (page 22). unit selection screen for the
selected parameter.

Using the STP/NTP menu, you can independently change the temperature
or pressure references for STP and NTP. Your flow meter ships with Alicat
default STP of 25°C and 1 atm (which affects flow units beginning with "S"),
and an NTP of 0°C and 1 atm (which affects flow units beginning with "N").
To make changes, follow these steps:
1. Select the desired pressure or temperature reference
engineering unit by selecting Ref temp units or Ref
pressure units and pressing CHANGE. Both normal and
standard references use the same engineering units.
2. Select the temperature or pressure value you
wish to modify, and press CHANGE.
3. At the confirmation screen, press SET to
confirm your desired change.

!
Caution: Changes to STP/NTP references
will alter your mass flow readings.

2020.06.04 • REV. 1 27
Advanced Setup
The Advanced Setup Menu lets you configure the display, zero band,
averaging (for flow and pressure) and serial communications.
Menu → Advanced Setup
SENSOR SETUP Enters the Sensor COMM SETUP Enters the Communications DISP SETUP Enters the Display
Setup Menu (page 28). Menu (page 31). Setup Menu (page 28).

SENSOR COMM DISP

SETUP SETUP SETUP

BACK MAIN
BACK Returns to the top- MAIN Exits to the Main
level Menu (page 20). Display (page 16).

Display Setup
The options in the Display Setup Menu adjust the contrast of the display
and enable screen rotation.

Advanced Setup → Display Setup

LCD CONTRAST Sets the contrast ROTATE DISP Rotates the
level of the display. Press display and buttons 180° for
reset to revert to the default inverted installations.
contrast level.

UP DOWN
LCD Contrast
LCD POWER ROTATE
10 CONTRAST UP
-LIT-
DISP
BACK/
CANCEL RESET SET

BACK MAIN

BACK Returns to the MAIN Exits to the Main

Setup Menu (above). Display (page 16).

28 Navigation and Customization

Sensor Setup
The Sensor Setup Menu contains advanced settings that govern how the
flow and pressure sensors report their data.
Advanced Setup → Sensor Setup
DISPLAY AS ZERO Defines the SIG DIGITS Sets the number of
zero band threshold under significant digits to display
which flow values are flow readings on-screen and
displayed as 0. (Max: 6.38%) in the serial data frame.
DISPLAY SIG
AS ZERO DIGITS
2.50%
UP DOWN SELECT
DIGIT
+-Zero: % of Full Scale

0.00
>

BACK/
AVER-
CANCEL CLEAR SET BACK AGING MAIN

BACK Returns to the Advanced AVERAGING Adjusts the time constants MAIN Exits to the Main Display
Setup Menu (page 28). of the geometric running averages (page 16).
for flow and pressure (1-255 ms).

The zero band threshold (DISPLAY AS ZERO) is the value below which the
flow meter displays all flow readings as "0" (no flow). This function also
applies to gauge pressure readings when using the optional barometer.
For example, a 20-slpm meter with a zero band value of 0.25% would
display as 0 slpm for all readings below 0.05 slpm.

✓
Note: Deadband settings do not affect the values reported in
the serial data.

The AVERAGING button opens a submenu

for adjusting the flow and pressure aver- UP DOWN SELECT
aging, which are changed independently. DIGIT
Values roughly correspond to the time
Avg Time Const: msec

constant (in milliseconds) of the averaged

values. Higher numbers generate a greater
001
>

smoothing effect on rapidly fluctuating BACK/

CANCEL CLEAR SET
readings (max 255 ms).
The maximum averaging time is 255 ms.

2020.06.04 • REV. 1 29
Configuring Serial Communications
You can operate the flow meter remotely via its top connector for easy
streaming and logging of all data. Before connecting the flow meter to a
computer, ensure that it is ready to communicate with your PC by checking
the options in the COMM SETUP menu.
Advanced Setup → Comm Setup
UNIT ID Sets the serial unit ID
BAUD Sets the serial baud rate
(below):
(below). Baud rates include:
@ = streaming mode
2400, 9600, 19200, 38400,
A-Z = polling mode
57600 and 115200.
UNIT ID BAUD
A 19200
Comm: RS232 Serial
UNIT ID UP DOWN BAUD DOWN UP
A 19200
UNIT ID Baud Rate

A 19200
BACK MAIN
BACK RESET A SET BACK SET

BACK Returns to the Advanced Setup MAIN Exits to the Main Display
Menu (page 28). (page 16).

Unit ID
The unit ID is the identifier that a computer uses to distinguish your flow
meter from other Alicat devices when it is connected to a network. Using
the unit ID letters A-Z, you can connect up to 26 devices to a computer at
the same time via a single COM port. This is called polling mode (page
32). Unit ID changes take effect when you select SET.
If you select @ as the Unit ID, the flow meter enters streaming mode when
you exit the menu (see page 32).

✓
NOTE: Devices equipped with Modbus RTU will also have
a Modbus ID that can be set separately from the unit ID.

Baud Rate
Baud rate is the speed at which digital devices transfer information. The
flow meter has a default baud rate of 19200 baud (bits per second). If your
computer or software uses a different baud rate, you must change the
flow meter baud rate in the BAUD menu to match them both. Alternatively,
you can change your computer's baud rate in Device Manager. Baud rate
changes take effect once you press SET, but you may need to restart
your software.
30 Navigation and Customization
Serial Communication
Connecting your flow meter to a computer allows you to log the data
that it generates. The flow meter communicates digitally through its
communications connector and cable using a real or virtual COM port on
your computer. This section of the manual shows you how to operate the
flow meter using ASCII commands.

Establishing Communication
After connecting your flow meter using a communications cable, you will
need to establish serial communications through a real or virtual COM
port on your computer or programmable logic computer (PLC).
• If you have connected your device to a serial port, note its COM
port number. This can be found in Windows Device Manager.
• If you have used a USB cable to connect your device to your
computer, the computer in most cases will recognize your
Alicat as a virtual COM port. If it does not, download the
appropriate USB device driver at alicat.com/drivers and note
the COM port number as found in Windows Device Manager.
• The meter will be configured with the following settings:
• Baud: 19200 (default; others can be used if the computer,
its software and the meter are set for the same rate)
• Data bits: 8
• Parity: none
• Stop bits: 1
• Flow control: none

Serial Terminal Application

Alicat's Serial Terminal is a preconfigured program for serial commu-
nications that functions much like the older HyperTerminal program of
Windows.
Download Serial Terminal for free at alicat.com/drivers. Once downloaded,
simply run SerialTerminal.exe. Enter the COM port number to which your
device is connected and the baud rate of the flow meter. The default baud
rate is 19200, but this is adjustable by entering the SERIAL COMM menu on
your flow meter: MENU → ADV SETUP → COMM SETUP → BAUD (page 30).

2020.06.04 • REV. 1 31
 Streaming vs Polling

✓
Note: In what follows,  indicates an ASCII
carriage return (decimal 13, hexadecimal D).
Serial commands are not case-sensitive.

Polling Mode
Your flow meter was shipped to you in polling mode with a unit ID of A,
unless requested otherwise. Polling the flow meter returns a single line of
data each time you request it. To poll your flow meter, simply enter its unit ID.
Poll the device: [unit ID]
Example: a (polls unit A)
You can change the unit ID of a polling device by typing:
Change the unit ID: [current unit ID]@=[desired unit ID]
Example: a@=b (changes unit A to unit B)
You can also do this via the flow meter menu: MENU → ADV SETUP → COMM
SETUP → UNIT ID (page 30). Valid unit IDs are letters A-Z, and up to 26
devices may be connected at any one time, as long as each unit ID is unique.

Streaming Mode
In streaming mode, your flow meter continuously sends a line of live data
at regular intervals without your having to request the data each time.
Only one unit on a given COM port may be in streaming mode at a time.
To put your flow meter into streaming mode, type:
Begin streaming: [unit ID]@=@
This is equivalent to changing the unit ID to “@”. To take the flow meter
out of streaming mode, assign it a unit ID by typing:
Stop streaming: @@=[desired unit ID]
Example: @@=a (stops and assigns unit ID of A)
When sending a command to a flow meter in streaming mode, the flow of
data will not stop while the user is typing. This may make the commands
you type unreadable. If the device does not receive a valid command, it
will ignore it. If in doubt, simply hit  and start again.

✓
Note: The default streaming interval is 50 ms,
but this can be increased by changing Register
91 while the device is in polling mode:
Set streaming interval: [unit ID] w91=[number of milliseconds]
Example: aw91=500 (streams new data every 500 ms)

32 Serial Communication
Taring
Before collecting flow data, be sure to tare your flow meter. This can occur
serially through two separate commands. Taring flow sets the zero flow
reading and must be done when no flow is passing through the flow meter:
Tare flow: [unit ID]v
Example: av (sets flow reading to zero)
For devices equipped with a barometer, the second tare aligns the internal
absolute pressure sensor with the current barometer reading and must
be done with the flow meter open to atmosphere:
Tare absolute pressure: [unit ID]pc
Example: apc
(aligns internal pressure to barometer)

Collecting Flow Data

Collect live flow data by typing the [unit ID] command or by setting
your flow meter to streaming. Each line of data for live flow measurements
appears in the format below, but Unit ID is not present in streaming mode.
A +13.5424 +24.5782 +16.6670 +15.4443 N2

Absolute Volumetric
Pressure Flow

Unit ID Temperature Standard Gas

(Mass) Flow

Single spaces separate each parameter, and each value is displayed in the
chosen device engineering units, which may differ from the engineering
units visible on the flow meter display (see "Choosing Engineering Units"
on page 27). You can query the engineering units of the instant data
frame by typing:
Query live data info: [unit ID]??d*
Example: a??d*
(returns the data frame descriptions)

Additional columns, including status codes (page 8), may be

present to the right of the gas label column. The Unit ID appears in the
data frame only when the flow meter is in polling mode.

2020.06.04 • REV. 1 33
 Quick Command Guide

✓
Note: Serial commands are not case-sensitive.
For simplicity, we assume that the unit ID of the
flow meter is A in the listing that follows.

Change unit ID: [current unit ID]@=[desired unit ID]

Tare flow: av

Tare absolute pressure

with barometer: apc (optional)

Poll the live data frame: a

Begin streaming data: [unit ID]@=@

Stop streaming data: @@=[desired unit ID]

Set streaming interval: aw91=[number of milliseconds]

Query gas list info: a??g*

Choose a different gas: ag[Gas Number]

Create a
COMPOSER™ mix: agm [Mix Name] [Mix Number] [Gas1 %]
[Gas1 Number] [Gas2 %] [Gas2 Number]…
Delete a
COMPOSER™ mix: agd [Mix Number]

Query live data info: a??d*

Manufacturer info: a??m*
Firmware version: a??m9
Lock the front display: al
Unlock front display: au

If you have need of more advanced serial communication commands,

please contact Alicat.

34 Serial Communication
Using Gas Select™ and COMPOSER™
To reconfigure your flow meter to flow a different gas, look up its Gas
Number (page 41). Then type:
Choose a gas: [unit ID]g[Gas Number]
Example 1: ag8 (reconfigures to flow nitrogen)
Example 2: ag206 (reconfigures to flow P-10)
COMPOSER™ user mixes are selected in the same way. All COMPOSER™
gas mixes are numbered between 236 and 255, starting at 255.
Choose a user mix: [unit ID]g[Gas Number]
Example: ag255 (reconfigures for user mix 255)
Defining a new COMPOSER™ gas mix is faster using serial commands than
using the front panel. The basic formula for this is:
[unit ID]gm [Mix Name] [Mix Number] [Gas1 %] [Gas1 Number]
[Gas2 %] [Gas2 Number]…

• [Mix Name] Use a maximum of 6 letters (upper case and/or lower

case), numbers and symbols (space, period or hyphen only).
• [Mix Number] Choose a number from 236–255. If a user mix with
that number already exists, it will be overwritten. Use the number 0
to assign the next available number to your new gas. COMPOSER™
gas numbers are assigned in descending order from 255.
• [Gas1 %] [Gas1 Number]… For each constituent gas, enter its molar
percentage (using up to 2 decimal places) and then its Gas Number
(page 41). You must have 2–5 gases in your COMPOSER™ mix.
After creating your COMPOSER™ mix, your flow meter will confirm the new gas:
Example1: Create a mix of 71.35% helium, 19.25% nitrogen and 9.4%
carbon dioxide as Gas 252, called "MyGas1".
agm MyGas1 252 71.35 7 19.25 8 9.4 4
Response: A 252 71.35% He 19.25% N2 9.40% CO2

Example2: Create a mix of 93% methane, 3% ethane, 1% propane, 2%

N₂ and 1% CO₂, using the next available gas number, called "MyGas2".
agm MyGas2 0 0 93 2 3 5 1 12 2 8 1

Response: A 253 AIR 93.00% CH4 3.00% C2H6 1.00% C3H8 2.00% N2 1.00%

✓
Note: The sum of all gas constituent
percentages must equal 100.00%.

2020.06.04 • REV. 1 35
Troubleshooting
If you run into any trouble with your meter's installation or operation,
please get in touch with us by phone, chat or email. You'll also find help
on our website alicat.com and in the pages that follow.

General Use
Issue: My meter does not turn on or has trouble staying on.
Action: Check power and ground connections. Please
reference the technical specifications to assure
you have the proper power for your model.
Portable flow meters run on a rechargeable battery, but
you can also connect to a wall outlet or computer using a
micro-USB cable. If the battery has been fully depleted,
it may take a minute or so to acquire enough charge to
turn back on. If your flow meter will not power on after
being plugged in for at least 5 minutes, contact Alicat.

Issue: The buttons do not work, and the screen shows LCK.
Action: The flow meter buttons were locked out via a serial command.
Press and hold all four outer buttons to unlock the interface.

Issue: I can't read the display easily.

Action: During the day, you can increase the visibility of the
display by increasing the contrast (MENU → ADV SETUP
→ DISP SETUP → LCD CONTRAST). If you are working
under low-light conditions, push the large Alicat button
(located below the display) to turn on the backlight.

Issue: The analog output signal indicates values lower than

what appears on my instrument's display.
Action: Analog signal voltage degrades over long distances.
You can minimize this effect by using wires with a
heavier gauge, especially in the ground wire.

Issue: How often do I need to calibrate my meter?

Action: Alicat recommends annual recalibrations. Check your flow meter's
last calibration date by selecting MENU → ABOUT → DEVICE INFO. If it
is time to recalibrate, request a recalibration at alicat.com/service.

36 Troubleshooting
 Issue: I dropped my meter. Is it OK? Do I need to recalibrate?
Action: If it turns on and appears to respond normally, then it is
probably OK. It may or may not need a recalibration.
Compare it against a known-good flow standard. If it checks
out, keep using it, but tell us about the drop at your next
annual recalibration so we can check it out for you.

Issue: How can I see temperature, pressure or flow in different units?

Action: From the main menu, select BASIC CONFIG → DEVICE UNITS.
From this menu, you can adjust temperature, pressure
or flow units. For more information, see page 18.

Flow Readings
Issue: The live flow readings won't settle down.
Action: The flow meter is very fast, so it can detect subtle variations in flow
that may go unnoticed by your other flow devices. This sensitivity
can help detect problems with pumps or flow controllers. You
can lessen this sensitivity by increasing the flow averaging press
MENU → ADV SETUP → SENSOR SETUP → FLOW AVG. See page 29.

Issue: My flow readings are negative.

Action: If your flow meter is not connected to anything, it may be
reading a small flow that is entering its outlet. Plug one end
to see if the flow returns to 0. Under conditions of no flow, a
negative flow reading can indicate a poor tare. Ensure that
the flow meter has no flow passing through it, and select
TARE FLOW from the Main Display to give it a fresh tare.

Issue: My flow readings jump to 0 when flow rates are low.

Action: Your flow instrument is equipped with a programmable zero band
that is preset at the factory. Reduce your deadband threshold by
selecting MENU → ADV SETUP → SENSOR SETUP → ZERO BAND. Note:
The zero band threshold has no effect upon the serial data.

Issue: Does the meter work if it is laying down? Will it be accurate?

Action: Yes to both! The flow meter is internally compensated for
any changes in orientation, so you can use it sideways,
on its back, or upside-down. S and QS-series devices
should be tared again after changing their orientation.

2020.06.04 • REV. 1 37
 Issue: Can I put the meter on top of a vibrating device? Will it be accurate?
Action: Yes, and yes! The flow meter is internally compensated
for any changes in orientation, including rapid vibrations.
Noise will increase if the flow meter is vibrating.

Issue: My meter does not agree with another meter I have in line.
Action: Check the STP or NTP settings (MENU → BASIC CONFIG → STP/
NTP) to ensure that your standardized temperature and pressure
references match those of your other flow calibrator. Also check
that your device's Gas Select™ is set to the right gas or mixture.

Issue: My flow readings won't change when flow changes.

Action: If your flow readings won't change regardless of
actual flow, your flow sensor may be damaged.
Please contact Alicat to troubleshoot.

Issue: My volumetric flow readings don't match

another flow calibrator I use.
Action: If you are flowing dry gas, the differences in flow readings are likely
the result of pressure drop. Every flow meter has some amount of
pressure drop, especially those that use differential pressure as
the measurement method. For example, volumetric flow readings
taken with a standard Alicat flow meter may differ from those
taken with one of our low pressure drop Whisper flow meters.

Issue: Can I use the meter with other gases?

Action: Yes! Your flow meter is designed specifically to work with many
different gases. Gas Select (MENU → BASIC CONFIG → GAS)
includes up to 130 preloaded gases and gas mixes, or you
can define your own using COMPOSER™. If your desired gas
is not listed, please contact Alicat to ensure compatibility.

38 Troubleshooting
Serial Communications
Issue: I can't communicate to the meter when it
is connected to my computer.
Action: 1. Make sure the baud rate and other serial settings of your software
and COM Port require is the one your meter is using (MENU → ADV
SETUP → COMM SETUP → BAUD).
2. Check the flow meter unit ID (MENU → ADV SETUP → COMM
SETUP → UNIT ID) to make sure you are addressing it properly
with your serial commands.
3. Check the pinout (see page 45 or alicat.com/pinouts)
4. Make sure the COM number matches the one your soft-
ware is using to connect to the flow meter (page 30).

Still experiencing issues?

Issue: None of the above helped.
Action: We're here to help! Give us a call (1-888-290-6060)
during our normal business hours (8am-5pm Mountain
Standard Time) to get help from a friendly and capable
applications engineer. Or, go to alicat.com and start a live
chat. Is it after hours? Send an email to info@alicat.com,
and we'll get in touch with you as soon as we can.

Additionally, our troubleshooting resources

online might be more up to date than the
manual. Please visit alicat.com/support.

2020.06.04 • REV. 1 39
 Maintenance
Cleaning
Your flow meter requires no periodic cleaning, provided that it has been
flowing clean, dry gas. If necessary, the outside of the device can be
cleaned with a soft dry cloth.

!
If you suspect that debris or other foreign material
has entered your device, do not take apart the
flow body to clean it, as this will negate its NIST-
traceable calibration. Please contact us for cleaning.

Recalibration
The recommended period for recalibration is once every year. A label
located on the back of the device lists the most recent calibration date.
This date is also stored inside your flow meter and is visible by selecting
MENU → ABOUT → DEVICE INFO.

When it is time for your flow meter's annual recalibration, contact us by

phone or live chat to set it up. Or, send an email to service@alicat.com,
or fill out the form at alicat.com/service. We'll ask for your device's
serial number and your contact information and send you an email with
instructions for returning the flow meter to us.

Replacement Accessories
Accessories are available by contacting Alicat.

For repair, recalibration or recycling of this product contact:

Alicat Scientific, Inc.
service@alicat.com • alicat.com
7641 N Business Park Drive, Tucson, AZ 85743 USA
1-888-290-6060
Technical Specifications and Dimensional Drawings
Please visit alicat.com/knowledge-base/alicat-specification-sheets/ to
find the complete operating specifications and dimensional drawings for
your mass flow meter.

40 Maintenance
Gas List
Short Long Short Long
# Name Name # Name Name
0 Air Air (Clean Dry) 35 SO2 Sulfur Dioxide2
1 Ar Argon 36 C3H6 Propylene2
2 CH4 Methane 80 1Buten 1-Butylene²
3 CO Carbon Monoxide 81 cButen Cis-Butene (cis-2-Butene)2
4 CO2 Carbon Dioxide 82 iButen Isobutylene
5 C2H6 Ethane 83 tButen Trans-2-Butene2
6 H2 Hydrogen 84 COS Carbonyl Sulfide2
7 He Helium 85 DME Dimethylether (C2H6O)2
8 N2 Nitrogen 86 SiH4 Silane2
9 N2O Nitrous Oxide 100 R-11 Trichlorofluoromethane (CCl3F)2,3
10 Ne Neon 101 R-115 Chloropentafluoroethane (C2ClF5)2,3
11 O2 Oxygen 102 R-116 Hexafluoroethane (C2F6)2
12 C3H8 Propane 103 R-124 Chlorotetrafluoroethane (C2HClF4)2,3

13 nC4H10 Normal Butane 104 R-125 Pentafluoroethane (CF3CHF2)2,3

14 C2H2 Acetylene 105 R-134A Tetrafluoroethane (CH2FCF3)2,3

106 R-14 Tetrafluoromethane (CF4)2
15 C2H4 Ethylene (Ethene)
107 R-142b Chlorodifluoroethane (CH3CClF2)2,3
16 iC4H10 Isobutane2
108 R-143a Trifluoroethane (C2H3F3)2,3
17 Kr Krypton
109 R-152a Difluoroethane (C2H4F2)2
18 Xe Xenon
Difluoromonochloromethane
19 SF6 Sulfur Hexafluoride1 110 R-22
(CHClF2)2,3
20 C-25 25% CO2, 75% Ar
111 R-23 Trifluoromethane (CHF3)2,3
21 C-10 10% CO2, 90% Ar 112 R-32 Difluoromethane (CH2F2)2,3
22 C-8 8% CO2, 92% Ar 113 R-318 Octafluorocyclobutane (C4F8)2
23 C-2 2% CO2, 98% Ar 114 R-404A 44% R-125, 4% R-134A, 52% R-143A2,3
24 C-75 75% CO2, 25% Ar 115 R-407C 23% R-32, 25% R-125, 52% R-143A2,3
25 He-25 25% He, 75% Ar 116 R-410A 50% R-32, 50% R-1252,3
26 He-75 75% He, 25% Ar 117 R-507A 50% R-125, 50% R-143A2,3
27 A1025 90% He, 7.5% Ar, 2.5% CO2 140 C-15 15% CO2, 85% Ar
28 Star29 Stargon CS (90% Ar, 8% CO2, 2% O2) 141 C-20 20% CO2, 80% Ar
29 P-5 5% CH4, 95% Ar 142 C-50 50% CO2, 50% Ar
30 NO Nitric Oxide2 143 He-50 50% He, 50% Ar
31 NF3 Nitrogen Trifluoride2 144 He-90 90% He, 10% Ar
32 NH3 Ammonia 2
145 Bio5M 5% CH4, 95% CO2
33 Cl2 Chlorine2 146 Bio10M 10% CH4, 90% CO2
34 H2S Hydrogen Sulfide2 147 Bio15M 15% CH4, 85% CO2

2020.06.04 • REV. 1 41
 Short Long Short Long
# Name Name # Name Name
148 Bio20M 20% CH4, 80% CO2 183 HeNe-9 9% Ne, 91% He
149 Bio25M 25% CH4, 75% CO2 184 LG-9.4 9.4% CO2, 19.25% N2, 71.35% He
150 Bio30M 30% CH4, 70% CO2 185 SynG-1 40% H2, 29% CO, 20% CO2, 11% CH4
151 Bio35M 35% CH4, 65% CO2 186 SynG-2 64% H2, 28% CO, 1% CO2, 7% CH4
152 Bio40M 40% CH4, 60% CO2 187 SynG-3 70% H2, 4% CO, 25% CO2, 1% CH4
153 Bio45M 45% CH4, 55% CO2 188 SynG-4 83% H2, 14% CO, 3% CH4
154 Bio50M 50% CH4, 50% CO2 93% CH4, 3% C2H6, 1% C3H8,
189 NatG-1
2% N2, 1% CO2
155 Bio55M 55% CH4, 45% CO2
190 NatG-2 95% CH4, 3% C2H6, 1% N2, 1% CO2
156 Bio60M 60% CH4, 40% CO2
157 Bio65M 65% CH4, 35% CO2 95.2% CH4, 2.5% C2H6, 0.2% C3H8,
191 NatG-3
0.1% C4H10, 1.3% N2, 0.7% CO2
158 Bio70M 70% CH4, 30% CO2
192 CoalG 50% H2, 35% CH4, 10% CO, 5% C2H4
159 Bio75M 75% CH4, 25% CO2
193 Endo 75% H2, 25% N2
160 Bio80M 80% CH4, 20% CO2
194 HHO 66.67% H2, 33.33% O2
161 Bio85M 85% CH4, 15% CO2
LPG: 96.1% C3H8, 1.5% C2H6,
162 Bio90M 90% CH4, 10% CO2 195 HD-5
0.4% C3H6, 1.9% n-C4H10
163 Bio95M 95% CH4, 5% CO2 LPG: 85% C3H8, 10% C3H6,
196 HD-10
164 EAN-32 32% O2, 68% N2 5% n-C4H10
165 EAN 36% O2, 64% N2 197 OCG-89 89% O2, 7% N2, 4% Ar
166 EAN-40 40% O2, 60% N2 198 OCG-93 93% O2, 3% N2, 4% Ar

167 HeOx20 20% O2, 80% He 199 OCG-95 95% O2, 1% N2, 4% Ar
200 FG-1 2.5% O2, 10.8% CO2, 85.7% N2, 1% Ar
168 HeOx21 21% O2, 79% He
201 FG-2 2.9% O2, 14% CO2, 82.1% N2, 1% Ar
169 HeOx30 30% O2, 70% He
202 FG-3 3.7% O2, 15% CO2, 80.3% N2, 1% Ar
170 HeOx40 40% O2, 60% He
203 FG-4 7% O2, 12% CO2, 80% N2, 1% Ar
171 HeOx50 50% O2, 50% He
204 FG-5 10% O2, 9.5% CO2, 79.5% N2, 1% Ar
172 HeOx60 60% O2, 40% He
205 FG-6 13% O2, 7% CO2, 79% N2, 1% Ar
173 HeOx80 80% O2, 20% He
206 P-10 10% CH4 90% Ar
174 HeOx99 99% O2, 1% He
210 D-2 Deuterium
175 EA-40 Enriched Air-40% O2
1 Sulfur hexafluoride is a highly potent greenhouse gas
176 EA-60 Enriched Air-60% O2 monitored under the Kyoto Protocol.
177 EA-80 Enriched Air-80% O2 2 S-series units only
Metabolic Exhalant (16% O2, 3 Under the Montreal Protocol and Kigali
178 Metab Amendment, the production and consumption
78.04% N2, 5% CO2, 0.96% Ar)
of these ozone-depleting substances (ODS) is
179 LG-4.5 4.5% CO2, 13.5% N2, 82% He being or has been phased out. It is recommended
180 LG-6 6% CO2, 14% N2, 80% He you ensure compliance with this universally
ratified treaty before attempting to use these
181 LG-7 7% CO2, 14% N2, 79% He gases, in addition to R113, R-123, and R-141b.
182 LG-9 9% CO2, 15% N2, 76% He

42
Engineering Units
True Mass
Flow Units Flow Units
Label Notes Volumetric Std. Normal Notes
milligram per uL ∕m SuL ∕m NuL ∕m microliter per minute
mg ∕s
second
mL ∕s SmL ∕s NmL ∕s milliliter per second
mg ∕m milligram per minute
mL ∕m SmL ∕m NmL ∕m milliliter per minute
g ∕s gram per second
mL ∕ h SmL ∕ h NmL ∕ h milliliter per hour
g ∕m gram per minute
g∕ h gram per hour L ∕s SL ∕s NL ∕s liter per second

kg∕m kilogram per minute LPM SLPM NLPM liter per minute
kg ∕ h kilogram per hour L∕h SL ∕ h NL ∕ h liter per hour
oz ∕s ounce per second US GPM US gallon per minute
oz ∕m ounce per minute US GPH US gallon per hour
lb ∕m pound per minute cubic centimeter
CCS SCCS NCCS
lb ∕ h pound per hour per second
cubic centimeter
CCM SCCM NCCM
Temperature Units per minute
cubic centimeter
cm3∕ h Scm3∕ h Ncm3∕ h
Label Notes per hour
°C degrees Celsius cubic meter
m3∕m Sm3∕m Nm3∕m
per minute
°F degrees Farenheit
K Kelvin m3∕ h Sm3∕ h Nm3∕ h cubic meter per hour
°R degrees Rankine m3∕d Sm³∕d Nm3∕d cubic meter per day
cubic inch per
in3∕m Sin³∕m
Time Units minute
cubic foot per
CFM SCFM
Label Notes minute
h:m:s hours:minutes:seconds CFH SCFH cubic foot per hour

ms milliseconds CFD SCFD cubic foot per day

s seconds 1000 cubic feet

kSCFM
per minute
m minutes
setpoint count,
hour hours
count count count
0–64000
day days % % % percent of full scale

2020.06.04 • REV. 1 43
 Pressure Units
Absolute or
Barometric Gauge Notes
PaA PaG pascal

hPaA hPaG hectopascal

kPaA kPaG kilopascal

MPaA MPaG megapascal

mbarA mbarG millibar

barA barG bar

g∕cm2A g∕cm2G gram force per square centimeter

kg∕cmA kg∕cmG kilogram force per square centimeter

PSIA PSIG pound force per square inch

PSFA PSFG pound force per square foot

mTorrA mTorrG millitorr

torrA torrG torr

mmHgA mmHgG millimeter of mercury at 0°C

inHgA inHgG inch of mercury at 0°C

mmH₂OA mmH₂OG millimeter of water at 4°C (NIST conventional)

mmH₂OA mmH₂OG millimeter of water at 60°C

cmH₂OA cmH₂OG centimeter of water at 4°C (NIST conventional)

cmH₂OA cmH₂OG centimeter of water at 60°C

inH₂OA inH₂OG inch of water at 4°C (NIST conventional)

inH₂OA inH₂OG inch of water at 60°C

atm atmosphere

m asl meter above sea level

ft asl foot above sea level

V volt

count count setpoint count, 0–64000

% % percent of full scale

44
Optional Pinouts
Additional Pinouts
Individual pinouts available at alicat.com/pinout

✓
Due to variance in cable manufacturing, please
identify proper wiring/pins via continuity check &
color when using blunt cut multi-strand cables.

Locking Industrial Connector Pinouts

If your mass flow meter was ordered with a six-pin locking industrial
connection, please be sure to reference the following pinout diagram.

6 6
5 1 1 5

4 2 2 4
3 3
Male Connector: Cable Female Connector: Device
Pin Function
1 Power In (+)
2 RS-232TX / RS-485(+)
3 RS-232RX / RS-485(−)
4 Remote Tare (Ground to Tare)
5 Ground (common for power, communications and signals)
6 Signal Out (Voltage or Current as ordered)

The above pinout is applicable to all flow meters ordered with the industrial
connector. The availability of different output signals depends on the flow
meter options ordered.

2020.06.04 • REV. 1 45
 9-pin D-Sub Common Pinouts
If your instrument has a DB9 connection, be sure to check the calibration
label on the device or the calibration data sheet for the appropriate pinout
diagram. (See also page 13 for DB9 to 8-Pin Mini-DIN Connection for
RS-232 / RS-485 Signals.)

5 1 1 5

9 6 6 9
Female Connector: Device Male Connector: Cable
Common 9-pin D-Sub Pinouts
DB9 (Female) DB9A /
Pin DB9M (Male) DB9K DB9R DB9T DB9U Key of Terms:
1 Current Out NC TX (+) TX (+) RX (−) Current Out
2 Analog Out 2 Analog Out Analog Out Analog Out Analog Out Not Connected or
3 RX (−) Power In Analog In Power In Power In optional 4-20 mA
analog output signal
4 Analog In Ground Ground Ground Ground
Analog In
5 TX (+) TX (+) NC NC NC
Remote tare function
6 Analog Out Analog In RX (−) Analog In Analog In
Analog Out
7 Power In Ground Power In Ground Ground 0–5 Vdc Output Signal
8 Ground Ground Ground Ground Ground (or 0–10 Vdc optional)
9 Ground RX (−) Ground RX (−) TX (+) Analog Out 2
5.12Vdc or Optional
Additional 9-pin D-Sub Pinouts Secondary
Analog Output
Pin DB9B DB9G DB9H DB9I DB9N
TX (+)
1 Analog Out 2 RX (−) TX (+) NC Power In
Serial RS-232TX
2 Analog Out Analog Out Analog Out Analog Out Analog In or RS-485(+)
3 Power In Ground Analog In Power In Analog Out RX (−)
4 Ground Power In RX (−) Ground NC Serial RS-232RX
5 Ground Ground Analog Out 2 NC Ground or RS-485(−)
6 Analog In TX (+) NC Analog In Ground NC Not Connected
7 Ground Analog In Power In Ground RX (−) Power In (+Vdc)
8 TX (+) Current Out Ground RX (−) TX (+) Ground
9 RX (−) Ground Ground TX (+) NC5 Common for power,
digital and analog
signals, and alarms

46 Pinouts
M12 Connector Pinouts
If your Alicat Instrument was ordered with the M12 connection, please be
sure to reference the following pin-out diagram.

2
3
1
4

7
5
6
M12 Connector Male
Pin Function
1 0–5 Vdc (or optional 0–10 Vdc) Output Signal
2 Power In +24 VDC, 1 A recommended for most models
3 Serial RS-232 RX / RS-485(−) Input Signal (receive)
4 Remote Tare (Ground to Tare)
5 Serial RS-232 TX / RS-485(+) Output Signal (send)
Static 5.12 Vdc [or optional Secondary Analog Output
6 (4–20 mA, 5 Vdc, 10 Vdc) or Basic Alarm]
7 Ground (common for power, digital communications, analog signals and alarms)
8 Inactive (or optional 4–20 mA Primary Output Signal)
Note: The above pin-out is applicable to all the flow meters with the M12
connector. The availability of different output signals depends on the options
ordered. Optional configurations are noted on the unit’s calibration sheet.

✓
Due to variance in cable manufacturing, please
identify proper wiring/pins via continuity check &
color when using blunt cut multi-strand cables.

Individual pinouts available at www.alicat.com/pinout

2020.06.04 • REV. 1 47
 15-pin D-Sub Common Pinouts
If your instrument was ordered with a DB15 connection, be sure to check
the calibration label on the device or the calibration data sheet and
reference the appropriate pinout diagram.

8 1 1 8

15 9 9 15
Female Connector: Device Male Connector: Cable

Pin DB15 DB15A DB15B DB15H DB15K DB15O DB15S Key of Terms:
1 Ground Ground Ground NC NC Ground Ground Current Out
2
Analog Analog Analog
RX (−)
Analog
NC
Analog Not Connected
Out Out Out Out Out
Analog In
3 Ground Analog In NC NC NC NC NC
setpoint for controllers
Analog or remote tare
4 NC Ground NC NC NC
Out
NC
function for meters
5 Power In Ground Power In Ground Ground Power In Ground
Analog Out
Analog
6 NC Ground NC
Out
NC NC NC 0–5 Vdc Output Signal
(or 0–10 Vdc optional)
7 NC Power In NC Ground Power In Analog In NC
8 Analog In TX (+) Analog In NC Analog In NC5 Analog In Analog Out 2
5.12Vdc or Optional
Analog
9 Ground Ground Ground NC
Out 2
Ground Ground Secondary
Analog Output
Analog
10 Ground NC Ground
Out 2
NC Ground Ground
TX (+)
Analog Analog Analog Analog Serial RS-232TX
11 Out 2 NC Power In Ground
Out 2 Out 2 Out 2 or RS-485(+)
Analog RX (−)
12 NC Out 2
NC Ground Ground NC RX (−)
Serial RS-232RX
13 RX (−) NC NC NC RX (−) NC Power In or RS-485(−)
14 Ground NC RX (−) Analog In TX (+) RX (−) TX (+)
NC Not Connected
15 TX (+) RX (−) TX (+) TX (+) Ground TX (+) Ground
Power In (+Vdc)

✓
Due to variance in cable manufacturing, please Ground
identify proper wiring/pins via continuity check & Common for power,
color when using blunt cut multi-strand cables.
digital communications,
analog signals
Individual pinouts available at and alarms
www.alicat.com/pinout

48 Pinouts
 Additional Information for Alicat
CSA and ATEX Approved Devices

II 3 G
EEx nA IIC T4
Class I, Div. 2 Group A, B, C and D T4
24 Vdc, 0.800A max
Class I, Zone 2 AEx nA IIC T4

WARNINGS:
EXPLOSION HAZARD – DO NOT DISCONNECT
WHILE CIRCUIT IS LIVE UNLESS AREA IS KNOWN
TO BE NON-HAZARDOUS.

EXPLOSION HAZARD – SUBSTITUTION OF

COMPONENTS MAY IMPAIR SUITABILITY FOR
CLASS I, DIVISION 2.

Alicat CSA / ATEX approved devices are equipped with a

locking connector. Please see page 45 to page 48
for the correct power and signal connections for each
type of connector.
See the following page for special conditions regarding
the use of these units!

2020.06.04 • REV. 1 49
 II 3 G
Ex ec IIC T4 Gc
Sira 19ATEX4045X
Class I, Div. 2 Groups A, B, C and D T4
24 Vdc, 0.800A max Tamb -40 ºC to +60 ºC
Ex ec IIC T4 Gc
Class I, Zone 2 AEx ec IIC T4 Gc
CSA 08CA2009485X
X – See manual for special conditions
WARNING – EXPLOSION HAZARD. DO NOT CONNECT OR
DISCONNECT WHEN ENERGIZED.
AVERTISSEMENT – RISQUE D’EXPLOSION. NE PAS
CONNECTER OU DÉBRANCHER SOUS TENSION.
WARNING – DO NOT CONNECT OR DISCONNECT AND
DO NOT USE KEYPAD BUTTONS WHEN AN EXPLOSIVE
ATMOSPHERE IS PRESENT.
AVERTISSEMENT - NE PAS CONNECTER OU
DÉBRANCHER ET NE PAS UTILISER LES TOUCHES À
DÔME LORSQU’UNE ATMOSPHÈRE EXPLOSIVE EST
PRÉSENTE.

Tucson, AZ USA
Tel: 520-290-6060
www.alicat.com

USE of Alicat instruments (L, LC, LCR, USE of Alicat instruments (L, LC, LCR,
M, MW, MS, MC, MCW, MCS, MCR, M, MW, MS, MC, MCD, MCW, MCS, MCR,
MCRW, MCRS, MCD, P, PS, PC, PCD, MCRW, MCRS, P, PS, PC, PCD, PCS, PCR
PCS, PCR and PCRS product families) and PCRS product families) in applications
in Class 1 Division 2 applications. requiring ATEX Class 1 Zone 2 Certification.
CSA certifies the use Properly labeled
of this product for Alicat instruments
general use as well comply to the following
as use in hazardous ATEX standard:
locations as defined
II 3 G EEx nA IIC T4
by Class 1 Division 2
(−40°C ≤ Ta ≤ +50°C)
Group A, B, C and D T4.
The examination certificate was issued by the
CSA certification is indicated by the product
CSA in accordance with accepted practices and
label as shown below and not by the statements
procedures. This confirms compliance with the
in this, or any accompanying documentation.
European ATEX Directive or Group II Category
Special Conditions: 3G equipment.
To comply with CSA certification the following
ATEX certification is indicated by the product
information is included in the product literature:
label as shown above and not by the statements
• When equipment is properly labeled, in this, or any accompanying documentation.
it is suitable in Class I, Division
Special Conditions:
2, Group A, B, C and D, T4
• Tamb. −40°C to +50°C • Properly labeled equipment is only
certified for use in ambient temperatures
• Electrical Rating 24Vdc, 0.800A max in the range of −40°C to +50°C only
• Instruments shall be powered by a CSA • Electrical Rating 24Vdc, 0.800A max
certified, UL listed, Class II external power
supply suitable for the application • Instruments shall be powered by a CSA
certified, UL listed, Class II external power
• Instruments shall be housed in an supply suitable for the application
enclosure with a minimum IP54 rating or
location providing equivalent protection • Instruments shall be housed in an
enclosure with a minimum IP54 rating or
• Instrument’s final approval location providing equivalent protection
shall be provided by the local
authority having jurisdiction • Instrument’s final approval
shall be provided by the local
authority having jurisdiction

50
Limited Lifetime Warranty
Alicat Scientific, Inc. warrants to the original of Alicat’s rendering of technical advice in connec-
purchaser (hereinafter referred to as “Buyer”) tion with Buyer’s order of the Products furnished
that instruments manufactured by Alicat Scientific hereunder.
(hereinafter referred to as “Product”) shall be free If Product becomes obsolete, Alicat Scientific,
from defects in materials and workmanship for the at its own discretion, reserves the right to repair
life of the Products. the Product with available replacement parts or
Under this warranty, the Products will be repaired upgrade the Product to a current, commercially
or replaced at manufacturer’s option, without available version of the original Product. Should
charge for parts or labor when the Product is carried upgrading the Product be deemed necessary by
or shipped prepaid to the factory together with proof Alicat, Buyer hereby agrees to pay an upgrade fee
of purchase. equal to seventy percent of the retail value of the
The foregoing shall constitute the exclusive and replacement Product. Alicat Scientific hereunder
sole remedy in lieu of other remedies of the Buyer makes no claim that replacement Products will look,
for any breach by Alicat Scientific of this warranty function or operate in the same or similar manner
to the maximum extent permitted by law. as the original product.
This warranty does not apply to any Product which When a Product is returned to Alicat Scientific
has not been installed or used in accordance with for recalibration this service is considered normal
the Product operation and installation specifications preventative maintenance. Recalibration of Product
provided to Buyer verbally or in writing by Alicat shall not be treated as a warranty service unless
Scientific for the proper and normal use of the recalibration of Product is required as the result
Product. of repairs to Product pursuant to this Warranty.
Buyer agrees hereunder that Alicat reserves the Failure of Buyer to send Product to Alicat Scientific
right to void any warranty, written or implied, if for recalibration on a yearly basis after a period of
upon Alicat’s examination of Product shall disclose 36 months from date of manufacture will remove any
to Alicat’s satisfaction that the Product failure and all obligations regarding repair or replacement
was due solely, or in part, to accident, misuse, of Product as outlined by this Warranty to Buyer from
neglect, abuse, alteration, improper installation, Alicat Scientific.
unauthorized repair or improper testing by Buyer This Warranty is in lieu of all other relevant
or agent of Buyer. warranties, expressed or implied, including the
Alicat Scientific shall not be liable under any implied warranty of merchantability and the implied
circumstances for indirect, special, consequential, warranty of fitness for a particular purpose, and any
or incidental damages in connection with, or arising warranty against infringement of any patent.
out of, the sale, performance, or use of the Products Continued use or possession of Products after
covered by this warranty. expiration of the applicable warranty period
Alicat Scientific does not recommend, warrant or stated above shall be conclusive evidence that the
assume responsibility for the use of the Products in warranty is fulfilled to the full satisfaction of Buyer.
life support applications or systems. Alicat makes no warranty as to experimental,
Alicat’s warranties as herein above set forth non-standard or developmental Products.
shall not be enlarged, diminished or affected by, Accessories purchased from Alicat are not covered
and no obligation or liability shall arise or grow out by this warranty.

Notice: Alicat Scientific, Inc. reserves the right to make any changes and improvements to the products
described in this manual at any time and without notice. This manual is copyrighted. This document
may not, in whole or in part, be copied, reproduced, translated, or converted to any electronic
medium or machine readable form, for commercial purposes, without prior written consent from
the copyright holder.
Note: Although we provide assistance on Alicat Scientific products both personally and through
our literature, it is the complete responsibility of the user to determine the suitability of any product
to their application.

The product complies with the requirements of the Low Voltage Directive 2014/35/EU, the EMC Directive
2014/30/EU and the RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU and carries the CE Marking accordingly. Contact the
manufacturer for more information.

2020.06.04 • REV. 1 51
Flow Meter Menu Map
DEVICE DEVICE MFG
INFO STATE INFO
About
Start Here (page 21)
BACK MAIN
* Main Display
TARE TARE
PRESS FLOW
* Tares
(page 20)
PSIA #C TARE
+13.60 +24.38 FLOW BACK MAIN
+15.44 SLPM
Air *
Mass Flow ABOUT TARES
+16.67 +15.44 TOTAL/
LPM SLPM MENU
Main Menu
(page 16)
BASIC ADV
CONFIG SETUP MAIN
Optional
* * Press MAIN to return
to the Main Display.
GAS DEVICE STP/
Flow Air UNITS NTP
Totalizer Basic Config
(page 22)
BACK MAIN SENSOR COMM DISP
TOTAL/ M PEAK SLPM
*
+18.03 +15.44 SETUP SETUP SETUP
TIMER
M AVG +15.44 SL
Adv Setup
+45.29
2:56 h:m:s
(page 28)
MENU/ BACK MAIN
RESET MAIN
*

52