SYCON Fe

The SYCON Fe is an analyzer for measuring free iron in a water sample. In addition to the usual relays and input contacts, the online analyzer has a 20 mA current and RS485 interface with Modbus RTU protocol.

SYCON Fe – Online analyzer for automatic measurement of iron content

Why does the iron content need to be monitored?

Iron (Fe) is one of the most common interference parameters in water treatment. Even low concentrations lead to visible discoloration of the water, rusty-brown deposits in pipes and can damage downstream treatment stages such as softening systems or reverse osmosis membranes. A limit value of 0.2 mg/l applies in the drinking water supply – exceeding this value leads to complaints and indicates corrosion or inadequate treatment.

In well water treatment, iron is often the determining parameter for the design of the deferrization system. Continuous online monitoring detects concentration fluctuations in the raw water and checks the efficiency of the treatment plant.

What is the SYCON Fe?

The SYCON Fe from RLS Wacon is a fully automatic online analyzer for the quantitative determination of the iron concentration in process water. It works according to the colorimetric method and covers a measuring range of 0.01 to 6 mg/l with two Reagents (Fe LRS and Fe HRS).

The device offers four relay outputs, an RS485 interface with Modbus RTU, an analog output 0/4-20 mA and two digital inputs. In addition to the programmable limit value alarm, the SYCON Fe has a message for measured values below the detection limit – an important signal for monitoring deferrization systems.

How does the SYCON Fe work?

The SYCON Fe works according to the colorimetric method. For each analysis, a water sample is automatically fed into the measuring chamber and mixed with the Reagent. The reaction with dissolved iron produces a characteristic color reaction whose intensity is proportional to the iron concentration. An optical sensor evaluates the color intensity and calculates the measured value.

Depending on the indicator selected, a corresponding actuator LED is used in the measuring chamber: blue marker for the Reagent Fe LRS (low concentrations) and red marker for Fe HRS (higher concentrations). The analysis time is approx. 7 minutes.

Advantages of the SYCON Fe

Sensitive measurement from 0.01 mg/l iron
The Fe LRS Reagent already detects concentrations far below the drinking water limit of 0.2 mg/l
Two measuring ranges for different applications
Fe LRS (0.01-0.5 mg/l) for drinking water and treated water, Fe HRS (0.2-6 mg/l) for untreated water and industrial applications
Message for measured value below the detection limit
Confirms complete removal of iron – important for monitoring deferrization systems
RS485 interface with Modbus RTU
Seamless integration into PLC and SCADA systems for central process monitoring
4 potential-free relay outputs
Limit value alarm, detection limit / dosing fault, device fault, analysis active / cooling water valve / indicator message
Analog output 0/4-20 mA
Direct transmission of measured values to the system controller
Self-calibrating sensor
Automatic compensation of ambient light and soiling
Compact design
Same dimensions as SYCON 2702/2802 – as wall bracket (IP43) or in housing (IP54)
9-language graphic display with SD card
Complete logging, installation wizard, software updates via SD card

Field of application

The SYCON Fe is used wherever the iron content in water needs to be continuously monitored:

Area of application	Description
Drinking water treatment	Monitoring the iron content after iron removal – the drinking water limit is 0.2 mg/l. Even slight exceedances lead to visible discoloration and customer complaints
Well water treatment	Continuous monitoring of the raw water to assess the iron load and control the efficiency of the deferrization system
Corrosion control	Elevated iron levels in mains water indicate corrosion in pipes – early detection prevents major damage
Industrial water treatment	Protection of downstream system components (membranes, ion exchangers, heat exchangers) against iron-related deposits and fouling

Requirements for the sample water

Parameters	Requirement
Texture	Clear, free of solids, free of gas bubbles
Temperature	5-40 °C (use sample cooler for higher temperatures)
Print	min. 0.5 bar, max. 5 bar (recommended 1-2 bar)

Maintenance

Due to the measuring method, the SYCON Fe requires shorter cleaning intervals than the SYCON series hardening devices:

Interval	Measure
Every 3 months	Cleaning the measuring chamber (with SYCON Clean cleaning set incl. FIT 3000)
Every 15,000 analyses or 24 months	Installation of the maintenance set: Replacement of the peristaltic pump cassette, seals and agitator blades

Installation and commissioning

Mount the appliance on a dry, easily accessible wall – upright, with free access to the drain
Make water connections: Inlet and outlet via 6 mm hose
Electrical connections: Supply voltage, 4 relay outputs, analog output, RS485, 2 digital inputs
Insert Reagent (Fe LRS or Fe HRS) and install suitable actuator LED in the measuring chamber
Start installation wizard – step-by-step guide through all settings
Start the first analysis run and check the measured value

Tip for the installation

Bright light sources with fluctuating brightness in the immediate vicinity of the measuring chamber have an unfavorable effect on the measuring accuracy and should be avoided. A sample cooler is required for sample water temperatures above 40 °C.

Important notes

Only for indoor use and wall mounting in upright position
When switching between Fe LRS and Fe HRS, the actuator LED must also be replaced (blue or red marking)
Gases dissolved in water can lead to measurement deviations when outgassing in the measuring chamber
Oxidizing agents (chlorine, ozone) above the drinking water limit values impair the measurement
Free, short drain without back pressure required (max. 2 m, vertical)
Install maintenance set (item no. 33-020025) every 24 months or 15,000 analyzes
Clean the measuring chamber every 3 months – use SYCON Clean (item no. 30-010900)

Measuring range and Reagents

Reagent	Measuring range (mg/l)	Actuator LED	Item no.
Fe LRS	0,01 – 0,5	Blue marking	32-080320
Fe HRS	0,2 – 6	Red marking	32-080330

When changing between the Reagents, the actuator LED in the measuring chamber must also be replaced.

Specifications at a glance

Property	Value
Measuring principle	Colorimetric method
Parameters	Dissolved iron (Fe)
Measuring range Fe LRS	0.01-0.5 mg/l (ppm)
Measuring range Fe HRS	0.2-6 mg/l (ppm)
Accuracy	± 10 % of the maximum measured value
Repeatability	± 5 %
Duration of analysis	approx. 7 minutes
Indicator consumption	approx. 0.5 ml per analysis
Analysis per 500 ml bottle	approx. 1.000
Water consumption	approx. 2 l per analysis at 2 bar
Durability Reagent	min. 1 year (at < 25 °C, stored in the dark)

Electrical data

Property	Value
Supply voltage (230 V version)	100-240 V AC, 50/60 Hz
Supply voltage (24 V version)	21.6-26.4 V AC/DC, 50 Hz
Power consumption	max. 25 VA / 8 VA measurement mode / 3.5 VA standby
Relay outputs	4 relays, max. 250 V AC/DC, 1 A, potential-free changeover contacts (NC/NO)
Relay 1	Limit value alarm
Relay 2	Below the detection limit / dosing fault
Relay 3	Device fault
Relay 4	Analysis active / cooling water valve / indicator message
Analog output	0-20 mA or 4-20 mA, resolution < 100 µA, max. 750 Ω Load
RS485 interface	Modbus RTU
Digital inputs	2× galvanically isolated – analysis start, water meter, flow monitor, interval reset

Mechanical data and ambient conditions

Feature	Wall bracket IP43	Housing IP54
Dimensions (W × H × D)	274 × 275 × 129 mm	332 × 345 × 190 mm
weight	approx. 2.0 kg	approx. 4.0 kg
Protection class	IP43	IP54

Ambient condition	Value
Operating temperature	10-45 °C
Storage temperature	0-45 °C
Sample water temperature	5-40 °C
Air humidity	20-90 % RH (non-condensing)
Inlet water pressure	min. 0.5 bar, max. 5 bar (recommended 1-2 bar)

Reagents

Reagent	Measuring range	Actuator LED	Item no.
Fe LRS	0.01-0.5 mg/l	Blue marking	32-080320
Fe HRS	0.2-6 mg/l	Red marking	32-080330

Note: The measured value to be monitored should be in the middle of the Reagent measuring range if possible. When changing the indicator between LRS and HRS, the actuator LED in the measuring chamber must also be replaced.

Display and operation

Property	Value
Display	Multicolored graphic display
Operation	8 buttons
Languages	German, English, French, Italian, Spanish, Russian, Polish, Dutch, Danish
Data memory	SD card (measured value logging and software updates)

Scope of delivery

Component
1 × SYCON Fe (configured for selected supply voltage)
Wall bracket or housing (depending on order variant)
SD card
Operating instructions (German or English, depending on order variant)

Note: A compatible Reagent (Fe LRS or Fe HRS) with matching actuator LED is required for operation and must be ordered separately.

Additional information

Design	Housing IP54, Wall bracket IP43
Power supply	230 V AC, 24 V AC/DC
Manual	English, German
Parameter	Iron
Product category	Analyzer
Series	SYCON

Flyer

Flyer SYCON Fe ENG

1 file(s) 849.44 KB

Download

Flyer SYCON Fe DE

1 file(s) 854.66 KB

Download

Category

Parameter

Comparison of the SYCON hardness analyzers

Our products. Your design.

Parameter (selection)