Product roundup: Calibrators get some TLC

Centrical calibration test bench is standardized and configurable, and combines ergonomics, ease of use and versatility for performing calibrations in workshops. It's available as fixed height straight or corner bench, but it's also easy to configure for individual requirements using motorized height control. A trolley-based design is also available for mobile applications. Centrical's standard electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection offers electrical safety measures, and it has accredited calibration certificates.    

Beamex Inc.
770-951-1927

Temperature sensor self-calibrators

iTherm TrustSens hygienic RTD is reported to be the world's first self-calibrating temperature sensor, which functions in situ, and provides documentation of up to 350 calibrations to meet regulations, and avoids the risk of undetected drift. TrustSens has a built-in, high-precision ceramic reference based on the Curie point of the reference material, which is the temperature at which its ferromagnetic properties abruptly change. This change can be detected electronically, and if the measured deviation is outside set limits, TrustSens issues an alarm or error message that's displayed on a local LED.

TrustSens measures temperatures from -40 to 160 °C (-40 to 320 °F), works in pressures up to 725 psi, and provides a 4-20 mA output with HART. Its 4-20 mA output represents the measured process variable, and the HART signal contains diagnostic and status information. The sensor also has hygienic process connections, such as 1/2- to 3-in.Tri-Clamp, Varivent, etc. It can also be configured for direct immersion measurement, or employ a protective thermowell for easy removal from the user's process.

Endress+Hauser

Software supports calibration and decisions

AMS Device Manager software in the PlantWeb digital ecosystem supports device test schemes, device calibration scheduling, and management of device calibration data. It makes it easier to calibrate devices and manage the data and records required to calibrate and validate calibrations.

AMS Device manager's latest upgrade also enhances visualization and management of overall device data, enabling bulk device configuration and better insight into how device health, including calibration, may impact plant areas. With a correctly defined plant hierarchy, maintenance teams can visualize device data in targeted views, and better evaluate and manage the reliability of specific areas of the plant.

AMS Device manager also increases safety and security with system-wide, automated locking of devices. Users can protect against unauthorized changes to devices without relying on physically adding or removing jumpers. Customizable software-based locks can be enabled for select personnel for specific amounts of time, after which the system will automatically relock the devices to ensure that device configurations are protected.

Emerson

Faster HART smart valve assessments

The 710 mA loop valve tester is a handheld device with an intuitive interface that simplifies and speeds up assessments of smart HART control valves by letting users source 4-20 mA signals, which cause a valve to move, while it interrogates HART data to collect data about valve position and status. It performs quick health checks of in-place control valves by running built-in, dedicated tests, which give users at-a-glance diagnostics and fast, reliable good/marginal/bad results about their equipment and processes.

Preconfigured routines in 710 include: manually changing mA signal and viewing the HART position and pressure variable information; full range ramping of the mA signal from 4 to 20 to 4 mA, while recording the 0-100-0 percent position, or the pressures applied that move the valve from 0-100-0 percent; stepping the mA signal on the input to the valve in steps and evaluating the valves response to the mA input changes; speed tests to determine how fast the valve can open or close; bump and partial stroke tests that help test valves over a portion of their range, so they can be tested in a live process.

Test results are stored in the 710's memory, where it can be uploaded to included ValveTrack analysis software that lets users: upload and plot logged valve tests taken in the field; compare previous uploaded tests to recent tests; view valve test history by HART tag ID; and  export valve test data to CSV for further analysis in Microsoft Excel.

Fluke Corp.

Portable, heated and cooled baths

CLB portable, heated and cooled calibration baths are designed for onsite, hard-to-remove temperature equipment. Users cover the calibration tank with its gasketed, screw-on, stainless steel lid to prevent calibration fluid spills, and carry it by its handle on top. All four models have an adjustable-speed, magnetic stirrer controlled by a potentiometer for easy speed control, allowing good circulation for achieve stability and uniformity. North American or European power cords are available. Transport cases with wheels and a handle are available for transporting the baths between plants or jobsites, while protecting the unit from accidental damage.

CLB30 and CLB31 feature cooling capability not normally found in portable calibration baths, allowing for calibration at temperatures as low as -35 °C.  CLB50 and CLB51 provide heating for calibrations up to 225 °C. CLB31 and CLB51 have a 4.3-in. color touchscreen, PID controller with memory, USB and Ethernet communications ports, graphing of trends, data logging, 10-point calibration and alarms. They use an optional, external Pt100 probe for reference measurements. Stability is ±0.01 °C with uniformity of ± 0.05 ºC.

Palmer Wahl Instruments Inc.
828-658-3131

More Range for temperature calibrator

Jofra reference temperature calibrator (RTC) 187 delivers temperature measurements from -45 °C to 180 °C, which is an increase of 25° C compared to its prior product. Its top temperature of 180 °C is the hottest available for a calibrator that can also perform cold temperature calibrations. As a result, RTC-187 can perform calibrations over a 225 °C (360 °F) temperature range with only one calibrator.

Three RTC-187 models are available: RTC-A reference temperature calibrator; RTC-B reference temperature calibrator with inputs for a reference sensor, DLC sensor and sensors-under-test; and RTC-C reference temperature calibrator with inputs for a reference sensor and DLC sensor.

RTC-187 also features Ametek's patent-pending Dynamic Load Compensation (DLC) system that provides temperature uniformity no matter the size or number of sensors immersed. RTC calibrators offer improved heating and cooling speeds up to 20% faster than comparable calibrators. RTC-187 is compatible with inserts for RTC-156 and RTC-157 calibrators.

Also, RTC-187 works with JofraCloud that permits real-time remote calibration. JofraCloud saves time and improves work safety when calibrating sensors in difficult or dangerous locations.

Amatek Sensors, Test & Calibration 
727-538-6000