In today's automated working environment, the control network is the key to achieving efficient, accurate work and high cost effectiveness. Various important industries - from oil and gas into food and drinks, as well as important infrastructure operations such as drinking water and wastewater and power generation - all rely on control networks to achieve proper operation.
The control network is composed of a transmitter and a control panel, and the process variables such as the maintenance, temperature, and flow rate are within the ideal range. If the pressure at the valve drops, the transmitter passes the information to the control system and then is further opened by the control system command valve, thereby returning the pressure to a predetermined level. "This is a quite advanced technology," said Fluk's product manager, Glenn Gardner. The control network can include thousands of transmitters, each can be communicated continuously, and, like the process they monitored, they also need to run accurately.
When testing these transmitters and control circuits, engineers and their tools have played an important role. The instrument technicians have closely monitor and maintain these control devices and networks, maintain their accuracy and the performance of the entire network. Tools such as loop calibrations automatically test the functionality of the device and circuit by tracking the transmitter and the control panel to transmit and accepted electrical signals.
Use HART to achieve a richer communication function
The transmitter can pass information that is more complicated. Typical control networks read 4 to 20 mA (mA) analog signals based on the measurement system. But now companies are increasingly using a digital protocol, while the industry leader of the digital protocol is a HART (high speed addressable remote sensor) system.
The HART protocol places low electrical signals above the analog 4 to 20 mA signals. This digital signal can provide key information that analog signals cannot be provided, such as internal diagnostics, device configuration, and fixed manufacturing parameters. "If there is a problem in the system, if there is no HART protocol, all the technicians may know how just 'I am getting a 4-20 mA (mA) signal from the transmitter,' and the HART protocol will provide more about the transmitter. Information, thereby helping us solve the problem, "Gardner" explained.
Less technicians, responsibility is heavier
For those skilled, more information is a major advantage, but it is also facing a few questions. Many industries have financial stress, have to reduce and reduce maintenance budget. This means that it may be necessary to reduce the number of technicians responsible for this work. Gardner said, "The workload of technicians will be greater than ever."
Moreover, some technicians work beyond its professional category. Gardner continues, "We are seeing the rise of composite technical talents, that is, the electrical instrument or E & I technical personnel, however, before 10 or 15 years ago, electrical technician and instrument technicians Division is clear, but now, in most cases, only one person is responsible for the above two work. "Now, the problem is not only what information can be obtained, but the efficiency of information.
Many test tools in the market are too professional and cannot meet the needs of composite technicians. When testing any instruments with HART functions, the technicians need two tools to perform loop calibration: loop calibrators and HART communication devices. For technicians that are increasingly working, precise and efficiency becomes a top problem. Not only that, HART communication equipment is not easy to cope with functionality or cost. "The standard HART hand operator is actually a very complicated equipment, they have a very deep menu, very difficult to learn, and cost up to $ 5,000," Gardner said.
Designed for today's work
To address the above trend, Fluke has developed a 709H precision loop calibrator with HART communication / diagnostics. 709h is a new member of the Fluke loop calibration family and the industry's first creation. "It is the first millian loop calibrator with HART communication function," Gardner said. It sets the function of efficient and urgent needs to solve it.
As the loop calibrator, the 709H function is powerful, providing 0.01% of the signal readings accuracy. 709h itself can generate 4 to 20 mA signals to test control systems and transmitter signals and help find errors. 709h also has a new valve test function.
The above characteristics make it a current Fluk's most accurate loop calibrator, "The most important it has HART function," Gardner pointed out. But Fluke added HART handler not only on the loop calibration, the company also made strategic improvements in the needs of technicians, simplified the HART function of the equipment, making it closer to work. "We have removed advanced features and insist on several key parameters that general instrument technicians hope to see, our goal is that E & I technicians who have no rich digital communication knowledge can still be convenient to use this product, rather after opening the product. See 100 different menus, we have simplified it just about 12. "Gardner said.
One tool, multiple features
The design of all aspects of the 709h is more user-friendly. The volume is smaller, it is easier to hold. 709H is really designed for one-hand operation, using the Center knob to quickly browse menu options. The backlight display is convenient to read under any light conditions. Moreover, like all Fluk products, 709 hours have durable, adhering to Fluke's consistent sturdy, striking yellow appearance.
From training to work, 709h help technicians work more efficiently. Gardner said, "Now, no need to learn two different tools, one is enough." When working, technicians use 709h to easily obtain various key equipment information, and make adjustments immediately to make the equipment work normally. For technical personnel, the device configuration recognition is a major advantage.
"Many friends have said, 'My biggest problem is: I am responsible for more than 5,000 transmitters, sometimes I really don't know what ghosts have been installed at some point,' At this time, they need to do it. Yes, pick up 709h, download the relevant configuration, "Gardner said.
In the words of Gardner, 709h is "quite cheap" than other HART communication tools. Controllable price helps companies maintain maintenance budgets, while their ease and power can directly meet the needs of today's technicians. In short, with this product, in this challenging world, the work has become simple.
Editor in charge: GT, read full text
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