Altek 134-2 User Manual

Milliamp Calibrator

Pocketcal 134-2

• All milliamp loop functions

Source milliamps
Simulate two-wire transmitters
Read milliamp outputs
Power & measure two-wire transmitters

• Compact and lightweight

Fits easily into your pocket
Weighs less than half a pound
Clip it onto your belt with optional case

• Easy to use

Turn it on and start calibrating

• Accuracy to ±0.08%

Within ±0.03 mA from 4 to 20 mA

• Long lasting batteries

Two “9V” Alkaline batteries last many shifts

• “Quik-Chek®” pushbuttons

Instantly output 4.00 and 20.00 milliamps

• Milliamp or percent display

Source or read from 0.00 to 24.00 mA or from

-25.0 to +125.0% of 4 to 20 mA span

Easy to use

The Altek Pocketcal 134-2 will check, calibrate and
measure all of your current signal instruments in a 4
to 20 milliamp DC loop. Use at every point in your
loop. Source & read 0.00 to 24.00 mA, Simulate a
two-wire transmitter or use the 134-2 to
simultaneously power & measure your 2-wire
transmitters. Toggle the display to show milliamps or
percent of 4 to 20.

Source milliamps

Calibrate recorders, digital indicators, stroke valves or
any other instruments that get their input from a 4 to
20 mA loop. Easily set any value to within 0.01 mA
with the speed sensitive digital potentiometer.

Recall output setting

The “Quik-Chek” pushbuttons provide rapid checking
of 4.00, 20.00 and a third point between 0.00 to 24.00
mA.

Calibrate using loop power

Check loop wiring and receivers by using the 134-2 in
place of a 2-wire transmitter. Simulate a changing
process input to check loop response and control
settings. The 134-2 uses any loop power from 3 to
42 VDC.

Read loop current

Check controller outputs or measure the milliamp
signal anywhere in the loop. The 134-2 measures

0.00 to 24.00 mA signals with much greater accuracy
than a typical multimeter. Toggle the display to show
milliamps or percent of 4 to 20.

Power and measure 2-wire transmitters

Simultaneously measure the output of a 2-wire
transmitter while using the internal batteries to supply
up to 14 VDC to power the transmitter. Handy for
checking transmitters in the field or on the bench.

General description

Operating instructions

Turn-on

Each time you turn on the Pocketcal 134-2 the LCD
will display all segments for about 1 second. Move
the slide switch to the left to select Source or Power
Transmitter. Move the slide switch to the right to
select Read or 2-Wire Simulator.

Press the MODE push-button to toggle between
SOURCE and POWER TRANSMITTER or between
READ and 2-WIRE SIMULATOR.

Selecting mA or %

Press the mA/% pushbutton to toggle between 0.00
to 24.00 mA or -25.0 to 125.0% of 4 to 20 mA. When
scaled in percent, 100.0% corresponds to 20.00 mA
and 0.0% corresponds to 4.00 mA.

Turn-off

Move the slide switch to OFF to turn the 134-2 off. If
Auto-off is enabled, the 134-2 will turn itself off after
30 minutes of inactivity. Move the slide switch to
OFF and to the right or left to turn the 134-2 back
on.

Changing batteries

Low battery is indicated by BAT on the display.
Approximately four hours of operation remain before
the LCD blanks and POCKETCAL 134-2 shuts itself
down. Turn the 134-2 off, loosen the captive screws
securing the rear cover and lift off the cover from the
top of the case. The two “9V” batteries are easily
removed and replaced (alkaline supplied and
recommended). Replace the bottom cover and
tighten the screws.

User options

Auto-off

The 134-2 can be set up to turn itself off after 30
minutes of inactivity. The internal timer is reset to 30
minutes each time a pushbutton is pressed or the
knob is dialed. This configuration is part of the
Default Settings below.

Default settings - user options

The 134-2 may be restored to the factory settings.
This will reset the SET “Quik-Chek” memory to
midrange (12 mA). Prompts also guide you for
selection of Auto-off.

1) Press and hold the SET push-button while turning
the 134-2 on.

2) Keep pressing the SET push-button until the
firmware revision displays (about 5 seconds) then
release.

3) The words BAT and ON will appear on the
display indicating that Auto-off is selected.

4) To toggle the Auto-off function on and off press
the MODE push-button and the words oN and
oFF will display.

5) After five seconds the 134-2 will automatically
store your choice and the 134-2 will begin normal
operation. Or you may press the SET button to
accept your choice and begin operation.

Source milliamps or 2-wire simulator

Select source to output from 0.00 to 24.00 milliamps
using the internal batteries as the power souce.
Select 2-wire simulator to control the current in loop
that has an operating power supply. To change the
output value turn the speed sensitive digital
potentiometer (knob). The faster it is turned, the
faster the output will change. This function operates
in all three output positions (HI, SET & LO).

Recalling Quik-Chek outputs

Instantly output 4.00 or 20.00 mA by pressing the
4mA/0% or 20mA/100% push-buttons. For fast
three point checks press the SET push-button. The
134-2 automatically remembers the last SET value,
even with the power off.
Note: The same value is stored for both mA and %.
The recalled value will be displayed in the units you
have selected.

Open loops

The digits on the LCD will flash if there is an open
loop or if the polarity is reversed. Check all the
connections in the loop or try reversing the leads.

Power transmitter

Select power transmitter to supply the 12 VDC to
power a two wire transmitter while simultaneously
displaying the 4 to 20 mA output of the transmitter.

Read milliamps

Select read by moving the slide switch to the right
and pressing the MODE pushbutton until the word
READ appears on the LCD display.

Out of range signals

Signals above or below those available for the
currently selected range will be indicated by Or and
Ur on the display.

Setting up valves

When setting up a valve it is important to correctly
set the end stops. Use the 134-2 to supply the 4 to
20 mA control signal to stroke the valve. Select
source to output using the internal batteries as the
power souce or 2-wire simulator to stroke the valve
using an external power supply.

1) Disconnect the 4-20 mA control wires from the
current-to-pressure (I/P) converter or the
actuator.

2) Connect the 134-2 following the connection
diagrams on the next page for Source or
Simulate 2-wire transmitters.

3) Press the 4mA/0% push-button and adjust the
fully closed stop on the actuator.

4) Turn the 134-2’s knob slowly counterclockwise
and verify that the actuator and valve don’t
move. Repeat steps 3 & 4 until no movement is
detected.

5) Press the 4mA/0% push-button again and turn
the 134-2’s knob clockwise. The actuator and
valve should begin to move.

6) Press the 20mA/100% push-button and adjust
the fully open stop on the actuator.

7) Turn the 134-2’s knob slowly clockwise and
verify that the actuator and valve don’t move.
Repeat steps 6 & 7 until no movement is
detected.

8) Press the 20mA/100% push-button again and
turn the 134-2’s knob counterclockwise. The

Operating instructions

Source milliamps

Source mA, Source % (Percent of 4 to 20 mA)
Choose this function to provide an output from 0.00 to 24.00
milliamps. The compliance voltage is a nominal 12 VDC to provide
the driving power to your milliamp receivers.

1) Disconnect one or both input wires from the device to be
calibrated.

2) Move the slide switch to the left then press the MODE push­button until SOURCE is displayed.

3) Press the mA/% push-button to toggle between mA and %.

4) Connect the red SOURCE lead of the calibrator to the plus (+)
input of the device and the black SOURCE lead to the minus (­).

Output current is adjusted by turning the knob. Span and Zero
outputs are available by using the QUIK-CHEK push-buttons to

Simulate 2-wire transmitters

2-wire mA, 2-wire % (Percent of 4 to 20 mA)
Choose this function to simulate a 2-wire transmitter output from

0.00 to 24.00 milliamps. Operates in loops with power supply
voltages from 3 to 42 VDC.

1) Disconnect existing 2-wire transmitter from the loop

2) Move the slide switch to the right then press the MODE push­button until 2-WIRE is displayed.

3) Press the mA/% push-button to toggle between mA and %.

4) Connect the red lead of the calibrator to the plus (+) input of the
field connections and the black lead to the minus (-)

Loop current is adjustable from 0.00 to 24.00 mA with by turning
the knob. Span and Zero outputs are available by using the
QUIK-CHEK push-buttons to recall 20.00 & 4.00 mA.

Read milliamp outputs

Read mA, Read % (Percent of 4 to 20 mA)
Choose this function to measure from 0.00 to +24.00 milliamps
or -25.0 to 125.0%.

1) Open the current loop at any convenient point along the signal
path

2) Move the slide switch to the right then press the MODE push­button until READ is displayed.

3) Press the mA/% push-button to toggle between mA and %.

4) Connect the red READ (+) lead of the calibrator to the more
positive point of the break and the black READ (-) lead to the
more negative

Signals above or below those available for the currently
selected range will be indicated by Or and Ur on the display.

Power & measure 2-wire transmitters

Pwr xmtr mA, Pwr xmtr %
Choose this function to simultaneously supply power to a 2-wire
transmitter while displaying the 4-20 mA output of the transmitter.

1) Disconnect one or both input wires from the 2-wire transmitter to
be calibrated

2) Move the slide switch to the left then press the MODE push­button until PWR XMTR is displayed.

3) Press the mA/% push-button to toggle between mA and %.

4) Connect the red SOURCE lead of the calibrator to the plus (+)
input of the device and the black SOURCE lead to the minus (-)

5) Connect an appropriate sensor or calibrator to the input of the
2-Wire Transmitter

The 134-2 supplies a nominal 12 Volts DC at 24 mAto the 2­Wire transmitter. The current passed by the transmitter will be
accurately displayed by the 134-2. Calibrate the transmitter in
the usual manner and disconnect the 134-2.

Milliamp Receiver Input

Controller

Transmitter

Computer

Logger

I/P

DCS

Milliamp Output Signal

Controller

Transmitter

P/I

DCS

Receiver

(Powers external

2-Wire Transmitter)

Power Supply

2 to 45 VDC

To

Sensor

+IN-

REF +OUT-

Typical

2-Wire

Transmitter

(Disconnected)

+IN-

REF +OUT-

Transmitter Input

Sensor

Process Signal

Simulated Input

Typical

2-Wire

Transmitter

PN 1886558 Rev B November 2002
©2002 Altek Industries, Inc. Specifications subject to change without notice.
All rights reserved. Printed in U.S.A.

Specifications

(Unless otherwise indicated, specifications are for 1 year in ±% of
reading @ 23°C)

General

Accuracy: ±(0.08% of Full Scale + 1 LSD)
Warm up time: 10 seconds to specified accuracy, 2 minutes to
maximum accuracy
Temperature effect: ±0.015%/°C based on 23°
Batteries: Two “9V”, (1604) batteries (Alkaline supplied and
recommended)
Battery life:

Source and power transmiiter: Nominal 22 hours at 12
mA, 16 hours at 20 mA with 250 ohm load

Read & 2-wire simulator: Nominal 40 hours
Low battery indication: “BAT” indication on the display at
approximately 4 hours left

EMC:EN 61326 CRITERIA C

Operating temperature range: -5 to +130 °F (-20 to +55°C)
Storage temperature range: -13 to +130°F (-25 to +55°C)
Relative humidity: 10 to 90%, non-condensing for 24 hours from 0
to 35°C
Overall size: 121.9 x 66.0 x 35.8 mm (4.8 x 2.6 x 1.41 inches)
Weight: 0.22 kg (7.8 oz)

Milliamp source

Ranges: 0.00 to 24.00 mA; -25.0 to 125.0 % of 4 to 20 mA
Accuracy: ±(0.08% of 24 mA span + 0.01 mA) = 0.03 mA
Typical drive capability: 700 ohms @ 20.00 mAwith fresh batteries,
300 ohms @ 20.00 mA with low batteries
Compliance: nominal 14 VDC @ 20 mA with fresh batteries

Power & measure 2-wire transmitters

Ranges and accuracy: Same as for Milliamp Source
Output current: up to 24.00 mA
Typical drive capability: 700 ohms @ 20.00 mAwith fresh batteries,
300 ohms @ 20.00 mA with low batteries
Compliance: nominal 14 VDC @ 20 mA with fresh batteries

2-wire transmitter simulator

Ranges and accuracy: Same as for Milliamp Source
Loop voltage limits: Minimum, 3 VDC; maximum 42 VDC
Overload protection: Current limited to 25 mA nominal

Milliamp read

Ranges and accuracy: Same as for Milliamp Source
Voltage burden: 0.9V at 4 mA, 1.2V at 20 mA, 1.9V at 24 mA
excitation current

Altek products are warranted to be free from defects
in material and workmanship (excluding fuses,
batteries and leads) for a period of three years from
the date of shipment. Warranty repairs can be
obtained by returning the equipment prepaid to our
factory. Products will be replaced, repaired, or
adjusted at our option.

Altek gives no other
warranties, including any implied warranty of fitness
for a particular purpose.

Also, Altek shall not be liable
for any special, indirect, incidental or consequential
damages or losses arising from the sale or use of its
products.

Warranty