Martel Electronics BetaGauge 301 User Manual

BETAGAUGE 301

Reference Manual

BETAGauge 301
Reference Manual

1. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

1.1 Contacting Martel / Beta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

1.2 Standard Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

1.3 Safety Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

2. Calibrator Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

2.1 Calibrator Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

2.2 Using the Backlight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

2.3 Using the Zero Function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

2.4 Other Menu Controlled Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

3. Measuring Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

3.1 Media Compatibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

3.2 Measuring Pressure with External Modules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

4. Measuring Current . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

5. Measuring Voltage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

6. Performing a Pressure Switch Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

7. Calibrating Transmitters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

7.1 Using the mA Input Function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

7.2 Calibrating a Pressure-to-Current Transmitter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

7.3 Percent Error Function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

8. Minimum and Maximum Storage Capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

9. Factory Setups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

10. Remote Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

10.1 Remote Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

10.2 Setting up the RS-232 Port for Remote Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

10.3 Changing Between Remote and Local Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

10.4 Using Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

10.5 Remote Commands and Error Codes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26

10.6 Entering Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28

11. Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33

12. Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34

13. Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34

13.1 Replacing Batteries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34

13.2 Cleaning the Unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34

13.3 Service Center Calibration or Repair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34

1. Introduction

The Beta 301 is designed to be a simple to use yet very versatile pressure calibrator. Its
internal pressure sensor combined with inputs for mA, voltage and switch contacts allow
the 301 to calibrate a variety of pressure devices. An external pressure module option
allows an even wider range of pressure calibration options including absolute and
differential.

1.1 Customer Service

Corporate Office:

www.martelcorp.com

e-mail: [e-mail]

Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone]

Martel Electronics

3 Corporate Park Drive

Derry, NH 03038

1.2 Standard Equipment

Check to see if your calibrator is complete. It should include: Beta 301 Calibrator,
instruction manual, test leads, carrying case, calibration certificate with data.

1.3 Safety information

Symbols Used

The following table lists the International Electrical Symbols. Some or all of these symbols
may be used on the instrument or in this manual.

Symbol Description

AC (Alternating Current)

AC-DC

Battery

CE Complies with European Union Directives

DC

Double Insulated

Electric Shock

1

Symbol Description

Fuse

PE Ground

Hot Surface (Burn Hazard)

Read the User’s Manual (Important Information)

Off

On

Canadian Standards Association

The following definitions apply to the terms “Warning” and “Caution”.

• “Warning” identifies conditions and actions that may pose hazards to the user.

• “Caution” identifies conditions and actions that may damage the instrument being used.

Use the calibrator only as specified in this manual, otherwise injury and damage to the
calibrator may occur.

Warning

To avoid possible electric shock or personal injury:

• Do not apply more than the rated voltage. See specifications for supported ranges.

• Follow all equipment safety procedures.

• Never touch the probe to a voltage source when the test leads are plugged into the
current terminals.

• Do not use the calibrator if it is damaged. Before you use the calibrator, inspect the
case. Look for cracks or missing plastic. Pay particular attention to the insulation
surrounding the connectors.

• Select the proper function and range for your measurement.

• Make sure the battery cover is closed and latched before you operate the calibrator.

• Remove test leads from the calibrator before you open the battery door.

• Inspect the test leads for damaged insulation or exposed metal. Check test leads
continuity. Replace damaged test leads before you use the calibrator.

• When using the probes, keep your fingers away from the probe contacts. Keep your
fingers behind the finger guards on the probes.

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3

• Connect the common test lead before you connect the live test lead. When you
disconnect test leads, disconnect the live test lead first.

• Do not use the calibrator if it operates abnormally. Protection may be impaired. When in
doubt, have the calibrator serviced.

• Do not operate the calibrator around explosive gas, vapor, or dust.

• When measuring pressure, make sure the process pressure line is shut off and
depressurized before you connect it or disconnect it from the pressure module.

• Disconnect test leads before changing to another measure or source function.

• When servicing the calibrator, use only specified replacement parts.

• To avoid false readings, which could lead to possible electric shock or personal injury,
replace the battery as soon as the battery indicator appears.

Caution

To avoid possible damage to calibrator or to equipment under test:

• Use the proper jacks, function, and range for your measurement or sourcing application.

2. Calibrator Interface

Figure 1 shows the location of the process measurement inputs, while table 1 describes
their use.

Figure 1

Process Measurement Inputs

Side View

Table 1 Process Measurement Inputs

No. Name Description
1, 2 Input Terminals These terminals are used to measure current, voltage and

a contact closure for switch test.
3 P1 Pressure Port This is the connection for the internal sensor P1
4 Serial Interface This is used to interface to optional external modules or

optional serial control.

Figure 2 shows the location of the keys. Table 2 describes the function of each key.

Figure 2

Keypad

Table 2 Key Functions

No. Name Description
1 Function Keys These keys are used in various ways, primarily to config-

ure the calibrator
2 ON/OFF Key This key is used to turn the calibrator on and off
3 ZERO Key This key is used to zero pressure measurements
4 Backlight Key This key is used to turn the backlight on and off

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2.1 Calibrator Display

The Calibrator Display consists of two regions: The menu bar (located along the bottom
of the screen) is used to access a menu system. The main display (the rest) consists of
up to three process measurement sub-regions. These sub-regions will henceforth be
referred to as the UPPER, MIDDLE and LOWER displays. Figure 3 shows the location of
the different display fields while table 3 describes them.

Figure 3

Display

Table 3 Display Functions

No. Name Description
1 Primary Parameters Indicates what is being measured.
2 Span Indicator Indicates the percent of the 4 to 20 mA span. (For mA and

mA Loop functions only)
3 Pressure Units Indicates one of 17 pressure units available for display.
4 Units Indicates the unit of measure for the display.

2.1.1 Main Menu Functionality

There are three options on the Main Menu, CONFIG, {current display} and MORE. The
Main Menu is home for the menu display.

2.1.1.1 Setting the Current Display

The current display is indicated by the center option on the Main Menu, pressing the F2
key will toggle the current display.

2.1.1.2 Setting Current Display Parameters

To set the parameters of the current display use the CONFIG option to get to the Display
Configuration Menu.

Here the SELECT option will toggle through the choices for each parameter. The first
parameter is MODE. Since voltage, current and switch test modes all use the same
jacks, two of these functions cannot be used concurrently. The ability to select certain
functions is limited based on what is already selected in another active display. The
NEXT option is used to change to the second parameter. Only Pressure modes have a
second parameter. Pressures can be read in 13 engineering units.

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Table 4 Mode Concurrency

CURRENT DISPLAY

P[1] [EXT] P[1] [EXT] mA mA Volts

ST ST Loop
P[1]
[EXT]
P[1]ST X X X X X
[EXT]ST X X X X X
mA X X X X
mA Loop X X X X
Volts X X X X

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With a single display the following modes are available:
P[1] = Pressure on left side sensor.
[EXT] = Pressure with external pressure module.
P[1] ST = Switch Test with left side sensor.
[EXT] ST = Switch Test with external pressure module.
mA = Milliamps measure without loop power.
mA LOOP = Milliamps measure with loop power.
VOLTS = Voltage Measure.

The following table shows which functions are available concurrently.
An X in a column indicates that the mode in the current display will not be available for

selection if the mode in that row is in use in any other active display.

OTHER DISPLAYS

2.1.1.3 Accessing Other Menus

Use the MORE option on the Main Menu to access the other menu functions.

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Figure 4

Menu Map

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2.2 Using the Backlight

The backlight is controlled by the dedicated backlight key. It toggles on and off when the
key is pressed; this is one of the few functions that cannot be controlled by the serial
interface.

2.3 Using the Zero Function

When the ZERO_KEY is pressed, the calibrator will zero the current display if a pressure
mode is selected, and the pressure is within the zero limit.

2.3.1 Internal Sensor and Pressure Module (non-absolute)

When a sensor or module is selected on the current display and the ZERO_KEY is
pressed the calibrator subtracts the current reading from the output.

2.3.2 Absolute Pressure Module

When an absolute pressure module is selected on the current display and the ZERO_KEY
is pressed the calibrator prompts the user to enter the barometric reference pressure.
This is done using the arrow keys (F2 and F3 Keys).

2.4 Other Menu Controlled Functions

There are eight ‘sub-main’ menus that can be accessed through the MORE option of the
Main Menu. A ‘sub-main’ menu contains three options. The first option is unique to the
function. The second and third options of a ‘sub-main’ menu are always the same. The
NEXT option leads to the next ‘sub-main’ menu and the DONE option returns home . For
the last ‘sub-main’ menu the NEXT option wraps around to home. See Figure 4 for a

detailed mapping of the menu structure.

A note on naming convention:

If a ‘sub-main’ menu has subordinate menus, it will henceforth be referred to as
{function} Main Menu. E.g. the display contrast sub-main menu will be called the

Contrast Main Menu. If not it will be called the {function} menu.

2.4.1 Setting the Contrast

From the Contrast Main Menu choose the CONTRAST option to access the Contrast
Adjustment Menu.

Use the arrow keys to adjust the display contrast to the desired level and then use the
CONTRAST DONE option to return home.

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2.4.2 Locking and Unlocking Configurations

Use the LOCK CFG or UNLOCK CFG option of the Configuration Lock Menu to lock or
unlock the display configuration.

When the LOCK CFG option is chosen the menu display returns home and the CONFIG
option on the Main Menu indicates that it is locked. Also all menus are locked out with
the exception of the Contrast Adjustment menus and the Configuration Lock Menu.
When the UNLOCK CFG option is chosen the configuration is unlocked and the menu
display continues to the next sub-main menu.

2.4.3 Saving and Recalling Setups

The calibrator will automatically save the current set-up for recall at power-up.
Additionally 5 set-ups can be accessed through the SETUPS menu. Select the SETUPS
option from the Setups Main Menu.

Choose SAVE to save a set-up , RECALL to recall the set-up, or DONE to do nothing and
return home.

If SAVE or RECALL is selected use the arrow keys to select the set-up location. Then use
the save option to store the current set-up into the selected location or the recall option to
recall the set-up stored in the selected location. The display menu will automatically go
home.

2.4.4 Setting AutoShut-off Parameters

The calibrator can be set to automatically shut-off after a selected number of minutes; this
function can also be disabled. To set the auto shut off parameters select the AUTO OFF
option on the Auto Shut Off Main Menu.

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Use the arrow keys to select the number of minutes before the calibrator turns off or
disable auto shut-off by scrolling all the way down.

Use the AUTO OFF DONE option to set the parameters and return home. The auto shut
off time is reset whenever a key is pressed.

2.4.5 Activating and Deactivating a Display

Use the DISPLAY option on the Display Selection Main Menu to access the Display
Activation Menu.

The {function} option can be used to select which display to act upon. The ON/OFF
option turns the selected display on or off. The selected display and current on/off state
are displayed in the lower display.

Use the DONE option to save the changes and return home. When a display is
deactivated its configuration is retained. When the display is activated its configuration is
checked against the configurations of the other currently active displays, if the
configurations are in conflict the recalled display’s configuration is modified to avoid the
conflict. If all three displays are deactivated the LOWER display will come on

automatically