Martel Electronics BetaGauge 321A-Ex User Manual

BETAGAUGE

311A-Ex/321A-Ex

Reference Manual

BETAGauge 311A-Ex/321A-Ex
Reference Manual

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

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

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

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

2. Calibrator Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

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

2.2 Using the Backlight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

2.3 Using the Zero Function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

2.4 Other Menu Controlled Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

3. Measuring Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

3.1 Media Compatibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

4. Measuring Current . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

5. Measuring Temperature with an RTD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

6. Performing a Pressure Switch Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

7. Calibrating Transmitters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

7.1 Using the mA Input Function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

7.2 Calibrating a Pressure-to-Current Transmitter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

7.3 Percent Error Function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

8. Minimum and Maximum Storage Capability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

9. Factory Setups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

10. Custody Transfer / Flow Calibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24

11. Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25

12. Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26

13. Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27

13.1 Replacing Batteries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27

13.2 Cleaning the Unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28

13.3 Service Center Calibration or Repair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28

1. Introduction

The BETA 311A-Ex/321A-Ex is designed to be a simple to use yet very versatile pressure
calibrator. Its two internal pressure sensors combined with inputs for mA, switch contacts
and an RTD probe allow the 311A-Ex/321A-Ex to calibrate virtually any pressure device.

The BetaGauge 311A-Ex is a single sensor pressure calibrator; the BetaGauge 321A-Ex is
a dual sensor pressure calibrator. The 311A-Ex uses the P1 port for all pressure inputs.
The P2 port is only used on the model 321A-Ex. Therefore on the model 311A-Ex, all
menu choices involving pressure are limited to the P1 port only. All other model 311A-Ex
features and functions are the same as for the 321A-Ex.

1.1 Customer Service

Corporate Office:

www.martelcorp.com

e-mail: [e-mail]

Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone]

Martel Electronics

3 Corporate Park Dr.

Derry, NH 03038

1.2 Standard Equipment

Check to see if your calibrator is complete. It should include: BETA 311A-Ex/321A-Ex
Calibrator, instruction manual, Beta 321A-Ex/311A-Ex Concept Control Drawing (CCD),
test leads, carrying case, calibration certificate with data.

1.3 Safety information

Ex Hazardous Areas

An Ex-hazardous area as used in this manual refers to an area made hazardous by the
potential presence of flammable or explosive vapors. These areas are also referred to as
hazardous locations.

The Model 321A-Ex calibrator has been designed for use in Ex Hazardous Areas. These
are areas where potentially flammable or explosive vapors may occur. These areas are
referred to as hazardous (classified) locations in the United States, as Hazardous
Locations in Canada, as Potentially Explosive Atmospheres in Europe and as Explosive
Gas Atmospheres by most of the rest of the world. The Model 321A-Ex calibrator is
designed as intrinsically safe. This means that connecting the 321A-Ex calibrator to
equipment that is used within intrinsically safe circuits will not cause an ignition capable
arc as long as the entity parameters are suitably matched.

Warning

Check entity parameters before making any connections to this device.

1

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

Fuse

PE Ground

Hot Surface (Burn Hazard)

Read the User’s Manual (Important Information)

Off

On

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.

2

3

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.

• 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.

• Only operate the calibrator in non-hazardous areas or classified areas for which this
device is certified to operate in.

• 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

Pressure Measurement Inputs

Table 1 Process Measurement Inputs

No. Name Description

1, 2 Input Terminals These terminal are used to measure current and a contact

closure for switch test.

3 P1 Pressure Port This is the connection for the internal sensor P1

4 P2 Pressure Port This is the connection for the internal sensor P2

5 RTD Probe Connector This connector is where the RTD probe is plugged in.

4

Side View

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

Note: When the calibrator is turned on by pressing the ON/OFF key, it will go through a
short startup self-check routine. During that routine, the display shows the current
firmware revision level, auto shutdown status and the ranges of the 2 internal pressure
sensors. The calibrator requires a maximum of 5 minutes warm-up to rated accuracy.
Large changes in ambient temperature may require a longer warm-up period. See
section 2.3 for instructions on zeroing the pressure sensor displays. Pressure ranges

should be zeroed each time the calibrator is started.

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.

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6

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

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 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 RTD and Pressure modes have a second
parameter, RTDs can be read in Celsius or Fahrenheit and Pressures can be read in 11
engineering units.

With a single display the following modes are available:

P[1] = Pressure on left side sensor.

P[2] = Pressure on right side sensor.

P[1] ST = Switch Test with left side sensor.

CURRENT DISPLAY

P[1] P[2] P[1] P[2] mA RTD

ST ST

P[1]

P[2]

P[1]ST X X X

P[2]ST X X X

mA X X

RTD

OTHER DISPLAYS

7

P[2] ST = Switch Test with right side sensor.

mA = Milliamps measure

RTD = RTD Temperature Measurement (if a probe is connected).

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.

Table 4 Mode Concurrency

Note: P2 is only available on the model 321A-Ex.

2.1.1.3 Accessing Other Menus

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

8

Figure 4

Menu Map