PIE PIECAL 434 Operating Instructions Manual

Practical Instrument Electronics

82 East Main Street Suite 3.14 • Webster, NY 14580 Tel: [phone] • Fax: [phone] • [e-mail] • www.piecal.com

Page 1

• EASY TO USE

With the PIECAL 434 you can check, calibrate and measure all your current signal instruments
in a 4 to 20 milliamp DC loop. It can be used at any access point in your loop. Source & Read

0.000 to 24.000 mA, Simulate a 2 Wire Transmitter or use the PIECAL 434 to simultaneously
power your 2 Wire Transmitter and measure its output.

• EASY TO READ

Turn on the backlight to easily read the display in
dark areas of the plant.

• TROUBLESHOOT LOOP PROBLEMS

Quickly diagnose ground fault and current
leakage with the patented loop diagnostic
technology (US Patent# 7,248,058).

• SOURCE MILLIAMPS

Calibrate recorders, digital indicators, stroke
valves or any instruments that get their input
from a 4 to 20 mA loop. Easily set any value
quickly to within 0.001 mA with the adjustable
digital potentiometer “DIAL” or use preset 4.000
mA (0.00%) and 20.000 mA (100.00%)
EZ-CHECK™ settings.

• AUTOMATIC OUTPUT STEPPING & RAMPING

Press & hold the dial to automatically step from 4
to 20 in 2, 3 or 5 steps or choose a continuous
ramp.

• CALIBRATE USING LOOP POWER

Check loop wiring and receivers by using the
PIECAL 434 in place of a 2 Wire transmitter. The
PIECAL 434 uses any loop power from 2 to 60 V
DC.

• READ LOOP CURRENT

Check controller outputs or measure the milliamp
signal anywhere in the loop. The PIECAL 434
measures 0.000 to 24.000 mA (-25.00 to 125.00%)
signals with greater accuracy than a typical multimeter.

• POWER & MEASURE 2 WIRE TRANSMITTERS

The PIECAL 434 can simultaneously output 24V DC to power any and all devices in a process
loop using the internal batteries and internal switching power supply, while measuring the output
of a 2 Wire Transmitter and any other loop devices. Powers HART™ transmitters with built-in 250
ohm resistor simplifying hookups with HART communicators.

• READ DC VOLTS

The PIECAL 434 can measure from -60.00 to +60.00 VDC with 10mV resolution. Use it to check
loop power supplies, I/V converters, 1 to 5 Volt signals, and other voltages making it
unnecessary to carry an additional multimeter.

Copyright © 2011 All rights reserved • 434-9002 - Rev C 13 July 2011

PIECAL 434

Automated Diagnostic 4-20 mA Calibrator

Operating Instructions

PIECAL 434

Automated Diagnostic 4-20 mA Calibrator

Operating Instructions

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[e-mail]1.800.561.8187

Practical Instrument Electronics

82 East Main Street Suite 3.14 • Webster, NY 14580 Tel: [phone] • Fax: [phone] • [e-mail] • www.piecal.com

Page 2

q POWER SWITCH

Select “mA” to display and calibrate in milliamps.
Select “% 4 to 20 mA” to display and calibrate
in percent. Select “READ VDC” to read volts
DC. Return the slide switch to the “OFF”
position when not in use.

Note:

Percent mode can also be used with chart
recorders, valves or current trips that display in
percent.

100.00% = 20.000 mA

75.00% = 16.000 mA

50.00% = 12.000 mA

25.00% = 8.000 mA

0.00% = 4.000 mA

To convert from Milliamps to Percent:

Percent = (Milliamps - 4) / 0.16

To convert from Percent to Milliamps:

Milliamps = Percent / 6.25 + 4

w SOURCE / READ / 2 WIRE SWITCH

Select “SOURCE” to output in mA or percent.
Select “READ” to read in mA or percent.
Select “2 WIRE” to simulate a 2 Wire Transmitter.

e EZ-CHECK™ SWITCH

Instantly output 4.000 mA or 20.000 mA by moving
the EZ-CHECK™ switch to the “4.00mA” /“0.0%”
position or “20.00mA”/“100.0%” position.

For fast
three point checks select the “DIAL” position.
The PIECAL 434 will remember the last “DIAL”
value, even with the power off.

Note: The same “DIAL” value is stored for both
mA and %. The recalled value will be displayed
in the units selected.

r DIAL KNOB

Turn the knob to adjust output level. Turn
clockwise to increase the output, counter
clockwise to decrease the output 0.001 mA
(0.01%) at a time. Push and turn the knob for
faster dialing adjusting 0.100 mA (1.00%) at a
time. Press and Hold the knob to start automatic
stepping or ramping. Double click the knob for
stepping and Ground Leak Detection setup.

t EXTERNAL POWER JACK (Not Shown)

When used with the optional AC Adaptor, the
external power jack will eliminate the drain on
your batteries. This is handy for jobs that require
extended bench use of the PIECAL 434.
See accessories (page 10) for ordering information.

Note: This feature does not charge the batteries,
it only supplies power to the PIECAL 434.

CHANGING BATTERIES

Low battery is indicated by “BAT” on the display.
Approximately one to four hours of typical
operation remain before the 434 will automatically
turn off. To change the batteries; remove the
rubber boot, remove the battery door from the
back of the unit by sliding the door downward.
This allows access to the battery compartment.
Replace with four (4) “AA” 1.5V batteries being
careful to check the polarity. Replace the battery
door & replace the boot. All stored configuration
options are reset to factory settings when the
batteries are removed.

Note: Alkaline batteries are supplied and
recommended for maximum battery life &
performance.

Basic Operation

Power 2 Wire

Transmitters

Dial Output to
FULL SCALE to
Power 2 Wire

Transmitters

DIAL

AUTOMATED DIAGNOSTIC CALIBRATOR

4-20 mA

Push & Hold

to

Store/Step

Push & Turn

for

Fast Dialing

Double Click

for Options

VDC %mA

mA OFF

100%

0%

OUT

mA

20.000

3

5

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[e-mail]1.800.561.8187

Practical Instrument Electronics

82 East Main Street Suite 3.14 • Webster, NY 14580 Tel: [phone] • Fax: [phone] • [e-mail] • www.piecal.com

Page 3

Configuration

Configure the Calibrator

Move q POWER SWITCH to “mA”, “% 4 to 20
mA” or “READ VDC”.

The following display will appear for 3 seconds:

Double click the

r DIAL KNOB at any time the

unit is on and the following display will appear
for 30 seconds:

Turn the

r DIAL KNOB to move through the

menu. Press the r DIAL KNOB to toggle
between OFF and ON. These settings are
remembered even with the power off.

EXIT MENU - exits this menu immediately and
saves any changes. Menu will automatically exit
after 30 seconds of inactivity.

MODEL 434 REV #.#

> EXIT MENU

STEPS 5

GND LEAK DET OFF
BACKLIGHT OFF

HART MODE OFF

> EXIT MENU

AUTO OFF OFF

STEPS - pressing the knob will cycle from 2, 3,

5 steps and RAMP.

2 steps will automatically switch between 4 &
20 mA (0 & 100%).

3 steps between 4, 12 & 20 mA (0, 50 &
100%).

5 steps between 4, 8, 12, 16 & 20 mA (0, 25,
50, 75 & 100%).

RAMP will continuously ramp the output
between 4 & 20 mA (0 & 100%).

GROUND LEAK DETECTION - when ON the
PIECAL 434 has the ability to check for current
leaks caused by ground faults, moisture or
corrosion. This operates in Power/Measure
mode while powering up a 2-wire transmitter or
loop.

BACKLIGHT - If BACKLIGHT is ON the
backlight will light all the time the unit is powered
up. For maximum battery life turn the backlight
off when using the PIECAL 434 in areas with
enough ambient light to read the display.

HART MODE - when ON a 250 Ohm resistor is
automatically inserted in series with the leads in
all modes. This allows a HART Communicator to
communicate with a HART Transmitter without
adding an external resistor in the loop.

AUTO OFF - If AUTO OFF is ON, the unit will
turn off after 30 minutes of inactivity to save
battery life. If AUTO OFF is OFF the unit will stay
on until the POWER SWITCH is moved to the off
position.

Note: All settings are remembered even with the
power off. Removing the batteries resets the
values to factory defaults.

www. .com

[e-mail]1.800.561.8187

Practical Instrument Electronics

82 East Main Street Suite 3.14 • Webster, NY 14580 Tel: [phone] • Fax: [phone] • [e-mail] • www.piecal.com

Page 4

mA OUT, % OUT (Percent of 4 to 20 mA)

Choose this function to provide an output from 0.000 to 24.000 milliamps. The compliance voltage
is a nominal 24 VDC to provide the driving power to your milliamp receivers.

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

2) Select “mA” or “% 4 to 20mA” with slide
switch

q.

3) Select “SOURCE” using slide switch w.

4) Connect the output leads of the PIECAL
434 to the inputs of the device being cali­brated, making sure to check polarity. Red
lead to the plus (+) input and black lead to
the minus (-) input.

The output is adjusted in 0.001 mA (0.01%)
increments by turning the knob

r while the

EZ-CHECK™ switch

e is in the “DIAL”

position, or the current can be set at the fixed
points of 4.000mA (0.00%) or 20.000mA
(100.00%) with switch e. Press and turn the
knob for faster dialing with 0.100 (1.00%)
increments.

Start automatic stepping or ramping by pressing and holding the

r DIAL KNOB for 3 seconds. The

word STEPPING or RAMPING will flash on the display anytime the selected automatic function is
running. The PIECAL 434 will automatically step or ramp between 4mA & 20mA (or 20mA & 4mA)
for 30 seconds then reverse direction. Stop the stepping or ramping by pressing or turning the knob
or moving any switch.

Sourcing Milliamps

Power 2 Wire
Transmitters

Dial Output to
FULL SCALE to
Power 2 Wire
Transmitters

DIAL

AUTOMATED DIAGNOSTIC CALIBRATOR

4-20 mA

Push & Hold

to

Store/Step

Push & Turn

for

Fast Dialing

Double Click
for Options

VDC %mA

mA OFF

100%

0%

OUT

mA

20.000

3

Milliamp Receiver Input

Controller

Transmitter

Computer

Logger

I/P

DCS

Using Automatic STEP & RAMP output

Move q POWER SWITCH to “mA”, or “% 4 to 20 mA” and
the w SOURCE / READ / 2 WIRE SWITCH to “SOURCE” or “2 WIRE”.

The starting point for automatic stepping & ramping is based
on the

e EZ-CHECK SWITCH. Place the EZ-CHECK switch

at 20 mA and the automatic stepping or ramping will start at

20.000 mA (100.00%) and the values will decrease. Place the

EZ-CHECK switch at 4 mA and the automatic stepping or
ramping will start at 4.000 mA (0.00%) and the values will
increase.

Start automatic stepping or ramping by pressing and holding the

r DIAL KNOB for 3 seconds. The

word STEPPING or RAMPING will flash on the display anytime the selected automatic function is
running. The PIECAL 434 will automatically step or ramp between 4mA & 20mA (or 20mA & 4mA)
for 30 seconds then reverse direction. Stop the stepping or ramping by pressing or turning the knob
or moving any switch.

Using Automatic Stepping & Ramping

STEPPING OUT

12.000 mA

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