PIE Practical Instrument Electronics 434 Data sheet

Practical Instrument Electronics

841 Holt Road #1 • Webster, NY 14580 Tel: [phone] • Fax: [phone] • [e-mail] • www.piecal.com

Automated Diagnostic 4-20 mA Calibrator

• 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 backlight & easily see 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.

PIECAL 434

• 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. 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.

Actual Size

• Read DC volts

The PIECAL 434 can measure from -60.00 to +60.00 VDC with 0.01 Volt resolution. Use it to check loop power
supplies, I/V converters, 1 to 5 Volt signals, and other voltages making it unnecessary to carry a multimeter.

• Evolutionary design

PIECAL Calibrators are designed and built by members of the same team that designed and built the calibrators
manufactured by Fluke* under the Altek* label. The PIECAL 422 improves upon other brands by including a rubber
boot, tilt stand, backlit display with larger digits, rugged switches and a battery compartment for fast battery
changes.

* PIECAL Calibrators are not manufactured or distributed by Fluke
Corp or Altek Industries Inc, manufacturers of Altek Calibrators.

Ground Leak Detection

Have you ever replaced a “faulty” transmitter only to find the problem was somewhere else in the loop? And did you end up

throwing the transmitter away after you fixed the other problem “just in case” the transmitter was faulty?

If you find a loop where the transmitter is calibrated correctly but all the readings elsewhere in the loop have a fixed offset this is
due to a Zero Shift. This zero shift is typically caused by some current in the loop bypassing the transmitter. This might be caused
by ground faults, moisture or corrosion.

If you have some loops that are erratic after it rains there may be moisture present in a junction box or where insulation has
broken down. Turn on Ground Leak Detection and use the PIECAL 434 to power up the loop. Any current that isn’t controlled by the
transmitter or other current control element will be indicated as leakage on the PIECAL 434 display.

The PIECAL 434 powers up the 2-Wire transmitter or loop and indicates the total current and the uncontrolled current. This
provides information useful in troubleshooting loop errors.

Typical Error Conditions

PWR MEASURE OUT

12.506 mA

LEAKAGE: 00.51mA

The PIECAL 434 is supplying the loop
voltage. A calibrated transmitter is limiting the
loop current to 12.00 mA. An additional 0.51
mA is not controlled by the transmitter and is
leaking somewhere in the loop.

Using Ground Leak Detection (From the Instruction Manual)

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

Find current leaks in loops caused by ground faults, moisture or corrosion. The
434 simultaneously supplies power to a 2 Wire Transmitter (or loop with a
transmitter) while displaying the 4 to 20 mA output and the amount of current
leaking in the loop.

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

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

Select “SOURCE” using slide switch w.

3)

4) Turn the knob r clockwise several times until full scale output (>24.000

mA/125.00%) The display will indicate “PWR MEASURE” and “LEAKAGE:”

5) Connect the red source lead of the PIECAL 434 to the plus (+) input of the
device and the black source lead to the minus (-).

The PIECAL 434 supplies a nominal 24 volts DC at 24 mA to the 2 Wire
Transmitter or loop. The current passed by the transmitter will be accurately
displayed by the PIECAL 434 along with an indication of leakage current at the
bottom of the display. If there is an uncontrolled loop, a transmitter with upscale
burnout, bad or missing sensor or a short the display shows “iLOOP > 24mA”

Note: Many installed transmitters will normally indicate 0.01 to 0.10 mA leakage
without significant control problem. Unstable readings may indicate loose
connections or the presence of moisture.

q.

PWR MEASURE OUT

24.179 mA

i LOOP > 24mA

The PIECAL 434 is supplying the loop
voltage. There is an control loop error. This may
be a transmitter (set for upscale burnout) with a
bad or missing sensor, or a short in the loop.

12.280

PROCESS

INDICATOR

PWR MEASURE OUT

12.280

LEAKAGE: 00.28mA

AUTO MATED DIAGN OSTIC CALIBR ATOR

Power 2 Wire

Transmitter Input

Sensor

Process Signal

Simulated Input

+ IN - REF +OUT-

Typical
2-Wire

Transmitter

Transmitters

Dial Output to
FULL SCALE to
Power 2 Wire
Transmitters

Warranty

Our equipment is warranted against defective material and
workmanship (excluding batteries) for a period of three years
from the date of shipment. Claims under warranty can be made
by returning the equipment prepaid to our factory. The equipment
will be repaired, replaced or adjusted at our option. The liability
of Practical Instrument Electronics (PIE) is restricted to that
given under our warranty. No responsibility is accepted for
damage, loss or other expense incurred through sale or use of
our equipment. Under no condition shall Practical Instrument
Electronics, Inc. be liable for any special, incidental or
consequential damage.

4-2 0 mA

VDC %mA

mA OFF

mA

100%

DIAL

0%

Push & Turn

for
Fast Dialing
Push & Hold

to
Store/Step
Double Click
for Options

PIECAL 434 Specifications

Practical Instrument Electronics

841 Holt Road #1 • Webster, NY 14580

Tel: [phone] • Fax: [phone]

[e-mail] • www.piecal.com

Copyright © 2010 All rights reserved 434-9001 - Rev A 7 Jan 2010

(Unless otherwise indicated all specifications are rated from a nominal 23°C, 70% RH for 1 year from calibration)

General

Operating Temperature Range -20 to 60 °C (-5 to 140 °F)

Storage Temperature Range -30 to 60 °C (-22 to 140 °F)

Relative Humidity Range 10 % ≤RH ≤90 % (0 to 35 °C), Non-condensing

10 % ≤RH≤ 70 % (35 to 60 °C), Non-condensing

Size 5.63 x 3.00 x 1.60 in, 143 x 76 x 41mm (LxWxH)

Weight 12.1 ounces, 0.34 kg (including boot & batteries)

Batteries Four “AA” Alkaline 1.5V (LR6)

Optional AC Adaptors 120 VAC 50/60 Hz [Part # 020-0100]

240 VAC 50/60 Hz [Part # 020-0101]

Optional NiMh
battery kit

Low Battery Low battery indication with nominal 1 hour of

Protection against
misconnection

Display High contrast graphic liquid crystal display with

Read mA

Ranges and Resolution

Accuracy ≤ ± (0.01 % of Reading +0.002 mA)

Voltage burden ≤ 2V at 50 mA

Overload/Current limit
protection

Battery life ≥ 125 Hours nominal

Rechargeable

120 VAC for North America Only; charger, four
NiMh batteries, AC & DC cords [Part # 020-0103]

operation left

Over-voltage protection to 135 vrms (rated for
30 seconds) or 240 vrms (rated for 15 seconds)

0.315” (8.0 mm) high digits. LED backlighting for
use in low lit areas.

0.000 to 24.000 mA or -25.00 to 125.00% of 4-20
mA

25 mA nominal

≥ 100 hrs with backlight on

Source/Power & Measure Two Wire Transmitters

Ranges and Resolution

Accuracy ≤ ± (0.01 % of Reading +0.002 mA)

Noise ≤ ± ½ Least Significant Digit

Temperature effect ≤ ± 0.005 %/°C of FS

Loop compliance voltage

Loop drive capability - Leak
Detection Off

Loop drive capability - Leak
Detection On

Battery life ≥ 30 hrs at 12 mA nominal; ≥ 25 hrs with backlight

2-Wire Transmitter Simulation

Accuracy Same as Source/Power & Measure

Voltage burden ≤ 2V at 20 mA

Overload/Current limit
protection

Loop voltage limits 2 to 60 VDC (fuse-less protected from reverse

Battery life ≥ 125 hours nominal; ≥ 100 hrs with backlight on

Voltage Read

Range and Resolution -60.00 to +60.00 VDC Full Span (FS)

Accuracy ≤ ± 0.05 % of FS

Temperature effect ≤ ± 100 ppm/°C of FS

Input resistance ≥ 2 MΩ

Battery life ≥ 125 hours nominal; ≥ 100 hrs with backlight on

0.000 to 24.000 mA or -25.00 to 125.00% of 4-20 mA

≥ 24 DCV @ 20.00mA

1200 Ω at 20 mA for 15 hours nominal;
950 Ω with Hart Resistor enabled

1000 Ω at 20 mA for 15 hours nominal;
750 Ω with Hart Resistor enabled

on

24 mA nominal

polarity connections)

Accessories

INCLUDED:

Rubber Boot, Four “AA” Alkaline batteries, Certificate of Calibration
Small Carrying Case with PIE Logo Part No. 020-0205
Test Leads - one pair: 1 meter (3’) long with Part No. 020-0207
retractable shield banana plug & alligator clips

OPTIONAL:
AC ADAPTOR (200 to 240 VAC) Part No. 020-0100
AC ADAPTOR (100 to 120 VAC) Part No. 020-0101
Ni-MH 1 Hour Charger with 4 Ni-MH AA Batteries Part No. 020-0103
(100-120 V AC input for North America Only)
(100-120 V AC input for North America Only)

Additional Information

PIE Calibrators are manufactured in the USA.
calibrated on equipment traceable to NIST and includes a
Certificate of Calibration. Test Data is available for an additional
charge.

Practical Instrument Electronics recommends a calibration
interval of one year. Contact your local representative for
recalibration and repair services.

This product is

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