Fieldbus calibrator for Foundation Fieldbus H1 or Profibus

The system requires only one person to carry out the calibration and configuration process (normally, this process requires at least two people), with all calibration results automatically documented for quality control purposes and to ensure safety regulations are met.

The innovative MC5 Fieldbus Calibrator is claimed to be the world's first fieldbus calibrator unit. The MC5 can be used to calibrate, configure and trim Foundation Fieldbus H1 or Profibus PA transmitters. In addition, because the unit can simultaneously generate and measure the transmitter input, while also reading the digital fieldbus transmitter output, a user is now able to calibrate a fieldbus pressure and temperature transmitter.

Alex Maxfield, Director at Beamex, comments: "The global uptake of digital fieldbus systems is increasing at a rapid pace. A large proportion of new projects are now being carried out using fieldbus. Even critical applications and hazardous areas have now begun to adopt fieldbus.

"The MC5 is a unique product that provides an auditable record of transmitter configuration and calibration when used with Beamex's CMX calibration data management software. Everything is traceable. The system can be used to quickly set up a plant database of transmitters by electronically searching for all devices on the fieldbus network, rather than physically having to locate each device, therefore reducing commissioning time and consequently significantly accelerating the launch of a new plant or Greenfield site."

But there are more benefits from using the MC5. The unit is able to calibrate standalone transmitters, or when transmitters are connected to a 'live' fieldbus (as with Foundation Fieldbus). The MC5 has an integral power supply for powering up a standalone transmitter during calibration, so there is no need for a separate power supply unit. Maxfield explains: "This means the MC5 can also be used during commissioning when the fieldbus and control systems are idle."

Typical method for calibrating fieldbus transmitters

It is not possible to calibrate a fieldbus transmitter using only a configurator or configuration software. Also, it is not possible to calibrate a fieldbus transmitter remotely.

Fieldbus transmitters are calibrated in very much the same way as conventional transmitters - the user needs to place a physical input into the transmitter and simultaneously read the transmitter output, to verify that the device is measuring correctly. The input is measured with a traceable calibrator, but the user also needs to have a method of reading the output of the fieldbus transmitter.

But reading the digital output is not always easy and requires two people. When fieldbus systems are up and running, one engineer is required to be in the field providing and measuring the transmitter input, while another person sits in the control room reading the output. These two people need to communicate with each other in order to perform and document the calibration.

When process automation and fieldbus systems are idle, companies need to find other ways of reading the output of transmitters. In some cases, a portable fieldbus communicator can be used or a laptop computer with dedicated software and hardware. However, in most cases, calibrating a fieldbus transmitter is cumbersome, time-consuming, labour-intensive and prone to error. The MC5 Fieldbus Calibrator solves these issues.

Just as important, the MC5 is never likely to be obsolete, because when new fieldbus transmitter models appear on the market, the user can update the MC5 by simply entering device descriptions into the unit. Customers that already own a Beamex MC5 multi-function process calibrator can easily upgrade the unit to the new MC5 Fieldbus Calibrator version, without necessarily having to buy a new unit.

The MC5 also supports Hart communication and is able to calibrate temperature, pressure, electrical and frequency signals.