To reliably control and communicate with HART instruments, ATEC offers a variety of HART communicator rental devices from leading manufacturers including Additel, Fluke, and Emerson.
What is a HART Communicator?
HART field communicators are handheld units that operate via Highway Addressable Remote Transducers (HART). HART communicators can communicate over legacy analog 4-20 mA current loops, or the HART protocol, which means they can transfer signals between analog and digital systems.
When connected to a HART-enabled device, the HART field communicator has a master/slave relationship. The communicator can not only collect data but also troubleshoot a HART device from afar. A HART communicator can calibrate, monitor, and guide multiple devices from a single location to simplify both configuration and calibration.
What is the HART Protocol?
The Highway Addressable Remote Transducer (HART) protocol allows a digital signal to work with a 4-20 mA analog signal. As a hybrid between the modern digital signals and the legacy, analog signals, HART is a widely-used protocol around the world. Due to the prevalence of systems with 4-20 mA cabling installed, HART is sought after as a transition device from analog to digital.
HART technology is implemented in process and instrumentation systems in everything from small-scale automation environments to complex industrial settings; its relevance over the years will most likely not wane, as the need for integrating analog systems into a digital world persists.
How to Use a HART Communicator
While it is a versatile device, the HART communicator simplifies the different calibrations and uses possible with the device. The following steps show how to use a HART communicator to calibrate a pressure transmitter:
- Connect the pressure transmitter to a power source with a resistor installed within the series.
- Connect a multimeter to the power supply to measure output current.
- Use test leads to connect the HART communicator to the pressure transmitter.
- Power on the HART communicator and instruct the communicator to look for other HART devices.
- Before calibrating, configure setup parameters like input range, span tolerance, and error limits. These parameters ensure the correct calibrations are being performed.
- Begin slowly applying pressure until the right amount is met.
- Record the test reading and review the test overview to ensure the calibration is correct.
Choosing the Best HART Communicator Rental
When managing a wide range of HART-enabled devices, it's key to choose the communicator with the right features and capabilities. Here are a few of the most-trusted HART communicator rentals available and the different benefits that come with each type:
Contact ATEC today and one of our experienced rental agents can match you with the best HART communicator rental for any of your calibration needs.
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