Instrument and electrical technicians use process calibrators to speed up the calibration of pressure switches

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Expert Review Position: Senior Instrumentation and Electrical (I & E) Technician Company: Oil and gas processing plant in the southwestern United States Tool: Fluke 721 Process Calibrator Application: Calibration, fault diagnosis, and troubleshooting of pressure switches in gas processing and treatment “With the Fluke 721, each switch can save four to five minutes, which means that each facility can save around five to six hours per year in terms of preventive maintenance time.” ”　　Background Properly functioning pressure switches are essential for ensuring the safety and efficiency of natural gas processing and treatment. We recently heard from a senior instrumentation and electrical technician the story of how he used the Fluke 721 process calibrator to ensure smooth operations. 　　Commentary: I am responsible for the calibration and maintenance of around 100 pressure switches in two manufacturing sites that cover an area of about half a square mile. If any electrical or instrumentation-related issues arise, I will be contacted to perform fault diagnosis, troubleshooting, or maintenance on the faulty equipment. Using the Fluke 721 process calibrator, I either identify switch problems or verify whether the switches are functioning properly, in order to determine the actual cause of the fault. - 　Previously, when calibrating pressure switches, I had to use a multimeter, a manual pump or a nitrogen cylinder with a regulator, as well as two pressure gauges (0-30 PSI and 0-2000 PSI). Now, I just need to use a 721 process calibrator with dual pressure ports and a manual pump or a nitrogen cylinder with a regulator. The F721 process tester has replaced the two electronic pressure gauges; I can measure pressure as needed while testing the electrical parameters of switches. The 721 is equipped with a large backlit display, allowing the results of process calibration to be seen clearly even in low-light conditions. 　　Automatic recording: The F721 process verifier is highly suitable for calculating dead zones. Previously, I had to do the calculations manually. I need to attach process instruments to the pressure switch to measure resistance, and then install the pump and pressure gauge. I had to watch the pressure gauge until I thought the switch was about to trip, then quickly check the process instrument to confirm whether the switch actually tripped. If I can’t seize this moment right away, I will miss the exact pressure at which it trips. 　　Accurate and repeatable: I have conducted several tests to evaluate the repeatability of the F721 process verifier and switches, and the results show that it is highly accurate. Moreover, if you know the dead zone of this type of switch, you can quickly determine whether the switch is deteriorating over time. -　　Using the F721 process verifier, each switch can save four to five minutes, resulting in approximately five to six hours of time saved per facility per year in terms of preventive maintenance. But more importantly, it’s great to be able to grab a 721, hoses, and a hand pump and get started right away when you need to perform fault diagnosis and troubleshooting in the middle of the night. 　　©2015 Fluke Corporation. Any changes to the technical specifications will not be notified separately. 2/2015 6004875a_en　 It is strictly prohibited to modify the contents of this document without written permission from Fluke Corporation.