HART ® Transmitter

Calibration
Application Note

Introduction
In today’s process plants, most
new field instruments are smart
digital instruments. Smart
implies a microprocessor-based
instrument with extra function-
ality and digital compensation,
supporting multiple sensor types
or multiple variables. These
instruments generally offer
better accuracy, long-term sta-
bility, and reliability than con-
ventional analog instruments.
The most common class of
smart instruments incorpo-
rates the HART protocol, with
more than five million HART
instruments in use in 100,000
plants worldwide. HART, an
acronym for Highway Address-
able Remote Transducer, is an
industry standard that defines
the communications protocol
between smart field devices and
a control system that employs
traditional 4-20 mA wiring.
Two capabilities are required
to properly service HART instru-
ments: precision analog source
and measure capability and
digital communication capabil-
ity. Until recently, this required
two separate tools, a calibrator
and a communicator. Today, the
capabilities of those two tools
are available in a single HART
Documenting Process Calibra-
tor that can help you quickly
and effectively service HART
instruments.

F ro m t h e F l u k e D i g i t a l L i b r a r y @ w w w. f l u k e . c o m / l i b r a r y
HART calibration prudent since performance How are HART
is required! checks will often uncover instruments properly
problems not directly caused calibrated?
A common misconception is by the instrumentation, such as
that the accuracy and stability solidified or congealed pressure To calibrate a HART instrument
of HART instruments eliminate lines, installation of an incor- consistent with its application, it
the need for calibration. Another rect thermocouple type, or other is very helpful to understand the
misconception is that calibra- errors and faults. functional structure of a typical
tion can be accomplished by re- A calibration procedure con- HART transmitter. The article
ranging field instruments using sists of a verification (As Found) in Appendix A, by Kenneth L.
only a HART communicator. Still test, adjustment to within Holladay of Southwest Research
another misconception is that acceptable tolerance if neces- Institute, describes a typical
the control system can remotely sary, and a final verification (As HART instrument and defines
calibrate smart instruments. Left) test if an adjustment has both proper and improper
These are not true. All instru- been made. Data from the cali- calibration practices. Originally
ments drift. Re-ranging with bration are collected and used published in Intech, May 1996,
just a communicator is not cali- to complete a report of calibra- it is reprinted with permission of
bration. A precision calibrator tion, documenting instrument the author.
or standard is required. Regular performance over time. Note: If you are unfamiliar with HART calibra-
performance verification with a All instruments, even HART tion or need a review, this is an excellent point
calibrator traceable to national instruments, must be cali-
to stop and read the article in Appendix A.
It covers the basics of HART instrumentation
standards is necessary due to: brated on a regular, preventive and addresses issues critical to instrument
1. Shifts in performance of maintenance schedule. The maintenance.
electronic instruments over calibration interval should be HART instruments consist
time, due to exposure of the set short enough to insure that of three distinct sections (see
electronics and the primary an instrument never drifts out Figure 1). Proper HART calibra-
sensing element to tempera- of tolerance, yet long enough tion may involve either or both
ture, humidity, pollutants, to avoid unnecessary calibra- sensor trim and output trim.
vibration, and other field tions. Alternatively, the interval Adjusting range values (LRV
environmental factors. may be determined by critical and URV) without a calibrator
2. Regulations governing occu- process requirements, e.g., cali- is not calibration. Performing
pational safety, consumer bration before each batch. an output trim while ignoring
safety, and environmental the input section is not proper
protection. calibration. Adjusting range
values with a calibrator may be
3. Quality programs such as ISO
a practical calibration alterna-
9000 standards for all instru- tive for instruments operated in
ments that impact product 4-20 mA analog mode, provided
quality. that the PV and PVAO are not
4. Commercial requirements used for process control.
such as weights, measures,
and custody transfer.
Regular calibration is also

Sensor Input PV Conversion PVAO Output 4-20 mA Analog

Analog
Input Section Section Section mA Output
(digital (digital
input) 4-20 mA)

Sensor Trim LRV/URV Adjust Output Trim

Figure 1.

2 Fluke Corporation HART Transmitter Calibration

 Analog Measure Value
Analog Source Value
Model Number
Tag ID
PV
(Primary Variable)
PV LRV
(Primary Variable
PVAO
Lower Range Value)
(Digital representation
of the Primary Variable
Analog Output) PV URV
(Primary Variable
Upper Range Value)

Figure 2.

New tool speeds together to complete field cali- a single key enters the HART
calibration brations. However, the desire to mode and displays the essential
carry less equipment and to per- HART information in the Active
Today, instrument maintenance form maintenance in the field Device Screen, shown in Figure
is moving out of the shop and has created a need for a new 2. Additional HART functional-
into the field. This reduces class of calibration tool. ity is accessed with only a few
process interruptions and The new 754 Documenting more keystrokes, per the menu
avoids the time and expense Process Calibrator from Fluke is tree in Figure 3.
of returning instruments to the the first powerful yet easy-to-
shop. Portable communicators use tool for field calibration of
and calibrators are often used HART instrumentation. Pressing

3 Fluke Corporation HART Transmitter Calibration

 • View process • Tag • Keypad input
variables • PV units • Adjust URV, LRV to
Process Basic • LRV, URV applied values
• View variable
map • Damping
• Re-map process • Transfer function
variables Sensor 1
(Dual sensor • Sensor serial number
temperature • Sensor lower and
Detailed • Config Sensor
devices) upper limits
(coriolis) • Config Output
• Sensor minimum span
Temperature
Sensor devices only:
• Change Sensor Type
• Change Sensor
Connections

• Software Version
• Final assembly number
Device Sensor 2
Setup • LRV, URV
• Change Sensor Type
Identification
• Damping
• Change Sensor
• Transfer function Connections
(Dual sensor
temperature devices)

HART • Dual Sensor Config

Output (Dual sensor
temperature devices)

Loop test • Manufacturer

Service • Model
Pressure • Write protect
zero trim HART • Device HART ID
• Alarm state
Information • Software revision
• HART poll address
Output trim • Hardware revision
• HART burst mode
• Number of preambles
Sensor trim • HART burst command
Abort

Figure 3.

No communicator is • Interrogate HART devices to • Read and write HART tag and
required! determine type, manufac- message fields to re-label
turer, model, tag-ID, PV, and smart transmitters
The 754 requires no exter- PVAO
nal box or communicator for • Clone additional transmitters
everyday HART calibration • Perform automated HART with basic HART configura-
and maintenance. It supports sensor trim and output trim tion data
many popular models of HART for selected devices
transmitters, with more device- • Adjust ranging, damping, and
specific command support than other basic process–configu-
any other HART field calibrator. ration settings

4 Fluke Corporation HART Transmitter Calibration

Versatile HART protocol Is there still a role for the HART calibration
support communicator? applications
With 64 MB of memory, the 754 Commissioning a HART instru- The following examples demon-
supports a substantial set of ment or modifying HART strate how the 754 makes HART
HART instructions: variables not supported by the calibration an efficient operation.
• Universal commands — 754 requires the use of a com- The 754 enables easy hookup
provide functions that are municator. The 754 is designed using its HART cable, fast access
implemented in all field to perform the vast majority of to the most important HART
devices, for example, read day-to-day operations you nor- data, automatic branching to
manufacturer and device mally perform with a separate appropriate adjustment choices,
type, read primary variable communicator. The HART capa- automatic completion of test tem-
(PV), or read current output bility of the 754 is comparable plates, and automatic fetching
and percent of span to that of the model 475 HART and sending of analog readings
• Common practice com- communicator, with the excep- during trim.
mands — provide functions tion of the DD interpreter. While
that are common to many the DD interpreter enables a
but not all field devices, for common communicator to read
example read multiple vari- command set libraries from any
ables, set damping time, or HART supplier, it offers capabili-
perform loop test ties far beyond those generally
required for daily HART instru-
• Device-specific com- ment maintenance.
mands — provide functions
that are unique to a particu-
lar field device, for example
Manufacturer Pressure Instruments Temperature Instruments Coriolis Instruments
sensor trim. The 754 Version
ABB/Kent-Taylor 600T 658T1
supports these devices:
ABB/ Contrans P,1
Hartmann & Braun AS 800 Series
HART operating modes Endress & Hauser CERABAR S, TMT 1221, TMT 1821,
supported CERABAR M,
DELTABAR S
TMT 1621

• For Point to Point opera- Foxboro Eckardt TI/RTT201

tion, the most commonly used Foxboro/Invensys I/A Pressure
mode, connects the 754 to Fuji FCX FRC
a single HART device in a FCXAZ

4-20 mA loop. Honeywell ST3000 STT25T1, STT25H1

Micro Motion 2000
• In Multi-Drop mode, sev- 2000 IS
eral HART instruments can 9701
9712
be bussed together. The 754 9739
searches for each, identifies Moore Products 3441
addresses in use, and allows Rosemount 1151 3044C
you to select the instrument 2088 644
for calibration and related 3001C 3144
3051, 3051S 3244, 3144P
operations.
Siemens SITRANS P DS
• In Burst Mode, the HART SITRANS P ES
instrument transmits bursts SMAR LD301 TT3011
of data without waiting to be Viatran I/A Pressure
interrogated by a master unit. Wika UNITRANS T32H1
The 754 can take transmit- Yokogawa EJA YTA 110, 310 and 320
ters out of burst mode during Table 1. 1
Sensor Trim not supported
test or calibration, then later
restore them to burst mode.

5 Fluke Corporation HART Transmitter Calibration

 Procedure
Example 1 2. Press the key again and
1. Power on the Fluke 754 you are prompted to select
Calibrator. Press the red the 754 configuration (Figure
Calibration of a key followed by the Loop
Rosemount 3051 HART 6). Selecting MEAS mA,
Power softkey and the 754 SOURCE psi will configure
Pressure Transmitter will display the basic HART the calibrator to measure
Basic connections information for the 3051 the analog mA output and
This example assumes that (Figure 5). the pressure being applied
the transmitter is isolated from simultaneously to the
the process and is not electri- transmitter input and the
cally connected to a loop power pressure module. (Selecting
supply. Make basic connections MEAS PV, SOURCE psi will
to the 3051 per the diagram in configure the 754 to evalu-
Figure 4. A separate 250 ohm ate the digital PV output from
resistor is not necessary because the transmitter.) Press to
the 754 incorporates a resistor select.
in series with the loop supply Figure 5.
through its mA jacks. The 3051
in this example is configured for
psi units.

Figure 6.

754 DOCUMENTING PROCESS CALIBRATOR

Hand Pump

TEST DC PWR
– ++ –
+

Pressure
Module

Pressure Input

mA Measure, 24V Loop

Figure 4

6 Fluke Corporation HART Transmitter Calibration

3. Vent the pressure line and 5. If the As Found test failed 7. Select Output Trim and
press to zero the pres-
CLEAR
(ZERO) (i.e., there were highlighted press . The value of the
sure module. Press the As errors in the error sum- primary variable (PVAO) is in
Found softkey, and then mary table), adjustment is the upper right corner of the
press to select Instru- necessary. Press the Adjust display. This is normally a
ment for a linear transmitter softkey. Select Sensor Trim 4 mA signal. The mA value,
calibration. (If the 3051 is and press . (Do not select as constantly measured
configured for square root Pressure Zero Trim. It is the by the Fluke 754, is in the
output, select Instru- same as trimming the lower center of the display. Press
ment.) Notice that the sensor point at zero, which is the Fetch softkey to load the
calibration template is auto- useful for pressure transmit- measured mA value. Press
matically completed with the ters that do not offer Sensor Send to send the value to
exception of Tolerance. Fill in Trim.) The 754 screen should the 3051 to trim the output
the appropriate test tolerance look like Figure 8. section for the 4 mA value.
and press Done. Press Continue for the
4. Press the Manual Test 20 mA trim and repeat this
softkey to begin calibration. step.
Apply the input pressures 8. After completing Output Trim,
as instructed in the SOURCE press the Done softkey and
screen. Press the Accept proceed with the As Left
Point softkey when the cor- verification test. Press the
rect pressure is applied for As Left softkey. Press Done
each point. When the test is and then press Manual
Figure 8.
complete, the error summary Test. Apply the requested
table is displayed (Figure pressures and press Accept
7). Test errors exceeding 6. Select Perform user trim – Point when the readings
the tolerance are high- both and press . Zero are stable. On completion
lighted. When done viewing the pressure module (vented an error summary table is
the table, press the Done to atmosphere) by pressing displayed. If none of the
softkey. Press Done again . Press the Continue soft-
CLEAR
(ZERO)
errors are highlighted (Figure
to accept, or to change key and you are prompted 9), the 3051 passes the
the tag, serial number or ID for the Lower Trim value. For calibration test. If errors are
fields. best results, apply the LRV highlighted, the test has
pressure and press Fetch failed and further adjustment
to load the value being is required. Return to step 5
measured by the pressure for adjustment of the 3051.
module. Press Trim. Then
press Continue to move to
the Upper Trim. As before,
apply the URV pressure,
press Fetch, and press Trim.
If the 3051 is used with the
Figure 7. digital PV output, skip to step
8 and perform the As Left
test. If the 4-20 mA analog
output is used in the process, Figure 9.
continue on to step 7.

7 Fluke Corporation HART Transmitter Calibration

 Procedure
Example 2 2. Press the key again
1. Power on the Fluke 754 and you are prompted to
Calibrator. Press the red select the 754 configura-
Calibration of a key followed by the Loop
Rosemount 3144 HART tion (Figure 12). Selecting
Power softkey. Press to MEAS mA, SOURCE T/C typ
Temperature Transmitter bypass the warning screens K configures the calibra-
Basic connections and the 754 will display the tor to measure the analog
This example assumes that basic HART information for mA output of the transmit-
the transmitter is isolated from the 3144 (Figure 11). ter and source the correct
the process and is not electri- temperature stimulus at the
cally connected to a loop power 3144 input. (Selecting MEAS
supply. Make basic connections PV, SOURCE T/C typ K will
to the 3144 per the diagram in configure the 754 to evalu-
Figure 10. A separate ate the digital PV output from
250 ohm resistor is not nec- the transmitter.) Press to
essary because the 754 select.
incorporates a resistor in series
with the loop supply through
Figure 11.
its mA jacks. The 3144 in this
example is configured for a type
K thermocouple sensor with a
span of 0 °C to 300 °C.

TC
+ TC
754 DOCUMENTING PROCESS CALIBRATOR –

2 3
1 4
– 5
+
T

3144
Transmitter

Figure 10.

8 Fluke Corporation HART Transmitter Calibration

 5. If the As Found test failed
(i.e., there were highlighted
errors in the error sum-
mary table), adjustment is
necessary. Press the Adjust
softkey. Select Sensor Trim
and press . Select Per-
form user trim – both and
Figure 12. Figure 15.
press . The 754 screen
should look like Figure 14.
3. Press the As Found softkey, 8. After completing Output Trim,
and then press to select press the Done softkey and
Instrument for a linear proceed with the As Left
transmitter calibration. Notice verification test. Press the As
that the calibration template Left softkey. Press Done and
is automatically completed then press Auto Test. On
with the exception of the completion, an error sum-
Tolerance. Fill in the appro- mary table is displayed. If
priate test tolerance and errors are highlighted, the
press the Done softkey. Figure 14. test has failed and further
4. Press the Auto Test soft- adjustment is required.
key to begin calibration. Return to step 5 for adjust-
6. For best results, press LRV to
Once the test is complete, ment of the 3144.
apply the LRV for the Lower
an error summary table is Trim value. Press Trim and
displayed (Figure 13). Test then Continue to move to
errors exceeding the toler- the Upper Trim. Press URV,
ance are highlighted. When press Trim, and then press
done viewing the table, Done. If the 3144 is used
press the Done softkey. Press with the digital PV output,
Done again to accept, or skip to step 8 and perform
to change the tag, serial the As Left test. If the analog
number or ID fields. 4-20 mA output is used in Figure 16.
the process, continue on to
step 7.
7. Select Output Trim and
press . The value of the
primary variable (PVAO) is
in the upper right corner of
the display. (Figure 5). This
is normally a 4 mA signal.
Figure 13. The mA value, as constantly
measured by the Fluke 754,
is in the center of the dis-
play. Press the Fetch softkey
to load the measured mA
value. Press Send to send
the value to the 3144 to trim
the output section for the
4 mA value. Press Continue
for the 20 mA trim and
repeat this step.

9 Fluke Corporation HART Transmitter Calibration

 For instruments used in analog output mode. The 754
Example 3 analog mode, i.e., where the will automatically connect to a
4-20 mA analog output is used device at address 0; if a device
Calibration of HART for control, the 754 can be used is not found at 0 the 754 will
instruments using for calibration. After performing begin polling addresses 1 to
universal commands an As Found and determining 15. The 754 also displays a
that adjustment is required, this non-zero address with the basic
The 754 supports a majority of example first performs an Output HART information.
the installed workload of HART Trim to bring the instrument
transmitters—see Table 1—by within tolerance. Failing that, Basic connections
supporting sensor trim, which the example performs an adjust- This example assumes that
employs device-specific com- ment to the Lower and Upper the transmitter is isolated from
mands that are unique to a Range Values (LRV and URV) to the process and is not elec-
particular instrument. So how compensate for input section trically connected to a loop
can you calibrate instruments error. power supply. Make basic
that are not supported by the connections to the transmit-
Note: Appendix A explains that these adjust-
754? ments do not constitute a proper HART calibra- ter per the diagram in Figure
The short answer is that the tion. While this is true, these adjustments are 18. A separate 250 ohm resis-
754 supports a substantial set of a practical calibration alternative for
instruments operated in 4-20 mA analog tor is not necessary because
the universal HART commands mode if error corrections are not large the 754 incorporates a resistor
and the common practice in series with the 24 V loop
HART commands. The 754 How to determine digital supply through its mA jacks.
can communicate with virtu- or analog? This example assumes a type K
ally any HART instrument and, thermocouple transmitter with
in most cases, can complete a The transmitter is in digital
calibration procedure (except mode if its HART Poll Address is an input range of 0 °C to 100 °C,
for sensor trim for unsupported set between 1 to 15. An address 4-20 mA output, and a 0.25 %
of 0 (zero) sets it to 4-20 mA test tolerance.
instruments).
This example applies to
instruments used in analog
mode (4-20 mA). If the instru- 754 DOCUMENTING PROCESS CALIBRATOR

ment is operated in digital

mode, i.e., its PV is the output
variable that is used for control,
a calibration of the Input Section
is all that is needed. Adjustment
will require a Sensor Trim, (see TEST DC PWR
– ++ –

Figure 17) which means that

for instruments not supported
by the 754 you will need to
use both a 754 (to perform the
As Found and As Left tests and
record the results) and a com-
municator (to perform sensor
trim).

Figure 18.

Sensor Input PV Conversion PVAO Output 4-20 mA Analog

Analog
Input Section Section Section mA Output
(digital (digital
input) 4-20 mA)

Sensor Trim LRV/URV Adjust Output Trim

Figure 17.

10 Fluke Corporation HART Transmitter Calibration

Procedure 3. If source was not configured
in the previous step press
1. Power on the Fluke 754
the Measure/Source button
Calibrator. Press the key
and configure the source for
and the Loop Power softkey
a type K thermocouple. Press
(if loop power is not already
Measure/Source until you
supplied). Press until any
are at the dual screen. Press
device warnings are cleared
the As Found softkey and
and the basic HART informa- Figure 22.
press to select Instru-
tion is displayed (Figure 19).
ment calibration. Move the
cursor to Tolerance and If errors are highlighted,
ENTER the appropriate test adjustment is necessary by
tolerance (0.25 % in this performing an Output Trim.
example). Verify that the 0 Press Done to leave the
% Source Value and 100 % results screen, edit the tag,
Source Value are the proper, serial number or ID fields as
nominal operating values for necessary, and press Done
the transmitter (0.0 °C and again.
Figure 19. 100.0 °C in this example, 5. Press the Adjust softkey,
Figure 21). If the Lower (0 %) select Output Trim and
and Upper (100 %) Range press . The value of the
2. Press the key again Values (LRV and URV) have primary variable (PVAO) is
and you are prompted to been previously modified for in the upper right corner of
select the 754 configura- calibration purposes, you will the display (Figure 23). This
tion (Figure 20). Move the need to ENTER the nominal is normally a 4 mA signal.
cursor to MEAS mA, SOURCE values. For example, if a The real-time mA value as
T/C typ K (or measure mA if previous calibration modi- measured by the Fluke 754,
source configuration is not fied the URV to 100.2 °C, you is in the center of the dis-
offered), and press . (If need to manually ENTER the play. Press the Fetch softkey
you were verifying the digi- nominal value of 100.0 °C to load the measured mA
tal PV instead of the mA for the 100 % Value. Enter- value. Press the Send softkey
output, i.e., the transmitter ing nominal zero and span to send the value to the
has a non-zero HART poll values ensures that errors transmitter to trim the output
address, you would select are calculated correctly. section for the 4 mA value.
MEAS PV, SOURCE T/C typ Press Continue for the
K (or measure PV if source 20 mA adjustment and
configuration is not offered) repeat this step.
instead.)

Figure 21.

4. Press Done and then press

Figure 20.
Auto Test. Once the test is Figure 23.
complete, an error summary
table is displayed (Figure
22). Test errors exceeding
the tolerance are high-
lighted. If the test passed,
i.e., if no errors are high-
lighted, adjustment is not
required.

11 Fluke Corporation HART Transmitter Calibration

6. Now perform an As Left test. 9. Press the MEASURE/SOURCE
Press As Left, press Done, button (2) times and input
and then press Auto Test. the LRV value (O degrees C
On completion the error this example) using the 754
summary table is displayed. keypad and press ENTER.
If errors are highlighted, the 10. Press and then press
test has failed and further the Setup softkey. Select
adjustment is required. Basic from the menu and Figure 24.
Note: If the failure error is large, sensor trim press to display the
adjustment with a communicator may be nec- basic setup parameters
essary. Often, however, adjustment can be ac- 12. Now press Done and
complished with a 754 by modifying the LRV shown in Figure 24. Move
then press Abort 3 times.
(Lower Range Value) and URV (Upper Range the cursor to Lower Range
Value) to compensate for Input Section error. Perform a new As Found
Value and press . Move
test by pressing As Found.
7. In the case of a pressure the cursor to Apply Values
(Remember to make sure
transmitter that has on-board and press . Press
that the original, nominal
Zero and Span adjustment to select 4 mA. Press the
zero and span values are
buttons, calibration is easy. Continue softkey, then
shown as the 0 % Value
Simply apply a calibrated press “any key” then press
and 100 % Value.) Press
source at the LRV and URV the Set softkey. Press “any
Done and then press Auto
values and press the respec- key”, the Done and abort
Test. On completion, the
tive Zero and Span buttons Softkeys until you exit to
error summary table is
on the transmitter. Then the source screen. Using
displayed. If errors are
verify the condition of the the 754 keypad, type in the
highlighted, the test has
transmitter by completing URV (100 degrees C in this
failed—repeat the adjust-
an As Left test as in step 6. example) value recorded in
ment or trim sensor section
Many HART transmitters do step 8 and press .
with a communicator.
not have physical adjust- 11. Repeat step (10) but select
Note: If you encounter any difficulty
ments and need either a 20 mA after Selecting with any of these examples, you may
communicator or a Fluke “Apply Values” instead of call 1-800-44-FLUKE for assistance
754 to adjust the LRV and 4 mA. (1-800-443-5853).
URV values. For those cases,
proceed to step 8.
8. The error summary table
(displayed from step 6) pro-
vides the data necessary to
make LRV and URV changes.
Write down the LRV and URV
values (in this example 0 and
100 degrees C). Return the
754 to the normal Measure/
Source screen displaying the
As Left softkey by pressing
the Done softkey 3 times.

12 Fluke Corporation HART Transmitter Calibration

 similarity ends there. Instead of The second box is strictly a
Appendix A a purely mechanical or electrical mathematical conversion from
path between the input and the the process variable to the
Calibrating HART resulting 4-20 mA output signal, equivalent milliamp representa-
Transmitters a HART transmitter has a micro- tion. The range values of the
By Kenneth L. Holladay, P.E. processor that manipulates the instrument (related to the zero
input data. As shown in Figure and span values) are used in
Calibrating a conventional A2, there are typically three cal- conjunction with the transfer
instrument culation sections involved, and function to calculate this value.
For a conventional 4-20 mA each of these sections may be Although a linear transfer
instrument, a multiple point test individually tested and adjusted. function is the most common,
that stimulates the input and Just prior to the first box, pressure transmitters often
measures the output is suffi- the instrument’s microproces- have a square root option. Other
cient to characterize the overall sor measures some electrical special instruments may imple-
accuracy of the transmitter. The property that is affected by the ment common mathematical
normal calibration adjustment process variable of interest. The transformations or user defined
involves setting only the zero measured value may be mil- break point tables. The output
value and the span value, since livolts, capacitance, reluctance, of the second block is a digital
there is effectively only one inductance, frequency, or some representation of the desired
adjustable operation between other property. However, before instrument output. When you
the input and output as illus- it can be used by the micropro- read the loop current using
trated below. cessor, it must be transformed to a communicator, this is the
a digital count by an analog to value that you see. Many HART
digital (A/D) converter. instruments support a command
Zero and Span
Adjustments
In the first box, the micropro- which puts the instrument into
cessor must rely upon some form a fixed output test mode. This
Sensing 4-20 mA of equation or table to relate the overrides the normal output of
Element Analog Output raw count value of the electri- the second block and substi-
Electronics cal measurement to the actual tutes a specified output value.
property (PV) of interest such as The third box is the output
Figure A1. Conventional Transmitter Block temperature, pressure, or flow. section where the calculated
Diagram. The principle form of this table output value is converted to a
is usually established by the count value that can be loaded
This procedure is often manufacturer, but most HART into a digital to analog con-
referred to as a Zero and Span instruments include commands verter. This produces the actual
Calibration. If the relationship to perform field adjustments. analog electrical signal. Once
between the input and output This is often referred to as a again the microprocessor must
range of the instrument is not sensor trim. The output of the rely on some internal calibration
linear, then you must know the first box is a digital representa- factors to get the output correct.
transfer function before you tion of the process variable. Adjusting these factors is often
can calculate expected outputs When you read the process referred to as a current loop trim
for each input value. Without variable using a communicator, or 4-20 mA trim.
knowing the expected output this is the value that you see.
values, you cannot calculate the
performance errors.

Calibrating a HART High and Low Range and High and Low
Sensor Trim Transfer Function Output Trim
instrument
For a HART instrument, a mul-
A/D D/A
tiple point test between input
Counts

Counts PV mA Counts
mA
PV

and output does not provide an

accurate representation of the
transmitter’s operation. Just like Counts PV mA
a conventional transmitter, the Input Conversion Output
measurement process begins Section Section Section
with a technology that converts
PV may be mA may be set
a physical quantity into an read digitally and read digitally
electrical signal. However, the
Figure A2. HART Transmitter Block Diagram.

13 Fluke Corporation HART Transmitter Calibration

HART calibration between the input and output, Testing overall performance
requirements and both are recorded in the After calibrating both the Input
Based on this analysis, you can same engineering units. In gen- and Output sections, a HART
see why a proper calibration eral, the desired accuracy for transmitter should operate
procedure for a HART instrument this test will be the manufac- correctly. The middle block in
is significantly different than for turer’s accuracy specification. Figure A2 only involves com-
a conventional instrument. The If the test does not pass, putations. That is why you
specific calibration requirements then follow the manufacturer’s can change the range, units,
depend upon the application. recommended procedure for and transfer function with-
If the application uses the trimming the input section. This out necessarily affecting the
digital representation of the may be called a sensor trim and calibration. Notice also that
process variable for monitoring typically involves one or two even if the instrument has an
or control, then the sensor input trim points. Pressure transmit- unusual transfer function, it only
section must be explicitly tested ters also often have a zero trim, operates in the conversion of
and adjusted. Note that this where the input calculation is the input value to a milliamp
reading is completely indepen- adjusted to read exactly zero output value, and therefore is
dent of the milliamp output, (not low range). Do not confuse not involved in the testing or
and has nothing to do with the a trim with any form of re- calibration of either the input or
zero or span settings. The PV as ranging or any procedure that output sections.
read via HART communication involves using zero and span If there is a desire to vali-
continues to be accurate even buttons. date the overall performance
when it is outside the assigned of a HART transmitter, run a
output range. For example, a Calibrating the output Zero and Span test just like
range 2 Rosemount 3051c has section a conventional instrument.
sensor limits of -250 to +250 Again, the same basic multiple As you will see in a moment,
inches of water. If you set the point test and adjust tech- however, passing this test does
range to 0 to 100 inches of nique is employed, but with not necessarily indicate that
water, and then apply a pres- a new definition for input. To the transmitter is operating
sure of 150 inches of water, the run a test, use a communica- correctly.
analog output will saturate at tor to put the transmitter into
just above 20 milliamps. How- a fixed current output mode. Effect of damping on test
ever, a communicator can still The input value for the test is performance
read the correct pressure. the mA value that you instruct Many HART instruments support
If the current loop output is the transmitter to produce. The a parameter called damp-
not used (that is the transmitter output value is obtained using ing. If this is not set to zero, it
is used as a digital only device), a calibrator to measure the can have an adverse effect on
then the input section calibra- resulting current. This test also tests and adjustments. Damp-
tion is all that is required. If the implies a linear relationship ing induces a delay between
application uses the milliamp between the input and output, a change in the instrument
output, then the output section and both are recorded in the input and the detection of that
must be explicitly tested and same engineering units (mil- change in the digital value
calibrated. Note that this cali- liamps). The desired accuracy for the instrument input read-
bration is independent of the for this test should also reflect ing and the corresponding
input section, and again, has the manufacturer’s accuracy instrument output value. This
nothing to do with the zero and specification. damping induced delay may
span settings. If the test does not pass, exceed the settling time used
then follow the manufacturer’s in the test or calibration. The
Calibrating the input section recommended procedure for settling time is the amount of
The same basic multiple point trimming the output section. time the test or calibration waits
test and adjust technique is This may be called a 4-20 mA between setting the input and
employed, but with a new trim, a current loop trim, or a reading the resulting output.
definition for output. To run a D/A trim. The trim procedure It is advisable to adjust the
test, use a calibrator to measure should require two trim points instrument’s damping value to
the applied input, but read the close to or just outside of 4 and zero prior to performing tests or
associated output (PV) with a 20 mA. Do not confuse this with adjustments. After calibration,
communicator. Error calcula- any form of re-ranging or any be sure to return the damping
tions are simpler since there procedure that involves using constant to its required value.
is always a linear relationship zero and span buttons.

14 Fluke Corporation HART Transmitter Calibration

Operations that are NOT instrument technician installs Loop current adjustment
proper calibrations and tests a differential pres- Another observed practice
sure transmitter that was set at among instrument technicians
Digital range change the factory for a range of 0 to is to use a hand-held communi-
There is a common miscon- 100 inches of water. Testing the cator to adjust the current loop
ception that changing the transmitter reveals that it now so that an accurate input to the
range of a HART instrument has a 1 inch of water zero shift. instrument agrees with some
by using a communicator Thus with both ports vented display device on the loop. If
somehow calibrates the instru- (zero), its output is 4.16 mA you are using a Rosemount
ment. Remember that a true instead of 4.00 mA, and when model communicator, this is a
calibration requires a reference applying 100 inches of water, “current loop trim using other
standard, usually in the form of the output is 20.16 mA instead scale.” Refer again to the zero
one or more pieces of calibra- of 20.00 mA. To fix this he vents drift example just before press-
tion equipment to provide an both ports and presses the zero ing the zero button. Suppose
input and measure the resulting button on the transmitter. The there is also a digital indicator
output. Therefore, since a range output goes to 4.00 mA, so it in the loop that displays 0.0
change does not reference any appears that the adjustment at 4 mA, and 100.0 at 20 mA.
external calibration standards, it was successful. During testing, it read 1.0 with
is really a configuration change, However, if he now checks both ports vented, and it read
not a calibration. Notice that in the transmitter with a communi- 101.0 with 100 inches of water
the HART transmitter block dia- cator, he will find that the range applied. Using the communica-
gram (Figure 2), changing the is 1 to 101 inches of water, and tor, the technician performs a
range only affects the second the PV is 1 inch of water instead current loop trim so that the
block. It has no effect on the of 0. The zero and span buttons display reads correctly at 0
digital process variable as read changed the range (the second and 100, essentially correcting
by a communicator. block). This is the only action the output to be 4 and 20 mA
that the instrument can take respectively.
Zero and span adjustment under these conditions since it While this also appears to be
Using only the zero and span does not know the actual value successful, there is a fundamen-
adjustments to calibrate a of the reference input. Only by tal problem with this procedure.
HART transmitter (the standard using a digital command which To begin with, the communica-
practice associated with con- conveys the reference value can tor will show that the PV still
ventional transmitters) often the instrument make the appro- reads 1 and 101 inches of
corrupts the internal digital priate internal adjustments. water at the test points, and the
readings. You may not have The proper way to correct a digital reading of the mA output
noticed this if you never use zero shift condition is to use still reads 4.16 and 20.16 mA,
a communicator to read the a zero trim. This adjusts the even though the actual output
range or digital process data. instrument input block so that is 4 and 20 mA. The calibration
As shown in Figure 2, there the digital PV agrees with the problem in the input section
is more than one output to calibration standard. If you has been hidden by introduc-
consider. The digital PV and intend to use the digital process ing a compensating error in the
milliamp values read by a com- values for trending, statistical output section, so that neither of
municator are also outputs, just calculations, or maintenance the digital readings agrees with
like the analog current loop. tracking, then you should dis- the calibration standards.
Consider what happens when able the external zero and span
using the external zero and buttons and avoid using them As published in Intech, May 1996 and also in
HART Book 8, July 1998. Reprinted with the
span buttons to adjust a HART entirely. permission of the author.
instrument. Suppose that an

15 Fluke Corporation HART Transmitter Calibration

Note on Uploading Results to Your PC
If you are using a 743/744 or 753/754, you may choose an
instrumentation management software package from this list:

Fluke DPC/TRACK2™

AMS from Emerson Process PRM (Plant Resource

Management, (formerly Manager) from Yokogawa
Fisher-Rosemount). Electric Corporation.

On Time Support
Process/Track

All trademarks are the property of their respective holders.

Ordering information
FLUKE-753 Documenting Process Calibrator
FLUKE-754 Documenting Process Calibrator-HART
Standard accessories include: Three sets of stackable test leads, three
sets of TP220 Test Probes with three sets of “extended tooth” alligator
clips, two sets AC280 Hook Clips, BP7240 Li-ion Battery Pack, BC7240
Battery Charger, C799 Field Soft Case, USB communication cable,
getting started guide, instruction manual on CD-ROM, NIST traceable
certificate of calibration, DPC/TRACK2 sample software that enables
upload and printing of calibration records, three-year warranty. Model
Fluke-754 includes HART communication cable.
FLUKE-750SW DPC/TRACK2 Software
Included with DPC/TRACK software: Software media, instruction
manual, USB cable.
NAG E M E NT
MA

FLUKE-700 Pxx Pressure Modules

Y SY
IT
ST
AL

E
QU

‚
M

Included with each Fluke Pressure Module: BP-ISO Adapter(s) ISO 9001
(except with P29 - P31), Instruction Sheet, NIST traceable calibration
CE

01

report and data, one-year warranty.

90
RT

IF
IE O
D T IS
O M EET

Accessories
Fluke-700PMP Pressure Pump; 100 psi/7 bar Fluke. Keeping your world
Fluke-700LTP-1 Low Pressure Test Pump up and running.®
Fluke-700PTP-1 Pneumatic Test Pump; 600 psi/40 bar
Fluke-700HTP-1 Hydraulic Test Pump; 10,000 psi/700 bar Fluke Corporation
Fluke-700HTH-1 Hydraulic Test Hose PO Box 9090, Everett, WA 98206 U.S.A.
Fluke-700PRV-1 Pressure Relief Valve Kit for HTP Fluke Europe B.V.
Fluke-700-IV Current Shunt (for mA/mA applications) PO Box 1186, 5602 BD
Eindhoven, The Netherlands
Fluke-700PCK Pressure Calibration Kit
For more information call:
Fluke-700BCW Bar Code Wand In the U.S.A. (800) 443-5853 or
Fluke-700TC1 TC Mini-Plug Kit, 9 types Fax (425) 446-5116
Fluke-700TC2 TC Mini-Plug Kit, JKTERS In Europe/M-East/Africa +31 (0) 40 2675 200 or
Fax +31 (0) 40 2675 222
Fluke-700TLK Process Test lead kit In Canada (800)-36-FLUKE or
754HCC Smart Instrument Communication Cable Fax (905) 890-6866
BC7240 Battery Charger From other countries +1 (425) 446-5500 or
Fax +1 (425) 446-5116
BP7240 Li-on Battery Pack Web access: http://www.fluke.com
C700 Hard Carrying Case ©2004-2011 Fluke Corporation.
C781 Soft Carrying Case Specifications subject to change without notice.
Printed in U.S.A. 9/2011 1262439H A-EN-N
C799 Field Soft Case
Modification of this document is not permitted
without written permission from Fluke Corporation.

16 Fluke Corporation HART Transmitter Calibration