At the upcoming ISA EXPO 2009 in Houston, Texas, we’re introducing a new software package for data logging on the BetaGauge PI or BetaGauge PIR digital test gauges. The dates for the EXPO are October 6 through 8. Our booth number is 2316. Come see us.

BetaGauge PI Reference Class with MECP500 Pump

Our customers already know how rugged, reliable and useful these gauges are. Now, they’re even more useful. Detailed information about the software and its capabilities can be found here.

Here are some highlights:

 • Ability to log both pressure and ambient temperature (UNIQUE).
 • Up to 8500 data points logged.
 • Data stored in industry standard spread sheet formats (CSV or Excel).
 • Multiple log runs stored in gauge
 • Demand (ad hoc) or Download (computer) configured log runs

Applications supported include:

 • Hydrostatic pressure testing
 • Leak detection
 • Transient pressure spike detection
 • Well head monitoring

You can ask your local Martel Distributor for a quote.

Q. Can the BetaGauge 330 be field recalibrated?

A. Yes. The BetaGauge 330 is calibrated through the serial port like many Martel calibrators. Other than a computer with a terminal emulation program (we normally recommend HyperTerminal), a LEM232 serial communications cable is needed along with a URA-1 RTD adapter. Both of these can be purchased through your Martel distributor.

You will also need some adequate standards for pressure, current (mA), voltage and resistance.

The procedure is available from the factory or your local Martel distributor.

Martel Electronics’ BetaGauge 330 pressure calibrator is featured in the February/March issue of Reportero Industrial. It’s a pan-Latin America publication covering the industrial markets with sections for Instrumentation and Analysis.

Reportero Industrial

The articles are all in Spanish, but that’s good for its intended audience. There’s also a section in Portugese specifically for the Brazilian market.

Q. How often do I need to change the batteries?

A. On the BetaGauge 330-150, we have tested the battery life by repeatedly cycling the pump to 150 PSI. Similar to the test for pump life, the cycle went to 150 PSI ten times and then rested for ten minutes.  This is a much higher duty cycle than normal use.

With this test, we were able to get more than 300 cycles to full pressure on a fresh set of Alkaline batteries.

If you are only going to lower pressures or are using the BetaGauge 330-30, it’s possible  to get more than 1,000 cycles on a fresh set of batteries.

I estimate that under heavy use of an average of 4 calibrations per day, the batteries would need replacement after about 2-1/2 weeks (12 working days).

Q. How long does the internal electric pump last?

A. Under normal use the BetaGauge 330 internal pump can be expected to last a minimum of 5,000 cycles to full pressure before requiring a rebuild. Since the pump won’t normally always be cycled to full pressure (typically 150 PSI / 10 Bar / 100 kPa), it should realistically last longer.

BetaGauge 330 Pressure Calibrator

In addition, our testing to get the 5,000 cycle number consisted of running the pump repeatedly to full pressure with a break of 10 minutes every 10 cycles. This also is not a normal type of use where the calibrator may only be used a few times a day, if that. Again, that relates to even longer lifetimes.

If you assume that the calibrator is used to perform 4 calibrations a day, with each calibration requiring 3 pump cycles just to get everything right, then a pump rebuild might be required after 1 year and 8 months. I based this on 250 working days a year, which I think is typical.

But, if the worst really happens, a pump rebuild is a field procedure. Martel offers a kit with all the necessary parts to replace the wear items in the pump and get it fully functional again. A technician will only need a few simple tools and the ability to unsolder and resolder the power leads to the pump. A rebuild should take less than 1 hour to complete and get your BetaGauge 330 back in business.

Cost of the rebuild kit? About $20.00.

Some of our competitors like to brag that by offering a percent of reading accuracy specification, they give better down scale performance than our percent of full scale specification. The problem is, that’s really not true.

For the case in point, we’re talking about digital test gauges. Their very nice gauge has a specification of ±0.1 % of reading plus a minimum or floor error of ±0.02% of full scale. Our standard BetaGauge PI has a specification of ±0.05% of full scale. Here’s a chart so you can see how these gauges stack up.

So, the percent of reading does do better below 50% of scale, but above that, it’s no contest. AND, the normal use of gauges will be in the range above 50% of full scale.

However, if you do think you’ll need better down scale performance, why not look at the cost effective BetaGauge PIR Reference Class gauge? It offers better performance across the board at a comparable price. Here’s how it stacks up.

For more information about the BetaGauge PIR Reference Class gauge, please visit our web site.

PS – to get a better look at the charts, just click on them. The blog shrinks it down and makes it fuzzy looking.

Wanted Dead or Alive

WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE!

OLD BETA, PROMAC OR MARTEL CALIBRATORS

If you have an old BETA, Promac or Martel calibrator, it’s worth money even if it doesn’t work!

When you buy a new DMC-1400 Documenting Multifunction Calibrator, MC-1200 Multifunction Calibrator, BetaGauge 311 or 321 or the new BetaGauge 330, your old calibrator is worth $300 towards the purchase.

You can request more details on our web site or just call Tracy at 800-821-0023, extension 103. She’ll be glad to help. You can also send an email to sales@martelcorp.com to request more information.

We have put in some special features for this particular task. When the pressure switch function is selected, the calibrator goes into a special high speed sampling mode on the pressure channel. That allows it to grab an accurate value when it detects the switch state change.

And, it automatically detects the change of state by monitoring the voltage drop across the switch contacts. This needs to be done with either dry contacts or a connected DC voltage of 30 volts or less.

Pressure Switch Test

Once the switch has been connected (see illustration above), push the “PUMP” button to begin increasing pressure to the switch. When the switch changes state, the display will change from OPEN to CLOSED or vice versa (depending on the original state of the switch).

Then, use the variable vent valve on the side of the calibrator to slowly reduce the pressure until the display shows the switch state changed back to its original status (OPEN or CLOSED).

The display will now switch to show the data when the switch opened (display reads “SWITCH OPENED AT”). By pressing F2-NEXT, you can step through the displays to see the values where the switch reclosed and what the difference (deadband) is between the 2 values.

A recommended practice is to take the first pass to get a rough idea of the actual setpoint of the switch. Then, on a subsequent pass, stop the pump just before the setpoint and use the vernier control to approach the setpoint very slowly. This will allow you to get the most accurate value possible.

Of course, there are variations on this depending upon whether you need to get the setpoint for an increasing value or decreasing value and whether the switch is normally open with no pressure or normally closed.

Either way, the BetaGauge calibrators offer an easy and accurate way to test pressure switches.