Pressure Calibrator Operating and Maintenance Guide
Pressure calibrators are precision instruments used to verify and calibrate pressure gauges, transmitters, and switches. They combine pressure generation with accurate reference measurement in portable or bench-top configurations.
I. Operating Procedures
- Pre-Use Check: Inspect the calibrator for physical damage. Check that the battery is charged. Verify that all fittings and seals are clean and undamaged.
- Device Connection: Connect the device under test using appropriate fittings. Ensure leak-tight connections using PTFE tape or appropriate sealant on tapered threads.
- Pressure Generation: For pneumatic calibrators, connect to a clean, dry air or nitrogen supply. For hydraulic calibrators, prime the system and bleed air before pressurizing.
- Calibration Run: Apply pressure in increasing steps (typically zero, twenty-five, fifty, seventy-five, one hundred percent of range), recording readings at each point. Repeat in decreasing steps to check hysteresis.
- Documentation: Record all readings and calculate errors. Determine if the device under test meets its accuracy specification.
II. Maintenance
- Weekly: Check for leaks in internal plumbing. Clean external surfaces.
- Monthly: Verify accuracy against a certified reference standard. Replace hydraulic fluid if contaminated.
- Annually: Send to accredited laboratory for full calibration and certification. Replace all seals and O-rings.
