Test Instruments and Devices

Course 1 – Pneumatic and Hydraulic Test Devices

Prerequisites: This lesson is designed for participants familiar with process control instruments. An understanding of basic algebra is also recommended.

Description: This lesson presents operating principles and procedures for using a variety of test devices including manometers, test gages, portable pneumatic and hydraulic calibrators, and pneumatic and hydraulic deadweight testers. Selection of the appropriate test device for a particular instrument calibration is also discussed.

Objectives:

• Identify the facility’s primary and secondary standard pneumatic test equipment
• Identify the pressure reading of a liquid in a manometer and type manometer to use
• Recognize and identify the factors that affect accuracy of manometers
• Read the pressure on a u-tube manometer
• Determine the type of pressure being measured when given a u-tube connected to a vacuum source
• Adjust the manometer scale to zero
• Identify the point on the manometer that should be connected to a pressure source to measure positive pressure
• Determine which test gage should be used for an instrument having high and/or low pressure range
• Identify the required accuracy of the test gage when given the accuracy rating of both the instrument and test gage
• Identify the correct setting of the regulators and selector valve on a pneumatic calibrator to prepare for testing
• Identify the correct type of calibrator for testing high or low pressures
• Identify the means by which the balance point on the deadweight tester is achieved
• Identify the factors that can affect the accuracy of hydraulic and pneumatic deadweight testers

Course 2 – Electronic Test Devices

Prerequisites: This lesson is designed for participants familiar with basic digital electronic theory. Knowledge of the functions of electronic instruments such as pressure, temperature, flow, level, and weight transmitters is recommended.

Description: This lesson describes the operation of electronic test devices as well as the measurement units used with typical test procedures. The lesson also presents the operation of multimeters and multifunction electronic calibrators in electronic test procedures.

Objectives:

• Identify the electronic instrument or device that utilizes an electronic value as part of its normal operating procedures
• Identify safety procedures associated with the operation of electronic test devices
• Describe the function of each user control of a multimeter
• Zero the meter display of an analog multimeter
• Measure an electronic input value of a multimeter
• Describe the function of each user control of a multi-function electronic calibrator
• Measure an electronic input value of a multi-function electronic calibrator
• Generate an electronic value to test an instrument using a multi-function electronic calibrator

Course 3 – Frequency and Temperature Test Devices

Prerequisites: This lesson is designed for participants familiar with process control principles and instruments. An understanding of basic algebra is also recommended.

Description: This lesson presents the basic operating principles and procedures for using multi-function temperature calibrators and sweep/function generators. Emphasis is placed on equipment selection and set-up for various types of sensors.

Objectives:

• Describe the features of a temperature calibrator and how calibrator temperature and sensor type are configured
• Describe how calibrator output memories and ramp steps are configured
• Demonstrate taking a reading of a thermocouple input
• Demonstrate taking a reading of a 4-wire, 3-wire, and 2-wire RTD input
• Demonstrate connecting the calibrator to an instrument to simulate a thermocouple
• Demonstrate outputting a thermocouple value
• Demonstrate the connection of the calibrator to an instrument to simulate an RTD
• Demonstrate the production of an RTD value
• Define the sweep/function generator as an instrumentation test instrument
• Describe the switches, controls, displays, and indicators found on a sweep/function generator
• Demonstrate a proper variable symmetry operation
• And demonstrate generation of frequency input for a controller

Course 4 – Analog and Digital Oscilloscopes

Prerequisites: This lesson is designed for participants familiar with process control principles and instruments. An understanding of basic algebra is also recommended.

Description: This lesson presents the operating principles and procedures for using analog and digital oscilloscopes. The lesson also provides an understanding of how these test devices work, the functions performed, and how they are utilized. Procedures for using an oscilloscope to measure amplitude, period, and frequency are also demonstrated.

Objectives:

• Identify the major sections of an oscilloscope and their functions
• Describe the function of the vertical input connector and coupling switch
• Describe the functions of the vertical gain control and of the vertical position
• Describe the operation of the trigger and the function of a probe
• Describe the advanced features of a digital oscilloscope
• Set up an oscilloscope
• Identify and interpret typical examples of characteristic waveforms
• Describe the amplitude, frequency, and period of a waveform
• Measure amplitude, period, and frequency using analog and digital oscilloscopes