How to Calibrate DP Pressure Transmitters: 8 Effective Tips that Works

Calibration of a DP pressure transmitter involves a process by which the output of

the transmitter is adjusted to properly represent a known pressure input. Calibration
is one of the most frequently performed maintenance operations on pressure
transmitters. If well performed, the transmitter’s performance improves otherwise
its performance could deteriorate with grave consequences. A pressure input is used
to provide zero and span adjustments to the transmitter in the calibration process.
Consult my previous post: How to Calibrate Your DP Transmitter for a detailed guide
on how to calibrate a DP pressure transmitter.

Owing to the fact that a plant could go berserk, if one or two critical pressure
transmitters are wrongly calibrated, it is important the calibration process and
procedure be done properly. The following tips are general guides that you should
have at the back of your mind when calibrating a DP pressure transmitter:

Tip 1:
Read and understand the calibration procedure in the manufacturers’ instruction
manual. The calibration procedures in the manual should be followed carefully to
ensure a proper calibration.

Tip 2:
The use of proper calibration equipment is crucial. The pressure source and any
readout device in use must be of greater accuracy than the instrument being
calibrated. Some experts in calibration have posited that as a general rule, the
pressure source and readout device should be at the minimum four times more
accurate than the device being calibrated. High accuracy measurements cannot be
obtained when the calibration is done with low-accuracy equipment. It should be a
regular practice to check the accuracy of calibration equipment against a higher
standard on a regular basis to maintain the accuracy of the calibration equipment.

Tip 3:

When doing calibration, leaks are a potential source of error. Eliminate all leaks in
the calibration system. Use TEFLON tape on all pressure connections.

Tip 4:
Trapped liquids in the pressure transmitter are also a potential source of error. Drain
all liquids from the transmitter and impulse piping before starting calibrating.

Tip 5:
Linearity adjustments are crucial in any calibration process involving transmitters.
Linearity adjustments should only be made at one point. All other points should be
used to check the adjustments only.

Tip 6:
Most DP pressure transmitters come with an electronic damping pot for curbing
erratic output. Therefore, damping should only be set after the pressure transmitter
is placed in service.

Tip 7:
Temperature is a critical parameter in transmitter calibration. Transmitter
performance is affected by changes in ambient temperature. To minimize the effect
of temperature change, calibration should be done at the expected ambient
temperature. If temperature is expected to fluctuate, it will be good practice to
calibrate between the extremes.

Tip 8:
Transmitter performance is also affected by changes in static pressure. We can
reduce these effects if we calibrate at the line pressure. If this is not practicable
then the pressure transmitter should be put in service after calibration and rezeroed
after the transmitter has reached the operating pressure.