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from the ABB and Others - On PROFIBUS-PA and DP department...
Calibration of Instruments Down Under
Sensor technologies. topic
Posted by RJ on 16 October, 2008 - 11:21 pm
Here is a sample instrument - ABB Pressure Transmitter 2020TG. These instruments reside on PROFIBUS and require an annual or biennial calibration.

Right now they are sent to ABB in Germany and the turnaround time can be as much as eight weeks. Also the cost is quite high (AUD against EUR is not favourable).

Looking for a calibration firm (ABB down here says send them to Germany) in Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, etc. (or even west coast of USA or Canada for that matter) who can help.

Any recommendations? Have tried lots of Google searches and business directories but they keep popping up suppliers OR firms that won't do instruments that sit on PROFIBUS.

Don't want them sent to someone who is just going to throw up their hands and send them to Germany again.

Must be able to deal with high-end RTD, pressure, etc. and PROFIBUS-PA/DP.

Calibration must be certified.

Associated DCS is ABB, but that really doesn't matter.

--

Thanks!


Posted by Roy Matson on 17 October, 2008 - 5:37 pm
It sounds stupid to send them to Germany. Perhaps you could purchase a deadweight tester and calibrate them yourself using a spare channel of the DCS as the user interface. I'm sure there are certified shops in Australia or NZ that would be willing to purchase a Profibus communicator if they don't have one already.

Roy


Posted by RJ on 19 October, 2008 - 2:23 am
Thanks but ...

The end user won't be doing the calibration themselves. It has to be 100% certified from an accredited calibration firm.

It isn't the instrument that seems to cause all the problems down here - it is as soon as you mention that the instrument is on PROFIBUS with no 4-20 or HART that everyone runs away.

The end user wants a simple solution where they send the gizmo away (RTD, pressure or whatever - even flowmeters) and it comes back PROFIBUS address 126, traceable calibration and, if required, reconditioned.




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