• Easy to use - With the PIECAL 434 you can check, calibrate and measure all your current signal instruments in a 4 to 20  milliamp DC loop. It can be used  at any access point in your loop. Source & Read 0.000 to 24.000 mA, Simulate a 2  Wire  Transmitter or use the PIECAL 434 to simultaneously power your 2 Wire Transmitter and measure its output.
• Easy to read - Turn on backlight & easily see the display in dark areas of the plant.
• Troubleshoot loop problems - Quickly diagnose ground fault and current leakage with the patented loop diagnostic technology (US Patent# 7,248,058).
• Source milliamps - Calibrate  recorders, digital indicators, stroke valves or any instruments that get their input from a 4 to 20 mA loop. Easily set any value  quickly to within 0.001 mA with the adjustable digital potentiometer “DIAL” or use preset 4.000 mA (0.00%) and 20.000 mA (100.00%) EZ-CHECK™ settings.
• Automatic output stepping & ramping - Press & hold the dial to automatically step from 4 to 20 in 2, 3 or 5
  steps or choose a continuous ramp.
• Calibrate using loop power - Check loop wiring and receivers by using the PIECAL 434 in place of a 2 Wire transmitter. Uses any loop power from 2 to 60 V DC.
• Read loop current - Check controller outputs or measure the milliamp signal anywhere in the loop. The PIECAL 434 measures 0.000 to 24.000 mA (-25.00 to 125.00%) signals with greater accuracy than a typical multimeter.
• Power & measure 2 wire transmitters - The PIECAL 434 can simultaneously output 24V DC to power any and all devices in a process loop using the internal batteries and internal switching power supply, while measuring the output of a 2 Wire Transmitter and any other loop devices. Powers HART™ transmitters with built-in 250 ohm resistor simplifying hookups with HART communicators.
• Read DC volts - The PIECAL 434 can measure from -60.00 to +60.00 VDC with 0.01 Volt resolution. Use it to check loop power supplies, I/V converters, 1 to 5 Volt signals, and other voltages making it unnecessary to carry a multimeter.
• Evolutionary design - PIECAL Calibrators are designed and built by members of the same team that designed and built the calibrators manufactured by Fluke* under the Altek* label. The PIECAL 434 improves upon other brands by including a rubber boot, tilt stand, backlit display with larger digits, rugged switches and a battery compartment for fast battery changes.

Ground Leak Detection

Have you ever replaced a “faulty” transmitter only to find the problem was somewhere else in the loop? And did you end up throwing the transmitter away after you fixed the other problem “just in case” the transmitter was faulty?

If you find a loop where the transmitter is calibrated correctly but all the readings elsewhere in the loop have a fixed offset this is due to a Zero Shift. This zero shift is typically caused by some current in the loop bypassing the transmitter. This might be caused by ground faults, moisture or corrosion.

If you have some loops that are erratic after it rains there may be moisture present in a junction box or where insulation has broken down. Turn on Ground Leak Detection and use the PIECAL 434 to power up the loop. Any current that isn’t controlled by the transmitter or other current control element will be indicated as leakage on the PIECAL 434 display.

Typical problem found with Loop Diagnostics

Here is a loop where a technician has just recalibrated the transmitter but the control room still sees a problem. The problem started just after a rainstorm.

Using a PIECAL 434 to power the loop the technician detects a leakage of 0.51 mA - the same offset seen in the control room. He walks the loop and opens a junction box releasing a stream of water. The loop is again in control.

Advantages of the PIECAL 434 over the Altek 434

Larger Display with Backlight Easy viewing in dark locations Easy selection of 250 Ω Hart Compatible Resistor No disassembly to move internal jumper Detects Loop Current Leakages Measure ground current leakage from faulty wiring, flooded conduit and corrosion bridges. Leakage appears as a Zero Shift and helps you decide if the transmitter needs calibration or if there is some problem in the loop wiring. More Resistant to Accidental Damage Rubber Boot and Stronger Switches Less Expensive Battery Changes Four versus six "AA" batteries