{"id":46440,"date":"2020-01-13T09:21:52","date_gmt":"2020-01-13T03:51:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ye1o34zhk8.onrocket.site\/?p=46440"},"modified":"2020-10-04T18:50:11","modified_gmt":"2020-10-04T13:20:11","slug":"ph-transmitter-problem","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/instrumentationtools.com\/ph-transmitter-problem\/","title":{"rendered":"pH Transmitter Problem"},"content":{"rendered":"

A newly-installed pH transmitter<\/strong> does not seem to be measuring the pH of the process liquid accurately. The indicating controller\u2019s display does not match the display of the hand-held pH meter used by an operator.<\/p>\n

pH Transmitter<\/h2>\n

\"4-wire<\/p>\n

The calibrated range of the 4-wire pH transmitter<\/strong> is supposed to be 2 to 12 pH, with a 4 to 20 mA signal output range. An instrument technician<\/a> begins to diagnose the problem by taking a loop calibrator and measuring the current signal being sent to the indicating controller. The loop calibrator registers 15.43 milliamps.<\/p>\n

Based on this information, determine where the problem is in this system. Also, show how the loop calibrator could be connected to the wiring to measure the loop current (specifying the proper calibrator mode as well).<\/p>\n

Solution:<\/h3>\n

15.43 milliamps of current equates to a percentage value of 71.44%<\/p>\n

(15.43 \u2212 4) \/ 16 \u00d7 100% = 71.44%<\/p>\n

This, in turn, represents a pH value of:<\/p>\n

0.7144 \u00d7 (12 \u2212 2) + 2 = 9.144 pH<\/p>\n

This largely agrees with the controller\u2019s display, which tells us there is a slight calibration error<\/a> on either the part of the controller or the resistor. The huge discrepancy between this calculated pH value and what the hand-held pH meter registers, however, tells us there is either a problem with the pH transmitter<\/a>, the pH probe, or the hand-held meter. We may further conclude there is no problem with the 250 resistor or the indicating controller.<\/p>\n

The proper setup of the loop calibrator<\/a> is to place it into the \u201cREAD\u201d (measure) mode so that it functions as a simple ammeter, then connect it in series with the output of the 4-wire transmitter. This may be done either with the indicating controller still in the circuit, or removed from the circuit.<\/p>\n

If the technician had no test equipment except for a voltmeter, could a good diagnostic test still be made in this system?<\/span><\/h4>\n

Share Your Answer through comments.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

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