Fieldgate Current Simulation Suite (FCSS) was built to address the testing requirements of industrial tank farm scenarios. It currently forms a significant part of the testing protocols for a major Australian fuel distributor.
For applications in which the analog output of level transmitters is linked to analog alarm outputs to announce high level or risk of overspill, this alarm requires regular testing to meet overspill management requirements.
Traditionally, to activate the alarm configuration software was used to individually set each level transmitter into current simulation mode.
This approach has the following potential issues:
- Testers need to become familiar with the specific instrument configuration software from the level transmitter vendor.
- By providing access to the complete configuration of each transmitter, testers may inadvertently adjust parameters that affect the measurement performance of the device.
- Testers may leave the device in simulation mode, thus preventing the device from reporting a genuine high level situation in a real overspill situation.
Executing a Current Simulation Test over a set of applicable HART Field Devices in-situ.
Utilising the FXA520 Fieldgate to obtain remote access to required field devices (eg a bank of level transmitters), FCSS provides the automated and fully repeatable execution and documentation of these tests at the click of a button.
No individual device configuration or manual intervention is required to trigger the test.
Executing a pre-arrange test protocol, the application returns the field device to its normal operating state on completion. Furthermore, all operations performed during the test are documented, providing a audit trail for the purposes of provability and quality assurance.
Advantage to the user:
- No instrument navigation skills required by the user.
- Remote, one-click operation.
- Fast performance of the tests
- Documentation of all device actions in the test.
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