HART Use Cases

HART USE CASES

With over twenty five years of usage and tens of thousands of installations HART technology is used in countless innovative applications.

Users around the world get valuable process and diagnostic information from their systems to enable them to avoid unplanned shutdowns, improve plant reliability, lower maintenance cost and diagnose potential device problems from anywhere within their enterprise.

Here are the most common uses of HART:

    HART-based instruments have several features that significantly reduce the time required to fully commission a HART network or loop. Less time spent in device commissioning can result in substantial cost savings. 

    Device commissioning includes the time and cost-saving features:

    • Streamlined and centralized device verification
    • Easy loop integrity check
    • As-installed record keeping

    After commissioning, devices need to undergo configuration and calibration prior to use.

    Device Verification
    Before installation, manufacturers usually enter device tags and other identification and configuration data into each field instrument. This information is usually provided when the device is ordered.  After installation, the instrument identification, the tag and descriptor, can be verified either on the workbench or in the control room using a device configurator, which can be a handheld communicator or PC using a modem connected to the device or to the 4-20mA loop.

    Some field devices provide information on their physical configuration. For example the devices may deal with wetted materials, ratings or limits of different types.

    Physical and other configuration data can be verified in the control room. The verification process is important for safety and in conforming to governmental regulations and ISO quality requirements. 

    The commissioning process can be further streamlined by connecting a PC-based configuration application to each HART loop. This can be done by integration with the control system or by using one of the many available HART multiplexing I/O systems. With this centralized approach, there is no need to move the configuration device from one termination point to the next while commissioning all devices on the network. 

    Loop Integrity Check
    Once a field instrument has been identified and its configuration data confirmed, the analog loop integrity can be checked using the loop test feature, which is supported by many HART-enabled devices. The loop test enables the analog signal from a HART transmitter to be fixed at a specific value.

    This fixed value verifies loop integrity and ensures a proper connection to support devices such as indicators, recorders, and DCS displays. This approach ensures a proper physical connection among all network devices.

    Additional integrity can be achieved if the analog value is compared to the digital value being reported in a device. For example, someone might have provided an offset to the 4-20mA analog value that has not been accounted for in the control system. By comparing the digital value of the Primary Variable to the analog value, loop integrity can be verified.

    As-Installed Record Keeping
    Many HART configurators also facilitate record keeping. As-installed device configuration data can be stored in memory or on a disk for archiving or printing.  This facilitates record keeping compliance and provides a documented trail of the configuration to simply device replacement.

    HART technology offers several ways to get to the intelligent information in a HART-enabled device. This can be done using either a permanent or temporary physical connection.

    You can access all HART data from a HART-enabled device anywhere on the 4-20mA signal. The connection does not have to be at the terminals on the device. This feature may reduce the number of trips to the field since access can be made in the relay or termination panel. Please follow all local plant connection guidelines.

    There are many reasons to communicate with a specific device. They include:

    • Device Configuration
    • Device Diagnostics
    • Device Troubleshooting
    • Loop Integrity Check
    • Process Troubleshooting

    A HART-enabled device can be configured using software and hardware tools provided by member companies of the FieldComm Group.

    Some control, asset management or safety systems provide permanently connected device configuration capabilities. In that case, follow supplier instructions.

    To configure a single device using a temporary connection, you need a universal handheld configuration tool, a power supply, a load resister and a HART-enabled device. Configuration can also be accomplished using a PC running a device configuration application and using a HART modem.

    Universal Handheld Communicators
    The advantages of using a handheld communicator this approach include portability and, potentially, the ability to operate in harsher environments.

    HART handheld communicators are available from major instrumentation suppliers around the globe and are supported by FieldComm Group member companies. Using Device Description (DD) files, the communicator can fully configure any HART device for which it has a DD installed. If the communicator does not have the DD for a specific device, it will still communicate and configure the device using the HART Universal and Common Practice commands but may not access the extra or device specific commands available in the device. 

    There are 35-40 standard data items in every registered HART device. The data can be accessed by any approved communicator / configuration tool. These items do not demand a DD and typically include basic device functionality. Accessing device specific data requires a current DD for that particular device, as this provides the communicator with the information needed to fully access all the device specific capabilities. 

    A HART handheld communicator, if equipped, can also facilitate device configuration record keeping. The installed device configuration data can be stored in memory or on a disk for later archiving or printing. There are many types of handheld communicators available. Be sure to review features and ability to meet your specific requirements.

    When connecting to a device, follow wiring instructions provided by the device supplier and observe all plant area safety requirements. Remember, the connections to a device can be made anywhere on the control loop. The connections do not have to be physically located at the device. 

    PC-Based Device Configuration and Management Tools
    You can also configure a HART-enabled device with a desktop or laptop PC, or other equivalent portable devices. For this, use a PC-based software application and a HART interface modem. Compared to a handheld communicator, a PC may offer an improved screen display. It also may support more DDs and device configurations because of additional memory storage capacity. Due to the critical nature of device configurations in the plant environment, PCs can also be used as backup storage for data from handheld communicators.

    Software applications are available from many suppliers. It is important to review their features to determine ease of use, ability to add or download native DDs from the FieldComm Group, and general functionality.

    Once your device is configured, the device retains the configuration allowing installation on the process application.

    It is critical to check the calibration of all field devices periodically. By design, the HART Protocol provides commands to easily enable this function. It is one reason why HART technology is so popular. Calibration ensures that a field device provides a control system with the correct value of a process variable. The controller can then use this information to take action.

    The calibration process consists of three major steps, as shown in the diagram below. They involve transforming and scaling the process variable, followed by production of the signal.

    These steps are necessary because of sensor physics, measurement techniques and process variable dynamics. The HART Protocol provides standardized trim and related commands to facilitate the process. 

    Transforming the Process Variable
    The first calibration step is the transducer block (see diagram above left). It transforms a variable – such as pressure, temperature or flow – into a digital representation of that parameter.

    In this step, the digital value is generated from properties like the transducer upper and lower limits, trim points, and characterization data. In general, the field device is calibrated by providing a value from a traceable reference near the upper and lower limits. Trimming the resulting internal mathematical calculations compensates for any error. Process calibrators are available commercially to perform this function using the HART Protocol.

    Scaling the Process Variable
    The second step is referred to as the range block or "zeroing and spanning the device." This provides values for the upper and lower limits, as well as points in-between.

    Here, the upper and lower range values are used to produce digital values. These will eventually correspond to a 4mA signal for the lower range and a 20mA signal for the upper range. Percent range, which covers everything between these two extremes, is developed in this step.

    In addition, an appropriate transfer function – such as linear, square root, quadratic, cubic spline, and so on – may be applied as part of this scaling. The transfer function corrects for non-linear relationships between a process variable and a transducer.

    In some cases, this is needed because the transducer is measuring a related variable. Square root functions, for example, are used to approximate a flow measurement from a differential pressure measurement. Note that this ranging of a field device is not the same as calibrating it.

    Producing the Signal
    The third step creates the final signal. Performed by the DAC (digital to analog conversion) block, this step produces the 4-20mA output. It ensures that 0% equals exactly 4mA and 100% equals 20mA. The signal thus generated corresponds to the process value. From a system perspective, this signal – and the fact that it corresponds to a particular process value – is the most critical function of the field device.

    Be sure to follow the recommended calibration procedures provided by your device supplier. This information may also identify additional capabilities provided in your device.

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