Commonly Asked Questions about the 8270A and 8370A High-Pressure Controllers

The 8270A and 8370A Modular High-Pressure Controllers provide the widest pressure calibration workload coverage in an automated pressure controller. The 8270A and 8370A are often purchased to replace a traditional deadweight tester or pressure comparator, and they most often appeal to experts who want a flexible system with the capability for expansion and automation.

There are several questions frequently asked by calibration experts who are considering an upgrade. This overview will quickly address common questions concerning the safety of the product, the feasibility of a high-pressure supply, and the device’s capabilities.

Safety

The most commonly asked questions about the 8270A and 8370A concern the safety of using high-pressure gas. Compressing a gas to a given pressure requires a lot more energy than compressing a liquid, and customers want to know how it can be safely achieved and what features are available if something were to go wrong.

The 8270A High-Pressure Controller / Calibrator

Safety is the top priority in the design and manufacture of our pressure products, especially high-pressure pneumatic controllers. These products are designed to meet our customers’ safety standards and their Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) needs so that they can receive sign-off within their departments. We are ready to help them by documenting the controller’s components and capabilities.

Each unit is equipped with over-pressure protection as well as a front-panel abort button. Pressing the abort button vents the test pressure and returns the unit to a safe condition. An additional abort valve accessory allows for a directed vent, as well as automated venting at loss of power.

High-pressure gas does have more stored energy than high-pressure oil, but it is a safe option under the right conditions. By using the 8270A or 8370A with the available accessories, you can operate safely with a clean pressure media.

High Pressure Supply

Another common question concerns the high-pressure gas supply. Typical, off-the-shelf nitrogen bottles are approximately 2000 PSI to 6000 PSI, and customers want to know how you get a 15000 PSI gas supply in the first place.

The answer is that we offer a gas booster accessory with the controllers. This is a Pascal pump that is driven by shop air – a regular air compressor supply for power. It takes in the supply from a plumbed-in nitrogen line or existing gas bottle and then amplifies it to the level that the controller requires to regulate pressure.

Gas boosters are by no means unique to the 8270A and 8370A controllers. Customers who have an existing gas booster or high-pressure gas supply can certainly use that. For customers who are brand new to high-pressure gas calibration, it’s always something that we can offer.

Capabilities

We have pages full of information on the capabilities of the 8270A and 8370A. You can get a general overview by reading the specifications tab on the product page. To summarize, the 8270A and 8370A are automated pneumatic pressure controllers that calibrate a wide workload of pressure sensors. They can cover twice the pressure ranges at twice the speed of other high-pressure controllers.

The 8270A and 8370A are capable of high and low pressures, because of the modular nature of the system. These controllers can be configured with up to five measurement modules at the same time. Control precision is 0.002% of active range, and workload coverage can be expanded to both gas and liquid filled devices by using the optional Contamination Prevention System (CPS).

Fluke Calibration offers two different models, so that customers can balance their budget and performance needs:

• The 8270A measures and controls pressures from vacuum to 44 MPa (6400 psi). It can be configured with ranges as low as 100 kPa (15 psi).
• The 8370A measures and controls pressures from atmosphere to 107 MPa (15000 psi). It can be configured with ranges as low as 700 kPa (100 psi).

Automated pressure controllers are some of the simplest, easiest-to-use pressure standards. Controlling and measuring pressure is as simple as typing in the required pressure and pressing “Enter.” Unlike deadweight testers, you do not need to spin weights or calculate gravity or temperature corrections. Unlike pressure comparators, the process can be fully automated and stability is achieved and maintained in a fraction of the time.

There are several options for automating the controller, with differing levels of time commitment. You can read about it in my previous blog post “Technology and Automation in Modular High-Pressure Controllers."

Summary

The 8270A and 8370A Modular High-Pressure Controllers are automated pneumatic controllers with a wide range of pressure coverage. They are easy-to-use pressure standards with the capability of being automated.

These high-pressure controllers safely use compressed gas to achieve a desired pressure. The 8270A and 8370A are designed to meet lab safety requirements, and each system comes equipped with over-pressure protection and a front-panel abort button.

A high-pressure supply can be achieved using a gas booster accessory, which will allow you to increase the pressure of a nitrogen bottle or plumbed nitrogen supply up to 15,000 PSI. The gas booster is not unique to the 8270A and 8370A. Customers with an existing gas booster or existing high-pressure gas supply should be able to use them with their new 8270A or 8370A.

Keep learning

Three Reasons to Consider a Modular Pressure Control System

Equipment Tips for Pressure Controllers in the Production Process

Technology and Automation in Modular High-Pressure Controllers

Related products

8270A and 8370A Modular High-Pressure Controllers / Calibrators

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