How to Setup a Smart Transmitter Using a HART Communicator:

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Setting up a smart transmitter with a HART communicator is fairly simple and straightforward. However, one requirement is that you have to get yourself familiarized with the HART communicator if you are new to the device by reading the manual or better still get a tutorial from someone who has used the device previously.

The transmitter can be setup and commissioned before or after installation in the plant. In all cases, it is advisable to do a bench commissioning of the smart transmitter before installation to ensure proper operation, to familiarize yourself with transmitter functionality and to avoid exposing the transmitter electronics to a plant environment especially hazardous locations.

Commissioning the transmitter involves
reviewing configuration data, setting output units, setting the 4 – 20mA points, configuring the transmitter and testing the transmitter output.

How to Setup the Smart Transmitter Using the HART Communicator.

To configure the smart transmitter on the bench, connect the transmitter and communicator as shown below:

Bench setup for smart transmitter configuration

To power the transmitter, you will need a power supply capable of supplying at least 24VDC and a digital multimeter to measure output current. To enable communication with the HART communicator, a resistance of at least 250Ω must be present between the communicator loop connection and the 24VDC power supply.

Once your equipment have been setup as shown above, turn on the communicator by pressing the ON/OFF key. The communicator will search for any HART-compatible device in the loop and will indicate when a connection is made. If a connection is not made, the HART communicator will indicate that no device was found.

Once the communicator establishes communication with the transmitter, output units can then be set, the transmitter configured and calibrated appropriately