HART Communication Package 1

[roydm]

Can anyone recommend a low cost HART communication package/ HART adapter for a laptop. It doesnt need to be very sophisticated, just have the basic configuration tools. I will only use it once or twice a year for the odd range change so I want something thats simple to use.
"I need re-training after a coffee break"
Thanks
Roy

 

[JLSeagull]

The HART modem is low cost. The Emerson AMS software that I used was costly if applied twice per year. However, working like MS Explorer, AMS is easy to use. I think that Cornerstone-Software Field Station is costly too. Their site has a HART modem link.

http://www.cornerstone-software.com/products/field.htm

http://www.emersonprocess.com/AMS/

 

[JimCasey]

The HART laptop programs I have used are proprietary.
THere was Masoneilan ValVue, Samson Ibis, Flowserve Softools, and PMV D3Configurator. They communicate with specific components but do not have the capability to mimic a handheld or to import other DDs.

Most have seemed to be fussy about the HART modem, and/or the laptop. My employer traded in my IBM for a Dell, and I could no longer communacate with HART devices. Then a Coworker tried HIS Dell with a different HART modem and it worked. Other tricks adjusting the computer's parameters to enable the modem to communicate were not effective.

The advantage of the laptop programs is that they are usually free or nominally expensive, and Offer a specific interface which is tailored to the intended device. Meanwhile a handheld communicator costs approximately the same as the gross national product of Kafloopiestan or Elbonia.

 

[danw2]

If you're doing HART I can recommend MacTek's Viator HART modem, available for either USB or serial.

http://www.mactekcorp.com/

I like the utility the checks the HART connection and displays a the primary PV.

For low cost programs, there's two that I'm aware of.

1) I just became aware of "Pactware", a Windows program used heavily by the German instrument manufacturers, E&H, OhmartVega, Krohne, etc. It appears that it uses 'DTM' as a device specific file, rather than DD's. It is not apparent what the communciation link is, it might be HART, because the instruments are all HART.

Appears that downloads are free and that it is not licensed. Ohmart serves it from here:

http://www.ohmartvega.com/en/11893.htm

I have not installed or used it.

2) Siemens single point PDM program is about $100. I have used it. It needs a HART modem to talk to the instrument on the 4-20 loop. Single point has full functionality, but it only does one setup (saveable, restoreable) at a time. To do another, close it down and open it up again.

http://pia.khe.siemens.com/index.aspx?Nr=2145

PDM is a huge install, being only a fraction of Simatic Manager, but the entire Manager is apparently installed (about 30 minutes install time from a CD on a laptop).
I found I had to read the installation instructions point by point, it demands a particular install sequence.

It uses the dreaded floppy license and I've lost a license when a laptop died, because the license couldn't be retrieved from the laptop harddrive. Hazard of using Siemens.

The operation is Teutonically non-intuitive and frustrating in the connection phase: picking the port and the instrument. There's something called a 'lifelist' that is supposed to assist in connection, but I've never figured it out. This might disqualify it for your requirement of simplicity. I have a sheet of notes indicating where to right click, where to double click, where to open and click, ya-da, ya-da, because I forget, too.

The HART configuration part is all menuized for easy navigation.

Be sure to get a current version V6 (up to SP3). The older V5 does not upgrade to V5.

DD updates are slow to come out, about annually(?). HART Foundation has to release them, then Siemens has to do whatever to convert them, then they have to filter down the distribution chain. True trickle down theory (that's a US joke).

Dan

 

[ScottyUK]

We use the Viator too - it has been fine the few times we have used it. For most of our instruments the 275 or 375 Communicators have been adequate - aging plant full of aging instruments.


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If we learn from our mistakes I'm getting a great education!

 

[roydm]

Thanks Guys,
JLSegull, yes Emerson is expensive, the local rep quoted $1000 for the Micromotion Prolink II and $750 for the interface.
JimCasey. I thought the industry was trying to get away from all that proprietory nonsence. Correct me if I'm wrong but once you get the software running don't you just have to load the DD file?
Danw2, I just took a look at the Vega site, looks interesting. What a refreshing change to be offered the software FOR FREE, doubt I'll be able to find a DTM file for Micromotion though. Thanks for the warning on Siemens, I share your pain, don't you just love those vendors that take over your PC.
ScottyUK, I don't have one of the handhelds you mention. I have an ABB about 5 years old, do you know if it will let me change the range of the Micromotion, or do you absolutely have to load the DD? (sorry I have never had to use those before, the 262 I used required a firmware upgrade)

My problem is I work in an engineering office, we never get a budget for maintenance tools. Hopefully when I get to site for startup i can beg the loan of a handheld.
Thank you all
Roy

 

[danw2]

Roy, There are a number of generic HART parameters, which any HART qualified transmitter should respond to, even if the DD is not installed in the communicator. That means even an older HART communicator should change the range.

The list of 'generic' HART parameters is not identified, and I can't recall where I snagged it.

Function Linear
Write Protect No - Not Write Protected
Alarm Selection High
Range Unit psi
LRL 0
LRV 0
URL 0
URV 100
Damping 1.5999999
Minimum Span 1.5002422
Loop Current 4.0000005
PV Percentage 0
Primary Variable 4.54E-04
PV Unit psi
Secondary Variable 23.195312
Secondary Variable Code °C
Tertiary Variable Undefined
Tertiary Variable Code Undefined
Quaternary Variable Undefined
Quaternary Variable Code Undefined

Dan

 

[roydm]

Danw2,
Oh, then perhaps my old ABB STT04 will do what I need after all. I will take that along and try it also. I have ordered a Viator and will download the Pactware, I read up on the software it seems that it has generic HART and will translate the DD files into simple DTM format without all the features. I'm going to site in a couple of weeks so check back and I will let you know how it goes.
Thanks again guys, for the good advice.
Regards
Roy

 

[danw2]

For anyone using the serial (RS-232) Mactek Viator Hart modem:

It won't work in the Windows if the "use FIFO buffers" box is checked in advanced settings for the serial COM port, which is the Winodws XP default state.

Device Manager:
Ports (COM &LPT)
Port Settings tab
Advanced tab
Uncheck the "Use FIFO buffers" box.

Dan

 

[itsmoked]

Cripes! Nice find danw2!

Keith Cress
kcress -

http://www.flaminsystems.com

 

[danw2]

I can't take credit for finding it, Mactek is very upfront about it and they document it (one of the reasons I recommend Mactek)

With fewer and fewer laptops having a native serial port, the issue comes up less often, but back awhile I'd get calls from frustrated people who had gotten a new laptop and found the HART modem didn't work on the new one. It is an easy fix.

Dan

 

[roydm]

Hi,
I ended up buying a Microlink RS-232 - Hart interface, which included PACTware 3.5. I haven't tried it out yet as I don't have a Hart instrument to hand.
The local Emerson rep recommended a 6 day free version of the Micro Motion software (I need to re-configure some coreolis meters). I will download that just before I go to site.
I'm still on the lookout for a reasonable priced software package that uses the DDs. I don't need anything with historical record keeping.
Regards
Roy

 

[danw2]

Thanks for the update, Roy. Keep us posted on how the modem/Pactware works.
Dan