A practical review of methods for measuring the dynamic characteristics of industrial pressure transmitters

Three methods exist for testing the response times of pressure transmitters in situ: the power interrupt test, the noise analysis technique, and the pink noise technique. The noise (or random signal) analysis technique is a passive in situ technique that does not interfere with plant operation, uses already existing plant sensors and instrumentation, accounts for the effects of process conditions on plant equipment performance, and includes any response-time delays caused by transmitter sensing lines. The power interrupt test is a simpler and less-time-consuming test than noise analysis for measuring the response time of force-balance pressure transmitters. The pink noise test is useful for pressure transmitters where process fluctuations do not normally exist or they are inadequate for using the noise analysis technique to test response time.