Beamex POC8 Automatic Pressure Controller

Overview

The Beamex POC8 is an automatic pressure output controller that generates precisely regulated pressure from vacuum up to 210 bar (3045 psi) for testing and calibrating pressure instruments. Beamex designed it for laboratories and workshops calibrating mechanical pressure gauges, sensors, transducers and transmitters where time to set point and repeatability matter. The Beamex POC8 accepts one or two internal pressure measurement modules and an optional barometric module, and it can be integrated into the Beamex CENTRiCAL workshop calibration solution or supplied as a standalone desktop controller. Together with Beamex MC6 family calibrators and Beamex calibration management software, it forms a fully automated system for performing, documenting and managing pressure calibrations.

Seven Star LLC supplies the POC8, its measurement modules and accessories to instrument workshops, calibration laboratories, refinery and power plant maintenance teams, and service companies in Muscat, the Sultanate of Oman and the GCC. We provide engineering support in Muscat for selecting the control unit, measurement ranges and hoses for each calibration task.

Operating Principle

As general engineering background, an automatic pressure controller takes a higher pressure supply (and a vacuum supply for negative pressures), and uses fast-acting inlet and exhaust valves under closed-loop control to drive the pressure at its measure/control port to a requested set point, then hold it there while the instrument under test is read. In the Beamex POC8 the controlled pressure is measured by the internal reference module, and the controller adjusts flow until the reading matches the set point within the selected stability. Beamex specifies a control stability of 0.005% of span of the active range and a one-year uncertainty of 0.02% of span of the active range, which makes the controller suitable as a working reference for most process pressure transmitters and gauges.

The user manual describes three pressure control modes: a precision mode, a high speed mode and a custom mode. In high speed mode overshoot is below 1% of span, while in precision mode it is typically below 0.1% of span, and Beamex quotes a control time of 10 s for a 10% of full scale increase above atmosphere in a 50 ml test volume. The controller works with test volumes from 50 to 1000 ml. Built-in applications include step sequences, a leak test and a burst test, and an optional zero or tare function is available on the main screen. Maximum controlled pressure equals the highest installed module range or the supply pressure, whichever is lower.

Engineering Design of the Beamex POC8

The Beamex POC8 is a benchtop unit measuring 346 x 145 x 388 mm (W x H x D) and weighing 12.7 kg with all modules installed. Three control units are available, for 10 bar, 100 bar and 210 bar. The 10 bar unit accepts modules of ±350 mbar, ±1 bar and vacuum to 6 or 10 bar; the 100 bar unit accepts vacuum to 6, 10, 20 or 100 bar; and the 210 bar unit accepts vacuum to 20, 100 or 210 bar. Custom ranges and a barometric module can be fitted to any unit. Rear connections for pressure supply, vacuum supply and measure/control each use Bx G1/8 or Bx 1215 fittings compatible with Beamex pressure hoses, and fixed safety relief valves protect each measurement module.

Operation is through a 7-inch colour LCD with resistive touch screen and more than ten user interface languages, including English, German, French, Spanish, Japanese and Chinese. The display shows 4 to 6 digits of resolution in 38 pressure units plus two user-programmable units. For remote operation the manual lists Ethernet, IEEE-488, USB and RS-232 interfaces with SCPI commands, noting that only USB is used with Beamex products. Power consumption is up to 150 VA, the operating temperature range is 15 to 45 °C, and the pressure medium is clean, dry air or another non-corrosive gas. Beamex gives a two-year warranty and supplies an accredited calibration certificate as standard.

Key Features

Key features of the Beamex POC8 from the Beamex brochure and user manual are:

• Automatic pressure control from vacuum to 210 bar (3045 psi) in three control unit sizes.
• One or two internal pressure measurement modules plus an optional barometric module.
• One-year uncertainty of 0.02% of span and control stability of 0.005% of span.
• Precision, high speed and custom control modes with low overshoot.
• Step, leak test and burst test applications built into the controller.
• 7-inch colour touch screen with more than ten languages and 38 pressure units.
• Integration with Beamex MC6 calibrators, CENTRiCAL and calibration management software.
• Accredited calibration certificate included as standard.

Industrial Applications

The Beamex POC8 is aimed at workshop and laboratory calibration of pressure transmitters, pressure switches, gauges, pressure sensors and transducers. Typical users are instrument workshops in refineries, gas plants, petrochemical complexes and power stations, third-party calibration laboratories, and OEMs testing pressure products before shipment. Combined with a Beamex MC6 documenting calibrator and calibration software, the Beamex POC8 lets a technician run an entire multi-point calibration automatically, with as-found and as-left results recorded without manual transcription, which reduces errors and frees technicians for other work.

In Oman and the GCC, the Beamex POC8 suits central instrument workshops at oil and gas fields, refineries in Sohar and Muscat, LNG facilities in Sur, power and desalination plants, and calibration service providers supporting ISO/IEC 17025 work. The operating range of 15 to 45 °C should be respected, so an air-conditioned workshop is the normal location. Seven Star LLC supplies the Beamex POC8 configured with the control unit and modules matching your instrument population, and can combine it with Beamex MC6 calibrators already in use.

Technical Specifications

The Beamex POC8 specifications below are taken from the Beamex POC8 brochure and user manual.

How to Order

For a quotation on the Beamex POC8, send Seven Star LLC the pressure ranges you need to calibrate, the required control unit, whether a barometric module is needed and whether the controller will be used standalone or with CENTRiCAL and MC6 calibrators. The Beamex POC8 brochure and user manual can be downloaded from this page. Seven Star LLC supplies Beamex calibration equipment in Oman and the GCC with engineering support in Muscat. Related products include the Beamex MC6 Advanced Field Calibrator and Communicator, the Beamex ePG Electric Pressure Pump and Controller and the Beamex MC4 Documenting Process Calibrator.