• Hydraulic pressure controller to 200 MPa (30,000 psi)
• High precision control
• AutoRange feature
• For liquid pressures up to 30,000 psi (200 MPa)
• One or two Q-RPTs in each controller
• Supports external reference pressure transducers
• FLASH memory for simple and free embedded software upgrades via Fluke Calibration web-site

PPCH™, is a pressure generator/controller/calibrator for liquid pressure operation from 1 to 200 MPa (150 to 30 000 psi). As with the rest of Fluke Calibration's, PPC family of pressure controllers, the emphasis is on high end performance, minimizing measurement uncertainty and maintaining precise control over a very wide pressure range… in a compact and rugged instrument.

New, individually characterized, quartz reference pressure transducer (Q-RPT) modules increase precision and reduce measurement uncertainty. The AutoRange™ feature supports infinite ranging, automatically optimizing all aspects of operation for the exact range of the DUT being calibrated and taking pressure controller rangeability to a new level.

A unique pressure generation and control system provides unlimited, on-demand pressure, very high control resolution and 10:1 pressure control turndown. Four different control modes are included for maximum versatility.

Open architecture allows reference pressure measurement to be internal to, or remote from, the controller. If desired, the reference can be located at the test measurement point and independently removed for recalibration. With all of this, PPCH opens new doors in automated high pressure hydraulic calibration and test applications.

PPCH's outstanding pressure measurement specifications are made possible by Fluke Calibration's exclusive quartz reference pressure transducer (Q-RPT) modules.

Q-RPTs measure pressure by measuring the change in the natural oscillating frequency of a quartz crystal with pressure induced stress. To be qualified for use in a Q-RPT module, each transducer is individually evaluated and characterized using automated primary pressure standards. Only transducers exhibiting required levels of linearity, repeatability and stability are selected. A proprietary compensation model, derived from more than 15 years experience with thousands of quartz pressure transducers, is applied to optimize the metrological characteristics needed in a transfer standard.

PPCH can be delivered with a low cost utility sensor for applications in which the high precision and stability of a Q-RPT are not required.

^1. Hi Q-RPT only, not available in Lo Q-RPT position.

Infinite Ranging™ and autoRange™

There is a lot more to covering a wide range of test devices with a single pressure controller than "% of reading" measurement uncertainty.

In addition to the necessary measurement uncertainty, PPCH offers the full pressure control and feature adaptability that are needed for true rangeability in test and calibration applications. Infinite ranging gives PPCH unprecedented versatility in adapting to a wide variety of devices to be tested. With the easy to use AutoRange function, a few simple key strokes or a single remote command string at the start of a test adapts every feature of the controller to optimize it for a specific range.

Open architecture

A PPCH controller can be configured with up to four Q-RPT modules. These can be internal or external to the PPCH controller. External Q-RPTs are in RPM4™ Reference Pressure Monitors. The RPM4's Q-RPTs then become part of the PPCH system and are managed by PPCH. External Q-RPTs must be disconnected or protected by valves when PPCH is used at pressure greater than the external Q-RPT range. Examples of possible PPCH system configurations include:

• A PPCH with one or two built-in Q-RPTs to act as a stand alone, "one box" controller/calibrator package.
• A PPCH with no internal Q-RPTs and an external Q-RPT to configure a system whose reference pressure measurement is remote from the controller. This configuration is ideal when it is advantageous for the reference to be removed from the system (e.g. for recalibration) while leaving the controller installed or to locate the reference measurement in closer proximity to the device or system under test.
• A PPCH with no built-in Q-RPTs to act as a low cost automated pressure setting and controlling device (for example to automate pressure control in a PG7000™ piston gauge system).

Features, features, features

PPCH includes all the features you expect in today's state-of-the-art instruments and much more:

• Pressure "ready/not ready" indicator with user adjustable criteria
• Intelligent AutoZero™ function
• 16 SI and US pressure units
• Automatic fluid pressure head correction
• On-board, programmable calibration sequences with DUT tolerance testing
• Remote [ENTER] footswitch for hands free test execution
• Valve drivers option for system design
• Automated leak testing routines
• RS-232 and IEEE- 488 communications
• FLASH memory for simple and free embedded software upgrades

1. Combined linearity, hysteresis and repeatability.
2. Predicted one year stability limit (k=2) assuming regular use of AutoZero function. AutoZero occurs automatically when vented in     gauge mode, by comparison with a barometric reference in absolute mode. Absolute mode predicted one year stability without use     of AutoZ is ± (0.005 % Q-RPT span + 0.005 % of reading).
3. Maximum deviation of the Q-RPT indication from the true value of applied pressure including precision, predicted one year     stability, temperature effect and calibration uncertainty, combined and expanded (k=2) following the ISO "Guide to the     Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement."
4. Maximum deviation of the PPCH controlled pressure from the true value including measurement uncertainty and dynamic control     hold limt.
5. % of reading applies to 30 to 100 % of Q-RPT span. Under 30 % of Q-RPT span, uncertainty is a constant value obtained by     multiplying the % of reading value by 30 % of Q-RPT span.