Comparing Multifunction and Single-Function Process Calibrators

Accuracy of measurement is important in the process industry. Everyday, thousands of calibrations are conducted to maintain instruments accurate, operations safe, quality of product intact, and regulatory requirements met. Even though many calibrations take place within laboratories or workshops, a significant percentage occur directly in the field, where the equipment is installed and operating.

This is the reason why process calibrators that are portable have become the indispensable tool for process engineers and technicians who work in industries as varied as chemicals, power generation, pharmaceuticals, and oil and gas. Portable calibrators are generally two broad groups:

• Multifunction calibrators that combine several calibration functions in a single instrument.
• Single-function calibrators that are dedicated to one measurement.

Both the devices have their own pros and cons. The right selection has a direct impact on productivity, operational performance, equipment calibration, and long-term cost of calibration.

Multifunction Calibrators

What is a multifunction calibrator?

A multifunction calibrator combines several measurement functions – pressure, temperature and electrical signals, for instance, into a portable package. The technicians do not need to carry multiple tools; they can meet most calibration requirements with one tool. Some equipment even supports digital communication protocols such as HART, Foundation Fieldbus and Profibus PA.

Another advantage is that certain multifunction calibrators are also documenting calibrators, allowing them to connect with calibration management software and automatically document calibration results—streamlining traceability and compliance.

Designed with the complexity of process industries in mind, multifunction calibrators are ideal for technicians who encounter a range of instruments on a daily basis, including:

• Pressure transmitters
• Temperature sensors
• Gauges and indicators
• Control loops

By integrating a number of functions in one instrument, such calibrators make technicians productive, reduce downtime and decrease the burden of carrying multiple single-purpose instruments.

Pros of multifunction calibrators

• Versatility: Handle pressure, temperature, electrical signals and even digital communication—all in one convenient unit.
• Productivity: Reduce time spent on setup and increase productivity in the field.
• Rationalised equipment management: Fewer units translate into fewer recalibrations, certificates and schedules to keep track of.
• Lower long-term costs: Although the initial price is higher, multifunction calibrators are utilised to replace several single-function units, reducing recosts for recalibration and maintenance.
• Field-ready design: Heavy-duty, portable, battery-operated for rugged field conditions.

Cons of multifunction calibrators

• Higher initial cost: More expensive than a single-function calibrator.
• Sophistication: A broader feature set can introduce a learning curve for new technicians.
• Single point of failure: If the unit is removed for calibration or maintenance, multiple functions are lost at once.

Single-Function Calibrators

What is a single-function calibrator?

A single-function calibrator is designed to measure or source a single type of quantity, e.g., pressure, temperature or electrical signals. Examples are:

• Loop calibrators for 4–20 mA signals
• Thermocouple calibrators for temperature sensors
• Pressure calibrators for pressure transmitters

Intended for a single measurement, these devices are simple to operate, often very precise to their own niche, and particularly well suited for calibration laboratories or technicians with a single instrument type to work on.

Pros of single-function calibrators

• Ease of use: Simple operation via menus or single-function controls.
• Specific precision: Built with utmost accuracy for their specific measurement type.
• Lower upfront cost (if only one is required): Budget-friendly solution when only a single measurement is required.
• No bells and whistles: Doesn't cover costs for functionality you won't be employing.

Cons of single-function calibrators

• Less adaptable: Only capable of executing one type of calibration.
• More equipment to transport: Usually several calibrators are needed by technicians to support several instruments.
• Total cost higher: Several units of equipment mean more recalibrations, certificates, and maintenance.
• Inventory management problems: More equipment to stock and monitor.

Choosing the Right Calibrator for Your Needs

The decision between single-function and multifunction calibrators depends on your work setting and workflow:

• If your profession is highly specialised i.e., just calibrating pressure gauges in a laboratory environment—then a single-function calibrator can be perfect. It offers accuracy, convenience and less upfront cost when just one kind of measurement is needed.
• If you deal with many different instruments in the field, a multitemporal calibrator saves labor and time. Having one device rather than many devices equates to faster setup, less downtime and simpler asset management. Often, long-term savings recoup the added initial expense.

It is also worth considering:

• Downtime management: A multifunction calibrator sent for recalibration removes a few functions from service at a time, so a spare or staggered schedule is best.
• Team training: Multifunction devices may require additional training, but once mastered, productivity will actually boost.
• Balanced approach: The majority of organisations use both—multifunction calibrators for field operations and single-function calibrators as spares or precision jobs to be performed in the lab.

The most important thing is to select the solution most suited to your operating reality. The right decision increases productivity, accuracy, safety and compliance, along with reduced long-term costs of calibration.

Beamex MC6 Family Multifunction Calibrators

In multifunction solutions, the Beamex MC6 family is widely recognised as a standard in the process industry. These products combine electrical signal calibration, temperature, and pressure with state-of-the-art digital communication capabilities, e.g., HART, Foundation Fieldbus and Profibus PA.

The MC6 series offers:

• Multichannel data recording on the capacity to record multiple channels simultaneously.
• Features for documentation to ensure easy integration with calibration management software.
• Robust portability to be operated in rugged field environments.

This reduces the need for multiple instruments, simplifies workflows and enhances compliance. Technicians are more productive, and managers have greater traceability and audit-readiness.

The MC6 range includes models specifically adapted for specific needs:

• MC6: Portable multifunction calibrator for pressure, temperature, electrical signals and digital communication.
• MC6-Ex: Intrinsically safe model approved for use in hazardous areas such as oil and gas production.
• MC6-T: On-site integrated calibration temperature calibrator with a dry block.
• MC6-WS: Workshop-calibrated, panel-mounted calibration solution for laboratory applications.

All products belong to the Beamex calibration platform, making it simple to integrate with software that automates process procedures, reduces human error and improves compliance.

To find out more, go to: www.beamex.com