Fluke Calibration 8370A is a modular high-pressure controller and calibrator designed for automated pneumatic pressure calibration at pressures up to 107 MPa (15,000 psi / approximately 1,070 bar). Its combination of clean gas operation, interchangeable pressure measurement modules, automatic pressure control and extensive automation capabilities makes the 8370A ideal for professional calibration laboratories, pressure sensor manufacturing, production testing, aerospace applications and other demanding high-pressure measurement tasks.
Unlike conventional hydraulic high-pressure systems, the Fluke Calibration 8370A generates and controls pressure using gas. Clean, dry nitrogen, helium, argon or air can be used as the pressure medium. This provides a major advantage when pressure sensors and other devices under test must remain free from oil or other liquid contamination.
The modular architecture allows the system to be configured with up to five Pressure Measurement Modules (PMMs). Different pressure ranges and performance levels can be combined within the same instrument. Available module families include PM200, PM500 and PM600, allowing the system to be optimized for measurement performance, pressure range and investment cost.
Pressure ranges can start as low as 700 kPa (100 psi) while the maximum measurement and control capability extends to 107 MPa (15,000 psi).
The 8370A provides dynamic pressure control precision of 0.002 % of the active range span or 0.01 kPa, whichever is greater, together with a typical control turndown of 100:1.
At europascal, we provide professional pressure calibration solutions ranging from portable pressure calibrators and reference pressure instruments to modular automated pressure controllers and complete calibration systems.
For professional calibration and metrological traceability of pressure controllers, pressure modules, sensors and other pressure measuring equipment, use the europascal Calibration Service.
Your Benefits at a Glance
- Automated pneumatic high-pressure controller and calibrator
- Pressure measurement and control up to 107 MPa
- Maximum pressure up to 15,000 psi
- Approximately 1,070 bar maximum operating pressure
- Clean gas pressure generation
- No hydraulic oil required for pressure generation
- Configurable with pressure ranges as low as 700 kPa / 100 psi
- Modular pressure measurement architecture
- Up to five Pressure Measurement Modules
- PM200 Pressure Measurement Modules
- PM500 Pressure Measurement Modules
- PM600 Pressure Measurement Modules
- Automatic module selection
- Dynamic control precision of 0.002 % of active range
- Typical 100:1 control turndown
- Fast automatic pressure control
- Times to setpoint as low as approximately 30 seconds depending on configuration
- Front-accessible measurement and control modules
- Easy expansion and re-ranging
- Suitable for pressure sensor calibration
- Suitable for pressure transmitter calibration
- Suitable for pressure transducer calibration
- Ideal for production testing
- Suitable for aerospace pressure sensors
- RS-232 communication
- GPIB communication
- USB communication
- Ethernet communication
- Native SCPI protocol
- Remote command emulation modes
- COMPASS for Pressure compatibility
- Designed for automated calibration
Pneumatic High-Pressure Calibration up to 15,000 psi
The Fluke Calibration 8370A provides an unusual combination of pneumatic operation and extremely high pressure capability.
The system measures and controls pressure from atmospheric pressure up to:
107 MPa
or:
15,000 psi
which corresponds to approximately:
1,070 bar
The 8370A can be configured with measurement ranges beginning at only:
700 kPa
or:
100 psi
This allows one modular system to cover low, medium and extremely high pneumatic pressures.
The ability to reach more than 1,000 bar using gas distinguishes the 8370A from many conventional pneumatic pressure controllers.
Clean Gas Instead of Hydraulic Oil
One of the most important advantages of the Fluke Calibration 8370A is its pneumatic operating principle.
Very high pressures are traditionally generated using hydraulic pressure media such as oil.
Although hydraulic systems provide excellent high-pressure capability, liquid contamination can be undesirable when calibrating certain sensors and production components.
The 8370A uses clean, dry gas.
Compatible supply gases include:
- Nitrogen
- Helium
- Argon
- Air
Fluke recommends industrial-grade nitrogen with a purity of at least 99.5 % where nitrogen is used.
This clean operating principle makes the 8370A particularly attractive for production calibration and sensor manufacturing.
Ideal for Pressure Sensor Manufacturing
The Fluke Calibration 8370A is especially suitable for characterization and calibration in production environments.
Pressure sensor manufacturers may need to test large quantities of sensors over multiple pressure points.
Manual high-pressure generation would require considerable operator involvement.
The 8370A automatically generates, measures and controls the required pressure.
Typical applications include:
- Pressure sensor manufacturing
- Pressure transducer characterization
- High-pressure transmitter calibration
- Production quality control
- Aerospace sensor manufacturing
- Automotive pressure sensors
- Research and development
- High-pressure component testing
Automated pressure generation can significantly reduce the time required for repetitive testing.
Modular Pressure Measurement Architecture
The Fluke Calibration 8370A uses Fluke Calibration’s modular pressure controller platform.
Depending on the chassis configuration, multiple Pressure Measurement Modules can be installed.
A system can be configured with up to:
five measurement modules
simultaneously.
This enables the controller to cover several different pressure ranges without requiring separate pressure controllers.
The modular architecture also allows the system to be expanded later when calibration requirements change.
PM200, PM500 and PM600 Modules
Three main Pressure Measurement Module families are available for the modular Fluke Calibration platform:
PM200
PM500
PM600
These module families provide different levels of measurement performance.
This allows a laboratory to configure the 8370A according to the accuracy requirements of each pressure range.
For routine industrial pressure calibration, an economical module may be sufficient.
For demanding reference applications, a higher-performance module can be selected.
Different module families and ranges can therefore be combined within the same controller.
Automatic Module Selection
When several measurement modules are installed, the Fluke Calibration 8370A can use the appropriate module for the required pressure range.
This provides excellent range coverage without requiring the operator to manually reconnect different pressure references.
For example, a system could combine a:
700 kPa / 100 psi module
for lower pressures with a:
70 MPa / 10,000 psi module
for high-pressure applications.
The modular architecture enables both pressure regions to be covered within the same automated calibration station.
100:1 Control Turndown
The Fluke Calibration 8370A provides a typical control turndown of:
100:1
This means a pressure range significantly smaller than the available supply pressure can still meet the specified control performance without requiring the supply pressure to be manually reduced.
Fluke provides the example of an 8370A equipped with a 70 MPa / 10,000 psi high-range module and a 700 kPa / 100 psi low-range module.
With this configuration, pressures below 700 kPa can still be controlled with excellent performance while maintaining the high-pressure supply.
This greatly simplifies systems that need to cover a broad pressure range.
Excellent Pressure Control Precision
The Fluke Calibration 8370A provides dynamic control precision of:
0.002 % of range span
or:
0.01 kPa
whichever is greater.
The specification is based on the active measurement range rather than simply the maximum 107 MPa capability of the complete instrument.
This is an important advantage of the modular design.
A suitable lower-range measurement module can provide significantly better control performance at lower pressures than would be possible if the controller relied exclusively on a single 15,000 psi range.
Fast Automatic Pressure Control
High-pressure calibration can be time-consuming when pressure must be generated manually.
The Fluke Calibration 8370A automatically approaches and stabilizes at the requested setpoint.
Depending on the installed Pressure Measurement Module, pressure range, operating mode and test volume, settling times can start at approximately:
30 seconds
For pressures above 44 MPa, settling times vary according to the selected module and dynamic control mode.
Fast automatic pressure control is particularly valuable in production environments where large numbers of sensors must be tested.
Two Dynamic Control Modes
The 8370A provides different dynamic pressure control modes.
These allow users to select the appropriate balance between control speed and overshoot performance.
Dynamic Mode A is optimized for faster pressure control.
Dynamic Mode B provides reduced overshoot for applications where approaching the pressure setpoint more conservatively is desirable.
This flexibility is particularly useful when different devices under test have different pressure response characteristics.
Pressure Calibration without Oil Contamination
Cleanliness is an important consideration in many pressure calibration applications.
A pressure sensor that has been calibrated using hydraulic oil may retain traces of the pressure medium.
This can be unacceptable for certain production processes or sensor applications.
Because the Fluke Calibration 8370A operates pneumatically, devices under test can remain free from hydraulic oil contamination.
This is especially valuable for:
- Sensor production
- Aerospace components
- Gas pressure systems
- Clean manufacturing processes
- Research instrumentation
- Devices that cannot tolerate oil contamination
Pressure Sensor Characterization
Pressure sensor characterization often requires many individual measurement points.
A sensor may need to be evaluated for:
- Linearity
- Repeatability
- Hysteresis
- Zero behavior
- Span behavior
- Temperature effects
- Long-term stability
The automatic pressure generation of the 8370A simplifies these measurements.
Pressure points can be generated repeatedly and reproducibly while external data acquisition equipment records the electrical output of the sensor.
Pressure Transmitter Calibration
The Fluke Calibration 8370A can also serve as the pressure generation and reference component of an automated pressure transmitter calibration system.
The controller generates and measures the required pressure.
Suitable electrical equipment simultaneously measures the transmitter output.
Typical outputs include:
- 4–20 mA
- DC voltage
- Digital signals
This allows pressure and electrical output to be evaluated automatically at multiple calibration points.
Front-Accessible Modular Design
Measurement and control modules can be accessed from the front of the Fluke Calibration 8370A.
This simplifies:
- Maintenance
- Module replacement
- Calibration
- Range changes
- Future expansion
A measurement module can be removed without replacing the complete pressure controller.
This modularity can significantly reduce system downtime.
It also allows laboratories to expand the controller when new pressure ranges are required.
8370A-2 and 8370A-5
The Fluke Calibration 8370A is available in different chassis configurations.
The 8370A-2 provides a two-bay high-pressure modular controller chassis.
The 8370A-5 provides a five-bay chassis.
Versions are also available with the Pressure Control Module already installed.
The appropriate chassis can therefore be selected according to the number of pressure ranges required by the calibration workload.
A smaller configuration can be selected initially and the modular platform expanded according to future requirements.
Safety at Very High Gas Pressures
Safety is particularly important when working with gas at pressures approaching 100 MPa.
Compressed gas stores considerably more energy than hydraulic liquid at comparable pressures.
Fluke therefore incorporates multiple safety features into the 8370A.
The system includes overpressure protection and a front-panel:
ABORT
button.
Pressing the Abort button vents the test pressure and places the controller into a safe condition.
An optional external abort valve can provide faster directed venting and automatic venting if electrical power is lost.
Correct installation, pressure-rated tubing, fittings, test components and appropriate laboratory safety procedures are essential when operating at these pressures.
Supply and Test Pressure
For the Fluke Calibration 8370A, the maximum supply pressure is specified at:
110 MPa / 16,000 psi gauge
The test port is rated up to:
107 MPa / 15,500 psi gauge
The nominal measurement and control capability of the system is:
100 MPa class / 15,000 psi
depending on the installed modules and configuration.
The minimum supply pressure specified for the platform is:
2 MPa / 300 psi gauge
The supply pressure must always be selected according to the required operating pressure and installed measurement modules.
Communication Interfaces
The Fluke Calibration 8370A supports extensive remote communication.
Standard communication options include:
- RS-232
- GPIB
- USB
- Ethernet
The controller supports the native:
SCPI protocol
as well as various command emulation modes.
This makes the 8370A suitable for integration into both new and existing automated calibration systems.
COMPASS for Pressure
The Fluke Calibration 8370A can be automated using Fluke Calibration’s COMPASS for Pressure software.
COMPASS can be used to run complete pressure calibration sequences on one or multiple devices under test.
Automated calibration procedures can include:
- Pressure generation
- Pressure stabilization
- Data acquisition
- Multiple calibration points
- Increasing pressure sequences
- Decreasing pressure sequences
- Repetitive measurements
- Calibration documentation
The remote interfaces can also be used with custom software and other data acquisition systems.
Technical Highlights
The Fluke Calibration 8370A combines extremely high pneumatic pressure capability with modular measurement technology:
- Automated pneumatic high-pressure controller
- Maximum measurement and control pressure 107 MPa
- Maximum pressure 15,000 psi
- Approximately 1,070 bar
- Configurable ranges starting at 700 kPa / 100 psi
- Up to five Pressure Measurement Modules
- PM200, PM500 and PM600 module families
- Dynamic control precision 0.002 % of active range
- Typical 100:1 control turndown
- Automatic pressure control
- Fast settling times
- Clean gas operation
- Nitrogen, helium, argon or air
- Oil-free pressure calibration
- Front-accessible modular design
- Two-bay and five-bay configurations
- Overpressure protection
- Front-panel Abort function
- RS-232
- GPIB
- USB
- Ethernet
- SCPI communication
- COMPASS for Pressure compatibility
- Suitable for automated production calibration
Technical Specifications
| Feature | Fluke Calibration 8370A |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Fluke Calibration |
| Model | 8370A |
| Device type | Modular High-Pressure Controller / Calibrator |
| Operating principle | Pneumatic |
| Maximum measurement/control pressure | 107 MPa / 15,000 psi |
| Approximate maximum pressure | 1,070 bar |
| Lowest configurable range | 700 kPa / 100 psi |
| Measurement modules | PM200, PM500, PM600 families |
| Maximum measurement modules | Up to 5 |
| Control precision | 0.002 % range span or 0.01 kPa |
| Control turndown | 100:1 typical |
| Low control point | 7 kPa / 1 psi gauge |
| Maximum supply pressure | 110 MPa / 16,000 psi gauge |
| Maximum test port pressure | 107 MPa / 15,500 psi gauge |
| Supply gases | Nitrogen, helium, argon or air |
| Communication | RS-232, GPIB, USB, Ethernet |
| Remote protocol | SCPI and emulation modes |
| Operating temperature | 15 °C to 35 °C |
| Storage temperature | −20 °C to 70 °C |
| Operating altitude | Below 3,000 m |
| Chassis versions | 2-bay and 5-bay |
| Automation | COMPASS for Pressure |
Why Choose the Fluke Calibration 8370A?
The Fluke Calibration 8370A provides a combination that is unusual in high-pressure calibration: automatic pneumatic pressure control at pressures exceeding 1,000 bar.
Its maximum pressure capability of 107 MPa / 15,000 psi enables demanding high-pressure sensors and transducers to be calibrated without introducing hydraulic oil into the device under test.
The modular architecture provides another major advantage.
Up to five Pressure Measurement Modules can be installed, allowing the same system to cover lower, medium and high pressures. PM200, PM500 and PM600 module families enable the system to be optimized for the required measurement performance and budget.
Dynamic pressure control precision of 0.002 % of the active range span and a typical 100:1 control turndown provide excellent control performance over a broad pressure workload.
Front-accessible measurement and control modules simplify maintenance, re-ranging and future expansion.
RS-232, GPIB, USB and Ethernet interfaces together with SCPI communication make the 8370A suitable for fully automated calibration and production test systems.
COMPASS for Pressure can further automate complete calibration sequences and measurements on multiple devices under test.
For calibration laboratories and manufacturers that require clean, automatic pressure generation at pressures up to 15,000 psi, the Fluke Calibration 8370A provides a highly flexible alternative to conventional hydraulic pressure generation.
At europascal, we can assist you in configuring the appropriate 8370A chassis, Pressure Measurement Modules, pressure ranges, safety accessories and automation solution for your individual high-pressure calibration requirements.
For professional calibration and metrological traceability of pressure controllers, pressure modules, pressure sensors and other pressure measuring equipment, use the europascal Calibration Service.
Discover more Fluke Calibration products here.
Manufacturer information about the Fluke Calibration 8370A is available on the official Fluke Calibration 8270A/8370A product page.
