europascal BH2-1200B is a high-precision hydraulic single-piston deadweight tester designed for calibration, adjustment and testing of mechanical and electronic pressure measuring instruments. With a pressure range from 2 to 1,200 bar, high long-term stability and an accuracy of 0.01 % of reading, the BH2-1200B provides a reliable primary pressure reference for professional calibration laboratories, industrial metrology and quality assurance.
An enhanced accuracy of up to 0.006 % of reading is available on request, making the europascal BH2-1200B particularly suitable for demanding pressure calibration applications.
The system operates according to the fundamental pressure balance principle:
p = F / A
A precisely known force generated by calibrated masses acts on the effective area of a piston-cylinder assembly. The resulting pressure provides a highly stable reference value that can be compared directly with the pressure indication of the device under test.
The europascal BH2-1200B combines a hydraulic pressure generator, a precision single-piston cylinder assembly and calibrated masses in one robust pressure calibration system.
Typical devices under test include pressure gauges, digital pressure gauges, pressure transmitters, pressure transducers, pressure sensors and pressure switches.
At europascal, we provide complete solutions for professional pressure calibration. In addition to pressure balances and pressure calibration equipment, we can assist you with suitable adapters, accessories and calibration services.
For regular calibration and metrological traceability of your pressure measuring equipment, use the europascal Calibration Service.
Your Benefits at a Glance
- Hydraulic single-piston deadweight tester
- Pressure range from 2 to 1,200 bar
- Accuracy of 0.01 % of reading
- Enhanced accuracy up to 0.006 % available on request
- High-precision piston-cylinder system
- Single-piston design
- Tungsten carbide piston
- Treated steel cylinder
- Hydraulic pressure generation
- H40 mineral oil as pressure medium
- Pressure generator integrated into the system
- High long-term stability
- High repeatability
- Suitable for pressure gauges
- Suitable for digital pressure gauges
- Suitable for pressure transmitters
- Suitable for pressure transducers
- Suitable for pressure sensors
- Suitable for pressure switches
- Different pressure units available
- Standard or local gravity configuration
- Optional motorization
- Optional piston-position visualization
- Optional calculator module
- Calibration certificate options available
- Designed for professional calibration laboratories
- Suitable for industrial metrology and quality assurance
Precise Pressure Calibration up to 1,200 bar
The europascal BH2-1200B covers a hydraulic pressure range from:
2 to 1,200 bar
Equivalent pressure ranges are approximately:
30 to 16,000 psi
and
200 to 120,000 kPa
This wide pressure range makes the pressure balance suitable for calibration of numerous industrial pressure measuring instruments.
The BH2-1200B can be used both as a laboratory reference and as a high-accuracy standard in industrial calibration environments.
Single-Piston Pressure Balance
The europascal BH2-1200B is designed as a single-piston pressure balance.
The precision piston-cylinder assembly forms the metrological core of the system.
For the BH2-1200B, the typical effective piston area is approximately:
3.92450 mm²
The piston is manufactured from tungsten carbide, while the cylinder is manufactured from treated steel.
These materials are selected to provide the mechanical properties required for precision pressure generation and long-term use.
The single-piston configuration provides continuous coverage from 2 to 1,200 bar.
How Does a Deadweight Tester Work?
A deadweight tester generates pressure according to a fundamental physical relationship:
p = F / A
where:
p = pressure
F = force acting on the piston
A = effective piston area
Calibrated masses are placed on the piston system.
The gravitational force generated by these masses acts on the accurately characterized effective area of the piston-cylinder assembly.
The hydraulic pressure generator increases the system pressure until the piston and applied masses reach the correct equilibrium condition.
At equilibrium, the generated pressure can be determined from the applied force and effective piston area.
This pressure is then compared with the indication of the device under test.
The mechanical measurement principle is one of the reasons why deadweight testers are widely used as high-quality reference standards in pressure metrology.
Hydraulic Pressure Generation
The europascal BH2-1200B includes the pressure generation system required to generate hydraulic pressure.
The generator base is the:
CH2-1250B
A capstan is used to generate and finely adjust pressure within the hydraulic system.
The pressure medium transfers the generated pressure to both the piston-cylinder assembly and the connected device under test.
This integrated design creates a complete manual pressure calibration workstation.
H40 Mineral Oil as Pressure Medium
The specified pressure medium for the standard europascal BH2-1200B is:
H40 oil
with a nominal fluid density of approximately:
860 kg/m³
The hydraulic operating principle is particularly suitable for high-pressure calibration because liquids have very low compressibility compared with gases.
Correct handling of the pressure medium is important for reliable pressure generation and accurate calibration.
Contamination, trapped air or an unsuitable pressure medium can adversely affect the performance of a hydraulic pressure calibration system.
Accuracy of 0.01 % of Reading
The standard accuracy of the europascal BH2-1200B is:
0.01 % of reading
For applications requiring even higher accuracy, an enhanced version with accuracy up to:
0.006 % of reading
is available on request.
The percentage-of-reading specification is particularly advantageous over a wide pressure range because the accuracy follows the actual generated pressure rather than being based only on the full-scale value.
The appropriate configuration should always be selected according to the required test uncertainty ratio and measurement uncertainty of the device under test.
Calibration of Pressure Gauges
Mechanical and digital pressure gauges are typical devices under test for the europascal BH2-1200B.
The pressure gauge is connected to the pressure balance and subjected to several defined pressure points.
The pressure generated by the deadweight tester is compared with the indication of the pressure gauge.
Measurements can be performed at increasing and decreasing pressure points according to the selected calibration procedure.
This makes it possible to determine indication deviation, repeatability and, where applicable, hysteresis characteristics.
Calibration of Pressure Transmitters
The europascal BH2-1200B can also be used for calibration of pressure transmitters and pressure transducers.
The pressure balance provides the reference pressure applied to the sensor.
The electrical output of the transmitter can then be measured using suitable electrical measurement equipment.
Depending on the transmitter, typical output signals can include:
- Current
- Voltage
- Digital signals
For a conventional 4–20 mA pressure transmitter, for example, the hydraulic reference pressure generated by the BH2-1200B can be compared with the electrical transmitter output at several calibration points.
Calibration of Pressure Switches
Pressure switches can also be tested with the europascal BH2-1200B.
The pressure is gradually increased or decreased while the switching state is monitored.
This allows the switching pressure and, depending on the test procedure, the reset point and switching hysteresis to be determined.
The fine hydraulic pressure adjustment provided by the pressure generator is particularly useful for accurately approaching switching points.
Different Pressure Units
The main mass set can be supplied for different pressure units.
Available configurations can include units such as:
- bar
- psi
- kPa
Additional or intermediate mass sets can also be supplied for other measurement units.
This enables the pressure balance to be configured according to the units commonly used in the customer’s laboratory or industrial application.
Standard or Local Gravity
The pressure generated by a deadweight tester depends on the gravitational force acting on the applied masses.
For this reason, gravitational acceleration must be considered when configuring a high-accuracy pressure balance.
The europascal BH2-1200B can be configured for:
Standard gravity: 9.80665 m/s²
or
Local gravity
Using the local gravitational acceleration can improve the relationship between the applied mass and the generated pressure at the actual installation location.
The required gravity configuration should therefore be specified when ordering.
Operating Temperature
The specified operating temperature range for the BH2 series is:
18 °C to 28 °C
The deadweight tester calibration reference conditions are based on a temperature of 20 °C and atmospheric pressure conditions.
Temperature is an important influence quantity in high-accuracy pressure balance measurements because it can affect the effective piston area and the properties of the pressure medium.
For demanding metrological applications, the actual environmental conditions should therefore be considered in accordance with the applicable calibration procedure.
Optional Motorization
For applications requiring increased operating convenience, the europascal BH2-1200B can be equipped with optional motorization.
The motorization supports rotation of the masses and piston system.
A visualization option can additionally indicate the piston position using indicator lights.
These functions can simplify operation and support reproducible working procedures, particularly when the pressure balance is used regularly in a calibration laboratory.
Optional Calculator Module
An optional calculator module further expands the capabilities of the europascal BH2-1200B.
Depending on the selected configuration, the module can provide dynamic visualization of the piston position and automatic calculation or display of the generated pressure.
Environmental quantities such as temperature, atmospheric pressure and humidity can be incorporated into the pressure determination.
Data can also be transferred to a computer, supporting traceability and calibration documentation.
This makes the BH2-1200B suitable not only for traditional manual deadweight testing but also for more advanced laboratory workflows.
Technical Highlights
The europascal BH2-1200B combines a proven physical measurement principle with a robust hydraulic pressure generation system:
- Measuring range: 2 to 1,200 bar
- Equivalent range: 30 to 16,000 psi
- Equivalent range: 200 to 120,000 kPa
- Accuracy: 0.01 % of reading
- Enhanced accuracy: up to 0.006 % on request
- Number of pistons: 1
- Typical piston area: 3.92450 mm²
- Piston material: tungsten carbide
- Cylinder material: treated steel
- Pressure medium: H40 oil
- Fluid density: approximately 860 kg/m³
- Generator base: CH2-1250B
- Deadweight tester weight without masses: approximately 22 kg
- Operating temperature: 18 °C to 28 °C
- Standard gravity: 9.80665 m/s²
- Local gravity configuration available
- Optional motorization
- Optional piston-position visualization
- Optional calculator module
Technical Specifications
| Feature | europascal BH2-1200B |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | europascal Aremeca |
| Model | BH2-1200B |
| Type | Hydraulic Single-Piston Deadweight Tester |
| Measuring range | 2 to 1,200 bar |
| Pressure range | 30 to 16,000 psi |
| Pressure range | 200 to 120,000 kPa |
| Accuracy | 0.01 % of reading |
| Enhanced accuracy | Up to 0.006 % on request |
| Number of pistons | 1 |
| Typical piston area | 3.92450 mm² |
| Piston material | Tungsten carbide |
| Cylinder material | Treated steel |
| Generator | CH2-1250B |
| Pressure medium | H40 oil |
| Fluid density | Approx. 860 kg/m³ |
| Weight without masses | Approx. 22 kg |
| Operating temperature | 18 °C to 28 °C |
| Standard gravity | 9.80665 m/s² |
| Application | Hydraulic pressure calibration |
Typical Applications
The europascal BH2-1200B is suitable for a wide range of pressure calibration applications.
Typical users include:
- DAkkS calibration laboratories
- Accredited calibration laboratories
- Factory calibration laboratories
- Quality assurance departments
- Pressure instrument manufacturers
- Mechanical engineering companies
- Process industries
- Energy industry
- Chemical industry
- Pharmaceutical industry
- Research and development
- Maintenance departments
Typical devices under test include pressure gauges, digital pressure gauges, transmitters, transducers, sensors and pressure switches.
Why Choose the europascal BH2-1200B?
The europascal BH2-1200B combines a wide hydraulic pressure range with the proven physical principle of a deadweight tester.
Its single-piston system covers pressures from 2 to 1,200 bar, while the standard accuracy of 0.01 % of reading supports demanding professional calibration applications.
For applications requiring higher metrological performance, an enhanced accuracy of up to 0.006 % of reading is available on request.
The robust hydraulic pressure generator, tungsten carbide piston and calibrated mass system provide a durable reference solution for pressure laboratories.
Optional motorization, piston-position visualization and a calculator module allow the system to be adapted to different levels of laboratory automation.
The BH2-1200B is therefore particularly suitable for laboratories seeking a high-quality mechanical pressure reference with excellent long-term stability.
At europascal, we can assist you in selecting the appropriate piston-cylinder system, mass set, pressure unit, gravity configuration, adapters and accessories for your individual pressure calibration requirements.
For professional calibration and metrological traceability of pressure balances, pressure gauges, transmitters and pressure sensors, use the europascal Calibration Service.
Additional measurement and calibration solutions are available through the europascal English homepage.
Discover more europascal Aremeca products here.
Manufacturer information about the europascal BH2-1200B is available from the official Aremeca Instrumentation product page.
