The europascal BH4-1200B Automatic Deadweight Tester is a high-performance hydraulic pressure standard designed for precise and efficient pressure calibration from 20 to 1,200 bar. Combining the fundamental physical measurement principle of a piston gauge with automatic pressure calculation, motorized operation, dynamic piston position visualization and digital data handling, the BH4-1200B is an excellent solution for professional calibration laboratories and industrial metrology.
The measuring range extends from 20 to 1,200 bar, corresponding to 2,000 to 120,000 kPa or approximately 200 to 16,000 psi. The complete pressure range is covered by a single precision piston-cylinder system.
The europascal BH4-1200B provides a standard accuracy of 0.01 % of reading. For particularly demanding calibration applications, enhanced accuracy of up to 0.006 % is available on request.
At the heart of the system is a precision tungsten carbide piston operating in a treated steel cylinder. The hydraulic pressure medium is oil. The complete automatic pressure balance weighs approximately 24 kg without the calibration masses.
Unlike a conventional manually operated deadweight tester, the BH4 concept integrates advanced electronic functionality. The generated pressure is automatically calculated and displayed, while the piston position is dynamically visualized. Calibration results can be recorded and transferred to a computer.
europascal supports professional users with product selection, configuration, maintenance and calibration. The europascal calibration service provides professional calibration solutions for deadweight testers, pressure gauges, pressure sensors, transmitters and other pressure measuring equipment.
Your Benefits at a Glance
The europascal BH4-1200B Automatic Deadweight Tester combines high-accuracy physical pressure generation with modern calibration automation.
Key benefits include:
- Automatic hydraulic deadweight tester
- Measuring range from 20 to 1,200 bar
- Measuring range from 2,000 to 120,000 kPa
- Measuring range up to approximately 16,000 psi
- Maximum pressure of 1,200 bar / 120 MPa
- Accuracy of 0.01 % of reading
- Enhanced accuracy up to 0.006 % on request
- Single precision piston-cylinder system
- Tungsten carbide piston
- Treated steel cylinder
- Hydraulic operation with oil
- Motorized rotation of the weight system
- Dynamic piston position visualization
- Automatic pressure calculation
- Automatic pressure display
- Different pressure units with the same weight set
- Operator assistance during calibration
- Calibration result recording
- Computer data transfer
- Stainless steel calibration masses
- Standard or customer-specific gravity adjustment
- Approx. 24 kg device weight without masses
- Professional calibration and service from europascal
Ideal for Demanding Calibration Applications
The europascal BH4-1200B is designed for testing, adjusting and calibrating pressure measuring instruments by comparison with a physical pressure reference.
Typical devices under test include:
- Precision pressure gauges
- Digital pressure gauges
- Reference pressure indicators
- Pressure sensors
- Pressure transmitters
- Pressure transducers
- Hydraulic pressure gauges
- High-pressure sensors
- Pressure switches
- Industrial process instruments
- Secondary pressure standards
The maximum pressure of 1,200 bar makes the instrument particularly suitable for calibration laboratories working with hydraulic measurement equipment extending well beyond conventional process pressure ranges.
Pressure Range from 20 to 1,200 bar
The europascal BH4-1200B covers a measuring range from:
20 to 1,200 bar
This corresponds to:
2,000 to 120,000 kPa
or approximately:
200 to 16,000 psi
The maximum pressure is therefore:
1,200 bar / 120 MPa
The complete range is covered using one piston-cylinder assembly.
This single-piston configuration simplifies operation because no change between low-pressure and high-pressure pistons is required.
For applications requiring an extended range toward lower pressures, a dual-piston BH4-1200B DP configuration is also available.
Accuracy of 0.01 % of Reading
The europascal BH4-1200B Automatic Deadweight Tester provides a standard accuracy of:
0.01 % of reading
For particularly demanding applications, an enhanced accuracy of:
up to 0.006 %
is available on request.
This performance makes the BH4-1200B suitable for professional calibration laboratories requiring a high-quality physical pressure reference.
The complete measurement uncertainty of a calibration additionally depends on relevant influence quantities such as:
- Calibration of the masses
- Effective piston area
- Local gravitational acceleration
- Air buoyancy
- Piston-cylinder temperature
- Pressure deformation
- Density of the hydraulic fluid
- Hydrostatic head difference
- Repeatability
- Resolution of the device under test
- Environmental conditions
These influence quantities should be considered when establishing the measurement uncertainty budget for high-accuracy pressure calibration.
Fundamental Piston Gauge Measurement Principle
The europascal BH4-1200B operates according to the fundamental physical measurement principle of a piston gauge.
The basic relationship is:
p = F / A
where:
p = generated pressure
F = force acting on the piston
A = effective piston area
The gravitational force generated by the calibrated masses is primarily determined by:
F = m × g
where:
m = applied mass
g = gravitational acceleration
The simplified relationship therefore becomes:
p = (m × g) / A
For high-accuracy measurements, the complete pressure calculation can include additional corrections for local gravity, air buoyancy, piston temperature, pressure deformation and hydrostatic head.
The BH4 system combines this fundamental physical measurement principle with an integrated calculator that simplifies the determination and display of the generated reference pressure.
Precision Single-Piston System
The europascal BH4-1200B uses:
one precision piston-cylinder system
The piston is manufactured from:
tungsten carbide
while the cylinder is manufactured from:
treated steel
Tungsten carbide provides excellent hardness, wear resistance and dimensional stability. These characteristics are particularly important for piston-cylinder systems operating at high hydraulic pressures.
The single-piston design provides straightforward operation across the measuring range.
Automatic Pressure Calculation
One of the main advantages of the europascal BH4-1200B is its integrated automatic pressure calculation.
With a conventional manual deadweight tester, the operator may need to calculate the generated pressure from the applied masses, piston characteristics and relevant environmental corrections.
The BH4 concept simplifies this process.
The integrated calculator provides:
- Automatic calculation of generated pressure
- Automatic pressure display
- Consideration of relevant measurement parameters
- Different pressure units with the same weight set
- Reduced manual calculation effort
- Improved efficiency during repetitive calibration
This makes the BH4-1200B particularly suitable for laboratories performing regular or intensive calibration work.
Dynamic Piston Position Visualization
Correct piston position is essential for reliable operation of a deadweight tester.
The BH4 system therefore provides:
dynamic visualization of the piston position
The operator can monitor the piston position during pressure generation and calibration.
This visual assistance simplifies the process of establishing the correct operating condition and provides additional confidence during repetitive calibration procedures.
Motorized Weight Rotation
The BH4 automatic system incorporates:
motorized rotation of the weight system
Rotation helps minimize friction effects between the piston and cylinder and supports free movement of the precision piston.
Motorization eliminates the need for the operator to manually rotate the mass system throughout the calibration process.
This improves convenience and helps provide consistent operating conditions during intensive calibration work.
Calibration Result Recording
The europascal BH4-1200B provides functions for:
recording calibration results
This makes the automatic pressure balance particularly useful in professional laboratory environments.
Recorded measurement data can support:
- Calibration documentation
- Measurement traceability
- Quality assurance
- Evaluation of devices under test
- Calibration history
- Digital laboratory workflows
These functions provide an important advantage over purely mechanical pressure balances.
Computer Data Transfer
Calibration results can be:
transferred to a computer
This enables the measurement information generated during calibration to be integrated into digital workflows.
Computer data transfer can reduce manual transcription and simplify further processing of calibration data.
For laboratories performing frequent calibrations, this can significantly improve workflow efficiency.
Different Pressure Units with the Same Weight Set
Another important advantage of the BH4 concept is the ability to use:
different pressure units with the same set of weights
The integrated calculator can convert the pressure generated by the physical mass set into the required engineering unit.
This is useful for laboratories calibrating instruments specified in different units.
Depending on configuration and application, these can include:
- bar
- kPa
- MPa
- psi
- kg/cm²
The main weight set itself can also be selected in a preferred unit such as bar or psi.
Stainless Steel Calibration Masses
The BH4-1200B uses high-quality:
stainless steel calibration masses
The masses generate the force acting on the precision piston.
Their calibration and stability are essential because the generated reference pressure is directly related to the applied force.
The standard bar mass set has a total mass of approximately 49 kg, while the exact configuration depends on the selected pressure unit and gravity value.
Standard Gravity and Local Gravity
The force generated by a deadweight tester depends directly on gravitational acceleration.
The conventional standard value is:
g = 9.80665 m/s²
However, local gravitational acceleration varies according to geographical location.
The europascal BH4-1200B can therefore be configured for:
standard gravity
or:
a customer-specific local gravity value
Correct consideration of gravity is particularly important in high-accuracy pressure calibration because it directly influences the force generated by the calibrated masses.
Hydraulic Operation with Oil
The europascal BH4-1200B is a hydraulic deadweight tester.
The pressure medium is:
oil
Hydraulic operation provides stable pressure transmission and is particularly suitable for pressure calibration at several hundred or more than one thousand bar.
The system includes a hydraulic reservoir and pressure generation mechanism for establishing the required pressure.
For accurate calibration, trapped air should be minimized and the system should be carefully vented.
Compatibility between the hydraulic medium and the device under test should always be verified before calibration.
Technical Highlights
Model: europascal BH4-1200B
Manufacturer reference: BH4-1200B SP
Device type: Automatic Hydraulic Deadweight Tester
Product family: BH4 Automatic
Configuration: Single piston
Number of pistons: 1
Measuring range: 20 to 1,200 bar
Measuring range: 2,000 to 120,000 kPa
Measuring range: Approx. 200 to 16,000 psi
Maximum pressure: 1,200 bar / 120 MPa
Accuracy: 0.01 % of reading
Enhanced accuracy: Up to 0.006 % on request
Measurement principle: Piston gauge / deadweight tester
Pressure medium: Oil
Piston material: Tungsten carbide
Cylinder material: Treated steel
Device weight without masses: Approx. 24 kg
Standard BAR weight set: Approx. 49 kg
Standard gravity: 9.80665 m/s²
Operating temperature: 18 to 28 °C
Motorized rotation: Integrated
Piston position visualization: Integrated
Pressure calculation: Automatic
Result recording: Integrated
Computer data transfer: Available
Technical Data
| Feature | europascal BH4-1200B |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | europascal Aremeca |
| Model | BH4-1200B |
| Manufacturer reference | BH4-1200B SP |
| Device type | Automatic Hydraulic Deadweight Tester |
| Product family | BH4 Automatic |
| Configuration | Single piston |
| Number of pistons | 1 |
| Measuring range | 20–1,200 bar |
| Measuring range | 2,000–120,000 kPa |
| Measuring range | Approx. 200–16,000 psi |
| Maximum pressure | 1,200 bar / 120 MPa |
| Accuracy | 0.01 % of reading |
| Enhanced accuracy | Up to 0.006 % on request |
| Measurement principle | Piston gauge |
| Pressure medium | Oil |
| Piston material | Tungsten carbide |
| Cylinder material | Treated steel |
| Device weight without masses | Approx. 24 kg |
| Standard BAR mass set | Approx. 49 kg |
| Operating temperature | 18–28 °C |
| Standard gravity | 9.80665 m/s² |
| Local gravity | Customer-specific value available |
| Motorization | Integrated |
| Piston position visualization | Dynamic |
| Automatic pressure calculation | Integrated |
| Result recording | Integrated |
| Computer data transfer | Available |
BH4 Automatic Deadweight Tester Concept
The BH4 series is designed for regular or intensive calibration applications where operator convenience, automated calculation and data handling are important.
The automatic system integrates:
Motorization
Dynamic piston position visualization
Sensors
Calculator
Automatic pressure calculation
Calibration data traceability
Result recording
Computer data transfer
The physical reference pressure continues to be generated according to the proven piston gauge principle.
The electronic functions support the operator by simplifying calculation, monitoring and documentation.
This provides the traceability and stability of a physical pressure balance together with the efficiency of a modern calibration system.
BH4-1200B SP vs. BH4-1200B DP
The 1,200 bar BH4 platform is available in both single-piston and dual-piston configurations.
The product described on this page is the:
BH4-1200B SP – Single Piston
A dual-piston version is also available:
BH4-1200B DP – Dual Piston
The dual-piston version combines a lower-pressure range with a high-pressure range, while the SP version uses one piston-cylinder system.
| Feature | BH4-1200B SP | BH4-1200B DP |
|---|---|---|
| Piston configuration | Single piston | Dual piston |
| Number of pistons | 1 | 2 |
| SP measuring range | 20–1,200 bar | — |
| DP low-pressure range | — | 1–60 bar |
| DP high-pressure range | — | 20–1,200 bar |
| Maximum pressure | 1,200 bar | 1,200 bar |
| Accuracy | 0.01 % | 0.01 % |
| Main advantage | Simple single-piston operation | Extended low-pressure coverage |
The BH4-1200B SP is particularly suitable when straightforward operation with one piston-cylinder assembly is preferred.
The BH4-1200B DP is advantageous when the same pressure balance must also cover significantly lower hydraulic pressures.
BH4 Automatic Series
The europascal Aremeca BH4 family provides automatic hydraulic deadweight testers across a broad range of pressures.
Available models include systems for lower and medium hydraulic pressures as well as high-pressure versions extending into several thousand bar.
The BH4-1200B occupies an important position in this range because it combines a maximum pressure of 1,200 bar with the high accuracy required for professional pressure calibration.
For still higher pressures, BH4 models are available with maximum pressures of 2,000 bar, 2,500 bar, 3,000 bar, 4,000 bar, 5,000 bar and beyond.
Further europascal Aremeca products can be found here.
Calibration Certificate and Service
The europascal BH4-1200B is supplied with an:
AREMECA factory calibration certificate traceable to national standards
An optional:
DAkkS/DKD accredited calibration certificate
is available for applications requiring accredited traceability.
The standard instrument is also supplied with operating instructions, the unit data sheet, hydraulic oil, a G1/2 outlet connector and the required tools.
Regular calibration of the piston-cylinder system, mass set and integrated sensors is important for maintaining reliable metrological performance.
The manufacturer recommends recalibration according to the intensity of use.
The europascal calibration service provides professional calibration solutions for pressure balances, pressure gauges, sensors, transmitters and other pressure measuring equipment.
Why Choose the europascal BH4-1200B?
The europascal BH4-1200B Precise Automatic Deadweight Tester combines a hydraulic pressure range up to 1,200 bar with an accuracy of 0.01 % of reading and modern automatic calibration functions.
For particularly demanding applications, enhanced accuracy up to 0.006 % is available on request.
The single tungsten carbide piston, treated steel cylinder and calibrated stainless steel mass set provide the physical foundation for precise pressure generation.
At the same time, motorized rotation, dynamic piston position visualization, automatic pressure calculation, result recording and computer data transfer improve calibration efficiency and operator convenience.
This combination makes the BH4-1200B particularly suitable for professional laboratories performing regular or intensive pressure calibration.
Typical Calibration Applications with the europascal BH4-1200B
The europascal BH4-1200B is particularly suitable for calibrating precision pressure gauges, digital pressure gauges, high-pressure sensors, pressure transmitters, pressure transducers, hydraulic pressure gauges and other pressure measuring equipment with ranges up to 1,200 bar.
Typical application areas include professional calibration laboratories, pressure instrument manufacturers, industrial quality assurance, mechanical engineering, hydraulic systems, research and development and high-pressure test laboratories.
Looking for the europascal BH4-1200B or an automatic hydraulic pressure calibration solution up to 1,200 bar? Contact europascal for expert advice, product configuration and professional calibration services tailored to your requirements.
