The europascal BH4-400B DP Dual Piston Deadweight Tester is an automatic hydraulic pressure standard designed for precise calibration across a wide pressure range. Its dual-piston configuration combines two optimized piston-cylinder systems in one instrument: a low-pressure range from 1 to 60 bar and a high-pressure range from 5 to 400 bar.
Together, these two piston systems provide continuous overall pressure coverage from 1 to 400 bar with an accuracy of 0.01 %. Both ranges are generated using a single common calibration weight set, making the BH4-400B DP a flexible and efficient solution for professional pressure calibration laboratories.
The low-pressure piston covers 1 to 60 bar (10 to 800 psi), while the high-pressure piston covers 5 to 400 bar (50 to 5,000 psi). The large overlap between 5 and 60 bar provides additional flexibility when selecting the most appropriate piston-cylinder system for a calibration point.
The BH4-400B DP combines the proven physical measurement principle of a piston gauge with the automatic functionality of the BH4 platform. Motorization, dynamic piston position visualization, automatic pressure calculation, operator assistance, calibration data recording and computer data transfer simplify demanding and repetitive calibration procedures.
europascal provides professional support for pressure calibration equipment, system configuration, maintenance and calibration. The europascal calibration service provides professional solutions for deadweight testers, pressure balances, pressure gauges, pressure sensors, transmitters and other pressure measuring equipment.
Your Benefits at a Glance
The europascal BH4-400B DP Dual Piston Deadweight Tester combines two optimized piston-cylinder systems with automatic operation.
Key benefits include:
- Automatic hydraulic deadweight tester
- Dual-piston configuration
- Two precision piston-cylinder systems
- Low-pressure range from 1 to 60 bar
- High-pressure range from 5 to 400 bar
- Overall pressure coverage from 1 to 400 bar
- Overlapping range from 5 to 60 bar
- Accuracy of 0.01 %
- One common calibration weight set for both pressure ranges
- Physical piston gauge measurement principle
- Hydraulic operation with oil
- Motorized operation
- Dynamic piston position visualization
- Automatic pressure calculation and display
- Different pressure units with the same weight set
- Operator assistance during calibration
- Calibration result recording
- Computer data transfer
- Stainless steel calibration masses
- Designed for professional calibration laboratories
Two Pressure Ranges from 1 to 400 bar
The main advantage of the europascal BH4-400B DP is its dual-piston design.
The first piston-cylinder system is optimized for lower pressures and covers:
1 to 60 bar
or:
10 to 800 psi
The second piston-cylinder system covers:
5 to 400 bar
or:
50 to 5,000 psi
Together, the two systems provide an overall measuring capability from:
1 to 400 bar
The maximum pressure is:
400 bar / 40 MPa
This exceptionally broad range allows pressure instruments with very different measuring ranges to be calibrated using one automatic pressure balance.
Dual Piston – Two Pistons with One Weight Set
The abbreviation DP stands for the dual-piston configuration.
The BH4-400B DP therefore incorporates:
two precision piston-cylinder systems
The two pistons have different effective areas and are optimized for different pressure ranges.
A major advantage of the AREMECA design is that both pressure ranges can be generated using:
one common calibration weight set
This provides two optimized measuring ranges without requiring two separate deadweight testers and two independent sets of calibration masses.
Overlapping Range from 5 to 60 bar
The two piston-cylinder systems overlap between:
5 and 60 bar
This broad overlap is particularly useful in a professional calibration laboratory.
Within this range, pressure points can be generated using either piston system, depending on the calibration procedure and the most appropriate piston-cylinder configuration.
The overlap also provides a smooth transition between the low-pressure and high-pressure ranges.
Accuracy of 0.01 %
The europascal BH4-400B DP provides a specified accuracy of:
0.01 %
This makes the instrument suitable for demanding calibration applications involving precision pressure gauges, sensors, transmitters and transducers.
The complete measurement uncertainty of a calibration additionally depends on the individual uncertainty contributions of the pressure balance and calibration setup.
Relevant influence quantities can include:
- Calibration of the mass set
- Effective area of the selected piston
- Pressure coefficient
- Local gravitational acceleration
- Air buoyancy
- Piston-cylinder temperature
- Pressure deformation
- Hydraulic fluid properties
- Hydrostatic head difference
- Repeatability
- Resolution of the device under test
- Environmental conditions
Because the BH4-400B DP incorporates two piston-cylinder systems, the correct effective area and associated calibration parameters of the selected piston must be used.
Physical Piston Gauge Measurement Principle
The europascal BH4-400B DP Dual Piston Deadweight Tester operates according to the fundamental physical 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 produced by the calibration masses is primarily determined by:
F = m × g
where:
m = applied mass
g = gravitational acceleration
The simplified pressure relationship is therefore:
p = (m × g) / A
The dual-piston concept uses two different effective piston areas.
A larger effective area is used to generate lower pressures, while a smaller effective area allows substantially higher pressures to be generated using the same mass force.
This is the physical principle that allows the BH4-400B DP to provide two optimized pressure ranges from one common mass set.
Low-Pressure Piston from 1 to 60 bar
The first piston-cylinder system is optimized for:
1 to 60 bar
or:
10 to 800 psi
The larger effective piston area enables useful pressure increments to be generated at relatively low hydraulic pressures without requiring extremely small calibration masses.
The low-pressure piston therefore extends the overall lower pressure capability of the instrument to:
1 bar
This makes the DP configuration particularly attractive for laboratories requiring good pressure coverage at the lower end of the hydraulic range.
High-Pressure Piston from 5 to 400 bar
The second piston-cylinder system is optimized for:
5 to 400 bar
or:
50 to 5,000 psi
The smaller effective piston area allows the common mass set to generate substantially higher pressures.
The maximum operating pressure of the system is:
400 bar / 40 MPa
The combination of both pistons provides continuous pressure coverage from 1 to 400 bar.
Automatic BH4 Platform
The BH4 series combines a physical primary pressure measurement principle with automatic operator assistance.
The system provides functions including:
- Motorized operation
- Dynamic piston position visualization
- Automatic pressure calculation
- Automatic display of generated pressure
- Different pressure units
- Operator assistance
- Recording of calibration results
- Computer data transfer
The reference pressure itself continues to be generated physically by calibrated masses acting on the selected precision piston-cylinder system.
The automatic functions primarily simplify operation, monitoring, calculation and documentation.
Motorized Operation
Free rotation of the piston helps minimize friction effects between the piston and cylinder and supports proper operation of the precision piston-cylinder system.
The BH4 platform provides motorized operation, reducing the need for manual rotation.
This is particularly useful for repetitive calibration procedures involving multiple pressure points.
For a dual-piston instrument such as the BH4-400B DP, the automatic functionality provides additional convenience when working across two different pressure ranges.
Dynamic Piston Position Visualization
Correct piston position is essential for reliable operation of a deadweight tester.
The BH4 platform therefore provides:
dynamic piston position visualization
The operator can monitor the active piston during calibration and determine whether it is operating within the appropriate working position.
This provides greater convenience compared with a conventional pressure balance requiring purely manual observation.
Automatic Pressure Calculation
The automatic calculator determines the generated pressure using the relevant calibration data and operating parameters.
For the BH4-400B DP, the calculation must use the correct parameters for the selected low-pressure or high-pressure piston.
Relevant quantities can include:
- Selected piston-cylinder system
- Applied calibration masses
- Effective piston area
- Gravitational acceleration
- Environmental parameters
- Relevant correction quantities
This reduces manual calculation effort and helps provide consistent calibration procedures.
Different Pressure Units with the Same Weight Set
The integrated calculator allows different pressure units to be used with the same physical calibration mass set.
Depending on the configuration, relevant pressure units can include:
- bar
- kPa
- MPa
- psi
- kg/cm²
This is particularly useful for laboratories calibrating instruments from different manufacturers and countries.
Calibration Result Recording
The europascal BH4-400B DP supports recording of calibration results.
This can simplify:
- Calibration documentation
- Measurement traceability
- Quality assurance
- Evaluation of devices under test
- Calibration history
- Digital laboratory workflows
Electronic recording also helps reduce errors associated with manually transferring measurement results.
Computer Data Transfer
Calibration data can be transferred to a computer.
This allows the BH4-400B DP to be incorporated into modern digital calibration workflows.
For laboratories processing large numbers of devices or measurement points, computer data transfer can reduce manual documentation work and improve workflow efficiency.
Hydraulic Operation with Oil
The europascal BH4-400B DP is a hydraulic pressure balance operating with:
oil
Hydraulic operation provides efficient pressure transmission throughout the complete 1 to 400 bar range.
Correct filling and venting of the hydraulic circuit are important because trapped gas can affect pressure generation, stability and settling behavior.
Compatibility between the hydraulic medium, device under test and wetted components should always be verified before calibration.
Stainless Steel Calibration Masses
The BH4 series uses precision calibration masses manufactured from:
stainless steel
The masses generate the force acting on the selected piston.
The calibrated mass values, piston effective area and gravitational acceleration form the fundamental basis for determining the generated reference pressure.
Standard Gravity and Local Gravity
The force generated by the calibration masses depends directly on gravitational acceleration.
The conventional standard value is:
g = 9.80665 m/s²
Actual gravitational acceleration varies according to geographical location.
For precision calibration, the appropriate local gravity value should therefore be considered.
AREMECA pressure balances can be configured according to standard gravity or a specified customer gravity value.
Technical Highlights
Model: europascal BH4-400B DP
Device type: Automatic Dual Piston Hydraulic Deadweight Tester
Product family: BH4 Automatic
Configuration: Dual piston
Number of pistons: 2
Low-pressure range: 1 to 60 bar
Low-pressure range: 10 to 800 psi
High-pressure range: 5 to 400 bar
High-pressure range: 50 to 5,000 psi
Overall pressure coverage: 1 to 400 bar
Overlapping range: 5 to 60 bar
Maximum pressure: 400 bar / 40 MPa
Accuracy: 0.01 %
Measurement principle: Piston gauge / deadweight tester
Pressure medium: Oil
Calibration masses: Stainless steel
Weight concept: One common weight set for both piston systems
Motorization: Integrated
Piston position visualization: Dynamic
Pressure calculation: Automatic
Pressure display: Automatic
Result recording: Integrated
Computer data transfer: Available
Technical Data
| Feature | europascal BH4-400B DP |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | europascal Aremeca |
| Model | BH4-400B DP |
| Device type | Automatic Dual Piston Deadweight Tester |
| Product family | BH4 Automatic |
| Configuration | Dual piston |
| Number of pistons | 2 |
| Low-pressure range | 1–60 bar |
| Low-pressure range | 10–800 psi |
| High-pressure range | 5–400 bar |
| High-pressure range | 50–5,000 psi |
| Overall pressure coverage | 1–400 bar |
| Overlapping range | 5–60 bar |
| Maximum pressure | 400 bar / 40 MPa |
| Accuracy | 0.01 % |
| Measurement principle | Piston gauge |
| Pressure medium | Oil |
| Calibration masses | Stainless steel |
| Weight sets | One common set for both ranges |
| Motorized operation | Integrated |
| Piston position visualization | Dynamic |
| Automatic pressure calculation | Integrated |
| Automatic pressure display | Integrated |
| Result recording | Integrated |
| Computer data transfer | Available |
BH4-400B DP vs. BH4-400B SP
The main difference between the two configurations is the number of piston-cylinder systems and the achievable lower pressure.
| Feature | BH4-400B DP | BH4-400B SP |
|---|---|---|
| Piston configuration | Dual piston | Single piston |
| Number of pistons | 2 | 1 |
| Overall pressure coverage | 1–400 bar | Model-dependent single range |
| Low-pressure piston | 1–60 bar | – |
| High-pressure piston | 5–400 bar | – |
| DP overlap | 5–60 bar | – |
| Accuracy | 0.01 % | 0.01 % |
| Operation | Automatic | Automatic |
| Pressure medium | Oil | Oil |
The BH4-400B DP is particularly attractive when calibration close to the lower end of the pressure range is required.
Its dedicated low-pressure piston starts at only 1 bar, while the second piston extends the measuring range to 400 bar.
BH4 Dual Piston Product Family
The BH4 automatic series includes several dual-piston configurations for different maximum pressures.
| Model | Piston Ranges | Accuracy |
|---|---|---|
| BH4-300B DP | 1–60 + 5–300 bar | 0.01 % |
| BH4-400B DP | 1–60 + 5–400 bar | 0.01 % |
| BH4-600B DP | 1–60 + 10–600 bar | 0.01 % |
| BH4-700B DP | 1–60 + 10–700 bar | 0.01 % |
| BH4-1200B DP | 1–60 + 20–1,200 bar | 0.01 % |
The BH4-400B DP therefore provides an excellent combination of low-pressure capability, 400 bar maximum pressure and 0.01 % accuracy.
Typical Calibration Applications
The europascal BH4-400B DP Dual Piston Deadweight Tester is particularly suitable for calibration of:
- Precision pressure gauges
- Digital pressure gauges
- Pressure sensors
- Pressure transducers
- Pressure transmitters
- Pressure switches
- Hydraulic pressure indicators
- Reference pressure instruments
- Industrial hydraulic measuring systems
- Pressure calibration equipment
The broad 1 to 400 bar overall range makes the instrument particularly useful for laboratories calibrating pressure instruments with many different measuring ranges.
Calibration and Traceability
Regular calibration of a dual-piston pressure balance is important for maintaining reliable metrological performance.
Relevant components and parameters include:
- Low-pressure piston-cylinder assembly
- High-pressure piston-cylinder assembly
- Calibration mass set
- Effective area of each piston
- Pressure coefficients
- Temperature behavior
- Gravity value
- Relevant correction quantities
The europascal calibration service provides professional calibration solutions for deadweight testers, pressure balances, pressure gauges, pressure sensors, transmitters and other pressure measuring equipment.
europascal can also provide support with system configuration, maintenance and selection of suitable pressure calibration equipment.
Why Choose the europascal BH4-400B DP?
The europascal BH4-400B DP Precise Dual Piston Deadweight Tester combines two optimized piston-cylinder systems with the automatic functionality of the BH4 platform.
The low-pressure piston covers 1 to 60 bar, while the high-pressure piston covers 5 to 400 bar. Together, they provide continuous overall pressure coverage from 1 to 400 bar with an accuracy of 0.01 %.
Both piston systems use a common calibration weight set, providing broad pressure coverage without requiring two independent pressure standards.
Integrated motorized operation, dynamic piston position visualization, automatic pressure calculation and display, calibration result recording and computer data transfer reduce operator workload and simplify repetitive calibration procedures.
For professional laboratories requiring precise automatic hydraulic calibration across a broad range from 1 to 400 bar, the BH4-400B DP provides an excellent combination of measuring range, accuracy and automation.
Looking for the europascal BH4-400B DP or an automatic dual-piston hydraulic pressure calibration solution from 1 to 400 bar? Contact europascal for expert advice, system configuration and professional calibration services tailored to your requirements.
