Calibrate the pressure sensor on a Field Gauge, Process Meter, and FieldLab with FieldLab Desktop.

Calibrate the pressure sensor on a Field Gauge, Process Meter, and FieldLab with FieldLab Desktop.

At the end of this process, FieldLab Desktop will compare the readings from your Reference device and Ralston Gauge (Zero, Mid Point, and Full Span). If it is out of spec; FieldLab Desktop will automatically make any necessary adjustments to bring your Ralston Gauge to acceptable tolerances.
This article applies to Ralston Field Gauge LC10, LC20, Process Meter LC30, and FieldLab Pressure Calibrator, all models.

Things you will need: 
  1. A PC running Windows 10 or newer. 
  2. FieldLab Desktop software version 1.40.4 or later installed on your PC. Update FieldLab Desktop to the Latest Version
  3. A Ralston Instruments Gauge with pressure sensor.
  4. USB Cord, provided with your Ralston Gauge.
  5. A pressure source that can generate enough pressure to take the Ralston Gauge to full span.
  6. A reference pressure device that is (recommended) 4 times more accurate than the Ralston Gauge.


1. Connect the Ralston Gauge and reference to the same pressure source.

2. Power on the Ralston Gauge.

3. Connect Ralston Gauge to a PC running FieldLab Desktop with the provided USB cord.

4. In FieldLab Desktop, select the Ralston Gauge you want to calibrate from the Devices screen.




5. Select the tab titled "Sensors".



6. Locate the sensor you want to calibrate and select the button titled "Calibrate".

7. Select the pressure units you want to use for the calibration. Default is psi.

8. Select "Next".

9. Adjust the pressure until the REFERENCE READING in FieldLab Desktop reads exactly 0 psi.

If you can't adjust the pressure to make the reading on your reference device display the exact target point of 0.000, get it as close as you can and then manually enter the reading into the "Reference Reading" field.



9. Press the button titled "Log Reading"

FieldLab Desktop will automatically update the pressure reading on the Ralston Gauge via the USB connection, and will record it when you press the Log Reading button.


10. Select the button titled “Up Next, Mid Point”.



11. Apply pressure to bring the reference to the exact mid point pressure.

The pressure listed in the Reference Reading field is the exact target you should be aiming to make your reference device read. If you can't get the reference device to read that exact pressure displayed in the Reference Reading field, adjust pressure to get your reference device to read as close to the target pressure as you can, then manually enter the pressure your reference device is displaying into the Reference Reading field.



12. Select Log Reading once your reference is displaying the exact (or as close as you can get it to...) the target Mid Point pressure.



13. Select the button "Up Next, Full Span"



14. Adjust pressure until the REFERENCE device is displaying the target Full Span target pressure.

As with the previous target points, if you can't get your reference to display the exact target pressure; adjust pressure to get your reference device as close as possible to the target pressure. 
If your reference device is displaying a slightly different pressure than the listed target Full Span pressure, then manually enter the reading the reference displays into the Reference Reading field.

15. Select the Log Reading button once the reference device reads the exact (or close as possible to) Full Span target pressure.




16. Select the button "Make Adjustments"

When you click the Make Adjustments button, FieldLab Desktop will use the information provided to recalibrate the Field Gauge.



17. Set the Next Calibration Date



18. Save Changes so that the next calibration date will be recorded on your Ralston Gauge.



19. Select Exit to return to the overview screen for your Ralston Gauge.



Done! You should now have a reliably calibrated Ralston Gauge until the next scheduled recalibration date.

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