Device Configuration

HART technology offers several ways to get to the intelligent information in a HART-enabled device. This can be done using either a permanent or temporary physical connection.

You can access all HART data from a HART-enabled device anywhere on the 4-20mA signal. The connection does not have to be at the terminals on the device. This feature may reduce the number of trips to the field since access can be made in the relay or termination panel. Please follow all local plant connection guidelines.
There are many reasons to communicate with a specific device. They include:

Device Configuration
Device Diagnostics
Device Troubleshooting
Loop Integrity Check
Process Troubleshooting

A HART-enabled device can be configured using software and hardware tools provided by member companies of the HART Communication Foundation.

Some control, asset management or safety systems provide permanently connected device configuration capabilities. In that case, follow supplier instructions.

To configure a single device using a temporary connection, you need a universal handheld configuration tool, a power supply, a load resister and a HART-enabled device. Configuration can also be accomplished using a PC running a device configuration application and using a HART modem.

Universal Handheld Communicators
The advantages of using a handheld communicator this approach include portability and, potentially, the ability to operate in harsher environments.

Figure1. HART Handheld Communicators

HART handheld communicators are available from major instrumentation suppliers around the globe and are supported by Foundation member companies. Using Device Description (DD) files, the communicator can fully configure any HART device for which it has a DD installed. If the communicator does not have the DD for a specific device, it will still communicate and configure the device using the HART Universal and Common Practice commands but may not access the extra or device specific commands available in the device.

There are 35-40 standard data items in every registered HART device. The data can be accessed by any approved communicator / configuration tool. These items do not demand a DD and typically include basic device functionality. Accessing device specific data requires a current DD for that particular device, as this provides the communicator with the information needed to fully access all the device specific capabilities.

A HART handheld communicator, if equipped, can also facilitate device configuration record keeping. The installed device configuration data can be stored in memory or on a disk for later archiving or printing. There are many types of handheld communicators available. Be sure to review features and ability to meet your specific requirements.

When connecting to a device, follow wiring instructions provided by the device supplier and observe all plant area safety requirements. Remember, the connections to a device can be made anywhere on the control loop. The connections do not have to be physically located at the device.

PC-Based Device Configuration and Management Tools
You can also configure a HART-enabled device with a desktop or laptop PC, or other equivalent portable devices. For this, use a PC-based software application and a HART interface modem. Compared to a handheld communicator, a PC may offer an improved screen display. It also may support more DDs and device configurations because of additional memory storage capacity. Due to the critical nature of device configurations in the plant environment, PCs can also be used as backup storage for data from handheld communicators.

Figure 2. Connecting a PC to a HART device

Software applications are available from many suppliers. It is important to review their features to determine ease of use, ability to add or download native DDs from the HART Communication Foundation, and general functionality.

Once your device is configured, the device retains the configuration allowing installation on the process application.

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