Televac® AN 3028: Televac® Simulators

Application Note 3028 - Televac Simulators
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1 Description

Objectif

Televac® simulators mimic the electrical signal produced by a typical vacuum gauge at various vacuum pressures. They are most commonly used to troubleshoot vacuum systems and identify potential setup issues.

This application note describes the simulator options offered by Televac® and how they can be used for vacuum system troubleshooting.

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2 Simulator Types

Preset Simulators

Televac® offers preset simulators for several commonly used vacuum gauges. These simulators are available in two types:

  1. Zero-point simulators simulate the output of a typical vacuum gauge at 0 microns/mTorr.
  2. Multi-point simulators simulate the output of a typical vacuum gauge at multiple predefined pressures.

Available preset simulators include:

Vacuum Gauge Model Pressions simulées Numéro de pièce
2A Thermocouple Zero (red line, 0 microns) 2-2100-237
2A Thermocouple 3 point (0, 100, 1000 microns) 2-2100-242
2A Mini thermocouple Zero (red line, 0 microns) 2-2100-240
2A Mini thermocouple 3 point (0, 100, 1000 microns) 2-2100-241
4A Convection Zero (red line, 0 microns) 2-2119-000
4A Convection 3 point (0, 1, 760 Torr) 2-2119-003
Magnétron 7B Penning 2 point (10-3, 10-5 Torr) 2-2100-93
Magnétron 7B Penning 4 point (10-3, 10-4, 10-5, 10-6 Torr) 2-2100-108
Magnétron double inversé 7E 2 point (10-2, 10-5 Torr) 2-2142-000
Magnétron doublement inversé 7F 2 point (10-3, 10-5 Torr) 2-2145-000

Custom Simulators

Televac® also offers simulators for custom pressure ranges.

Vacuum Gauge Model Pressions simulées Numéro de pièce
2A Thermocouple 1 to 30 microns 6-2100-237
2A Thermocouple 31 to 180 microns 6-2100-243
2A Thermocouple 181 to 1000 microns 6-2100-245
2A Mini thermocouple 1 to 30 microns 6-2100-240
2A Mini thermocouple 31 to 180 microns 6-2100-244
2A Mini thermocouple 181 to 1000 microns 6-2100-246
4A Convection One point (customer specified) 6-2119-000
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3 Using Simulators to Troubleshoot

If the vacuum readings on a Televac® vacuum controller appear incorrect, it can be difficult to determine which component of the vacuum measurement system is causing the issue. A simulator can help isolate the source of the problem.

  • Test the vacuum gauge. Replace the vacuum gauge with the appropriate simulator and compare the controller reading with the expected simulator output. This can help determine whether the vacuum gauge is contributing to the incorrect reading.
  • Clean serviceable cold cathode vacuum gauges. Many Televac® cold cathode vacuum gauges can be cleaned to restore performance. Refer to Application Note 3002 for 7B and 7E Cold Cathode Vacuum Gauges and Application Note 3004 for 7FC and 7FCS Cold Cathode Vacuum Gauges for cleaning instructions.
  • Test other system components. If the vacuum gauge is not the source of the problem, the simulator can be used to test other components without pulling vacuum. For example, connect the simulator through a different gauge cable to determine whether the cable is contributing to the incorrect readings.
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4 Using Simulators for Calibration

Calibration is a common part of setting up a vacuum controller and helps ensure that the controller reading and the connected vacuum gauge are within the expected tolerance.

A simulator represents the electrical output of a typical vacuum gauge and does not account for normal gauge-to-gauge variation. Because of this, calibrating a vacuum controller using a simulator may result in inaccurate readings when an actual vacuum gauge is connected.

Televac® does not recommend calibrating a vacuum controller using a simulator.

For more information on Televac® recommended practices for vacuum calibration, refer to Application Note 3015.

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