HART Handheld Communicators are available from major instrumentation suppliers around the globe and are supported by HCF 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.

Newer models may give you the ability to add DD’s to the handheld. There are also PC-based software configuration applications that allow DD updates. Contact your device suppliers for their solution but be sure to ask if you can update the DD on your own.

Not all software applications and handhelds use DD files in the same manner. Some device and software manufacturers use their own binary files that are created from the DD source . Others, like the 275 handheld, require special programming. Before you download a DD file, make sure that you can use the DD file provided by the HCF in your handheld or software application. Please feel free to contact the HCF if you need help.

Once you have a DD, you will need to place it where the software application or handheld can access it. Before you download a DD file please take note of the Manufacturer ID and Device Type listed on the download page. Most manufacturers store the DD files using these two numbers. The downloaded files should be placed in a folder named with the manufacturer ID number and then a child folder created using the device type number. The folder should then be copied to the directory where DD files are stored. If the folders are already there they may contain a previous revision of the DD. The new files simply replace the old and work with all revisions of the same device.