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Connecting third party 4-20mA current loop sensors

Posted on: 05/12/2019

Connecting 3rd party 4-20mA current loop sensors to Vutlan monitoring units

Analog signals, where information about the process is transmitted via varying amounts of voltage or current, are the predominant type of input in industries requiring process control today. Of all possible analog signals that can be used to transmit process information, the 4-20 mA loop is, by far, the dominant standard in the industry.

Applications

  • Connecting industrial sensors to Vutlan monitoring systems for monitoring and control
  • Measuring fuel level or other liquid in a tank
  • Measuring the concentration of CO2 or other gases
  • Connecting pressure transducers for the measurement of gases or liquids.
  • Monitoring pH change for analysis of water or soil quality
  • Monitoring and controlling other industrial sensor or devices

Components of a 4-20 mA Loop

a)  4-20mA current loop sensor

VT420 can convert signal from any 4-20mA current loop sensor. Depending on the source of current for the loop, devices may be classified as active (supplying or "sourcing" power) or passive (relying on or "sinking" loop power).

b)  External power supply

If the sensor is passive, it requires external current source. To help You choose the power supply voltage and amperage please read: VT420 Technical Documentation.

c)  VT420 / 4-20mA converter

Converter of direct current 4-20mA is used for measurement of constant current on 4-20mA from different sensors and converting data into format of the IP monitoring system. The sensor is connected to Vutlan monitoring system by RJ11 / RJ12 cable and detected by the system automatically.

d)  Vutlan monitoring system

The system interface allows you to assign the sensor and to introduce the function data conversion.

Example 1: industrial water level sensor is monitored by VT335 monitoring unit

  1. The sensor's data is sent to Network Monitoring Center using SNMP traps.
  2. Monitoring unit has built in logic schemes to send E-mail and SMS messages in case of emergency.
  3. A technician monitors the sensor using a built-in web interface.

Example 2: three pressure transmitters are monitored by VT335 monitoring unit

Same logic as the Example 1, but with additional number of 4-20mA monitored sensors.

Web Interface Menu Panels

Below are some of the screenshots showing four easy steps in order to tune "VT420 / converter" for usage with 4-20mA sensor.

1: VT420 is detected by the system

2. Open VT420 configuration

3. Tune VT420 and save

4. Sensor is tuned

Posted in: Solutions

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