Connection Technology Center, Inc.

590 Fishers Station Drive Victor, New York 14564 Toll Free: (800) 999-5290 Phone: (585) 924-5900 Fax: (585) 924-4680

2 Wire 4-20mA Sensor and 4 Wire Transmitter Application Note

2 Wire 4-20mA Sensors
2 Wire Loop Power sensors from CTC require only 2 connections, a +18 to 30 Volt Power lead and a DC common (negative) lead. The sensor regulates the loop so that the current is proportional to the vibration parameter being measured. PLC Input Module or Process Controller

Loop Powered Sensor

+V
GND

Power Supply

Measurement Electronics

4-20 mA

Input 1

Figure 1 The sensors can be wired directly into analog input modules on PLCs or Process Controllers that accept 4 20 mA signals. The sensor must be connected to a power source at the positive lead and the common (negative) lead will be connected to the Controllers Analog Input. The power supply is used to complete the loop through the Controllers Ground. See figure 1. Figure 2 shows an example of a Loop Powered Sensors Output vs. Time.
Loop Power Output
Velocity (inches/second peak) 0.6

Alarm
0.5

Alert
0.4 0.3 0.2 0.1 0 0:00:00

12:00:00

24:00:00

36:00:00

48:00:00

60:00:00

Time (hours)

Figure 2

4 Wire 4-20 mA Transmitters

CTCs Vibration Transmitters constitute a more versatile approach to continuous monitoring than the standard Loop powered sensors. The transmitters are capable of wider frequency and amplitude ranges and can provide a dynamic vibration signal in addition to the overall 4-20 mA output. The dynamic vibration signal is available through a buffered output. Figure 3 shows an example of the dual outputs of CTCs Vibration Transmitter. The 4 wires needed to monitor overall vibration level using a transmitter are the Positive and Negative Power Supply leads that will provide power to the electronics, and the Positive and Negative Output SIGNAL leads. These 2 pairs of leads are separate and distinct from one another. Figure 4 shows typical wiring into a PLC or Process controller with analog input module. A 2 conductor cable with a Plug (F) type BNC Connector can be used to monitor the dynamic vibration signal coming out of the BNC Jack on the Transmitter. Figure 4
Transmitter
Sensor Input 4 20 mA
V e lo c ity (in c h e s /s e c o n d p e a k ) 0.6 0.5 0.4 0.3 0.2 0.1 0 0:00:00

Continuous 4-20 mA Output

12:00:00

24:00:00

36:00:00

48:00:00

60:00:00

Time (hours)

Figure 3

+
Output

IN +

Measurement Electronics

- + +

IN -

Power Supply

Dynamic Signal Output

PLC Input Module or Process Controller