Terminology

COMMON TERMINOLOGY IN SIGNAL CONDITIONERS - ALARMS

This note provides a glossary of terms used in process instruments such as signal conditioners and alarms. The terms are taken from ANSI / ISA Standard S51.1-1979. Some explanatory notes are included where appropriate. The terms are grouped under the following headings for quick reference. Instrument Types Input-Related Terms Output-Related Terms Performance Specifications Terms Isolation, Interference and Noise Process Alarms Related Terms Miscellaneous Terms

Instrument Types
Four-Wire Transmitters This is not a standard terminology. This refers to transmitters or converters where the auxiliary power input is independent of the input and output circuits. These devices typically have a minimum of six terminals - two for input, two for output, and two for power. Top Lag Transmitter A transmitter whose output has an exponentially rising delayed response. Commonly used for stabilizing control systems; (i.e., phase compensation). Top Lead Transmitter A transmitter whose output response leads the input in phase angle. Commonly used for phase compensation in control systems. Top

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Loop Converter An electrical converter that converts one standard control current signal into another standard process signal without the use of an auxiliary power supply; e.g.: 10-50 mA into 4-20 mA or 4-20 mA into a 0-10 VDC, etc. Top Transmitter A transducer that responds to a measured variable by means of a sensing element and converts it to a standardized transmission signal that is a function only of the measured variable. (ISA) Top Two-Wire Transmitters Those field transmitters that transmit their current output on the same two wires that carry the DC operating power. Top Three-Wire Transmitters Those signal converters or isolators where the output has three terminators. The (+) power, the (+) output and the common for both power and output. Top

Input-Related Terms
Anti-Bounce Protection Built-in design feature to minimize the false effects of contact bounce in fast-responding devices; e.g., anti-bounce feature in frequency converters. Top Burnout Protection Usually refers to thermocouple alarms. It is the ability of the alarm to also provide a contact transfer when the input sensor opens up because of burning or otherwise. Top Cold-Junction Compensation / Reference Junction Compensation Thermocouples produce a millivolt signal representing the difference in temperature from the measurement junction, to the reference junction. In a temperature measurement by a thermocouple, the millivolts output from the thermocouple is reduced by room temperature TcC (deviation from 0C) from the actual measured temperature. Reference junction compensation is a measure of counter acting the effect of temperature variations of the reference junction, when allowed to vary within specified limits. (ISA) Top
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Differential Input The input circuit intended to measure the voltage difference across two terminals independent of the voltage signals applied between each terminal and a grounded or common terminal. Top Floating Input The input circuit that is electrically isolated from the frame, from the supply source, and from any of the output terminals. Top Input Impedance Impedance presented by a device to the source. (ISA) Top Input Signal A signal applied to a device, element, or system. (ISA) Top Lead-Wire Compensation Usually applies to RTD transmitters and alarms. It is the design feature that eliminates (or minimizes) the effect of lead resistance and the changes in lead resistance due to ambient temperature variation. Top Range The region between the limits within which a quantity is measured, received or transmitted, expressed by stating the lower and upper values (see Table). (ISA) Top Ref SAMA Standard PMC 2011-1973 Typical Ranges Name Range Lower Range Value
0

Upper Range Value

100

Span

True Zero Range Suppressed Zero Range Elevated Zero Range

0 to 100

100

20 to 100 -25 to +100

20

100

80

-25

+100

125

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Top

Relay Contact Make Contact: Break Contact: Transfer Contact: normally open contact (N.O.) normally closed contact (N.C.) combination of make contact and break contact, which has common pole.

Top

Resolution The least interval between two adjacent discrete details which can be distinguished one from the other. (ISA) Top Scale Factor The factor by which the number of scale divisions indicated or recorded by an instrument should be multiplied to compute the value of the measured variable. (ISA) Top Single-Ended Input The input circuit in which one input terminal is directly connected to measuring common or ground. In many cases, that is the system common. Top Span The algebraic difference between the upper and lower range values. (ISA) Top Example: range -20 to 100F, span = 120F range 20 to 100F, span = 80F

Top

Squared Input Usually refers to square-root extractors. The input is proportional to square of the measured variable; e.g., flow with differential pressure. Top T/C Extension Leadwire
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Terminology

A pair of leadwires that have similar thermoelectric characteristics to that of connected thermocouple within a wide temperature range.
Top

Up-Scale / Down-Scale Usually refers to thermocouple transmitters. The ability of the device's output to go over scale or under scale when the input sensor opens up. Top Zero Elevation For an elevated-zero range, the amount the measured variable zero is above the lower range-value. It may be expressed either in units of the measured variable or in percent of span (see Figure 1). (ISA)
Top

Zero Suppression For a suppressed-zero range, the amount the measured variable zero is below the lower-range value. It may be expressed either in units of the measured variable or in percent of span (see Figure 1). (ISA) Top

Figure 1
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Terminology

Top

Output-Related Terms
Allowable Load Resistance The total load resistance value that is able to be connected to the output of a device without deteriorating its performance beyond the accuracy specified. Top Bridge Excitation Usually refers to strain gage transmitters. It is the precisely regulated DC voltage output that can be used to power the external load cells (strain gages). Top Dead Band In process instrumentation, the range through which an input signal may be varied, upon reversal of direction, without initiating an observable change in the output signal. (ISA) Top Dead Band (In an Alarm) The difference between the input signal value, where the relay trips and resets. Dead band is usually measured as percent of input span. Top Linear Inverter (also called Reverse-Acting Output) The output is calibrated for inverse linear operation: e.g., 4-20 mA input to 20-4 mA output. Top Linearization -- Linearizer The conversion of an input signal; e.g., (mV) from a thermocouple (which is nonlinear) to the measured variable (temperature) into an output signal linear to the measured variable. The circuitry is called a "linearizer." The linearizer can be used for log, anti-log, or other various purposes. Top Load Effect The maximum change in the output, specified as percentage of span, when the output resistance load is changed from zero to full specified value. Top Loop-Drive Capability
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The maximum output load (resistance) that can be inserted in the output current loop without deteriorating its accuracy beyond a specified limit. It is usually specified in ohms. Top Output Impedance The impedance looking into the device between its output terminals under operating conditions. For a device putting out direct current, the output impedance is also called output resistance. Impedance presented by a device to the lead. (ISA) Top Output Over-Range Any excess value of the output signal above its upper range value. It is expressed as a percent of span. Top Output Ripple The AC component of electrical signal or noise or superimposed on the average output DC signal. It is usually expressed as peak-topeak percent of output span. Top Output Signal A signal delivered by a device, element, or system. (ISA) Top Ramp Rate The rate of rise (or fall) of a signal expressed as percent of span / unit time. Top Relay Contact Make Contact: Break Contact: Transfer Contact: normally open contact (N.O.) normally closed contact (N.C.) combination of make contact and break contact, which has common pole.

Top

Span The algebraic difference between the upper and lower range values. (ISA) Top Example: range -20 to 100F, span = 120F

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Terminology

range 20 to 100F, span = 80F

Top

Two-Wire Excitation This usually applies to current input devices. The integral DC voltage output from a converter that can be used to run the two-wire loop transmitter. Top

Performance Specifications Terms

Accuracy In process instrumentation, degree of conformity of an indicated value to a recognized accepted standard value, or ideal value. (ISA)
Top

Note: It is usually measured in terms of inaccuracy and expressed as accuracy. Top As a performance specification, accuracy shall be assumed to mean reference accuracy unless otherwise stated. REF. ANSI C85.1 Top Accuracy, Reference A number or quantity that defines the limit that errors will not exceed when the device is used under reference operating conditions. Top NOTE: Reference accuracy includes the combined conformity, hysteresis and repeatability errors. The units being used are to be stated explicitly. It is preferred that a + and - sign precede the number or quantity. The absence of a sign infers a + and a - sign are present. REF. ANSI C85.1 Ambient Temperature The temperature of the medium surrounding a device. (ISA) Top Common-Mode Rejection The ability of a circuit to discriminate against a common-mode voltage. (ISA) Top NOTE: It may be expressed as a dimensionless rating, a scalar ratio or in decibels as 20 log10 CMR. Top
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Error In process instrumentation, the algebraic difference between the indication and the ideal value of the measured signal. It is the quantity which algebraically subtracted from the indication gives the ideal value. (ISA) Top ERROR = INDICATION - IDEAL VALUE Frequency Response (Characteristics) In process instrumentation, the frequency dependent relation, in both gain and phase, between steady-state sinusoidal inputs and the resulting fundamental steady-state sinusoidal outputs. (ISA) Top Isolation Voltage / Hi-Pot Voltage The voltage value to which the insulation of an electrical device is able to withstand for a specified period of time. It is measured in VAC or VDC for 1 minute. Top Integration Time Time period over which a signal has been integrated or averaged. It applies, for example, to peak average demand indicator. Top Linearity (Independent) The maximum deviation of the calibration curve (average of upscale and downscale readings) from a straight line so positioned as to minimize the maximum deviation. (ISA) (There are also definitions for terminal linearity and zero based linearity -- see ISA S 51.1.) Top Load Regulation The change in output (usually speed or voltage) from no-load to fullload (or other specified load limits). (ISA) Top Loop-Drive Capability The maximum output load (resistance) that can be inserted in the output current loop without deteriorating its accuracy beyond a specified limit. It is usually specified in ohms. Top Power Supply Effect The maximum change in the output specified as a percent of span when the operating power is changed from the nominal value to the lowest and the highest specified limit. Top
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Repeatability The closeness of agreement among a number of consecutive measurements of the output for the same value of the input under the same, operating conditions, approaching from the same directions, for full range traverses. (ISA) Top Response Time (ISA Definition -- Rise Time) The time required for the output of a system (other than first order) to change from a small specified percentage (often 5 or 10) of the steady-state increment to a large specified percentage (often 90 or 95), either before or in the absence of overshoot. (ISA) Top Temperature Coefficient The characteristic change of a device for 1 ambient temperature change from the reference temperature within its operating temperature range. It is expressed in percentage of span/C or F.
Top

Isolation, Interference and Noise

Common-Mode Rejection The ability of a circuit to discriminate against a common-mode voltage. (ISA) Top NOTE: It may be expressed as a dimensionless rating, a scalar ratio or in decibels as 20 log10 CMR. Top Common-Mode Voltage - CMV A voltage of same polarity on both sides of a differential input relative to ground. (ISA) Top Isolation Voltage / Hi-Pot Voltage The voltage value to which the insulation of an electrical device is able to withstand for a specified period of time. It is measured in VAC or VDC for 1 minute. Top Isolation (Electrical) Refers to electrical isolation between the input and the output signals of a device. Isolation is measured in VAC or VDC; e.g., 600 VAC or 1000 VDC. Top

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Loop Isolator A loop converter that provides electrical (galvanic) isolation between input and output circuits. Top Normal-Mode Rejection The ability of a circuit to discriminate against a normal-mode voltage. (ISA) Top Normal-Mode Voltage (NMV) A voltage induced across the input terminals of a device. (ISA) Top Radio-Frequency Interference (RFI) A special case of (EMI) interference from radio transmitters is known as RFI -- Electromagnetic Interference. Any spurious effect produced in a circuit or element of a device by external electromagnetic fields. (ISA) Top

Process Alarms Related Terms

Blind Setpoint A setpoint control that is screwdriver- adjust type. There is no indication of the level, hence the term, blind. Top Calibrated Dial Setpoint (or Indicating Setpoint) Where the setpoint can be adjusted on a dial or an LCD display e.g., 10-turn dial. Top Dead Band (In an Alarm) The difference between the input signal values, where the relay trips and resets. Dead band is usually measured as percent of input span. Top High Alarm An electronic switch where the relay contacts change state when the input equals or exceeds the setpoint. Top Loop Current Alarm An electrical current alarm (switch) that operates a relay at a preset setpoint and does not need an external power supply. Top Low Alarm
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An electronic switch where the relay contacts change state when the input equals or falls below a preset setpoint. Top Power Fail-Safe (or simply called Fail-Safe) Refers to electronic alarms. Fail-Safe mode means the relay is energized under normal conditions. Alarm will also result if the power supply fails, thus warning of power failure. Top Setpoint An input variable that sets the desired value of the controlled variable. The input variable may be manually set, automatically set, or programmed. Top

Miscellaneous Terms
Load Cell A resistive device that produces a signal with a defined relationship to the force applied to it. A strain gage is a typical load cell. Top Bridge Resistance Nominal resistance of a resistance bridge between the excitation terminals of the load cell. Top Excitation (Voltage) The external supply applied to a sensor for its proper operation, e.g., load cell, potentiometer, etc. Top Loop As applied to process instrumentation, it is the path of a current signal from the source to its return point. Top RTD (Resistance Temperature Detector / Resistance Temperature Sensor) An electrically conducting element of which the electrical resistance varies with the temperature. Platinum, nickel, and copper are commonly used. The platinum RTD is most popular for measuring between -200C to +600C. For connections other than two-wire sensors, three-wire RTDs have one wire at one end of the resistance element and two at the other. Four-wire RTDs have two wires at both ends. The additional wires are used as compensating leads. Top

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