Understanding the 4-20mA Standard in Industrial Control Systems

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the 4-20mA standard used in industrial control systems, specifically focusing on building a circuit to generate a 0-20mA signal. Participants explore the application of this signal in commissioning actuators and valves, as well as the technical aspects of current source design.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks assistance in building a simple circuit to generate a 0-20mA signal using a 9V battery.
  • Another participant questions whether the goal is to create a communication signal or an adjustable analog current source, asking about accuracy and load impedance.
  • A participant clarifies that the circuit is intended for commissioning actuators and valves that operate on a 4-20mA signal, noting that the circuit impedance is around 350 ohms.
  • There is a discussion about the need for the circuit to accurately reach 0mA and exceed 20mA, as current flow will be monitored with a multimeter.
  • Several participants provide links to resources about 4-20mA signaling and its applications, including a question about why 4-20mA is preferred over 0-20mA signaling.
  • One participant suggests that the 4mA base current allows for easy detection of cable breaks, while another speculates on the reasons for the specific range of 4-20mA.
  • There is a mention of a standard input impedance of 250 ohms for display modules, which relates to the voltage output corresponding to the current signal.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express various viewpoints regarding the purpose and design of the 4-20mA signaling system, with no consensus reached on the specific reasons for the choice of the 4-20mA range. The discussion includes both agreement on the utility of the standard and differing opinions on its technical implications.

Contextual Notes

Participants have not fully resolved the technical details regarding the circuit design, including assumptions about accuracy, load impedance, and the implications of using different current ranges.

etrader02
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Hi does anyone know of a simple circuit that i can build to generate a ma signal from 0 - 20ma ? using a 9v pp3 or similar

there does not need to be a digital indicator on the circuit as i will series the generator with a digital multimeter, i just need to be able to generate a ma signal that can be adjusted between 0 - 20ma.

can you help?

thanks
 
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Is this for 20mA communication signals, or you just want to build an adjustable analog current source that you can set with a potentiometer? How accurate do you want it to be? What will the range of load impedance be?
 
berkeman said:
Is this for 20mA communication signals, or you just want to build an adjustable analog current source that you can set with a potentiometer? How accurate do you want it to be? What will the range of load impedance be?


yes i just want to build an adjustable analog current source to help in commisioning actuators/valves that i use at work. they operate on a 4 - 20ma signal, ocasionally we use 0 -20ma actuators/valves

the circuit impeadance is in the range of 350 ohms.

and yes as you say this would ideally be adjustable via a potentiometer

thanks
 
regards accuracy it needs to be able to go as low a zero ma but can far exceed 20ma afterall i will be monitoring the current flow by putting a multimeter in series.
 
Oh, this is 4-20mA signalling for a sensor application. Here are a couple primers on 4-20mA signalling, and an app note from Maxim on how to use one of their ICs for generating the 4-20mA signalling. If you still have questions, please post a follow-up.

http://www.processautomationcontrol.com/download/4-20mA-Current-Loop-Primer.pdf

http://www.sensorland.com/HowPage028.html

http://www.maxim-ic.com/appnotes.cfm/an_pk/1064


Quiz Question -- why is 4-20mA signalling used, and not 0-20mA signalling?
 
berkeman said:
Quiz Question -- why is 4-20mA signalling used, and not 0-20mA signalling?
Presumably so you can detect a cable break?
Follow up question, why not using +/- 10mA instead. Or does 4-20 assume a chassis gnd like in car electronics?
 
berkeman said:
Quiz Question -- why is 4-20mA signalling used, and not 0-20mA signalling?

Interesting question. I think its in that range because we will always have at least 4mA (as our "zero") flowing in our circuit. We can use that very same (pair) of wires to power other electronic components. In this way be save on wire and the installation is easier.
 
Good answers. In skimming the links that I posted, I noticed that they mentioned the 4mA base current made open-circuit detection easy, as mgb_phys says. Not sure why they picked 4-20mA as the range, though.
 
"Not sure why they picked 4-20mA as the range, though."

Well I think it has to do with 250ohm being a standard input impedence for display and other modules giving a 1 to 5 volt input.
 

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