August 2012 DC Voltage (0-5v, 0-10V) DC voltage is a very basic analog signal which gives you excellent resolution, is easy to connect and troubleshoot, and is well suited to lab environments. The sensors which use a voltage output tend to be quick and easy to connect. They require an input excitation voltage and have an easy to identify output wire carrying the measured signal. However, a voltage signal is not a good fit if you are planning on using it in an industrial environment. Even when using shielded wire, the signal is highly susceptible to interference from high voltage AC, motors, pumps, relays, etc.
The signal is also susceptible to voltage drops on log runs of signal wire.
DC Current (4-20mA)
In contrast, a DC current loop offers several advantages in industrial settings. This signal is not as susceptible to electrical interference from high voltage AC, motors, pumps, or relays, nor is it susceptible to signal loss due to the length of the wiring run (voltage drop). A 4-20mA loop can also power multiple devices using one excitation source and requires much fewer wires. Additionally, a 4-20 mA signal offers fairly easy fault detection because its ‘0’ point is at 4mA, so if a negative reading is shown in the scaled readings, there’s likely a problem with the signal. However, a 4-20mA signal will not give you the same resolution as a voltage signal so it is not necessarily recommended for use in a lab environment.
Another drawback of a 4-20mA signal is that you will generally require shunt resistors to take a reading on most data logging equipment. This article was written by the application specialists at CAS Data Logger, a supplier of wide range of AC and DC current/voltage dataloggers. For more information, visit www.DataLoggerInc.com .
