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Specifying amplified voltage output for pressure transducers
For long cable runs of 10's or 100's of metres it is necessary to select a high level voltage signal or a pressure transducer which is not going to be easily corrupted or diminish over a long distance.
An amplified voltage output is much more robust than a millivolt output signal and can be used over mediums distances without any noticeable signal losses. It is also relatively low powered, consuming only a few milliamps which is ideal for conserving power consumption over longer distances of cable run.
Amplified voltage output levels are mostly available as 3 wire configurations with a common connection for the negative supply and negative output. Some manufacturers split the negative connection to make a 4 wire configuration but the supply and output negative are still connected internally so they are principally the same as 3 wire configurations.
It is possible to get a true 4 wire configuration where the 2 output signal wires are completely isolated from the 2 supply wires but these are becoming less common due to the added manufacturing costs of the circuit and lack of demand for output signal isolation.
There is a plethora of signal types which have an amplified voltage output and some of the most common are 0 to 5, 0 to 10, 1 to 5 and 1 to 10 volts. The outputs are generally powered by a regulated DC circuitry so that a range of supply voltages can be used without any significant impact on the output signal. The choice of amplified voltage output is mainly driven by maximising the available bit resolution of the digital to analogue converter (DAC) which is going to be measuring the output signal.
Some pressure transducers have the option for a AC supply and these are true 4 wire configurations with an isolated output signal. For automotive applications the 0.5 - 4.5 Vdc ratiometric output is a very popular signal type because it is relatively low powered since it can produce a high level signal with just a 5 volt dc supply.
Related Products
Amplified voltage output pressure transducers
Associated Topics
Is a pressure transducer the same as a transmitter
Benefits of using millivolt strain gauge output pressure sensors
Advantages of digital output pressure transducers
Supply and load resistance issues for 4-20mA current loops
How strain gauge pressure sensors work
Site Last Updated: 09/02/12
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