Laureate™ Duty Cycle Meter
For display of ON or OFF period in percent

Features

• Measures ON or OFF period as a percentage of total period.
• Resolution of 1%, 0.1% or 0.01%.
• Inputs from NPN or PNP proximity switches, contact closures, digital logic, magnetic pickups down to 12 mV, or AC inputs up to 250 Vac.
• Trigger on positive or negative pulse edges.
• Frequency from .005 Hz to 10 kHz.
• 6-digit red or green LED display.
• Isolated 5, 10 or 24 Vdc excitation output to power sensors.
• NEMA 4X, 1/8 DIN case
• Dual relay option
• Analog output option
• Serial communication options
• Low voltage AC & DC power
• Certified to UL 61010C-1 (UL mark), EN 61010-1 (CE mark), and RoHS.

Duty Cycle Mode

Duty cycle is a measure of ON or OFF period as a percentage of total period. Duty cycle is determined by averaging an integral number of periods over a gate time which is selectable from 10 ms to 199.99 s. The same signal is applied to Channels A and B. The meter divides the average pulse width by the period between pulses and expresses this ratio in percent. A resolution of 1%, 0.1% or 0.01% is selectable. By selecting leading or falling pulse edges, the ON or OFF duty cycle can be displayed.

Duty cycle measurement is used to monitor modulated proportional control systems and pulse-modulated systems, such as radar, lasers or packet radio. For long periods, duty cycle can be measured by using the A and B channels of the Laureate dual-channel counter to totalize AC line cycles and having the counter display the ratio of the two totals scaled to percent.

The Laureate duty cycle meter uses the FR dual-channel signal conditioner board and Extended counter main board.

Universal Signal Conditioner

The dual-channel signal conditioner accepts inputs from proximity switches with PNP or NPN output, TTL or CMOS logic, magnetic pickups, contact closures, and AC signals from 12 mV to 250 Vac. Jumper selections provide optimum operation for different sensor types and noise conditions.

A built-in isolated 5, 10, or 24 Vdc excitation supply can power proximity switches and other sensors, and eliminate the need for an external power supply.

Other Features & Options

Laureates may be powered from 95-240 Vac ±10% or 90-300 Vdc, or optionally from 12-30 Vac or 10-48 Vdc. They are available with red or green LEDs. They are housed in a 1/8 DIN case that meets NEMA 4X (IP65) specifications from the front when panel mounted. Any setup functions and front panel keys may be locked out for simplified usage and security.

ON or OFF duty cycle of periodic pulse waveshape
1%, 0.1%, 0.01%
0.005 Hz to 10 kHz
0.01%, 0.005 Hz to 500 Hz, 0.1% at 5 kHz, 1% at 10 kHz
199.99 s

AC, pulses from NPN, PNP transistors, contact closures, magnetic pickups.
Common ground for channels A & B.
Nine ranges from (-12 to +12 mV) to (+1.25 to +2.1V)
250 Vac
1 MHz, 30 kHz,  250 Hz (selectable)
0, 3, 50 ms (selectable)

Gate time + 30 ms + 0-2 signal periods
Selectable 10 ms to 199.99 s
Selectable 10 ms to 199.99 s

Duty Cycle Mode

Duty cycle indicates the ON or OFF time in percent from 0% to 100% of period for repetitive pulse train. In the illustration, duty cycle is 100 x t/P. The same signal is applied to the A and B channels.

Duty Cycle and Elapsed Time of a Laser

Duty cycle can be used to indicate the ON time of a pulsed laser in relation to total time. Laureate counters can also measure elapsed time, the number of pulses, average width in µs, the number of pulses, and total energy applied.