Laureate™ Frequency, Rate
& Period Meters
With dual, independently field-scalable channels

Features

Standard Counter

• Two independently field-scalable channels selected by front panel pushbutton.
• Frequency from 0.005 Hz to 1 MHz.
• Inputs from NPN or PNP proximity switches, contact closures, digital logic, magnetic pickups down to 12 mV, or AC inputs up to 250 Vac.
• 6-digit resolution at update rates up to 25/s.
• Line frequency measurement to 60.0000 in a few line cycles.
• Selectable "count by" of 10 or 100 with rounding.
• Square root extraction.
• Isolated 5, 10 or 24 Vdc excitation supply to power sensors.
• Green or red display
• 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.

Extended Counter

All capabilities of the Standard Counter, plus:

• Rate and total simultaneously.
• Custom curve linearization.
• Arithmetic functions A+B, A-B, AxB, A/B, A/B-1 (draw).

The Laureate dual-channel frequency, rate and period meter is a basic operating mode of the Laureate counter with the FR signal conditioner board. It can display frequency from 0.005 Hz to 1 MHz, rate in engineering units, and period (inverse of frequency). The normal displayed value can range up to 999,999 counts. Above that level, the display will flash and go into four-digit XXXXEX scientific notation. Square root extraction is standard. Each channel (A or B) may be independently scaled for frequency, rate or period. The displayed channel is selected via a front panel pushbutton.

Examples of applications are the accurate display of AC line frequency, RPM, speed from proximity switch inputs, and flow from turbine flow meter inputs.

Fast, High Resolution Measurement

The Laureate counter determines frequency by timing an integral number of periods over a specified gate time, and then taking the inverse of period. Rate is obtained by multiplying the input by a scale factor. The inverse period approach allows greater accuracy and faster update times than conventional meters which count signal pulses over a specified time interval. AC line frequency may be accurately measured to 50.0000 or 60.0000 Hz in a few line cycles. 1000 Hz signals may be measured to 0.01 Hz resolution at up to 25 readings per second. Fast response is ideal for alarm and control applications.

To reduce the effects of signal noise, a count by 10 or 100 feature with rounding is selectable. Variations in the displayed reading can also be reduced by selecting a longer gate time. An adaptive filter can reduce variations due to noise while rapidly responding to actual changes in the signal.

Extended Counter Capabilities

An Extended counter version provides capabilities beyond those of the standard counter:

• Rate and total simultaneously. One channel can display total while the other displays rate. The selection for either channel is via a front panel pushbutton. This mode is ideal for flow applications when the same signal is applied to both channels.
    

• Custom curve linearization. Exceptionally accurate custom curve linearization allows linearization of the low end of turbine flowmeters. For setup, up to 180 data points can be input into a spreadsheet or text file by the user. The computer then calculates nonlinear segments, which are downloaded into the meter via RS-232. The Extended version allows linearized rates to be totalized.
    

• Arithmetic functions. The Extended counter makes arithmetic functions available, namely A+B, A-B, AxB, A/B and A/B-1 (draw). For example, A+B allows two input flows to be summed for total flow, while A-B allows outflow to be subtracted from inflow for net flow. If transducers with a frequency output are used, AxB allows horsepower to be displayed based measured torque and RPM, or based on force and velocity. A/B can be used for the proper mixing of ingredients, while A/B-1 (draw) is used to compare rates for stretching or tensioning.

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, low-level outputs from turbine flow meters down to 12 mV, and high-level AC line inputs up to 250 Vac.

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

Other Features and Options

Plug-in isolated analog output, dual setpoint controller, or RS232/485 serial data I/O boards can upgrade the Laureate frequency, rate and period meter from a stand-alone monitor to system interface and control. The 1/8 DIN case of Laureate meters and counters meets NEMA 4X (IP-65) standards from the front for high pressure wash-down when panel mounted.

Types

Signal Ground
Channel A Frequency
Channel B Frequency
Minimum Signal
Maximum Signal
Noise Filter
Contact Debounce

AC, pulses from NPN, PNP transistors, contact closures, magnetic pickups.
Common ground for channels A & B.
0.005 Hz to 1 MHz.
0.005 Hz to 250 kHz.
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).

Crystal calibrated to ±2 ppm
±1 ppm/°C (typ)
±5 ppm/year

AC Line Frequency

RPM and Speed

Flow Rate and Simultaneous Total

Combining Two Rates

Custom Curve Linearization

System-level Capabilities

The Laureate dual channel rate meter can independently scale, display and alarm two pulse input channels. All signal or alarm data can further be transmitted via RS-232 or RS-485, including peak readings and arithmetic combinations of the two rates. The displayed rates can also be transmitted as an isolated 4-20 mA or 0-10V analog output.