Digital Panel Meter for Process & Ratiometric Applications

Ratiometric potentiometer follower application

In this application shown, the signal from a sliding contact voltage divider can be converted to engineering units such as position, level or percentage. By operating in a ratiometric mode, the meter automatically removes any effects caused by variations in the excitation supply. Connect excitation return to signal return, and jumper the excitation output to 5 Vdc.

signal from a sliding contact voltage divider operating in a ratiometric mode

Powering two-wire transmitters

The isolated 24 Vdc, 50 mA excitation output, which is standard with all Laureate meters, is ideal for powering two-wire, 4-20 mA transmitters. The same two wires are used to apply voltage and carry the output current. Inside the meter, the 4-20 mA current is dropped across a 10 ohm resistor and sets up a 40-200 mV voltage, which is then sensed by the meter and scaled to engineering units.

Testing with peak detection

Destructive testing is an ideal application for the Laureate strain meter. Peak readings are automatically captured at rates up to 60 per second, while the display updates at a legible 3.5 readings per second. The peak reading can be recalled at the push of a button or be transmitted via RS-232 or RS-485. The meter provides isolated 10 Vdc power for up to four (4) the strain gauges and can be scaled to read out directly in engineering units from -99,999 to +99,999.
Powering two-wire transmitters Testing with peak detection

Custom curve linearization

The Laureate DC meter with the Extended main board option allows exceptionally accurate custom curve linearization. For setup, up to 180 data points can be entered into a spreadsheet. The system then creates multiple non-linear spline-fit segments, which provide much better accuracy than linear segments. Illustrated, is the readout of volume of irregularly shaped tanks based on measured liquid level or pressure. Altimeters and thermistors are further applications

Rate from successive readings

The Extended computer board allows the display of rate based on successive readings, for instance flow rate based on changes in liquid level or static pressure in a tank. In the above illustration, the meter displays the rate in gallons at which a horizontal tank is being emptied. The input to the meter can be nonlinear, since only the linearized readings are compared for the determination of rate.
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