The design of the Laureate™ Series is modular for maximum flexibility at minimum cost. The base configuration for a panel meter or counter consists of a main module (with computer and plug-in display boards), a power supply board, and a signal conditioner board. Optional plug-in boards include an isolated setpoint controller board, an isolated analog output board, and an isolated digital interface board. Modular design and a choice of plug-in options allow the Laureate to be customized for a broad range of applications from simple monitoring to control and computer interface. There can be up to five plug-in boards in a 1/8 DIN Laureate.

The main module (with computer and display boards) defines the Laureate series (DPM, weight meter, counter, or remote display), version (standard or extended), and LED display color (red or green). The number of digits is 5 for DPMs or 6 for counters, weight meters and remote displays. LED digits are 14.2 mm (0.56") high.

The same standard switching power supply board handles inputs of 85-264 Vac for worldwide AC use, plus 90-300 Vdc. An optional low voltage power supply board handles 10-48 Vdc or 12-32 Vac, allows the meter to be powered by 24 Vdc or by batteries. Isolated 5, 10 or 24 Vdc transducer excitation output is standard with either supply.

Four signal conditioner boards are selectable for DPMs:

Three input boards are selectable for counters: dual-channel pulse input, voltage-to-frequency converter for analog inputs, and quadrature for position or rate from encoder signals. Click on each link below to be linked to the appropriate web page:

Two isolated setpoint controller options are available to add alarm and control capability to DPMs, counters, timers and remote displays. Multiple operating modes are programmable:

A single-channel isolated analog output board capable of 4-20 mA, 0-20 mA, 0-10V or bipolar ±10V output is available for DPMs, counters timers and remote displays. A dual-channel isolated analog output board capable of 4-20 mA, 0-20 mA or 0-10V or output is available for counters timers and remote displays. These board effectively turn their host meter into an isolated transmitter. The output is scaled and linearized to the display. Resolution is 16 bits.

Isolated communication interface boards allow the Laureate to communicate with a computer or PLC. The two serial boards allow the Laureate to drive a remote display, or to serve as a remote display.

All Laureates meters are housed in a compact and rugged 1/8 DIN case which fits in a standard 45 x 92 mm panel cutout and requires only 102 mm (4.0") behind the panel (plus connectors). The Laureate case is sealed to NEMA-4X (IP-65) requirements from the front when panel mounted to allow high-pressure wash-down. All power and signal connections are via detachable UL / IEC / CSA rated screw-clamp terminals, which are standard. Serial communications are via industry-standard connectors.

Laureate meters and counters are shipped by distributors fully configured, calibrated, and ready to run. All ranges of Laureate DC, AC and temperature meters are calibrated at the factory, with calibration factors stored in EEPROM. This allows different ranges to be selected via plug-in jumpers, with no need to recalibrate the meter for each new range. Programming can be from the front panel or by using powerful and easy-to-use Laureate Instrument Setup Software, which can be downloaded at no charge from our Software Download Page. This software can simplify setup whether the PC is connected to the instrument or not. Absolute calibration of Laureate panel meters requires temporary connection to an external calibrator and to a PC running Instrument Setup Software. System-level scale and offset calibration can also be from the front panel to produce specified readings from known signals, such as 4-20 mA = 0.00% to 100.00%.

Datalogging Software turns a PC connected to up to 31 Laureate instruments into a powerful, low-cost datalogging system. The Laureates can be any mix of digital panel meters and counters, excluding only remote displays. Data can be displayed on a computer screen in the form of up to 64 simulated panel meters, which can include virtual meters that show an arithmetic combination of meter readings or totalized readings, such as volume from flow rate. Data is can be captured on disk in the form of comma-delimited ASCII files for analysis and graphing by an external program such as MS Excel.

Datalogging Software is not required for use of Laureate products with a PC. Most people use the Modbus protocol or the simpler Laurel ASCII protocol to communicate directly and read and write memory addresses, as specified in Laurel's Modbus Communications Manual and ASCII Serial Communications Manual. Reading an writing memory addresses with custom software provides maximum speed and flexibility.