QLS Series Quad Output 4-20 mA Current Loop Splitter / Retransmitter

QLS Series Quad Output 4-20 mA Current Loop Splitter / Retransmitter

Price: $274.00
  • P/NQLS-1
- +
QLS Quad Output 4-20 mA Current Loop Splitter Retransmitter

Features

  • Accepts a 4-20 mA, 1-5V, 0-5V or 0-10V input signal
  • Drives four (4) independent 4-20 mA outputs proportional to input
  • Signal input and outputs can share a common ground
  • Remote grounds can differ by up to ±10V from local signal ground
  • Opening any output loop does not affect other loops
  • ±10 zero and span fine adjustments for each output loop
  • Loop current test point for each output, where 200 mV = 20 mA
  • Indicator LED for each connected output
  • Powered by 85-264 Vac or 90-300 Vdc (Model QLS-1)
  • Powered by 10-48 Vdc or 12-32 Vac (Model QLS-2)
  • Powers a 2- or 3-wire input transmitter at 24 Vdc at up to 30 mA
  • 22.5 mm (0.9") wide case snaps to 35 mm DIN rail
  • Weighs only 159 g (5.6 oz)
  • Operating temperature from -40°C to 70°C (-40°F to 158°F)


Features of the LT DIN Rail Digital Transmitter for Quad Loop Splitter / Retransmitter

The LT DIN Rail Digital Transmitter accepts 4-20 mA, 1-5V, 0-5V, or 0-10V inputs and drives four independent 4-20 mA outputs with ±10V common mode isolation. It supports shared or ±10V differing grounds, with each loop featuring ±10% zero/span adjustments, a 200 mV = 20 mA test point, and an LED indicator. Powered by 85-264 Vac/90-300 Vdc (QLS-1) or 10-48 Vdc/12-32 Vac (QLS-2), it powers 2- or 3-wire transmitters at 24 Vdc up to 30 mA. Housed in a 22.5 mm case for 35 mm DIN rail, it weighs 159 g and operates from -40°C to 70°C, with CE, RoHS3, and ETL certifications. The LT Quad Loop Splitter solves series loop issues by providing four adjustable outputs from one input, ensuring unaffected loops if one fails. It includes LED diagnostics and test points, enhancing reliability and ease of use.

The QLS-1 and QLS-2 are factory-calibrated. For optimal accuracy, factory recalibration is recommended annually. All Laurel Electronics instruments undergo factory calibration using the industry-leading Fluke calibrators, which are recalibrated yearly and certified traceable to national standards, ensuring the highest level of precision and reliability.



Problems with Current Loop Loads in Series

Laureate Ethernet network by Laurel Electronics Quad Loop Splitter
Common Practice: A single 4-20 mA loop from a sensor is connector to a panel meter, a control valve, a recorder and a PLC in series. If the loop opens, all devices in the loop fail.

  1. All devices in the loop cannot share a common ground, but must be electrically floating. This is often not possible.
  2. When any device in a loop is removed, fails, or if a wiring fault occurs, all other devices in the loop loose their 4-20 mA signal.
  3. The transmitter(signal conditioner) voltage compliance limit may be exceeded, since the voltage drops across loads in series are additive.
  4. The 4-20 mA signal to each load device cannot be individually adjusted for calibration purposes.
  5. There are not diagnostics for the current to each load.


The Laureate QLS Loop Splitter / Retransmitter Solution

QLS Quad Loop Splitter connections
Improved Practice: Four independent 4-20 mA loops with ±10V common mode isolation. If any of the output loops opens, only a single device is affected. The output loops can share a common ground.

  1. Sources up to four (4) independently adjustable 4-20 mA outputs from a single input, which can be 4-20 mA, 1-5V, 0-5V or 0-10V, as selected by jumpers.
  2. If any device in an output loop is removed from a loop or fails, or if a wiring fault occurs in any loop, the other loops continue to operate properly.
  3. Signal input and outputs can share a common signal ground.
  4. Common mode volage of output loops is ±10V by means of active circuity so that remote grounds can vary by up to ±10V.
  5. Each loop only drives a single load, thus avoiding voltage compliance problems.
  6. ±10%  of zero and span adjustment are provided for each output loop to allow for independent loop calibration.
  7. Diagnostics for each output loop are provided by a yellow LED lamp to indicate loop continuity and by a test point across a 10Ω series resistor, where 200 mV corresponds to 20 mA. The test point allows a multimeter to measure the loop current without breaking the loop.
  8. Power for the loop splitter can be high voltage 85-264 Vac or 90-300 Vdc (Model QLS-1) or low voltage 10-48 Vdc or 12-32 Vac (Model QLS-2). An excitation output is provided on the signal input side to drive a 2- or 3-wire transmitter at 24 Vdc up to 30 mA.


QLS Pinouts and Theory of Operation

QLS Quad Loop Splitter theory of operation

Galvanic & Active Isolation: A single input current loop is split into four independent output loops I1, I2, I3 and I4 by four current generators. The input and output signals are galvanically isolated from power and earth grounds by up to 264 Vac. Active circuitry allows a common mode voltage up to ±10V between Local Signal Ground (on pins 1) and the Remote Grounds. Each common mode voltages, labeled CMV1 to CMV4 in the diagram, reflects the actual voltage difference between Local Signal Ground and the Remote Ground. Such differences can be caused by current flows in the factory.

Floating loads: Any output load R that is floating (not connected to Earth Ground or a Local Ground) can be connected between current output (Pin 1) and current return (Pin 2). Current return is internally tied to Signal Ground, which can be floating or be connected to Earth Ground.

Grounded loads: Any output load R can be connected to a Local Ground instead of current return. The Remote Grounds can each be different, but can only differ from Signal Ground by a safe common mode voltage CMV. Signal Ground should be tied to Earth Ground to minimize noise pickup.

QLS Safe Operating Area


Input-output isolation:
If a load R is grounded to a Local Ground, the available common mode voltage CMV is limited on the positive side by the unit's internal power supply and on the negative side by the 600 mW power dissipation limit of an output transistor. The above diagram shows allowable CMV as a function of output load resistance R. For example, with a 250Ω load, CMV can range from -13V to +17V. With a 500Ω load, CMV can range from -18V to +12V. The unit will not work correctly if CMV limits are exceeded or the load resistance is greater than 600Ω.

Signal Input & Excitation
Signal Type 4-20 mA, 1-5V, 0-5V, 0-10V (jumper selectable)
Input Resistance 50Ω for 4-20 mA, 412kΩ for 1-5V, 464kΩ for 0-5V, 935kΩ for 0-10V
Transducer Excitation 24 Vdc output, 30 mA max
Signal Outputs
Number of Outputs 4
Signal Type 4-20 mA
Signal Ground Same signal ground for input and outputs
Common Mode Voltage Remote signal grounds can be up to ± 10V from local signal ground
Zero & Span Adjustments ± 10% for each output with 25-turn potentiometers
Isolation Power to Signals 264 Vac
Voltage Compliance 12V (600Ω per loop at 20 mA)
Load Regulation ± 0.005% of span from 0Ω to 600Ω
Accuracy ± 0.02% max span error at 23°C
Zero Tempco ± 0.1 µA/°C typical, ± 0.2 µA/°C max
Span Tempco ± 10 ppm/°C (0.16 µA/°C) typical, ± 20 ppm/°C (0.32 µA/°C) max
AC Rejection 90 dB from DC to 60 Hz
Response Speed 2 ms risetime, 7 ms settling time to 0.1% of final value
Loop Current Sense 10Ω ± 0.5% series resistor. Generates 200 mV at 20 mA
Loop Continuity Indication Yellow LED lamp per loop, brightness proportional to current.
Power Input
Model QLS-1 85-264 Vac or 90-300 Vdc
Model QLS-2 10-48 Vdc or 12-32 Vac
Power Frequency DC or 47-63 Hz
Power Isolation 250V AC working, 1.0 kV AC for 60 sec, 1.7 kV DC for 2 sec
Power Consumption 3.5 W max, all loops delivering 20 mA
Power On Indication Green LED lamp
Mechanical
Mounting 35 mm rail per DIN EN 50022
Dimensions 22.5 x 103 x 128 mm (0.9" x 4.1" x 5.0") W x H x D
Weight 140 g (5 oz)
Connectors Detachable plug-in screw-clamp connectors
Wire Size 28-12 AWG, 2.5 sq. mm max
Environmental
Operating Temperature -40°C to 70°C (-40°F to 158°F)
Storage Temperature -40°C to 85°C (-40°F to 185°F)
Relative Humidity 95% at 40°C, non-condensing
Cooling Required Mount transmitters with ventilation holes at top and bottom. Leave 6 mm (1/4") between transmitters, or force air with a fan.
General
Warranty 3 years parts & labor
Recalibration: All ranges are calibrated at the factory. Recalibration is recommended every 12 months.

Dimensions

Laurel transmitter case

Dimensioned CAD assembly drawings in EPRT, STEP, x_t, .dwg, pdf file formats: Laureate-transmitter-case.zip (zipping prevents browser from opening CAD files as text files).

 

More Information...